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Rational Functions
Rational Functions
A rational function is the algebraic equivalent of a rational number. Recall that a rational number
is one that can be expressed as a ratio of integers: p/q.
Examples:
2/3,
-23 ( = -23/1),
0.005 ( = 5/1000)
f ( x)
1
, f ( x)
x
3x 2 7 x 2
, g ( x)
x2 x 1
x2 1
, g ( x)
x
x
x
f ( x)
x
x
Do this:
x2 - 4
(x - 2)(x + 2) 0
x-2 0 x+2 0
x 2
x -2
Therefore, the domain of f(x) is all real numbers, except for x = 2 and x = -2.
The range of a rational function is sometimes easier to find by first finding the inverse of the
function and determining its domain (remember that the range of a function is equal to the
domain of its inverse). If this doesnt work, the best strategy is to graph the rational function.
To do that, you have to locate all asymptotes, as described below.
Asymptotes
In general, an asymptote is a line (or a curve) that the graph of a function gets close to
but does not touch. There are three main types of asymptotes:
1. Vertical Asymptotes
The vertical line x = c is a vertical asymptote of the graph of f(x), if f(x) gets infinitely
large or infinitely small as x gets close to c. The graph of f(x) can never cross or touch the
asymptote, x = c.
i.e. as x c, f(x)
or f(x) - .
Finding Vertical Asymptote(s)
A rational function reduced to lowest terms (all factors common to both numerator and
denominator cancelled out) will have a vertical asymptote at every value of x that would
make the denominator equal zero. One function may have many vertical asymptotes.
Another way of looking at vertical asymptotes is that they are the restrictions of the
domain of a reduced rational function.
Refer to the domain example above,
x = 2 and x = -2 would be the vertical asymptotes of
f ( x)
x
x
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Examples:
(a) f ( x)
3x 2 7 x 4
2x 4 5
Horizontal asymptote at y = 0
1
x 2
Horizontal asymptote at y =
2
2x 7
3. Oblique Asymptotes (a.k.a. diagonal or slant)
The line y = mx + b is an oblique asymptote for the graph of f(x), if f(x) gets close to
mx + b as x gets really large or really small.
(b)
f ( x)
i.e. as x
, f(x)
mx + b
Note that f(x) can approach its oblique asymptote from either above or below, and the
graph of f(x) may cross or intersect its oblique asymptote at a (usually) central point.
Finding Oblique Asymptote
A given rational function will either have only one oblique asymptote or no oblique
asymptote.
If a rational function has a horizontal asymptote, it will not have an oblique asymptote.
Oblique asymptotes only occur when the numerator of f(x) has a degree that is one higher
than the degree of the denominator.
When you have this situation, simply divide the numerator by the denominator, using
polynomial long division or synthetic division. The quotient (set equal to y) will be the
oblique asymptote. Note that the remainder is ignored.
Example:
f ( x)
8 x 2 3x 1
x 2
x 2 8x
8 x 13
3x 1
Quotient
8 x 2 16 x
13x 1
13x 26
27
Page 3
-3
16 26
Quotient
13 |27
Example: f ( x)
8. Determine the behavior of f(x) as x approaches each vertical asymptote, both from the
left side and from the right side. The function has to either get really big (
) or
really small (
), and the results from step 5 will tell you which.
LSC-Montgomery Learning Center: Rational Functions
Last Updated April 13, 2011
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9. You may be able to make use of y-axis and origin symmetries -- check to see.
10. Connect all pieces and points with a smooth curve, plotting any additional test points
you need for clarity.
An Example of Graphing a Rational Function
x
Example: f ( x)
2
x 4
f(x)
x= - 2
x= 2
Asymptotes
1. Vertical:
x = 2, x = -2
2. Horizontal: y = 0
3. Oblique: none
Intercepts
x-intercept = y-intercept = (0,0)
Note that this is also the point where f(x) intersects its horizontal asymptote.
Interval
Interval
Notation
Test
x-value
Sign
of f(x)
- < x < -2
(- , -2)
-3
f(-3) = -3/5
= negative
as x
as x
-2 < x < 0
(-2, 0)
-1
f(-1) = 1/3
= positive
0<x<2
(0, 2)
f(1) = -1/3
= negative
as x
2<x<
(2, )
f(3) = 3/5
= positive
as x
as x
Behavior of f(x)
at asymptotes
, f(x) 0 from below
-2 from the left, f(x)
-
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ax m
bx n
Vertical Asymptotes
Set bx n 0
x1 , x
x2 ,
Other Asymptotes
a) If m < n, then y = 0 (horizontal)
b) If m = n, then y
a
(horizontal)
b
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