Objectives
Identify rational functions
Analyze graphs of rational
functions’
Given a function, draw the graph
Explain characteristics of the
graph
Given a variety of graphs, select
the rational function graph and
defend your choice
I. Definition
• A rational function can be written in the
form:
p(x)
f(x) =
q(x)
• p(x) and q(x) are polynomials where q(x)≠0
Examples of rational functions
2x 7 1
3x
x
2x 5 x5 x 5x 6
2
2x 7 2x 7 x2
Which of the following functions are rational?
Yes! No! Yes!
These rational functions make all
kinds of “funny looking” graphs…
Continuous or Discontinuous?
Graphs are discontinuous because
they have breaks in the graph.
• These breaks called “points of discontinuity”
are either holes or vertical asymptotes.
• What causes these points of discontinuity?
• First we must look at the domain of the function.
II. Domain
• The domain of a rational functions of x
includes all real numbers except x-values
that make the denominator zero.
Think…
What can you plug in for x? Or...
What can you NOT plug in for x?
II. Domain
• Example: 1
f ( x)
x
• What value for x will make the
denominator zero?
II. Domain
1
• Example: f ( x)
x
• 0 will make the denominator zero.
• Domain of f(x) is:
{all real numbers except x=0.}
In order to find what makes the denominator
zero, you will need to factor.
x 4 x 45
2
( x 5)( x 9)
f ( x) 2 f ( x)
x 2 x 15 ( x 5)( x 3)
Since -5 and 3 will make the denominator
zero, these graphs will have points of
discontinuity at x = -5 and x = 3.
Find the points of discontinuity:
3 5x 3 2x
f ( x) y 2 g ( x) 2
x( x 4) x x 12 3x 4
But how do you know if it is a hole or vertical
asymptote?
It will produce a hole in the line if it
cancels…
• Example:
x 3 ( x 4) x 3 ( x 4)
x 4 x 4
Because 4 will make the denominator = 0, then
there is a point of discontinuity at x = 4.
However, since the (x-4)’s cancel, then it is a
hole.
hole
Since the (x-4)’s cancel out, we are really left with a
line that looks like the line y = x + 3, but with a
hole in it at x = 4.
Notice how to enter it into calculator…
x 3 ( x 4)
y
x 4
Graph won’t appear to have a hole at x = 4.
hole
III. Vertical Asymptote
• Abbreviated V.A.
• Occur on the graph of the function at the
zeros of the denominator
• Ex. 3 x
x2
2 would make the denominator =0, and it
does not cancel, so there is a VA at x =2.
III. Vertical Asymptote
• Graph
State whether the points of discontinuity are holes or
asymptotes.
a.
x7 x 2 3x h( x )
( x 6)( x 9)
y f ( x) ( x 9)( x 9)( x 6)
( x 1)( x 5) x3
IV. Horizontal Asymptote
• Abbreviated H.A.
• There are 3 different cases to determine
horizontal asymptotes:
Horizontal Asymptotes
1. If the degree of p(x) is less than the
degree of q(x), the graph has the x-axis
(y=0) as a horizontal asymptote.
Horizontal Asymptotes
• Case 1 2x
f ( x) 2
3x 1
Notice that the graph
crosses the H.A.
H.A.s only deal with
END BEHAVIOR.
Horizontal Asymptotes
2. If the degree of p(x) equals degree of
q(x), the graph has the line y=a/b, where a
is the leading coefficient of p(x) and b is
the leading coefficient of q(x).
Horizontal Asymptotes
• Case 2 2x 2
f ( x) 2 y=a/b=2/3
3x 1
Horizontal Asymptotes
3. If the degree of p(x) is greater than the
degree of q(x), the graph has no horizontal
asymptote.
Horizontal Asymptotes
• Case 3 2x3
f ( x) 2 No H.A.
3x 1
4 x 3 3x 6 x
2
g ( x) y
2x 1 2x
3x 4
3
h( x ) 4
6x
V. x-intercepts
• Occur where p(x) 2x 3 2
f ( x) 2
equals zero (set the 3x 1
numerator = to zero)
If p(x) is a constant (or 2x2 2
f ( x)
imaginary), there is 3x 1
no x-intercept
2
f ( x)
3x 1
VI. y-intercepts
• Find by substituting zero in for x
• Ex. 2x 2
3
f ( x) 2
3x 1
2(0) 2 2
f (0) 2
3(0) 1 1
(0,2) is the y-intercept
Type into calc:
y = (x – 2)/(x(x+2))
Guidelines for Graphing Rational
Functions
1. Find and plot the y-intercept
2. Find the zeros of p(x) and plot x-intercepts
3. Find zeros of q(x). Sketch vertical asymptotes
4. Find and sketch the horizontal asymptotes
5. Plot a few points around intercepts and
asymptotes
6. Use smooth curves to complete the graph
Example 1 3
f ( x)
• y-intercept 3 -3 x2
=
(0,-3/2) 0-2 2
3
Example 1 f ( x)
x2
• x-intercept – num. is 3, there are no x-int.
3
Example 1 f ( x)
x2
• Vertical asymptotes – x-2=0 so x=2
3
Example 1 f ( x)
x2
• Horizontal asymptotes is y=0
3
f ( x)
Example 1 x2
• Additional Points x -4 1 3 5
f(x) -0.5 -3 3 1
Example 1 3
f ( x)
• Smooth Curves x2
x
Example 2 f ( x) 2
x x2
• y-intercept 0
= 0
= 0
0-0-2 2
(0,0)
x
f ( x)
Example 2 x2 x 2
• x-intercept Numerator is zero when x=0
(0,0)
x
f ( x)
Example 2 x2 x 2
• Vertical asymptotes
x=-1
x2-x-2 = (x + 1)(x - 2) x=2
Example 2 x
f ( x) 2
x x2
• Horizontal asymptotes
y=0
x
f ( x)
Example 2 x2 x 2
• Additional Points
x -3 -0.5 1 3
f(x) -0.3 0.4 -0.5 0.75
Example 2 f ( x) 2
x
x x2
• Smooth Curves
x-intercepts - To make the numerator 0, x must be zero. (0, 0) is the x-
intercept.
y-intercepts - (0, 0) is also the y-intercept.
vertical asymptotes ("bad" x-values) - Factor the bottom into (x - 3)(x +3).
Setting this equal to zero we get two vertical asymptotes: x = 3 and x = -3. So
far, our graph has a point at (0, 0) and two vertical dashed lines.
horizontal asymptotes (end behavior) - The denominator has the highest
degree term. Therefore, the denominator dominates (grows bigger faster
than the top). Therefore, the y-values approach zero as x grows. Therefore
y = 0 is the horizontal asymptote.
