GENERAL MATHEMATICS

REPRESENTATION OF
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
OBJECTIVES:
After going through this, you are expected to:
Represents rational function using:
a.table of values
b.Graphs
c. equations
 LESSON 1

REPRESENTATION OF
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Let us recall on how to represent a
polynomial function problem
through table, graphs, and
equation.
Example: A siomai vendor can wrap 4
dumplings every minute. If he wraps a total
of 32 dumplings, how much time did he
spent wrapping? Use the following to justify
your answer:
a. table of Values
b. Graph
c. equation
Solution:
For A, we will complete the table using the given
information provided in the problem. Since a vendor
can wrap 4 dumplings per minute, we will add 4
dumplings for every minute until we reach 32
dumplings.
Using this table, we can say that the vendor was able to
wrap 32 dumplings in 8 minutes.
For B, let us use the data we have in A and plot these
points in a Cartesian plane.
For C, we can solve the problem by formulating a formula where
we divide the total number of dumplings made by the number of
dumplings per minute. In symbol,
Where;
T= Time in Minutes
D= Total number of Dumplings made
N= Number of Dumplings made per minute
Definition Rational function is written in the form of
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑝(𝑥) 𝑞(𝑥) . It should follow the following
conditions; namely:
 Both p(x) and q(x) are polynomial functions
wherein it has no negative and fractional
exponents.
 The denominator or q(x) should not be equal to 0.
 The domain of all values of x where q(x) ≠ 0.
Example 1:
f(x) =
 Construct table of values from -2 to 2. We can
substitute each values on the equation to complete the
table. We will get,
We can observe that the value of f(x) is undefined in when
x= -2. It is because when you substitute -2 in the function
it will have an answer of zero whereas in the definition of
rational function, we cannot have a denominator equal to
zero.
c. Plot the points in the Cartesian plane and determine whether
the points form a smooth curve or a straight line.

It can be observed that the function formed a curve.

 EXERCISE
Represent this rational equation through table
and graph. Identify whether the graph forms a
straight line or a curve.
𝒇(𝒙) =

X -5 -2 0 2 5
𝒇(𝒙)
 INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT
Represent this rational equation through table
and graph. Identify whether the graph forms a
straight line or a curve.
𝑷(𝒙) =

X -5 -3 0 3 5
𝑷(𝒙)
 ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Construct a table of values of the following
functions using the interval of -5 to 5.
1. g(x) = 2. j(t) =

Using the data from your answer, plot the points

on the cartesian plane and connect the points if it is
curve or straight line.