GENERAL

MATHEMATICS
Lesson 5: Rational Function
• Supposed that (in mg) represents the concentration of a
vaccine for Covid-19 in a patients bloodstream in t hours
after the vaccine was administered. Construct a table of
values for for t = 1, 2, 5 and 10.
Rational function
A fraction and has the property that both its numerator and
denominator are polynomials.
is a rational function and in the form of , where and are
both polynomials provided that

Note: Polynomials are any function in the form where n is

a real numbers (
Example:
Answer:
1. Example 1, 2 and 3 are
2. rational functions since both
and are polynomials, while
3. example number 4 is not a
4. rational function since
numerator is not a
polynomial.
Graphing rational Function
• Unlike rational equation or rational inequalities in
representing Rational Function through its graph, we need
to know how to get the asymptote and intercepts. We
must also understand the concept of domain and range.
We sketch the graph by plotting the points. It will be easier
to make a graph if we know how to identify that part of the
graph.
•
a. Identify the horizontal and Vertical
Asymptote
Asymptote is a line or curves that gets infinitely close,
but never meet. In graphing rational function we get the
Vertical asymptote (VA) which is a vertical line that restricts
the domain. We get the zeros of the denominator for us to
get the vertical asymptote. While the Horizontal asymptote
(HA) is a line that can be approach but impossible to cross.
For us to get the horizontal asymptote we compare the
degree of polynomial in the numerator (n) and the
denominator (d).
•
Here are the cases that we must remember to get the Horizontal Asymptote.

1. then . If the degree of the polynomial in the numerator

is less than the denominator. Then the horizontal
asymptote will be y=0.
2. then . If the degree of the polynomial in the numerator
is equal to the denominator. Then the horizontal
asymptote will be coefficient of the numerator divided by
the coefficient of the denominator.
Here are the cases that we must remember
to get the Horizontal Asymptote.
3. then no . If the degree of the polynomial in the
numerator is greater than the denominator. Then there
will be no horizontal asymptote instead we need to get
the Oblique/Slant Asymptote (SA). Take note that we
can’t have both Horizontal Asymptote and Slant
Asymptote at the same rational function.
b. Identify the x-intercept and y-intercept
An intercept of a rational function is a point where the 
graph of the rational function intersects the x-axis or y-axis.
The y-intercept of a function is the y-coordinate of the point
where the function crosses the y-axis. We can get the y-
intercept by setting in the rational function. The x-intercept
of a function is the x-coordinate of the point where the
function crosses the x-axis. We can get the x-intercept by
setting in the rational function.
c. Identify the Domain and Range
• The domain of a function f(x) is the set of all
values for which the function is defined, and the range of
the function is the set of all values that  takes. We use
Interval notation to represent the domain and range of the
rational function.
Let us try!
 𝑥+ 1
1. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=
𝑥 +4
Step 1. Get the intercept
 𝑥+ 1
1. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=
𝑥 +4
Step 2. Get the Asymptote
VA

HA
This is the case of then , since the degree of the
variable of the numerator and the denominator in is the
same which is one. Since then and
•
•
 𝑥+ 1
1. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=
𝑥 +4
Step 3. Graphing and plotting points
In plotting points for the graph, it will be easier for us
to know the trend of the line by making table of values. We
just need to think of any integer from the left as well as the
right of your vertical asymptote. It doesn’t matter how many
integers as long as your denominator will not be equal to
zero.
Table of values
Table of values solution:
We must first plot the asymptote and intercepts before we plot the
coordinates from the table of values. Take a look at the figure 5.0.
 𝑥+ 1
1. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=
𝑥 +4
Step 4. Provide the domain and range of the given rational
function
To determine the domain (D) of the graph, we must
remember that VA is not part of the solution since the curve
will never cross the asymptotes and it will cause zero on
the denominator. The domain will be or . For the range,
HA is not part of the solution. The range (R) will be or .
 2 𝑥 +4
2.  𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =
𝑥 −1
 2 𝑥 +4
2.  𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =
𝑥 −1
VA

HA
then
Since then , and ,
 2 𝑥 +4
2.  𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =
𝑥 −1

Table of values
 2 𝑥+ 4
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )=
𝑥 −1
 2.
or
or
3.
 3.
VA

and
HA
This is the case of then , since the degree of the
variable of the numerator is less than the degree of
polynomial in the denominator of the rational function . .
 3.

Table of values
3.
 3.
or
or
4.
 4.
VA

and
HA
then . Since ,
then
 4.
Table of values
4.
 4.
or
or
5.
Using discriminant
equation, we determine that
will be have two imaginary
solution.
 5.
VA

HA
This is the case of then no . since the degree of the
variable of the numerator is greater than the degree of
polynomial in the denominator of the rational function . .
Instead of Horizontal Asymptote, we need to find the
Oblique/slant asymptote.
 5.
VA

HA
This is the case of then no . since the degree of the
variable of the numerator is greater than the degree of
polynomial in the denominator of the rational function . .
Instead of Horizontal Asymptote, we need to find the
Oblique/slant asymptote.
 5.
SA

In getting the slant asymptote, we need to use long

division wherein we divide the numerator by the
denominator. In this process, we don’t include the
remainder in the graph so we have the line for the slant
asymptote.
 5.
Table of values
5.
 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 −6
6. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =
𝑥 −3
 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 −6
6. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =
𝑥 −3
VA

HA then no
SA
 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 −6
6. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =
𝑥 −3
Table of values
 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 −6
6. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =
𝑥 −3
 2
𝑥 + 𝑥 −6
6. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =
𝑥 −3
or
or
 2
𝑥 +2 𝑥 − 3
7. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =−
𝑥 +3
 2
𝑥 +2 𝑥 − 3
7. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =−
𝑥 +3
HA then no .
VA
The given rational function doesn’t have Vertical
asymptote, since the numerator is factorable and our
numerator can be divided by the denominator wherein will
remain from the rational function. This particular case,
instead of getting the vertical asymptote we actually identify
the Hole of the rational function.
 2
𝑥 +2 𝑥 − 3
7. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =−
𝑥 +3
(VA) Hole

SA
Basically the slant asymptote is since it is factorable.
You have to take note there will be a restriction since there
is a hole in the given rational function which is .
 2
𝑥 +2 𝑥 − 3
7. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =−
𝑥 +3
 2
𝑥 +2 𝑥 − 3
7. 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =−
𝑥 +3
or
or