Introduction to

Rational Functions
Graphs, holes,
and asymptotes
 Direct Variation y = kx
The graph of a direct
variation equation is a
line with slope k that
passes through the
origin.
You can see that this
displays the pattern as
x increases, y
increases.
Inverse Variation y = k/x
The graph of an
inverse variation
equation looks like
this:
This is part of the
function family
known as Rational
Functions.
Definition of Rational Functions
A rational function is the quotient of two
polynomials.
Domain of Rational
Functions
Rational functions are defined at all real
numbers except the zeros of the
denominator.
Example
3x 2  x  2
Find the domain of f ( x )  2 .
x  2x  3

Find the zeros of the denominator.

x2 + 2x – 3 = (x – 1)(x + 3) = 0
x = 1, -3
The domain of f is all real numbers ≠ 1, -3.
 Excluded Values
Real numbers for which a rational
function is not defined are called
excluded values.

What happens on the graph at the

excluded values?
Let’s Investigate!
1
Graph y  .
x 2
What is the excluded
value? 2
What is occurring on
the graph at x = 2?
Vertical Asymptote
Let’s Investigate!
x2  9
Graph y  .
x 3
What is the excluded
value? 3
What is occurring on
the graph at x = 3?
Nothing!
Hmmm…Let’s check the table.
Let’s Investigate!
2
x 9
Graph y  .
x 3
The graph is a line, but
the table shows an
error at x = 3.
This is called a hole.
The calculator’s graph
doesn’t show the hole.
So what occurs at the excluded values?
 There is a vertical asymptote at the zero
of the denominator.
 There is a hole in the graph if the zero of
the denominator is also a zero of the
numerator.
 Horizontal Asymptotes
N( x )
Let R( x )  be a rational function.
D( x )
 If the degree of N is less than the degree of
D, then y = 0 is the horizontal asymptote.
 If the degree of N is equal to the degree of
D, then the horizontal asymptote is y = a/b
(the ratio of the leading coefficients).
 If the degree of N is greater than the degree
of D, then R has no horizontal asymptote.
 Example
Find the horizontal and vertical
2x 2  2x  1
asymptotes of R( x )  2 .
x  x  12
Vertical Asymptote Horizontal Asymptote
x2 – x – 12 The numerator’s degree is
= (x - 4)(x + 3) equal to the
Asymptotes at x = 4 denominator’s degree.
and x = -3 Asymptote is y = 2
 Class Practice
Find the domain of each function. Identify all
asymptotes and holes.
x  4 2x
1. h( x )  f (x)  2
2.
x4 x x 2

3 2
2x  6 x 3x 2  x  4
3. k ( x )  2 m( x )  2
4.
x  x  12 x  2x  3