RATIONAL FUNCTION

REVIEW
definition
Domain
Range
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Rational functions are quotients of polynomial functions. This means
that rational functions can be expressed as
𝒑(𝒙)
𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒒(𝒙)
where p(x) and q(x) are polynomial functions and q(x)  0. The
Domain of a rational function is the set of all real numbers except the
x-values that make the denominator zero. For example, the domain of
the rational function This is p(x).
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟗
𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒙(𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝒙 + 𝟓) This is q(x).
is the set of all real numbers except 0, 2, and -5.
 FINDING THE DOMAIN OF A RATIONAL
FUNCTION
Find the domain of each rational function.
𝑥2 − 9 𝑥 𝑥+3
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 2 c. ℎ(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 −3 𝑥 −9 𝑥 +9
Solution Rational functions contain division. Because division by 0 is undefined,
we must exclude from the domain of each function values of x that cause the
polynomial function in the denominator to be 0.

𝑥2 − 9
a. The denominator of 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−3
is 0 if x = 3. Thus, the domain of f

consists of all real numbers except 3, written {x|x  3}.

 FINDING THE DOMAIN OF A RATIONAL
FUNCTION
Find the domain of each rational function.
𝑥2 − 9 𝑥 𝑥+3
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 2 c. ℎ(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 −3 𝑥 −9 𝑥 +9
Solution Rational functions contain division. Because division by 0 is undefined,
we must exclude from the domain of each function values of x that cause the
polynomial function in the denominator to be 0.
𝒙
b. The denominator of 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝟐
𝒙 −𝟗 is 0 if x = -3 or x = 3. Thus, the
domain of g consists of all real numbers except -3 and 3, written
{x | x  - {x | x  -3, x  3}.
 FINDING THE DOMAIN OF A RATIONAL
FUNCTION
Find the domain of each rational function.
𝑥2 − 9 𝑥 𝑥+3
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 2 c. ℎ(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 −3 𝑥 −9 𝑥 +9
Solution Rational functions contain division. Because division by 0 is undefined,
we must exclude from the domain of each function values of x that cause the
polynomial function in the denominator to be 0.

𝒙+𝟑
c. No real numbers cause the denominator of 𝒉(𝒙) = 𝟐 to equal
𝒙 +𝟗

zero. The domain of h consists of all real numbers. {x|x  3}.

RANGE
Is the set of all values that f(x) will take.
ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTION
The function 𝑓 is one-to-one if
for any 𝒙𝟏 , 𝒙𝟐 in the domain of 𝑓,
then 𝑓 𝑥1 = 𝑓 𝑥2 . That is, the
same y-value is never paired with
two different x-values.
 Determine whether the given relation is a function.
EXAMPLE
If it is a function, determine whether it is ONE-TO-
ONE or not.

1. The relation pairing an SSS member to his or her SSS number.

Each SSS member is assigned to a unique SSS number. Thus, the relation is
a function. Further, two different members cannot be assigned the same
SSS number. Thus, the function is one-to-one.

2. The relation pairing a real number to its square.

Each real number has a unique perfect square. Thus, the relation is a
function. However, two different real numbers such as 2 and -2 may have
the same square. Therefore, the function is not noe-to-one.
3. The relation pairing an airport to its airport code.
Since each airport has a unique airport code, then the relation is a
function. Also, since two no two airports share the same airport code,
then the function is one-to-one.

A simple way to determine is a given graph is that a one-to-one

function is by using the Horizontal Line Test.

HORIZONTAL LINE TEST. A function is one-to-one if each

horizontal line does not intersect the graph at more than one
point.
 VERTICAL LINE TEST. A function is one-to-one if each vertical
line does not intersect the graph at more than one point.

REMEMBER!

All functions satisfy the vertical line test. All one-to-one

functions satisfy BOTH vertical and horizontal line tests.
YOUR TURN ACTIVITY