Graphing of Rational Functions

define rational functions

define vertical and horizontal asymptotes
graph the rational functions using table of
values
determine the asymptotes of the given rational
functions
 Mental Drill Exercises
Identify the given functions if its rational function or not.
2+
1. = Rational Function
+1
2 45
2. = Rational Function
+3
+2
3. = Not Rational Function
2 4
1
4. () = Rational Function

1
2+ 2 3 Not Rational Function
5. =
2 +2+1
Activity 1.1

Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes of a

Rational Functions

I. Materials: Activity sheets, graphing paper, and

calculator
 Activity 1.1
(Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes of a
Rational Functions)
2
1. Consider the function = to complete the table
+2
then graph.

i. Table of values for x as () +

x
f(x) 5 10 500 1000 5000 10000
 Activity 1.1
(Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes of a
Rational Functions)
2
1. Consider the function = to complete the table
+2
then graph.

ii. Table of values for x as

x
f(x) -5 -10 -500 -1000 -5000 -10000
 Activity 1.1
(Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes of a
Rational Functions)
2
1. Consider the function = to complete the table
+2
then graph.

iii. Table of values for f(x) as +

x 5 10 500 1000 5000 10000

f(x)
 Activity 1.1
(Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes of a
Rational Functions)
2
1. Consider the function = to complete the table
+2
then graph.

iv. Table of values for f(x) as

x -5 -10 -500 -1000 -5000 -10000

f(x)
What is asymptote?

An asymptote is a line (or a curve)

that the graph of a function gets close
but does not touch.
What is vertical asymptote?
The vertical line x = a is a vertical
asymptote of a function f if the graph of f either
increases or decreases without bound as the x-
values approach a from the right or left.
+
(f(x) increases without bound as x approaches a from the left)

+
(f(x) decreases without bound as x approaches a from the
right)
Finding the Vertical Asymptote of a
Rational Function
1. Reduce the rational function to lowest terms by
cancelling out the common factor/s in the
numerator and the denominator.
2. Find the value/s of a that will make the
denominator of the reduced rational function
equal to 0.
3. The line x=a is a vertical asymptote.
What is horizontal asymptote?

The horizontal line y = b is a horizontal

asymptote of the function f if f(x) gets closer
to b as x increases or decreases without
bound ( + ).

Note: A rational function may or may not cross its horizontal

asymptote. If the function does not cross the horizontal
asymptote y = b, then b is not part of the range of the
rational function.
Examples:

Find the horizontal asymptote of the

following rational function:
4 2 +4+1
1. =
2 +3+2
2 2 5
2. r = 2
3 +7
3+4
3. = 2
2 +3+1
4 3 1
4. Show that g = has no horizontal
3 2 +2+5
asymptote.
Finding the Horizontal Asymptotes of a Rational
Function

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 y=a/b, a where
is the leading coefficient of the numerator and b is
the leading coefficient of the denominator.
If n>m, there is no horizontal asymptote.
 Practice Exercises
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the
following rational functions.
Steps in Graphing Rational Functions

1. Locate the intercepts, if any.

2. Locate the asymptotes.
3. Determine if what part of the graph is
above or below the x-axis.
4. Graph the asymptotes, plot the points then
connect them with smooth curve.
 Practice Exercises
2
1. Consider the function = . Find its
+2
domain, intercepts, asymptotes, sketch the graph
and determine the range.
3 2 83
2. Sketch the graph of = 2 . Find its
2 +74
domain and range.
+5
3. Let = . Find its domain, intercepts,
1
asymptotes, sketch the graph and determine the
range.
 More Practice Exercises
For each, identify the intercepts, the asymptotes, and the
intervals where the function is above or below the x-axis.
Sketch the graph. Identify the domain and (if possible) the
range. (You can confirm your work using a graphing software)