Unit 7:
Rational
Functions
By: Maya, Kylie, & Gabby
Learning Targets:
I can identify the characteristics of a graph of a rational function
I can graph a rational function
I can multiply and divide rational functions
I can add and subtract rational fractions
I can solve rational equations
I can apply rational equations to real-life problems
I can identify restrictions of the domain of a rational function
01
Identifying
Characteristics of
Rational Functions
● I can identify the characteristics of a graph of a rational function
A simple intro to
rational functions!
Welcome to the wonderful world of A rational function is any function
rational functions! that is a RATIO of 2 polynomials
So far, you might have heard of linear,
quadratic, or exponential functions, but A ratio can be written like a fraction,
rational is a whole new ball game. Let’s get with a polynomial in the numerator
right into it and a polynomial in the denominator
However, the denominator cannot
equal zero
The function approaches y = 0 but never quite reaches that line
Why?
● Because the denominator increases a lot faster than the numerator
● As the value we plug in for x increases, the denominator gets larger so the
fraction gets smaller and smaller
● No matter how small our value is, it will never become zero
● If you plug in smaller values for x, you will end up getting super large values
because the numerator is higher now. Either way you do not reach y = 0
Rational functions are RATIO of polynomials. Both numerator
and denominator are polynomials. Remember, the
denominator cannot equal zero.
In this
graph the
vertical
asymptote
is 1 and the
horizontal
asymptote
is 2
The dashed lines are called asymptotes. Vertical
asymptotes never cross. The horizontal asymptote
describes what the output does as the input gets
really big or small.
Holes are points of discontinuity in the graph. To find holes,
you have to factor the numerator and denominator of a
function, and then cancel out whatever matches.
In this example, (x+3) can be canceled out on the
top and the bottom. Set (x+3) equal to 0 to find
what x equals. In this case, x equals -3. Then, plug
x into the remaining equation to find y. So, on the
numerator, -3-4=-7 and on the denominator
-3-2=-5. That means that y equals 7/5. So, the
hole in this equation is (-3, 7/5)
Circles or dots put on the lines on a graph
signify where a hole is.
Domains consist of all possible input values (x values) that
don’t make the denominator of the rational function equal 0.
To find horizontal asymptotes look at the degree of the
numerator N(x) and Degree of denominator D(x)
deg N(x) = deg D(x) deg N(x) < deg D(x) deg N(x) > deg D(x)
Leading coefficient of N(x)
y= y=0 which is the x-axis There is no horizontal
Leading coefficient of D(x) asymptote, you must
find the slant asymptote
Slant asymptotes
● If the numerator has a higher
degree than the denominator, you
have a slant asymptote which is
your third type
● You find your slant by dividing your
numerator by your denominator
● Use synthetic division to find slant
asymptotes
Rational function with a slant asymptote
Finding slant asymptotes
● Set the denominator equal to 0 and
use your answer as the divisor.
● Set up a synthetic division
equation and solve
02
Graphing Rational
Functions
● I can graph a rational function
Steps for Graphing:
1. Factor the numerator and denominator
2. Find any holes - occurs when factors cancel
3. Find the x-intercepts. Let y=0
4. Find the y-intercepts. Let x=0
5. Find all vertical asymptotes. Set denominator = 0
6. Find the horizontal asymptote
7. Find a few test points to sketch the branches
To find the
horizontal
asymptotes,
remember
that:
First, you have to factor out the numerator and
denominator to find that there aren’t any holes.
Next, find the x intercepts by setting y equal to 0.
To find the y intercepts, plug 0’s in for the x’s in
the equation (it is easier to do this with the
unfactored equation). In this equation, the x
intercept is x= (-2,0) and the y intercept is
y=(0,-⅙). Then find all vertical asymptotes by
setting the denominator equal to 0 and find all
horizontal asymptotes by comparing deg N(x)
and deg D(x). Finally, make a table to find a few
test points (usually 2 per line). Also, make sure
that the lines start moving towards the
asymptotes as you draw them in.
*Note: the points of discontinuity are just an
Domain: (-∞),-3) U (-3, 4) U (4, ∞) unwritten version of the domain
Put info
Put info
03
Multiplying &
Dividing Rational
Functions
● I can multiply and divide rational functions
Multiplying and dividing rational functions is easy! Let's go
through the steps of how to divide first!
Steps for Dividing:
1. Factor all the numerators and denominators if possible
2. Rewrite the the equation by multiplying by the reciprocal
(do not change the first term, just flip the term you are
dividing by)
3. Combine into one fraction
4. Simplify the resulting expression by cancelling common
factors if any are present
5. Find the restrictions of the ‘x’ value (any values that will
make the denominator zero)
x2-9 x+3
Example :
x2 - 4 x-2
1 2
(x-3)(x+3) x+3 (x-3)(x+3) x-2
( x+2)(x-2) x-2 ( x+2)(x-2) x+3
3 (x-3)(x+3)(x-2)
4 (x-3)(x+3)(x-2)
( x+2)(x-2)(x+3) ( x+2)(x-2)(x+3)
5 (x-3) Restrictions:
X = -2
( x+2) X=2
X = -3
Now that you know how to divide, let's go through how to
multiply!
Steps for Multiplying:
1. Factor all the numerators and denominators if
possible
2. Combine into one fraction
3. Simplify the resulting expression by cancelling
common factors (if any are present)
4. Find the restrictions of the ‘x’ value (any values that
will make the denominator zero)
x2+2x x2-3
Example :
x2 - x - 6 x+2
1 2
x(x+2) (x-3)(x+3) x(x+2) (x-3)(x+3)
( x+2)(x-3) x+2 ( x+2)(x-3) (x+2)
3 x(x+2) (x-3)(x+3) 4 x(x+3) Restrictions:
X = -2
( x+2)(x-3) (x+2) (x+2) X=3
04
Adding &
Subtracting
Rational Functions
● I can add and subtract rational functions
Put info
Put info
Put info
Put info
05
Solving Rational
Equations
● I can solve rational equations
1. If the equation is a proportion - CROSS MULTIPLY
OR
2. Find the LCD for ALL terms in the equation
3. Multiply every term by the LCD to eliminate the denominator
1. Solving equation techniques: distribute, FOIL, combine
similar terms, factor, quadratic formula
2. Solve the equation - eliminate any value that is a
restriction on the original equation
3. Always check your solutions in the original equation due
to extraneous solutions
06
Applying Rational
Equations to Real
Life
● I can apply rational equations to real-life problems
Rational equations often appear in distance, rate, and time
problems. The basic relationship is d = rt (distance equals rate
times time). When solving these problems, you may need to
manipulate the equation to find time (t = d/r) or rate (r = d/t),
which can lead to rational equations.
A job rate is the portion of a job completed in one unit of time.
If it takes someone 'x' units of time to complete a job, their
work rate is 1/x.
When multiple individuals
or machines work together,
their work rates are added to
find the combined work rate.
(x & y are the jobs - t is the
time it will take)
Combined job rates: Combined job rates
(table can be used to
organize repeated
calculations for
different outputs):
Distance Rate Time
1st Portion: 540 r x+1
2nd 360 r x
Portion:
540/x+1 = 360/x x=2
07
Identifying
Restrictions of the
Domain
● I can identify restrictions of the domain of a rational function
Domain restrictions refer to limitations on the values a
variable (usually represented as 'x') can take in a function.
These restrictions are often necessary to ensure the function's
behavior remains consistent and meaningful, especially when
dealing with fractions, square roots, or other mathematical
operations.
A denominator cannot be zero, as division by zero is
undefined. To find domain restrictions for a fraction,
identify the values of x that would make the
denominator zero and exclude those values from the
domain.
Even roots (like square roots) of negative
numbers are not real numbers. For functions
involving even roots, identify the values of x
that would result in a negative number inside
the root and exclude those values.
Game Time!
Rational function equations
Here are some examples of rational function equations:
The parent function of a rational function can be written as
y = 1/x, and this is what it looks like as a table and as a graph
x 1/x
-2 -0.5
-1 -1
0 undefined
1 1
2 0.5
3 0.333333
4 0.25
The function is NOT continuous at This is because as we mentioned
x = 0, meaning there is no (x, y) pair earlier, dividing by 0 is undefined
with x = 0 for this function
The function is approaching x = 0, and it is getting closer
and closer and closer, but never quite reaches it
Why?
Try plugging in:
● x values slightly larger than 0
● Values slightly smaller than 0
See what happens to the y value of your coordinate pair
The values either skyrocket to:
● Positive infinity
● Negative infinity in the opposite case
The last characteristic of the parent function we will cover is domain and range of
1/x
● We know that x = 0 is not part
of the domain because you
can’t divide by 0
● The domain is all x values
except for x = 0
● For the range, we covered
earlier that y = 0 is not part of
the function either
● So the range is all y values
except for y = 0
Pay very close attention to
the upcoming terms
● In section 1, we talked about certain x and y values (x = 0 and y = 0) that our
parent function was never able to reach. Those are called asymptotes
● An asymptote occurs when you try to approach a certain line or curve but
never quite reach it, only get infinitely close
Vertical Horizontal Slant asymptotes
Types of asymptotes
Vertical Horizontal Slant asymptotes
● Occurs at an x value that causes the denominator to equal 0
● The numerator cannot also be zero for this x value. For our parent function, this
was x = 0
● If we take another example, 1/(x – 3), the vertical asymptote would be x= 3,
because if you plug 3 into the function, you get 0 for the denominator
Vertical Horizontal Slant asymptotes
● Occurs at a y value that the function gets close to but never reaches
● If the denominator polynomial has a higher degree than the numerator, like y
= x/(x^2 + 5), the horizontal asymptote is ALWAYS 0
● If the denominator and numerator have 3x^2/(x^2 + 5)
equal degrees, the horizontal y=3
asymptote is the ratio of the 2 leading
coefficients
● if we have 3x^2/(x^2 + 5), the horizontal
asymptote would be y = 3 because
dividing the leading coefficients would
be 3 /1 = 3
