General

Rational
Functions
LEONILA R. VILLANUEVA
Subject Teacher
 Objectives
At the end of the session, the teacher-participants are expected to:

1. distinguishes rational function, rational equation, and

rational inequality.
2. solves rational equations and inequalities.
3. represents a rational function through its: (a) table of
values, (b) graph, and (c) equation.
4. finds the domain and range of a rational function.
5. determines the: (a) intercepts; (b) zeroes; and
asymptotes of rational functions.
6. graphs rational functions.
 How will you differentiate rational equation, rational
inequality, and rational functions?
Rational Equation Rational Inequality Rational Function
 an equation containing at  an inequality containin  Rational Function is a function
least one fraction whose g at least one fraction defined by any other function
numerator and whose numerator and such that both the numerator
denominator are denominator are and the denominator are
polynomials where polynomials polynomials.
 denominator cannot be  an inequality containin  denominator cannot be equal
equal to zero g at least one fraction to zero
 These fractions may be on whose numerator and  It can be expressed in the
one or both sides of denominator are form
the equation polynomials  
 It is denoted by equality  denominator cannot be
symbol (=) equal to zero
 It is denoted by
inequality symbol ≤, ≥,
<,>
 How will you differentiate rational equation, rational
inequality, and rational functions?
Example
Rational Equation Rational Inequality Rational Function

 
 Remember
Some rational situations cannot be considered a function with the following cases

Rational is not a function if either the numerator Ex.


or denominator contains radical expression

 Rational is not a function if either the numerator

or denominator contains negative exponent

 Rational is not a function if either the numerator

or denominator contains fractional exponents

Rational is not a function if the terms in the g


numerator or denominator contains any variable
in the exponent
 Find the LCD of the following

1. LCD: (x-3)(5x+3) 4. LCD: x (2x+1)

2. LCD: 5. - =
LCD: (x+5) (x-5)

3. LCD: x(x-5) 6. - = LCD: (x+4) (x+4) (x-4)

 How do you find the LCD?
Factor the denominator
(x-3) X= x
1. (5x+3) 4. (2x + 1) = (2x+1)
LCD: (x-3) (5x+3) LCD: x (2x+1)

2. 5. - = (x-5) = 1 (x-5)
= 4 1
X = 1 (x+5)
=42 1xx = (x+5) (x-5)
LCD: LCD: (x+5) (x-5)

X (x+5) = X (x+5) 6. - = (x-4) = 1 (x-4)

3. (x+4) = 1 (x+4)
X = X
(x+4) (x+4)
LCD: x (x-5)
LCD: (x-4) (x+4) (x+4)
 How can you solve rational equation?

Steps in solving rational equation • Example

-=
• Factor
• Find the least common denominator.
Make sure to factor the denominator
(if factorable) before choosing the LCD • LCD: (x +4) (x-4)
• Divide the LCD to each denominator
then • 4(x+4)-7(x-4)=8(1)
• Multiply the result to each numerator. • 4x+16-7x+28=8
• Simplify and solve for x • -3x=8-16-28
• Check the answer(s) to make sure • -3x=-36
there isn't an extraneous solution • x=12
 How can you solve rational equation?

Steps in solving rational equation Example 2.

• LCD: 5x(
• Find the least common denominator.
Make sure to factor the denominator • () (3) = 5x (2)
(if factorable) before choosing the LCD • 9x +6 = 10x
• Divide the LCD to each denominator • X=6
then • Check:
• Multiply the result to each numerator.
• Simplify and solve for x
• Check the answer(s) to make sure
there isn't an extraneous solution
 How can you find the solution of rational
inequality?
Steps in solving rational INEQUALITY Example 1. Find the solutions of
 Transpose the constant term to the one side of the Find the critical numbers
inequality to express the rational inequality in the For the Numerator 2x-4=0
form 2x = 4
 (Verify the indicated inequality symbol as ≤, ≥, <,> x=
 Find the critical number by equating both X=2
numerator and denominator to zero For the Denominator 6x+18=0
 Solve for x in the numerator to get the value of the 6x = -18
critical number x=
 Solve for x in the denominator to get the value of X = -3
the critical number Plot the critical numbers in the number line
 Plot the critical numbers in the number line
 Verify the solutions in the 3 regions of the number
line to check if they are true solutions
 How can you find the solution of rational
inequality?
Verifying the solutions from each region
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3
How can you find the solution of rational
inequality?

+
 How can you find the solution of rational
inequality?
Verifying the solutions from each region
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3

Yes, solution

Solutions: [-∞,-11]U[8, ∞]
 Properties of Rational Function

• Asymptote – a boundary lines that a rational function approaches but never

crosses.
• Domain of a function is the set of all values that the variable x can take.
• Intercepts – the points that lie either on the x or y axis.
• Zeroes – zeroes of a function are the same as the solution set or roots of a
function.
• Vertical Asymptote – it exists where the denominator would be zero and
graphed as vertical dashes.
• Horizontal Asymptote – is also a dashed lines drawn horizontally to represent
another boundary. To find the horizontal asymptote you may compare the
degree of the numerator with the degree of the denominator.
 How do you find the vertical asymptote of
Rational Function?
• Types of Asymptotes
 How do you find the vertical asymptote of
Rational Function?
• Types of Asymptotes
 How do you find the horizontal asymptote of
Rational Function?
• Types of Asymptotes
 How do you find the horizontal asymptote of
Rational Function?
• Types of Asymptotes
 How do you find the horizontal asymptote of
Rational Function?
• Types of Asymptotes
 How do you find the horizontal asymptote of
Rational Function?
• Types of Asymptotes
How do you find the asymptote of
Rational Function?
 How do you find the Domain and Range of the
Rational Function?

• Remember • Find domain and graph

In the rational function, the •.
denominator cannot be equal to • With this x ≠ 2, because
zero because the range of the
function can be resulted to • =
undefined. • X = 2 is the restriction
Find the restrictions in finding
the domain and the range.
 How do you find the Domain and Range of the
Rational Function?
x y
-5 -.14
-4 -.17
-3 -.2
-2 -.25
-1 -.33
0 -.5
1 -1
2 Undefined ( 
3 1 
4  .5 Vertical Asymptote
X= 2
Horizontal
Domain: (-∞, -2) U (-2, +∞) Range: (-∞, 0) U (0, +∞) asymptote
Y= 0
 With this x ≠ +2 or With this x ≠ +2 or
x ≠ -2 x ≠ -2
Because Because

=, =,
X = 2 is the restriction X = -2 is also a restriction

x -4  -3  -2 -1  0  1  2  3  4 Domain: (-∞, -2) U (-2,2) U (2, + ∞)

f(x) 0  -1.2    4  3  3.33    0 .67
 How do you find the X and Y-Intercepts of the
Rational Function?

• To get the x-intercept, f(x) must • To get the x-intercept, x must be

be equal to 0, hence  equal to 0, hence.
•

0(x-2) = X+8
0 =x+8
X = -8 x-intercept Y = -.4 y- intercept
How do you find the Zeroes of the
Rational Function?