Module 3

Rational Function
What to learn?

•Finding the Intercepts of Rational Function

•Finding Zeros of Rational Functions

•Finding the Asymptotes of Rational Functions

•Problem Solving
 Intercepts - The point where a line or curve crosses the axes.
5
1. f(x) =
𝑥+3
To find x-intercept, let y=0 To find y-intercept, let x=0
5 5 5 5
f(x) = 𝑥+3➔y = 𝑥+3 f(x) = 𝑥+3➔y = 𝑥+3
5 5
0= y=
𝑥+3 0+3
0 𝑥+3 =5 1 5
y= 3
0=5
y ≈ 1.67
x-intercept: No Solution
y-intercept: (0,1.67)
 Intercepts - The point where a line or curve crosses the axes.
5−𝑥
2. f(x) =
𝑥+3
To find x-intercept, let y=0 To find y-intercept, let x=0
5−𝑥 5−𝑥 5−𝑥 5−𝑥
f(x) = ➔y= f(x) = ➔y=
𝑥+3 𝑥+3 𝑥+3 𝑥+3
5−𝑥 5−0
0= y=
𝑥+3 0+3
0 𝑥+3 =1 5−𝑥 5
y= 3
0=5−x
y ≈ 1.67
x=5
y-intercept: (0,1.67)
x-intercept: (5, 0)
Zeroes - also known as x-intercepts, solutions or roots of functions. For
rational functions, you need to set the numerator of the function equal
to zero and solve for the possible x-values. A hole exists on the graph
of a rational function at any input value that causes both the
numerator and denominator of the function to be equal to zero. If a
hole occurs on the x-value, then it is not considered a zero because the
function is not truly defined at that point.

𝑥 2 +5𝑥+6 (𝑥+3)(𝑥−4)
1. f(x) = 2. f(x) =
𝑥+2 𝑥−4
 Zeroes & Holes
𝑥 2 +5𝑥+6
1. f(x) =
𝑥+2
(𝑥+2)(𝑥+3) (𝑥+2)(𝑥+3)
f(x) = f(x) =
𝑥+2 𝑥+2
Since we can cancel out x + 2, y=x+3
equate it to zero to find the 0=x+3
hole. x = -3
x+2 = 0 ➔ x = -2
f(x)=x+3 Therefore, the zero of the rational
f(-2)= -2+3 ➔1 function occurs at x = -3
Therefore, hole occurs at (-2, 1)
 Zeroes & Holes
𝑥 2 +3𝑥
2. f(x) =
𝑥+3
𝑥(𝑥+3) 𝑥(𝑥+3)
f(x) = f(x) =
𝑥+3 𝑥+3
Since we can cancel out x + 3, y=x
equate it to zero to find the 0=x
hole. x=0
x + 3 = 0 ➔ x = -3
f(x) = x ➔ f(-3) = -3 Therefore, the zero of the rational
Therefore, hole occurs at (-3, -3) function occurs at x = 0
Vertical Asymptotes - are the restrictions on the x-values of the function.
𝑥−7 −4𝑥−3 2𝑥+3
1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 2. 𝑔 𝑥 = 3. ℎ 𝑥 =
(𝑥+1)(𝑥+5) 2𝑥+1 𝑥 2 −4

(x+1)(x+5)=0 2x +1 = 0 𝑥2 − 4 = 0
2x = -1 (x + 2)(x – 2) = 0
x + 1 = 0 ➔ x = -1 x = -1/2 x + 2 = 0 ➔ x = -2
x + 5 = 0 ➔ x = -5 Therefore, the V.A. is x = x-2=0➔x=2
-1/2
Therefore, the V.A. are Therefore, the V.A. are
x = -1 & x = -5 x = -2 & x = 2
Horizontal Asymptotes
1. If n<m then the line y=0 is the horizontal asymptote

2. If n=m then the line y = an /bm is the horizontal

asymptote
3. If n>m then there is no horizontal asymptote

4. If n= m+1 , use division to rewrite the function then

the line y = quotient is the oblique asymptote.
Horizontal Asymptotes
1 Since n=0 and m=1 then n<m so y=0
1.1If. fn<m = the lineis y=0
( x) then is the horizontal
the horizontal asymptote
asymptote.
x+2
2. If n=m then the lineSince
y = ann =/b1mand
is the horizontal
m=1 then n=m.
x + 1 asymptote
2. f ( x ) = an = 1 and bm = 2 so y= ½ is the
.

2 x − 3
3. If n>m then there is no horizontal asymptote
horizontal asymptote

3
+ 1division
x, use Since n = 3 andthe then n>m.
m=1function
( x) =
4.3.Iffn= m+1 to rewrite then
x − 3 isThere
the line y =2quotient no horizontal
the isoblique asymptote.
asymptote
Horizontal Asymptotes
x +the
2
1. If n<m then Since
3 line y=0n=2is and
the m=1 then n=m+1
horizontal so
asymptote
1. f ( x) = there is an oblique asymptote.
x+4

x +1
2
Since n=2 and m=1 then n=m+1 so
2. f ( x) = there is an oblique asymptote.
x −3
Horizontal Asymptotes
2
x +1 Since n=2 and m=1 then n=m+1 so
2. f ( x) = there is an oblique asymptote.
x −3

.
Problem Solving
𝑇𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑇𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟
• 𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 1
+ 𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 2
=1
Jeff can paint a room in 4 hours. It takes Hal 5 hours to paint the
same room. How long will it take them if they work together?
𝑥 𝑥
+ = 1 ➔ LCD = 20
4 5
𝑥 𝑥
(20)( + ) = 1(20)
4 5
Therefore, Jeff and Hal can paint
5𝑥 + 4𝑥 = 20 2
the room in 2 hrs. if they will
9𝑥 = 20 9
20 2 work together.
𝑥= 𝑜𝑟 2
9 9
Problem Solving
𝑇𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑇𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟
• + =1
𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 1 𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 2
One water hose can fill a pool in 10 hours. A different hose only
takes 6 hours. How long would it take if both hoses are used?