25 Pre-Calculus for Enigneers

Lesson 7.2: Rational Functions

Lesson Summary
In this lesson, we will define the rational function including other terminologies
like the notations and asymptotes. We will also solve the rational functions by
identifying the domain, writing a rational function, and identifying the
asymptotes. Lastly, we will graph the rational functions as well as analyzing
its behavior.

Learning Outcome
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Explain the rational functions

2. Solve the rational functions
3. Graph the rational functions

Motivation Question
How do we explain rational function? How to identify the asymptotes? And
how do they behave in the graph?

Discussion

The definition of Rational function

We are already familiar with the rational expression. But those expressions
just composed of many terms with one or more variables. But it would be
different if those terms from numerator and denominator makes the
polynomial functions. Rational function is a function that has polynomials in
both numerator and denominator. It can be expressed as:

蔈肢톀
f(x) =
蔈肢톀

where N(x) and D(x) are polynomials and D(x) is not the zero polynomial. The
division of polynomials when expressed in fraction forms the rational function.
Polynomial functions are functions with non-negative integers for exponents,
but this function involves variables in the denominator. Though we will again
be focusing first on one independent variable.

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The Domain and Range of the Rational Function

The domain and range of the rational function is different from the polynomial
function. Polynomial functions do not have a negative integer as an exponent,
hence the domain and range are sets of real numbers.

Rational functions have a variable in the denominator, making the domain a

set of real numbers “except for values that will make the denominator equal to
zero”. The range of the rational function will also be a set of real numbers
except for values that will make it indefinite. You can review the Module 5
(Graphs and Functions) to remember how to determine the domain and range.

Example. Find the domain and range of the function f(x) = 肢.

Solution:

The domain of the function is a set of real numbers except x = 0, or D = {x |

x ≠ 0}. That is because as the value of x approaches to zero from both sides,
the value of y increases to infinity as shown in Figure 14. The range of the
function is the set of real numbers except y = 0.

Figure 14. The solution of the function f(x) = y = 肢

. Credit: Larson and
Hostetler, 2007 p 184.

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Horizontal and Vertical Asymptotes

As we determine the domain and range of a rational function, we will sure
encounter the value of the variables increases and reach to positive or
negative infinity as it approaches to a certain independent variable from either
one side or both sides.

Using the previous example, we were able to observe that the value of f(x)
increases to - as x 0- (x approaches 0 from the left) and the value of (x)
increases to as x 0+ (x approaches 0 from the right). The line x = 0 is a
vertical asymptote of the graph of the function f(x) = 肢. Also, we observed in
the graph that the value of the function approaches zero (y = 0) as x and
x . The line y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of the
function f(x) = 肢. With that, we will first define the asymptotes.

Definition:
1. An asymptote is defined as a line on the graph of a function that
represents a value which a function may approach, but not
reached.
2. The line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph if f(x) or
f(x) as x a from either left or right.
3. The line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of the graph id f(x) b
as x or x
Another way of identifying vertical asymptote is by identifying the domain that
will make the denominator equal to zero (D(x) = 0). Note that when we solve
for the vertical asymptote, make it sure that the rational function is in
simplified form. Which means, there should be no more common factor
between the numerator and denominator. Otherwise, you have to remove
them until it will be simplified.

An easier way of identifying the horizontal asymptote is to look at the degrees

of N(x) and D(x). Let n and m be the degree of N(x) and D(x), respectively.
1. If n < m, y = 0
2. If n = m, y = (ratio of the leading coefficients)
3. If n > m, the graph of the function has no asymptote, however, if n = m
+ 1, the graph of the function has an oblique or slant asymptotes.

Figure 15. An example of the graph of the functions with labeled asymptotes.
Credit: Larson and Hostetler, 2007 p 185.

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Example. Finding the horizontal and vertical asymptotes

Find the horizontal and vertical asymptotes of the following functions.
肢
a. 肢

肢 肢
b. 肢 肢 肢 ⸹

Solution

Figure 16. The solutions of the two functions (above) and a graph of the
肢
solution of the function 肢
(below). Credit: Larson and Hostetler, 2007
p 186.

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Graph of the Rational Function

Graphing functions can be easily made by assigning a certain value of
domain to solve for range and then plot them in a graph. But that might be
applicable to polynomial functions and other functions with the domain as set
of real numbers. For rational function, the usual graphing procedure is still
applicable, but there is a better and accurate procedure of graphing them
since it involves asymptotes and the possible discontinuity.

The discontinuity in a rational function occurs when there is a common factor

in both numerator and denominator and it is represented as “hole” by having
an open circle in the graph. Hence, it is a necessity to simplify the given
rational function to remove the discontinuity and properly able to identify the
vertical asymptotes.

Below is the procedure of graphing and analyzing the rational functions

(Larson and Hostetler, 2004 p. 187).
1. Simplify if possible.
2. Find and plot the y-intercept (if any) by evaluating f(0).
3. Find the zeros of the numerator (if any) by solving the equation N(x) =
0. Then plot the corresponding x-intercepts.
4. Find the zeros of the denominator (if any) by solving the equation D(x)
= 0. Then sketch the corresponding vertical asymptotes.
5. Find and sketch the horizontal asymptote (if any) by using the rule for
finding the horizontal asymptote of a rational function.
6. Plot at least one point between and one point beyond each -intercept
and vertical asymptote.
7. Use smooth curves to complete the graph between and beyond the
vertical asymptotes.

Before we proceed with the example, we must be able to explain further the
identification of x-intercept in the third procedure. In identifying the x-intercept,
f(x) = 0 when the numerator is zero (N(x) = 0). That is why, we only look for
the x-intercepts through its numerator. If the numerator does not have a
variable, there will be no x-intercept, which can be implied that the horizontal
asymptote is y = 0 (x-axis) in the graph of the function f(x).

Example. Graphing the rational functions

Sketch the graph of the given rational function (From Larson and Hostetler,
2007 pp. 188-189).

a. g(x) =
肢
肢
b. f(x) =
肢
肢
c. f(x) =
肢 肢
肢 肢
d. f(x) =
肢

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Solution
a. The solution is from Larson and Hostetler (2007).

Figure 17. The solution (above) and a graph of the solution of the
function 肢
(below). Credit: Larson and Hostetler, 2007 p 188.

b. The solution is from Larson and Hostetler (2007).

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Figure 18. The solution (above) and a graph of the solution of the
肢
function 肢
(below). Credit: Larson and Hostetler, 2007 p 188.

c. This given is a typical example of a rational function with common

factors. The solution is from Larson and Hostetler (2007).

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Figure 19. The solution (above) and a graph of the solution of the
肢
function 肢 肢
(below). Credit: Larson and Hostetler, 2007 p
189.
d. This given is a typical example of a rational function with slant
asymptote. For a rational function to have a slant asymptote, the
degree from the numerator must be 1 greater than the degree in the
denominator (n = m+1). To determine the equation of the slant
asymptote, we will just use the quotient resulted from dividing two
polynomials using long division or synthetic division.

Figure 20. The solution (above) and a graph of the solution of the
肢 肢
function 肢
(below). Credit: Larson and Hostetler, 2007 p 189.

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 33 Pre-Calculus for Enigneers

The inclusion of the tables in sketching the graph is necessary for additional
points to plot in case you are not sure of the shape of a portion of the graph of
a rational function.

Assessment
Instruction. Solve the following as required.

A. Find the domain of the given rational functions.

肢
1. f(x) =
肢
肢
2. f(x) =
肢
肢
3. f(x) =
肢
肢
4. f(x) =
肢

B. Identify the horizontal and vertical asymptotes. No need to show the

graph.
肢 i肢
1. f(x) =
肢 ͺ肢
2. f(x) =
肢
肢
3. f(x) =
肢 肢
肢 肢
4. f(x) =
肢

C. Sketch the graph of the given rational functions. Make sure to include
the asymptotes.
肢
1. f(x) =
肢 ⸹
肢
2. f(x) =
肢 ⸹
肢 肢
3. f(x) =
肢
肢 i
4. f(x) =
肢

References
1. ABRAMSON, J. 2017. College Algebra. OpenstaxTM.
https://d3bxy9euw4e147.cloudfront.net/oscms
prodcms/media/documents/CollegeAlgebra-OP.pdf

2. CASTILLO, L.L., CEJALVO, F.V., REYES, F.N., and TANGCO, J.T.

2009. College Algebra. National Book Store, 125 Pioneer Street,
Mandaluyong City 1550

3. LARSON, R, and R.P. HOSTETLER. 2004. College Algebra, 6th ed.

Houghton Mifflin Co., 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-3764.

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