RATIONAL

FUNCTIONS
OBJECTIVES:

1. Define rational function;

2. Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of
the graph of rational function;
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

• are formed when two polynomial functions are

expressed as a quotient.
• defined by
• Its domain is the set of real numbers except for
the x – values which will make
 VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES

• are the lines that never touches the graph of

the function.
 VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES

• The rational function has a vertical asymptote

for every number excluded from the domain
of the function.
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES

• The horizontal asymptotes are determined

by the behavior of the function when x is
large.
Guidelines to find the Vertical and Horizontal
Asymptotes of the graph of the rational
function .

1. The graph of has vertical asymptotes at the

zeros of .
2. The graph of has at most one horizontal
…..asymptote which varies with the degree of .
a. If , the graph of has the line as a horizontal asymptote.
b. If , the graph of has the line as a horizontal asymptote,
where is the leading coefficient of the numerator and is
the leading coefficient of the denominator.
c. If , the graph of has no horizontal …. … …
asymptote.
 OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTE

• an asymptote that is neither horizontal nor

vertical.
Guidelines to find the Oblique Asymptote of the
graph of the rational function .

1. If , use division to rewrite the function as

• The graph of has the line as oblique

asymptote.
Example:
A. Find the horizontal and vertical asymptotes for
each rational function.
1. 2.

B. Determine all the asymptotes of:

3. 4.
ACTIVITY:
A. Find the horizontal and vertical asymptotes for
each rational function.
1. 2.

B. Determine all the asymptotes of:

3. 4.