College Algebra v3.

2
Edward Burger

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CHAPTER 5
Rational Functions and Conics

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 Introduction to Graphing Rational
Functions
• A rational function is the ratio of polynomials .
• The domain of a rational function is found by solving the inequality , since
division by 0 is undefined.

Examining the Graph of f(x) = 1/x

Description Notation
Domain All real numbers except x = 0
Range All real numbers except y = 0
Behavior As the x-values approach 0 from the left, As x -, f(x) -
Near x = 0 f(x) is heading down toward negative
infinity. As x 0+, f(x)

As the x-values approach 0 from the right,

f(x) is heading up toward positive infinity.

• The function is the basic rational function. Its important

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properties are summarized here.
 Introduction to Graphing Rational
Functions (Asymptote)
• An asymptote is a line a graph
approaches very closely. The graph
of has two asymptotes.
• A vertical asymptote at This is
the result of the function being
undefined at that point. As
approaches 0 from either
direction, approaches or .
• A horizontal asymptote at . This
is an end behavior of the function,
which means as approaches or ,
the values approach 0.

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 Introduction to Graphing Rational
Functions (CONTINUED)
• Some simple rational functions may be graphed as transformations of the basic
rational function . Recall the rules for graphing by transformations:

For the function

• is a horizontal translation of the basic function .
• is a vertical translation of the basic function .
• is a vertical stretch and a reflection on the -axis if .

The graph on the left is the

basic rational function
translated down 1 unit.
The graph on the right is
the basic rational function
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 Identifying Asymptotes of Rational
Functions
• Although a rational function may have both vertical and horizontal asymptotes,
they are found in different ways.
Horizontal asymptotes are
Vertical asymptotes occur when found using the Degree Test:
provided there are no common If… Horizontal Asymptote
factors in the function. Degree f < Degree g
Degree f = Degree g
Degree f > Degree g none

has a vertical asymptote when therefore,

The horizontal asymptote occurs at since the degrees of the
numerator and denominator are equal.
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 Identifying Asymptotes of Rational
Functions (CONTINUED)
• The graph of the rational function has an oblique (or slant) asymptote when
the degree of the numerator is exactly 1 higher than the degree of the
denominator.

• The equation of the oblique asymptote is the quotient

of the polynomial long division of the function.
2 𝑥 +1
2
Oblique Asymptote:
𝑥+2 2𝑥 +5𝑥−1
−(2 𝑥 2+ 4 𝑥)
Vertical Asymptote:
𝑥 −1
−(𝑥 +2)
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−3
 Conic Sections
A conic section is a figure that is formed when a plane intersects a right
double cone with a circular base. There are four types of conic sections.
• Circle
• Ellipse
• Parabola
• Hyperbola
In addition, there are
three degenerate conics:
• Point
• Line
• Two
Intersecting Can you draw the cases that
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 Parabolas
A parabola is the set of all points equidistant from a
point, F, called the focus, and a line called the directrix.
• A parabola with a vertical axis
of symmetry and vertex at (0, 0)
is defined by the equation .
• A parabola with a horizontal
• If the value of these graphs will
axis of symmetry and vertex at
be reflected across their
(0, 0) is defined by the equation respective axes.
. • The directrix is for a parabola
• The constant is the distance with a vertical axis.
from the vertex to the focus. • The directrix is for a parabola
with a horizontal axis.

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 Graphing Parabolas
To graph a parabola, solve for the quadratic variable in the equation. This
allows the focal distance to be calculated and the parabola to be sketched.
𝑥2 =−2 𝑦 Vertical Axis 𝑦2 𝑥
therefore, .
− =0 Horizontal Axis
3 6
Focus: Directrix: . ; therefore, .
2 1 Focus: Directrix: .
𝑦 = 𝑥
𝑦=
1 2
2 1
1 𝐹 :( , 0)
𝑥=− 8
8
1
𝐹 :(0 , − )
2

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 Focal Diameter
• The latus rectum is a line segment perpendicular to the axis of the
parabola through the focus.
• The distance from the focus to the parabola along the latus rectum is .
• The focal diameter is the length of the latus rectum, . It is used to
determine the relative width of the parabola.
• In general, the larger the value of , the wider the parabola.

𝑝=
1 𝑝=− 4
16

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 Defining the Equation of a Parabola
• To define the equation of a parabola:
• Determine whether the axis is horizontal or vertical. The quadratic variable
corresponds to the axis of the parabola.
• Determine the value of using the given information.
• Write the equation of the parabola in standard form.
What is the equation of a parabola
with a vertex at the origin and a 𝑥2 =4 𝑝𝑦
directrix of ?
2 1
• The axis is vertical; this means is the 𝑥 =4 (− 4 ) 𝑦
quadratic variable in the equation.
• The distance from the focus to the 𝑥2 =− 𝑦
directrix is therefore, .
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 Ellipses
• An ellipse is the set of all points where the sum of
the distances from two fixed points is constant. The
two fixed points are called the foci of the ellipse.
• Ellipses have two axes of symmetry. The longer
axis is called the major axis and the shorter axis is
called the minor axis.
• The endpoints of the major axis are called the
vertices; the endpoints of the minor axis are called
co-vertices.
• The foci of an ellipse lie on the major axis.
• All symmetry of an ellipse is with respect to its
center.
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 Ellipse Equations
• The standard form for the equation of ellipses centered at the origin are:
Horizontal Major Axis: Vertical Major Axis:
𝑥2
𝑦2
𝑦 2 𝑥2
+ =1 • is the semi-major 2
+ 2 =1
2
𝑎 𝑏
2
𝑎 𝑏
axis length from the
center to the vertex.
• is the semi-minor
axis length from the
center to a co-vertex.
• is the distance from
the center to a foci.
𝑐 2=𝑎 2 −𝑏2
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 Defining the Equation of an Ellipse from
its Graph
• The equation of an ellipse centered at the origin may be defined if the
lengths of the semi-major and semi-minor axis can be determined.
• In an ellipse: .

Horizontal Major Axis: Vertical Major Axis:

𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑦 2 𝑥2
2
+ 2 =1 2
+ 2 =1
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
, ,
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑦 2 𝑥2
+ =1 + =1
9 4 16 1

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 Defining the Equation of an Ellipse from
its Graph (CONTINUED)
• If the length of the semi-major and semi-minor axes of an ellipse centered at
the origin can be determined, the equation can be found.
• The focal distance formula may be useful as well.
An ellipse centered at the origin has a major axis length of 10 and foci at points
(0, 4) and (0, -4). What is the standard form equation of this ellipse?
• The ellipse has a vertical major axis since the foci lie on
the -axis.
• The semi-major axis length is since the major axis
length is 10.
• The semi-minor axis is found using the focal distance
formula: 4 2= 52 − 𝑏2 2 2
𝑦 𝑥
𝑏2 =9 + =1
25 9
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𝑏=3
 Graphing an Ellipse Given its Equation
• If the standard from equation of an ellipse is known, the ellipse is graphed by
identifying the semi-major and semi-minor axis lengths.
• In an ellipse, .
• The foci lie on the major axis. Use the focal distance formula to determine their
location.
Graph the equation: Horizontal Major Axis:

• The value of therefore, .

• The vertices lie at and .
• The value of therefore, .
• The co-vertices lie at and .
• The focal distance is found using
therefore, .
• Foci lie at and .
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 Eccentricity
• The eccentricity, , of an ellipse is the ratio of the lengths and : 𝑐
• Eccentricity of an ellipse is always a value between 0 and 1. 𝑒=
𝑎
• close to 0 is more circular ( is a circle).
• close to 1 is more stretched (eccentric).

Find the eccentricity of :

• Find using the focal distance formula:

• Calculate the eccentricity:

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 Hyperbolas
• A hyperbola is the set of all points such that the
difference of the distances from two fixed points is
constant. The two fixed points are called the foci of
the hyperbola.
• Hyperbolas have two axes of symmetry. The axis that
cuts through the hyperbola is the transverse axis
and the one that does not is the conjugate axis.
• The vertices of the hyperbola lie upon the transverse
axis. The foci lie upon it as well and are further from
the center than the vertices.
• The co-vertices are not points on the graph but help
define its shape. They lie on the conjugate axis.
• Hyperbolas have slant asymptotes that go through
its center, which is the center of all symmetry.
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 Hyperbola Equations
• The standard form equations of hyperbolas centered at the origin are:

Horizontal Transverse Axis: • is the distance from Vertical Transverse Axis:

the center to a
𝑥2 𝑦 2 𝑦 2
𝑥 2

2
− 2 =1 vertex. 2
− 2 =1
𝑎 𝑏 • is the distance from 𝑎 𝑏
the center to a co-
vertex.
• is the distance from
the center to a foci.

𝑐 2=𝑎 2 +𝑏2

• is the denominator of
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 Writing Hyperbolas Equations
• The vertices and co-vertices create an invisible central box.
• The slant asymptotes run through the diagonals of the
central box as well as the center of the hyperbola.
• The values of and can be determined from the central box,
then the equation of the hyperbola may be stated.
State the equation • The hyperbola has a Vertical Transverse Axis:
of the hyperbola: horizontal transverse axis. 𝑦2 𝑥2
• From the central box: 2
− 2 =1
𝑎 𝑏

Horizontal Transverse Axis:

• Therefore, the equation is: 𝑥2 𝑦 2
2
− 2 =1
𝑥2 𝑦 2 𝑎 𝑏
− =1
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 Writing Hyperbola Equations (Vertex
and Focus)
• The equation of a hyperbola may be determined from a vertex and focus as well.
• Solve for using the focal distance formula for a hyperbolas:
A hyperbola has a vertex at (0, 4) and focus at (0, 5).
What is the equation of this hyperbola?
• The hyperbola has a vertical transverse axis
since the vertex and focus lie on the y-axis.
• From the given points:
Vertical Transverse Axis:
𝑦2 𝑥2
2
− 2 =1
• Solve for : 𝑎 𝑏

𝑐 2=𝑎 2 +𝑏2 2 The equation:

𝑏 =9
𝑏2 =𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 𝑦2 𝑥2
𝑏=3 − =1
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𝑏2 =25 −16 16 9
 Writing Hyperbolas Equations
(Slant Asymptotes)
• The equation of a hyperbola may be determined from its slant asymptotes.
• For a hyperbola centered at the origin, the slant asymptote equations are:
Horizontal Transverse Vertical Transverse • The hyperbola has a
Axis: 𝑏 Axis: 𝑎 horizontal transverse axis.
𝑦 =± 𝑥 𝑦 =± 𝑥
𝑎 𝑏 • From the slopes of the
slant asymptotes:
What is the equation of the hyperbola?

Hint: Slope is always The equation:

. The assignment of
and depend on the 𝑥2 𝑦 2
− =1
location of the 9 4
vertices.
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 Graphing Hyperbolas
• Follow these steps to graph a hyperbola given its standard from
equation.
Graph the hyperbola
3 3
𝑦 =− 𝑥 𝑦= 𝑥
• Determine the transverse axis direction is horizontal 4 4
since the x-variable is in the positive fraction.
• Determine the values of a and b from the equation:
(-5, 0) (-4, (4, (5, 0)
• Plot the vertices at points (4, 0) and (-4, 0). 0) 0)
• Sketch the slant asymptotes at .
• Sketch the hyperbola using the vertices and slant
asymptotes.
• Find the foci if needed:
the foci lie at points (5, 0) and (-5, 0).
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 Translating Conic Sections
Conic Section Horizontal Vertical Axis
Axis
• To this point, all standard Parabola
equations of conics are for
Ellipse
those centered at the
origin: Hyperbola

• These standard equations

for conics centered at
point are defined using
translations.

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 Translating Conic Sections
(CONTINUED)
• Conic sections centered at the origin are translated horizontally using
the constant and vertically using the constant The table below assumes
that the Standard Equations of Conics is centered at (h, k).

Conic Section Horizontal Axis Vertical Axis

Parabola

Ellipse

Hyperbola

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 Defining the Equation of a Translated
Parabola
• The equation of a parabola with a vertex at point may be determined given
the vertex and focus.
Determine the equation of the parabola with a vertex at point (-3, 2) and focus
at (-3, -4).
( 𝑥 − h )2= 4 𝑝 ( 𝑦 − 𝑘)
• The axis of the parabola is vertical. This
defines the general form of the equation. ( 𝑥+3)2=4 𝑝 ( 𝑦 − 2)
• The vertex of the parabola is point . 3
• Calculate using the focal distance. In this 4 𝑝=− 6 →𝑝 =−
2
case, the focal distance is -6.
• Write the equation of the parabola. 2 3
( )
( 𝑥+3) =4 − ( 𝑦 − 2)
2
( 𝑥+3)2=− 6 ( 𝑦 −2)
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 Graphing a Translated Ellipse
• When an ellipse is translated from the origin, all symmetry of the graph is
performed with respect to the center .
Graph the ellipse

• The major axis of the ellipse is horizontal since the x-

variable has the larger denominator.
• The center of the ellipse is point .
• The semi-major axis length is . This means the
vertices are at points and .
• The semi-minor axis length is . This means the co-
vertices are at points and .
• Sketch the ellipse using the vertices and co-vertices.
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 Graphing a Translated Hyperbola
• When a hyperbola is translated from the origin, all symmetry of the graph is
performed with respect to the center .
Graph the hyperbola
• The transverse axis of the hyperbola is horizontal since
the x-variable has the positive denominator.
• The center of the hyperbola is point .
• The distance from the center to each vertex is . This
means the vertices are at points and .
• The distance from the center to each co-vertex is is
.
• Graph the slant asymptotes:
• Graph the hyperbola using the vertices and
asymptotes.
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 Identifying a Conic by its General
Equation
• The general form of a conic section is defined as:
𝐴 𝑥 2+ 𝐵𝑥𝑦 +𝐶 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥+ 𝐸𝑦+ 𝐹 =0
• The type of conic section may be determined by converting the general
form equation to the standard equation by completing the square.
• Conics may be classified by the general equation:
Condition Conic Section
or Parabola
Circle
Ellipse
Hyperbola
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 Identifying a Conic using the
Discriminant
• The general form of a conic section is defined as:
𝐴 𝑥 2+ 𝐵𝑥𝑦 +𝐶 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥+ 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 =0
• The type of conic section may be determined using the discriminant :

Discriminant Conic Section

Circle

Ellipse
or
Hyperbola
Parabola
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 Identifying a Conic Section from its
General Form
• The general form of a conic section is defined as:
𝐴 𝑥 2+ 𝐵𝑥𝑦 +𝐶 𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥+ 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 =0
Identify the conic section defined by the equation

The product of and is -15, and . This means the conic is an ellipse.

Discriminant Conic Section

Circle
Ellipse
Hyperbola
Parabola
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