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Rational Functions
Graphs of Rational Functions Asymptotes are lines that a graph approaches.
𝑎(𝑥)
For f(x) = 𝑏(𝑥)
, where a(x) and b(x) have no common factors other than one, and n is the degree of a(x) and m is the
degree of b(x):
• Vertical asymptotes: May occur at the real zeros of b(x).
• Horizontal asymptotes:
- If n < m , the asymptote is y = 0.
- If n = m, the asymptote is y = c, where c is the ratio of the leading coefficients of the numerator and denominator.
- If n > m, there is no horizontal asymptote.
𝑎(𝑥) 𝑟(𝑥)
• Oblique asymptotes: If n = m + 1, the equation is the quotient polynomial q(x) of f(x), or 𝑏(𝑥)
= q(x) + 𝑏(𝑥) .
• x-intercepts, if any, occur at the real zeros of a(x). The y-intercept, if it exists, is the value of f when x = 0.
𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏
Example: Determine any asymptotes and intercepts for f(x) = 𝒙+𝟑
. Then graph the function and state its domain.
Vertical asymptotes: The zero of the denominator is –3. The
vertical asymptote is x = –3.
Horizontal asymptotes: The degree of the numerator equals the
degree of the denominator, so the horizontal
asymptote is y = 2.
Intercepts: To find x-intercepts, find the zeros of the numerator
1
by solving 2x – 1 = 0. So, the x-intercept is . To find the
2
1
y-intercept, substitute 0 for x. The y-intercept is – .
3
Graph the asymptotes and intercepts. Find and plot points in each interval.
D = {x | x ≠ –3, x ∈ ℝ}
Exercise
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏
Determine any asymptotes and intercepts for f(x) = 𝒙−𝟐
.
Then graph the function and state its domain.
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Rational Functions (continued)
Rational Equations Rational equations involving fractions can be solved by multiplying each term in the equation by
the least common denominator (LCD) of all the terms of the equation. Always check your solutions to a rational equation
as some may be extraneous.
Example: Solve each equation.
𝟖
a. x – 𝒙−𝟒 = 11
8
x – 𝑥−4 = 11 Original equation
8
x(x – 4) – (x – 4) = 11(x – 4) Multiply each term by the LCD, x – 4.
𝑥−4
𝑥 2 – 4x – 8 = 11x – 44 Distributive Property
2
𝑥 – 15x + 36 = 0 Simplify.
(x – 12)(x – 3) = 0 Factor.
x = 12 or 3 Zero Product Property
𝒙+𝟏 𝟓𝒙 𝟏
b. 𝟑(𝒙 − 𝟐)
= 𝟔
+ 𝒙−𝟐
𝑥+1 5𝑥 1
= + Original equation
3(𝑥 − 2) 6 𝑥−2
𝑥+1 5𝑥 1
6(x – 2) [ ] = 6(x – 2) ( + ) Multiply each side by the LCD, 6(x – 2).
3 (𝑥 − 2) 6 𝑥−2
2(x + 1) = (x – 2)(5x) + 6(1) Multiply.
2x + 2 = 5𝑥 2 – 10x + 6 Simplify.
5𝑥 2 – 12x + 4 = 0 Write in standard form.
(5x – 2)(x – 2) = 0 Factor.
5x – 2 = 0 x–2=0 Zero Product Property
2
x=5 x=2 Simplify.
2
Since x cannot equal 2 because a zero denominator results, the only solution is 5.
Exercises
Solve each equation.
10 15 4 3 −2𝑏
1. x + 𝑥 = 7 2. 𝑚
– m + 8 = 10 3. 𝑏 − 3 + 𝑏 = 𝑏 − 3
3 7 −4 𝑥+3 7𝑥 23 60 60
4. 𝑥 + 1 + 2 − 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 1 5. 𝑥
+ 𝑥+3 = 4
6. 𝑥
– 𝑥+3 = 1
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Word Problem Practice
Rational Functions
1. POLLUTION A cost-benefit model may be used to 4. PETS Candice is designing a play center for the cats
express the cost of cleaning up environmental in a shelter. She is considering a center that is multi-
pollution as a function of the percent of pollution level and cylindrical in shape. She would carpet each
removed from the environment. A typical model is level and has 4000 square inches of available carpet.
8.9𝑥 4000
C(x) = 100 − 𝑥. The function f(r) = 𝜋𝑟2 gives the number of levels she
can make if each level has a radius of r inches.
a. Determine any asymptotes and intercepts for the
function. a. Graph the function using a graphing calculator.
b. State the relevant domain of the function.
b. Graph the line y = 8 and find the intersection to
c. Graph the function. determine the radius of each level if she has enough
carpet to make at most 8 levels. Round to the
nearest tenth.
5. PACKAGING The surface area of a box with
a volume of 625 cubic inches is given by
2500
S(x) = 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 , where x is a side length of
the square base.
2. MEDICINE The concentration of a certain medicine
in a person’s body after x hours is modeled by
35𝑥
f(x) = 2 . Determine any asymptotes and a. Write the function as the quotient of two functions.
𝑥 +10
intercepts for the function.
b. Determine any asymptotes and intercepts for the
function.
6𝑥 2 + 𝑥
3. ADVERTISING The function f(x) = 𝑥 + 1 gives the
c. Find the side length of the base when the surface
approximate number of new Web site hits a company area is 512.5 square inches.
will receive after x minutes of television advertising.
Determine any asymptotes for the function.
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PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Determine any asymptotes, intercepts, and holes for each rational function. Then state its Domain and sketch a graph.
𝑥 2 +10𝑥+24 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥 2 +𝑥−12 𝑥 2 −4𝑥−5
Solve each rational equation.
20 9𝑥
1. −4=0 2. =6
𝑥+3 𝑥−2