RATIONAL

FUNCTION
ABIGAIL M. REPONTE
IE, LPT
 KEY CONCEPTS

 FINDING ASYMPTOTES
 THE DOMAIN
FINDING INTERCEPTS
 GRAPHING RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
 OBJECTIVES
1. Find the vertical asymptote of a rational
function.
2. Find the horizontal asymptote if it exist
3. Find the domain of a rational function
4. Find the x intercept of a rational function
5. Find the y intercept of a rational function
6. Graph a rational function.
 INTRODUCTION TO
RATIONAL FUNCTION
  
 INTERCEPTS OF A RATIONAL
FUNCTION
Definition:
An intercept of a rational function is a point
where the graph of the rational function
intersects the x-or-y axis.
 To determine the x-intercept, find the
zeroes of the numerator then, let y=0
 To determine the y-intercept, look at
the original function then let x=o
 Examples:
  

 
x+3=0 x-3=0
x=-3 x=+3

X- intercepts are (3,0) and (-3,0)

  
  
   

 
 
   

X- intercept

Y= 4

There is no x-
intercept since you
cannot equate the
numerator to zero.
   

 
 
   

 
 
   

 
 
  

X-intercept  

Y=x
0=x

X-intercept is at
(0,0)
  
 Finding Asymptotes
Rational functions have various asymptotes.
The following will aid in in finding all
asymptotes of a rational function.
An asymptote is like an imaginary line that
cannot be crossed.
Horizontal asymptotes are the only
asymptotes that may be crossed.
The vertical asymptote come from zeroes of
the denominator.
 VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL
ASYMPTOTE
  
   

   
   

   
   

  Horizontal Asymptote

• Evaluate the degree of

the numerator and
denominator

n=1 m=2
n>m;

Therefore; y=0 or y=is at

x-axis
  
GRAPH OF A
RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
 Steps for Graphing
1. Simplify f(x) if possible, by
factoring the numerator p(x) and
denominator q(x). From the
factorization,
2. Find and plot the x-intercepts
and y-intercept of the function
(if they exist).
3. Find and sketch any asymptotes
4. Find and plot
additional points if
needed.
Note: there should be at
least one point in between
and one point beyond
each x-intercept and
vertical asymptote.
5. Use smooth continuous
curves to complete the
graph over each
interval in the domain.
EXAMPLES
  

X-intercept  

Y=3
There is no x-int.

VA HA
X-2=0 n=0 m=1
X=2 n<m; y=0
   
X -4 1 2 3 5
F(X)

     

   
  

 
X-intercept

Y=x  0=x
(0,0).

VA HA
X+1=0 X-2=0 n=0 m=1
X=-1 X=2 n<m; y=0
   

X -3 -1 -0.5 1 2 3

F(X)