Graphs of Rational

2.7 Functions

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What You Should Learn
• Analyze and sketch graphs of rational functions.

• Sketch graphs of rational functions that have

slant asymptotes.

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The Graph of a Rational Functions

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The Graph of a Rational Functions
To sketch the graph of a rational function, use the following
guidelines.

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The Graph of a Rational Function

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Example 2 – Sketching the Graph of a Rational Function

Sketch the graph of by hand.

Solution:
y-intercept: because g(0) =

x-intercepts: None because 3  0.

Vertical asymptote: x = 2, zero of denominator

Horizontal asymptote: y = 0, because degree of

N(x) < degree of D(x)

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Example 2 – Solution cont’d

Additional points:

By plotting the intercept, asymptotes,

and a few additional points, you can
obtain the graph shown in Figure 2.46.
Confirm this with a graphing utility.

Figure 2.46
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Slant Asymptotes

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Slant Asymptotes
Consider a rational function whose denominator is of
degree 1 or greater.

If the degree of the numerator is exactly one more than the

degree of the denominator, then the graph of the function
has a slant (or oblique) asymptote.

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Slant Asymptotes
For example, the graph of

has a slant asymptote, as

shown in Figure 2.50. To
find the equation of a slant
asymptote, use long division.

Figure 2.50
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Slant Asymptotes
For instance, by dividing x + 1 into x2 – x, you have
f(x)

=x–2+
Slant asymptote
( y = x  2)

As x increases or decreases without bound, the remainder

term

approaches 0, so the graph of approaches the line

y = x – 2, as shown in Figure 2.50
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Example 6 – A Rational Function with a Slant Asymptote

Sketch the graph of .

Solution:
First write f(x) in two different ways. Factoring the
numerator

enables you to recognize the x-intercepts.

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Example 6 – A Rational Function with a Slant Asymptote

Long division

enables you to recognize that the line y = x is a slant

asymptote of the graph.

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Example 6 – Solution cont’d

y-intercept: (0, 2), because f(0) = 2

x-intercepts: (–1, 0) and (2, 0)

Vertical asymptote: x = 1, zero of denominator

Horizontal asymptote: None, because degree of

N(x) > degree of D(x)

Additional points:

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Example 6 – Solution cont’d

The graph is shown in Figure 2.51.

Figure 2.51

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