GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

MODULE 6

Prepared by: Rachel Ann DR. Drio

 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

IN GRAPHING A RATIONAL FUNCTION, WE WILL

BE GETTING THE ELEMENTS ONE BY ONE TO
DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF CURVE OUR
FUNCTION WOULD LOOK LIKE. LET US
DISCUSS THEM ONE AT A TIME. CONSIDER THIS
FUNCTION:
𝑓(𝑥) =
Steps in Graphing Rational Functions

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

Zeros of the Domain and

Asymptotes Intercepts Graph
Function Range

8
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 1: ASYMPTOTE
𝑓(𝑥) =
 Asymptote refers to the line which continually approaches
a certain point but never crosses it.
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 1: ASYMPTOTE
𝑓(𝑥) =
 Let us find the vertical asymptote by taking our
denominator and equate it with zero.
 So, we have: 𝑥 − 2 = 0
 𝑥=2
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 1: ASYMPTOTE
𝑓(𝑥) =
 𝑥=2
 This means that our vertical asymptote is in (2, 0) as
shown in the graph.
GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTE
Let n be the degree of the numerator and m be the degree of the
denominator
 If n<m, the horizontal asymptote is y= 0
 If n=m, the horizontal asymptote is the leading coefficient
of numerator and denominator
 If n>m, there is no horizontal asymptote
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 1: ASYMPTOTE
𝑓(𝑥) =
 Now, let us find the horizontal/slant asymptote by getting
the lead coefficient of the numerator and denominator. We
have: y = 1
 Thus, our horizontal asymptote lies on (0,1) so we have
this in our graph.
GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 2: INTERCEPTS
𝑓(𝑥) =
 For y intercept; when x=0, y = -1/2 (0,
 For x intercept; when y = 0, x = -1 (-1, 0)
GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 3: ZEROES OF THE FUNCTION

𝑓(𝑥) =
Zeros of the function is denoted by which value will the
function be zero
0= , X + 1 = 0
X = -1
This means that the function will be equal to zero when 𝑥 = −1.
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 4: DOMAIN AND RANGE

 Domain of the function refers to any set of values that will
be your input, while the range contains the output values
produced by a function.
 We will use the denominator of our rational function in
getting the domain since we will be getting all values that is
possible for x in order to solve for y, using the denominator
will deviate us from getting undefined values
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 4: DOMAIN AND RANGE

 𝑓(𝑥) =
 The domain of our function is set on 𝑥 − 2 = 0 leading us into all real
numbers except 2. Thus, domain of the function is 𝑥 > 2 or 𝑥 < 2
with an interval notation of (−∞, 2) ∪ (2, ∞)
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 4: DOMAIN AND RANGE

 The range of the y>1 or y<1with interval
notation of (−∞, 1) ∪ (1, ∞)
 Let us use a table of values setting the values of x from -2
to 2. Then we will achieve the values for y after
substituting it in our function.
 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 4: DOMAIN AND RANGE

 Let us use a table of values setting the values of x from -2
to 2. Then we will achieve the values for y after
substituting it in our function.

x -2 -1 0 1 2

f(x)= 0.25 0 -0.25 -2 undefine

 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 5: GRAPH
x -2 -1 0 1 2

f(x)= 0.25 0 -0.25 -2 undefine

Plot the points as indicated by the values on the table.

 GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

STEP 5: GRAPH
x -2 -1 0 1 2

f(x)= 0.25 0 -0.25 -2 undefine

Plot the points as indicated by the values on the table.

 YOUR TURN!

Sketch the graph and determine the parts of

𝐺(𝑥) = , step by step

THANK YOU

W W W. FA B R I K A M . C O M