Graphing Rational

Function
Prepared by: Kim Lambert L. Caubalejo I, LPT
Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

 Explain the difference between intercepts, zeroes, and asymptotes;
 Identify the intercepts, zeroes, and asymptote of a given rational function;
and
 Graph rational function.
Rational Function

 A rational function is a ratio of polynomials where the

polynomial in the denominator shouldn't be equal to zero.

Where .
Examples:
Graph of a
Rational Function
Terms to
Remember
Domain of a function is the set of all values that the
variable can take.
Range of the function is the set of all values that will take.
The zeroes of a function are the values of which make the
function zero.
y-intercept is the y – coordinate of the point where the
graph crosses the y-axis.

x-intercept is the x – coordinate of the point where the

graph crosses the x-axis.
Asymptotes is a straight line associated with a curve such that as a point moves along
an infinite branch of the curve, the distance from the point to the line approaches zeros
and the slope of the curve at the point approaches the slope of the line.
Vertical Asymptote they are the restrictions on the x – values of a reduced rational
function. To find the restrictions, equate the denominator to 0 and solve for .
Horizontal Asymptote
Let be the degree of numerator and be the degree of denominator:

• If

• If , , where is the leading coefficient of the numerator and is the leading

coefficient of the denominator.

• If there is no horizontal asymptote.

EXAMPLES OF GRAPHING
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
1.

2.
3.
FA#6
Sketch the graph of the following rational function.
1.

2.