MODULE 2

UNIT 1: KEY CONCEPTS OF RATIONAL FUNCTION

Week 3

Content Standard: The learner demonstrates understanding of key concepts of rational

functions.

Performance Standard: The learner is able to accurately formulate and solve real-life
problems involving rational functions.

Introduction: Intercepts are the points at which a graph crosses either the x or y axis,
and they are very useful in sketching functions.

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. determines the: (a) intercepts; (b) zeroes; and (c) asymptotes of rational
functions
2. solves problems involving rational functions, equations, and inequalities.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me."

This passage is one of the fundamental pillars of true Christian doctrine,

where all false doctrines, lying sects and pagan religions are exposed. Here all
vain arguments and philosophies fall, but it is evident that only Jesus Christ Saves
and that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

We must not have much knowledge to understand what this verse means, but we
will study it in detail.
In Scripture, there is abundant advice for what path in life will provide the most
meaning and fulfillment. Our path refers to the way we live and what we decide to
do with our limited time on earth.

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS
1. What does the Bible says about paths in life?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

2. How will you, as a student, show to others that Jesus is the way, the truth, and
the life?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

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PURPOSE
Why are the intercepts of rational functions important?

An intercept of a rational function is a point where the graph of the

rational function intersects the x- or y-axis.
(𝐱+𝟐)(𝐱−𝟏)
For example, the function 𝑦 = (𝐱−𝟑) has x-intercepts at x= – 2 and x = 1, and
𝟐
a y - intercept at 𝑦 = 𝟑.

Finding the intercepts of a rational function is helpful for graphing the

function and understanding its behavior.

PRE – ASSESSMENT
𝑥−1
Given the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝒙𝟐+𝐱

At what point will 𝑓(𝑥) not pass through? Why do you think so?

_______________________________________________________________

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ESSENTIAL QUESTION
Why is it important for us to be able to solve problems involving rational
functions, equations, and inequalities?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

CONNECT
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes; and the zeros of the rational function.

𝟓
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝐱

INTRODUCTION
Let us start the lesson by recalling the following important properties of functions:

(a) The domain of a function is the set of all values that the variable x can take.
(b) The range of a function is the set of all values that f(x) can take.
(c) The zeroes of a function are the values of x which make the function zero. The
real numbered zeroes are also x-intercepts of the graph of the function.
(d) The y-intercept is the function value when x = 0.

CONTENT/BIG IDEAS

The x – intercept of a rational function is a point that lies on the x –

axis. To obtain x – intercept assume that y=0 then solve for x. Hence, ignore
the denominator whenever you want to locate the x – intercept.

The y – intercept of a rational function is a point that lies on the y – axis.

To obtain y – intercept, assume that x = 0 then solve for the y.

In sketching the graph of a rational function, we will make use of the x and y-
intercepts of the function. In addition, we will observe how the function behaves
near the values where the function is undefined, as well as in the extreme values
of x.
Let us take a detailed look at the steps in graphing a simple rational function and
develop a process for graphing other rational functions.

Strategy in solving problems involving rational functions:

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 1. Express the statements in mathematical expressions. You can use the
formula in the situation if applicable.
2. Identify the relationship between variable s and quantities.
3. Solve and apply properties in solving for rational equations.
4. Check your answer.

The Asymptotes of Rational Function

Asymptotes are lines that are approached by the graph of the function.

Two types of asymptotes:

1. Vertical Asymptotes are vertical lines that are obtained by the x
values that will make the function undefined. You can find the vertical
asymptote by finding a value in the domain that will cause 𝑓(𝑥) to
become undefined. By definition,

𝑃 (𝑥)
Let rational function 𝑓(𝑥) = be in lowest terms. If 𝑓(𝑥) → ∞ or
𝑄 (𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) → −∞ as the values approach the value a, then the vertical line x
= a is a vertical asymptote.

The line x =a is a vertical asymptote of the graph of f if and only if

𝑄(𝑎) = 0 and 𝑄(𝑎) ≠ 0 .

2. Horizontal Asymptote of rational function is an output value that a

function approaches as the input goes to ±∞ . This is a horizontal line
whose equation is of the form y = b in which the curve approaches but
does not cross on it.
𝑃 (𝑥)
Let rational function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑄 (𝑥)
be in lowest term where (𝑥) ≠ 0 .
If 𝑓(𝑥) → 𝑏 as x ±∞, then the horizontal line y = b is a horizontal
asymptote.

Two cases of horizontal asymptote:

𝑎𝑥 𝑛 +⋯ + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎1 𝑥
Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏𝑥 𝑚 +⋯ + 𝑏2 𝑥 2 + 𝑏1 𝑥
a. If n < 𝑚, then the x – axis is the horizontal asymptote.
𝑎
b. If n = m, then the horizontal asymptote is the line y = 𝑏 .

EXPLAIN

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The following illustrative examples will help us better understand on how to find
asymptotes and the zeros of each rational function and how to solve problems
involving rational functions.
Example 1: Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes; and the zeros of each
𝟐
rational function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 +4
Solutions:
𝟐
The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 +4 is already in simplified form.

Parts of the Graph of 𝟐

𝒇(𝒙) =
Rational functions 𝒙 +𝟒
x – intercept The function has no x- intercept since the
numerator is a positive value 2 and not equal to 0.
y – intercept 2 2 1 1
Let x= 0, then 𝑓 (0) = = = . Hence, (0, ) .
2
0 +4 4 2

Vertical asymptote The domain of the function is the set of all real
numbers except -4 which makes the denominator
zero.
Hence, the vertical asymptote is at x = - 4
Horizontal asymptote The degree in the numerator and denominator are
n=0 and m= 1, respectively. That is, n < 𝑚 .

Hence, the horizontal asymptote is the x – axis or y

= 0.

Example 2: Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes; and the zeros of each
𝒙𝟐 −𝐱− 𝟔
rational function ℎ(𝑥) = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 +𝐱

Solutions:
The numerator and the denominator of the function must be
factored first.
𝒙𝟐 −𝐱− 𝟔 (𝐱−𝟑)(𝐱+𝟐)
ℎ(𝑥) = =
𝟑𝒙𝟐 +𝐱 𝐱(𝟑𝐱+𝟏)

Parts of the Graph of 𝒙𝟐 −𝐱− 𝟔 (𝐱−𝟑)(𝐱+𝟐)

𝒉(𝒙) = =
Rational functions 𝟑𝒙𝟐 +𝐱 𝐱(𝟑𝐱+𝟏)

x – intercept Equate the numerator to zero.

x – 3 = 0 implies x =3 and x +2 = 0 implies x = - 2.

Hence, we have (3,0) and (−2,0).

y – intercept Evaluate the function using x = 0.
(0−3)(0+2) −6
ℎ(0) = 0[3(0)+1] = 0 = undefined

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 There is no y – intercept since ℎ(0) is undefined.
Vertical asymptote The domain of the function does not include 0 and
1
x = − 3.
Hence, the vertical asymptotes are x = 0 and x =
1
−3
Horizontal asymptote
Based on the original function (𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑)
the degrees of the polynomial in the numerator and
denominator are equal. That is, n = m. The leading
coefficients are a = 1 and b = 3.
1
Hence, y = .
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Example 3: Aliyah and Abigail together can type 80 words per minute. How fast
can Abigail type 600 words if Aliyah can type 200 words in 5
minutes?
Solutions:
Recall that sum of individual rates = combined rate
Rate is a function of work and time:
𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒
𝑅 (𝑡) = rate = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
Hence, Aliyah’s rate +Abigail’s rate = Combined rate
So, we let t be the time it took Abigail to type 600 words.
200 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠 600 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠 80 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠
+ =
5 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛
200 600
5
+ 𝑡
= 80
Since rate is a function of time t, first, we need to solve for t.
200 600
5
+ 𝑡
= 80
200𝑡 + 3,000 = 400𝑡
400𝑡 − 200𝑡 = 3,000
𝒕 = 𝟏𝟓

Aliyah can type 600 words in 15 minutes.

Example 4: Find the domain and all asymptotes of the following function:
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 1
𝑦=
4𝑥 2 − 9
Solutions:

Start with the vertical asymptotes.

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 They (and any restrictions on the domain) will be generated by the
zeroes of the denominator, so set the denominator equal to zero
and solve.
4𝑥2 − 9 = 0
4𝑥2 =9
9
𝑥2 =
4
3
𝑥= ±
2
3
Then the domain is all x-values other than ± 2, and the two vertical
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asymptotes are at x = ± 2.

Next, turn to the issue of horizontal or slant asymptotes.

Since the degrees of the numerator and the denominator are the
same (each being 2), then this rational has a non-zero (that is, a
non-x-axis) horizontal asymptote, and does not have a slant
asymptote. The horizontal asymptote is found by dividing the
leading terms:
𝑥2 1
𝑦= 2
=
4𝑥 4

Then the full answer is:

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domain: 𝑥 ≠ ± 2
3
vertical asymptotes: 𝑥 = ± 2
1
horizontal asymptote: 𝑦 = 4
slant asymptote: none

A given rational function may or may not have a vertical asymptote (depending
upon whether the denominator ever equals zero), but (at this level of study) it will
always have either a horizontal or else a slant asymptote.

Note, however, that the function will only have one of these two; you will have
either a horizontal asymptote or else a slant asymptote, but not both. As soon as
you see that you have one of them, don't bother looking for the other one.

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FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Find the intercepts, vertical asymptote, and horizontal asymptote of the
following functions:

Functions x - intercept y - intercept Vertical Horizontal

asymptote asymptote
𝟔
1. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 +𝟐𝐱−𝟖
(𝐱−𝟏)(𝐱−𝟓)
2. 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝟐𝐱(𝐱−𝟒)
𝟒𝒙𝟐
3. 𝒉(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 −𝐱−𝟔

2. Given the following rational functions, identify the domain, range,

asymptotes, and intercepts and sketch the graph:
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a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+5
𝑥 +6
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−4
1
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = −4
𝑥

In a group of three (3), create a PowerPoint presentation to show the answers

and solutions of the problems below.

1. Suppose the volume of a large – sized Del Monte Pineapple juice (in can) has
a volume of 60 cubic inches.

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 a. Construct a function S which expresses the total surface area of the
pineapple juice as a function of the base radius (assume that the
container comes in the form of a right circular cylinder). In addition,
the answer the questions b to d.
b. What is the domain of the function?
c. Using a graphing calculator solve for the base radius r of the can
which will give the least surface area.
d. Explain why the concept of least surface area is important in the
context of this problem.

2. The time it takes you to get to campus varies inversely as you driving speed.
Averaging 20 kph in ad traffic, it takes you 1.5 hr to get to the campus. How
long will the trip take averaging 50 kph?

3. Suppose you will be part of the typing job and you can type 50 words per
minute. How long will it take you to finish the job alone if the three of you
together can finish the job in 1 hour?

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Additional Resources:
• https://christianresources.website/reflection/i-am-the-way-the-truth-
and-the-life/
• http://teachtogether.chedk12.com/teaching_guides/view/9
• https://brilliant.org/wiki/rational-functions-intercepts/
• http://teachtogether.chedk12.com/teaching_guides/view/9
• https://www.purplemath.com/modules/asymtote4.htm

References;
• General Mathematics for Senior High School, 2016 by C & E
Publishing, Inc., ISBN – 978-971-98-0542-7
• Teaching the Essential Topics of General Mathematics, 2019 by PEAC
Ensuring SHS Learners’ Preparation for the Four Exits of the K – 12
Curriculum

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