Representations of

Rational Functions
 Objective
Represent a rational function
through its table of values,
graphs and equations.
 Review
What is rational
function?
Lesson Proper
Average speed (or velocity) can be
computed by the formula . Consider a 100-
meter track used for foot races. The speed
of a runner can be computed by taking the
time it will take him to run the track and
applying it to the formula
since the distance is fixed at 100 meters.
Example 1. Represent the speed of a
runner as a function of the time it takes
to run 100 meters in the track. Construct
a table of values for the speed of a
runner against different run times.
Solution: Let x represent the time it
takes the runner to run 100 meters. Then
the speed can be represented as a
function s(x) as follows:
 10 12 14 16 18 20

10 8.33 7.14 6.25 5.56 5

Graph. Plot the points on the table of

values on a Cartesian plane. Determine if
the points on the function follow a smooth
curve or a straight line.
Example 2. The goats were set loose in an island
and their population growth can be approximated
by the function

where P represents the goat population in year t

since they were set loose.
1. How many goats will there be after 5 years?
2. What is the maximum goat population that the
island can support?
Solution(s):
Evaluate the function for t=5

There will be 32 goats after 5 years.

t 5 10 15 20 50 300 1000

P(t) 32 41 45 48 54 59 59
Evaluation
Seatwork 1. Represent the rational
function given by using a table of values
and plot a graph of the function by
connecting points. Construct a table of
value for some x-values from -10 to 10.
THANK YOUR FOR
WATCHING!

Desiree H. Lebrero