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Section # 4.2
Section # 4.2
Rezaul Karim
Chapter - 4
Polynomial and Rational Functions
1. Find the Domain of a Rational Function: Ratios of integers are called rational numbers. Similarly,
ratios of polynomial functions are called rational functions. Examples of rational functions are
where 𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞 are polynomial functions and 𝑞 is not the zero polynomial. The domain of a rational
function is the set of all real numbers except those for which the denominator 𝑞 𝑖𝑠 0.
Example 1: (a) The domain of 𝑅(𝑥) = is the set of all real numbers 𝑥 except -5; that is the
(d) The domain of 𝑅(𝑥) = is the set of all real numbers 𝑥 except 1; that is the domain is {𝑥: 𝑥 ≠ 1}.
( )
Note: If 𝑅(𝑥) = ( )
is a rational function, and if p and q have no common factors, then the rational
( )
function R is said to be in lowest terms. For a rational function 𝑅(𝑥) = in lowest terms, the real
( )
zeros, if any, of the numerator in the domain of R are the x-intercepts of the graph of R and so will play a
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Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim
major role in the graph of R. The real zeros of the denominator of R [that is, the numbers x, if any, for
which 𝑞(𝑥) = 0], although not in the domain of R, also play a major role in the graph of R.
Solution: The domain of 𝐻(𝑥) = is the set of all real numbers x except 0. The graph has no y-
intercept, because x can never equal 0. The graph has no x-intercept because the equation 𝐻(𝑥) = 0
has no solution. Therefore, the graph of H will not cross or touch either of the coordinate axes.
Because,
𝐻(−𝑥) = = = 𝐻(𝑥)
( )
Solution: The domain of R is the set of all real numbers except 𝑥 = 2. To graph R, start with the graph
of 𝑦 = . The steps of the graph is as follows:
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A horizontal asymptote, when it occurs, describes the end behavior of the graph as 𝑥 → ∞ 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 → −∞.
The graph of a function may intersect a horizontal asymptote.
A vertical asymptote, when it occurs, describes the behavior of the graph when x is close to some
number c. The graph of a rational function will never intersect a vertical asymptote.
There is a third possibility. If, as 𝑥 → −∞ 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → ∞, the value of a rational function 𝑅(𝑥)
approaches a linear expression 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑎 ≠ 0, then the line 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑎 ≠ 0, is an oblique (or slant)
asymptote of R. The following figure shows an oblique asymptote. An oblique asymptote, when it
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occurs, describes the end behavior of the graph. The graph of a function may intersect an oblique
asymptote.
a vertical asymptote 𝑥 = 𝑟 if 𝑟 is a real zero of the denominator q. That is, if 𝑥 − 𝑟 is a factor of the
( )
denominator q of a rational function 𝑅(𝑥) = , in lowest terms, R will have the vertical asymptote
( )
𝑥 = 𝑟.
Example 4: Find the vertical asymptotes, if any, of the graph of each rational function:
Here R is in lowest terms, and the zeros of the denominator 𝑥 − 4 are - 2 and 2. The lines x = - 2 and x =
2 are the vertical asymptotes of the graph of R.
Here H is in lowest terms, and the denominator has no real zeros because the equation 𝑥 + 1 = 0 has
no real solutions. The graph of H has no vertical asymptotes.
( )( )
(d) Given, 𝐺(𝑥) = =( )(
= ; 𝑥≠3
)
The only zero of the denominator of 𝐺(𝑥) in lowest terms is - 7. The line x = - 7 is the only vertical
asymptote of the graph of G.
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Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim
𝑅(𝑥) =
The degree of the numerator, 1, is less than the degree of the denominator, 2. When |𝑥| is very large,
the numerator of R can be approximated by the power function 𝑦 = 3𝑥, and the denominator can be
approximated by the power function, 𝑦 = 5𝑥 . This means
𝑅(𝑥) = ≈ = → 0 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → −∞ 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → ∞
which shows that the line y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote. This result is true for all rational functions
that are proper (that is, the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator). If a
rational function is improper (that is, if the degree of the numerator is greater than or equal to the
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degree of the denominator), there could be a horizontal asymptote, an oblique asymptote, or neither.
The following summary details how to find horizontal or oblique asymptotes.
Finding a Horizontal or Oblique Asymptote of a Rational Function: Consider the rational function,
( ) … … …
𝑅(𝑥) = =
( ) … … …
in which the degree of the numerator is n and the degree of the denominator is m.
1. If 𝑛 < 𝑚 (the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator), the line
𝑦 = 0 is a horizontal asymptote.
2. If 𝑛 = 𝑚 (the degree of the numerator equals the degree of the denominator), the line
𝑦= is a horizontal asymptote. (That is, the horizontal asymptote equals the ratio of
Note: A rational function will never have both a horizontal asymptote and an oblique asymptote. A
rational function may have neither a horizontal nor an oblique asymptote.
𝑅(𝑥) =
Solution: Since the degree of the numerator, 3, is less than the degree of the denominator, 5, the
rational function R is proper. Therefore the line 𝑦 = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of R.
Example 6: Find the horizontal or oblique asymptote, if one exists, of the graph of
𝐻(𝑥) =
Solution: Since the degree of the numerator, 4, is exactly one greater than the degree of the
denominator, 3, the rational function H has an oblique asymptote. Find the asymptote by using long
division.
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Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim
Example 8: Find the horizontal or oblique asymptote, if one exists, of the graph of
𝐺(𝑥) =
Solution: Since the degree of the numerator, 5, is greater than the degree of the denominator, 3, by
more than one, the rational function G has no horizontal or oblique asymptote. The end behavior of the
graph will resemble the power function 𝑦 = 2𝑥 = 2𝑥 .
That is, 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → −∞ 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → ∞,
𝐺(𝑥) = ≈ = 2𝑥
Since this is not linear, the graph of G has no horizontal or oblique asymptote. The graph of G will
behave like 𝑦 = 2𝑥 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → ±∞.
Exercise 4.2:
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Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim
( )
Question25: Find the domain of 𝐹(𝑥) = ( )
( ) ( )( ) ( )
Solution: Given, 𝐹(𝑥) = ( )
=
( )
=
( )
;
Here (𝑥 + 2) ≠ 0, 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑥 ≠ −2 .
( )
Therefore the domain of 𝐹(𝑥) = is the set of all real numbers 𝑥 except −2; that is the
( )
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(c) Use the final graph to list any vertical, horizontal, or oblique asymptotes.
Solution: (a) Use the transformation the final graph is as follows:
(b) Use the graph the domain is {𝑥: 𝑥 ≠ −2} and the range is {𝑦: 𝑦 > 0}
(c) The vertical asymptote is 𝑥 = −2
The horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 0
𝑃(𝑥) =
Solution: Since the degree of the numerator, 3, is less than the degree of the denominator, 3, the
rational function R is proper. Therefore the line 𝑦 = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of P.
For vertical asymptote,
𝑃(𝑥) = =( )( )
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