.

Da= an
Him 2 24 3 da7dm HA D
ax  b

Dda
3.3 Rational functions of the form f ( x) 
cx  d that.EE
ax  b
Rational functions of f ( x)  form have horizontal asymptotes (H.A’s) at values other than y = 0.
cx  d
One way to examine horizontal asymptotes of rational functions is to divide the numerator and denominator by x
and examine the end behaviour of the function.

31 1
Example:
g x  
 3x  1
2x 1 7 7 31 as a
4 12 0
21 1 so
F 2 1 I I
F
3 to 340 32
2 1L
Graphing Rational Functions
HA 32
When you are graphing a rational function, the following key features of the graph must be included:

 Asymptotes (Vertical, Horizontal) r.at

wa
 Behaviour close to the asymptotes vA
For VAs – Examine behaviour approaching the VA from the left and right 1
For HAs – Examine end behaviours c

look like axis

Cx xd
yes
 Intercepts Xint y int doesit

EIIsI Ife.EI
x
EXAMPLE 1: Consider the function f x  
2x  5 x.tn s
a) Determine the equation of the asymptotes. I 10
HA L Ito I
VA 2 5 0
x
Hh
2.5
SI
b) State the domain and range. 2
XF REyerly 42the asymptotes. VA e
Dc) NERI
Describe
2.53
the behaviour of the function near

A
y

j.it s
r49rs
so.s
IoEIe i Ecbeio.ua
axIaoI5EYie
d) Determine the x and y–intercepts. EEE.EEEEIEoEEEzEa z
Xint y o Yin x o l
0 gut 0 0 HA 0.50k i
gynt
55 zests
X d 2 5 Jmt o Is 112 i xint
x

Xin't tint1903

11
e) Sketch a graph of the function.

VA 2.5
 f) Describe where the function is increasing or decreasing.

Fucreasing GG 2.5 and C 2.50

Properties of Rational Functions

 Slope (Positive/Negative, Increasing/Decreasing)

 Compare the slopes of secant lines in each interval

 Choose two points in each interval and compare the y-values going from left to right.

 Positive/Negative Interval (Sign of Function)

 Choose a test value in each interval and determine whether the function is positive or negative
in that interval
4x  8
EXAMPLE 2: Graph the following rational function h x  
x2

h 4CxA

Ft fme
holed
Ci EI O
ax
z 8 23
x

pop
Summary
ax  b
A rational function of the form f x   has the following key features:
cx  d
Cxtd o
x
Vertical Asymptote X = Set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x (Exception: If the numerator
c
de has the same factor, which results in a hole in the graph)

a Horizontal Asymptote Y = a Ratio of the leading coefficients in the numerator and denominator

x – intercepts
E EZeroes of the numerator (The only values of x that will make the function equal to zero are the values of x that
make the numerator equal to zero)
Xint y or fCx o
Extend 0 axts occxtd saxxtf.IE
cat
 y – intercept Y =
b If you set x = 0, the only values that remain are the constant terms in the numerator and
denominator
deux o in
‘ b ’
qx.fi Ef3tfd I
Stretches the curve (horizontally and vertically) Does not affect the asymptotes, domain or range

‘ d ’ Shifts the vertical asymptote

The two branches of the graph are equidistant from the point of intersection of the vertical and horizontal
asymptotes
HA
p 977
Example 3. Write an equation for a rational function whose graph has all of the indicated features. E
X intercept of 4/7, y intercept of -2, HA at y = 7/3 , VA at x = -2/3

t.A T.az
VA 7x IX1ntiY
00RPuutmer.t
3x d
b x d 3 0
d vA
z
I 3x 7
x
b
s a
Ex. 2 Compare the characteristics of the following

Function x 1 x5 x  10
a) f ( x) 
2x  5
b) g ( x) 
2 x  5 HA Iz c) h( x) 
2x  5 HA_Iz
VA 2.5 VA 2.5
VA 2 5 0 X int x 5 Cs anti X 10 0 x 1o
x Ez D
Tmt Co i Ant
N
y y y

Ji t
si z i
I
i
405
x
x
x

Ixm
if
VA OR2 5
HA 42 0.5
1 put numerator of
f o
X i O Xe l
Xint 1,07
IT X o
01 1
Tint fade 263 5 5
Tmt o
Behaviour Around V A le 2 5
ZEIT 25 x 2 499
f f
3 2.5 2

For X 2 uss
2M
fc2 us 1749.5 N
262.499 15

For X 2.5001

ff 2.500 D 17500.5 18

END BEHAW
X TN x D
X 1000 X I woo

f woo of fC woo 0.51