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RATIONAL FUNCTION (Domain, Range, Asymptotes, Intercepts and Zeros)
RATIONAL FUNCTION (Domain, Range, Asymptotes, Intercepts and Zeros)
RATIONAL FUNCTION (Domain, Range, Asymptotes, Intercepts and Zeros)
FUNCTIONS
FINDING DOMAIN AND RANGE
Rational Functions
A rational function is a function of the
form:
p x
R x where p and q
q x are polynomials
2
The set of first
DOMAIN coordinates.
5x
R x
3 x y : y 5
x2
H x 2
x 4 y : y 0
x 1
F x 2
x 5x 4 y : y 0
TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING!
Determine the domain and range of each
rational function.
1.
2.
ASYMPTOTES OF
RATIONAL
FUNCTION
Finding Asymptotes
VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES
There will be a vertical asymptote at any
“illegal” x value, so anywhere that would make
the denominator = 0
So there are vertical
x 2x 5
2
R x 2 asymptotes at x = 4
x x 43x x14 0 and x = -1.
GENERAL MATHEMATICS 10
HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
We compare the degrees of the polynomial in the
numerator and the polynomial in the denominator to tell
us about horizontal asymptotes.
1<2
degree of top = 1 If the degree of the numerator is
less than the degree of the
1
2x 5 denominator, the x axis is a
R x 2 horizontal asymptote. This is
x 3x 4 along the line y = 0.
degree of bottom = 2
GENERAL MATHEMATICS 11
If the degree of the numerator is
degree of top = 2 equal to the degree of the
denominator, then there is a
horizontal asymptote at:
2x2 4x 5
R x 2 y = leading coefficient of top
x 3x 4 leading coefficient of bottom
degree of bottom = 2
2
y 2
1
GENERAL MATHEMATICS 12
OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTES
If the degree of the numerator is
greater than the degree of the
degree of top = 3
denominator, then there is no
horizontal asymptote, but an
x 2 x 3x 5
3 2 oblique one. The equation is found
R x by doing long division and the
x 3x 4
2
quotient is the equation of the
oblique asymptote ignoring the
remainder.
degree of bottom = 2
x 5 a remainder
x 2 3x 4 x 3 2 x 2 3x 5
Oblique asymptote
at y = x + 5
GENERAL MATHEMATICS 13
SUMMARY OF HOW TO FIND ASYMPTOTES
Vertical Asymptotes are the values that are NOT in the domain.
To find them, set the denominator = 0 and solve.
To determine horizontal or oblique asymptotes, compare the
degrees of the numerator and denominator.
1. If the degree of the top < the bottom, horizontal asymptote
along the x ax is (y = 0)
2. If the degree of the top = bottom, horizontal asymptote at y =
leading coefficient of top over leading coefficient of bottom
3. If the degree of the top > the bottom, oblique asymptote
found by long division.
GENERAL MATHEMATICS 14
n d e rsta n d i n g s !
Te st yo u r u
4.
1.g
3. h 5.
ZEROS OF
RATIONAL
FUNCTION
INTERCEPTS are the points at which a
graph crosses either the x or y axis.
To find the y-intercept(s) (the point where the
graph crosses the y axis), substitute in 0 for x
and solve for y or f(x).
To find the x-intercept(s) (the point where the
graph crosses the x-axis also know as ZEROS),
substitute in 0 for y and solve for x.
Examples: Find the intercepts of the following
function .
1. f(x)=
2. f(x)=
3. f(x)=
4. f(x)=
5. f(x)=
IS! 1. f(x)=
Y TH
TR 2. f(x)=
3. f(x)=
Find the 4. f(x)=
intercepts 5. f(x)=
and zeros of
each rational
function: