IV) Graphing Rational Functions PDF

GRAPHING RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
Main Function
 The main function is
1
x
 The graph of the
parent rational
function looks
like…………………….
 The graph is not

continuous and has
asymptotes
Transformations
1
 The main function x
1
 How does this move? 3
x
Transformations
1
 How does this move?
1
( x  3)
Transformations
1
 And what about this?
1
4
( x  2)
Vertical Asymptotes
At the value(s) for which the domain is undefined,
there will be one or more vertical asymptotes. List
the vertical asymptotes for the problems below.
f(x)  1
x2 x  2
f(x)  x - 1 x  1, x  2
(x  1)(x  2)
f(x)  2x none
x 1
Vertical Asymptotes
f(x)  1
The figure below shows the graph of x2
The equation of the vertical asymptote is x  2

Vertical Asymptotes
 Set denominator = 0; solve for x
 Substitute x-values into numerator. The
values for which the numerator ≠ 0 are the
vertical asymptotes
Example
2 x 2  3x  1
f ( x) 
x2
 What is the domain?

 x ≠ 2 so (, 2)  (2, )
 What is the vertical asymptote?

 x = 2 (Set denominator = 0, plug back into
numerator, if it ≠ 0, then it’s a vertical asymptote)
You Do
2 x2  7 x  4
f ( x)  2
x  x2
 Domain: x2 + x – 2 = 0
 (x + 2)(x - 1) = 0, so x ≠ -2, 1
(, 2)  (2,1)  (1, )
 Vertical Asymptote: x2 + x – 2 = 0
 (x + 2)(x - 1) = 0
 Neither makes the numerator = 0, so
 x = -2, x = 1
The graph of a rational function NEVER
crosses a vertical asymptote. Why?
2 x2  7 x  4
 Look at the last example: f ( x)  2
x  x2
Since the domain is (, 1)  (1, 2)  (2, ) , and

the vertical asymptotes are x = 2, -1, that
means that if the function crosses the
vertical asymptote, then for some y-value,
x would have to equal 2 or -1, which would
make the denominator = 0!
Points of Discontinuity (Holes)
 Set denominator = 0. Solve for x
 Substitute x-values into numerator. You
want to keep the x-values that make the
numerator = 0 (a zero is a hole)
 To find the y-coordinate that goes with that
x: factor numerator and denominator,
cancel like factors, substitute x-value in.
Example
x 4
2
 Function: f ( x)  2
x  2x  8
x2  2 x  8  0
 Solve denom. ( x  4)( x  2)  0
x  4, 2
( x  2)( x  2)
 Factor and cancel ( x  4)( x  2)
( x  2) 2  2 4 2  2
 Plug in -2:    Hole is  2, 3 
( x  4) 2  4 6 3
Horizontal Asymptotes
Definition:The line y = b is a horizontal asymptote if
f  x   b as x   or x  
f  x 
1
Look at the table of values for
x2
Horizontal Asymptotes
x f(x) x f(x)
1 .3333 -1 1
10 .08333 -10 -0.125
-100 -0.0102
100 .0098
-1000 -0.001
1000 .0009
0
y→_____ as 0 as
y→____

x→________ 
x→________
Therefore, by definition, there is a horizontal

asymptote at y = 0.
Examples
4 2x
f ( x)  2 f ( x)  2
x 1 3x  1
Horizontal Horizontal
Asymptote Asymptote
at y = 0 at y = 0
What similarities do you see between problems?

The degree of the denominator is larger
than the degree of the numerator.
Examples
2x  1 5x 2  1
h( x)  g(x) 
x1 2x  8
2
Asymptote Asymptote
at y = 2 at y  5
2
The degree of the numerator is the same as

the degree or the denominator.
Examples
3x  5x  4x  5
3 2
x2  9
f(x)  g(x) 
3x  1 x2
No No
Asymptote Asymptote
The degree of the numerator is larger than

the degree of the denominator.
Asymptotes: Summary
1. The graph of f has vertical asymptotes at the
_________
zeros of q(x).
2. The graph of f has at most one horizontal
asymptote, as follows:
line y = 0
a) If n < d, then the ____________ is a
horizontal asymptote. a
y
b) If n = d, then the line ____________
b is a
horizontal asymptote (leading coef. over
leading coef.)
no
c) If n > d, then the graph of f has ______
horizontal asymptote.
You Do
Find all vertical and horizontal asymptotes
of the following function
2x 1
f  x 
x 1
Vertical Asymptote: x = -1
Horizontal Asymptote: y = 2
You Do Again
Find all vertical and horizontal asymptotes
of the following function
4
f  x  2
x 1
Vertical Asymptote: none
Horizontal Asymptote: y = 0

IV) Graphing Rational Functions PDF

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What are the steps to find vertical asymptotes of a rational function?

What are the steps to find horizontal asymptotes of a rational function?

GRAPHING RATIONAL

 The graph is not

The equation of the vertical asymptote is x  2

 What is the domain?

 What is the vertical asymptote?

Since the domain is (, 1)  (1, 2)  (2, ) , and

10 .08333 -10 -0.125

Therefore, by definition, there is a horizontal

What similarities do you see between problems?

The degree of the numerator is the same as

What similarities do you see between problems?

The degree of the numerator is larger than

Vertical Asymptote: none

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