GENERAL MATHEMATICS
Q1 Wk3 Module 9:
Graphing Rational Functions
A) Book:
DedEd-BLR (2016). General Mathematics Learner's Material,
Pasig City: Lexicon Press, Inc.
B) Websites:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
s=gre&c=36982&cc=108825
PREPARED BY:
RAZHELL T. MISLANG
Teacher II
Dagupan City National High School—SHS
25
Learning Objectives:
2) y – intercept: -1
Vertical asymptote: ±3
This module aims to assist the learner to be able to:
find the domain, range, intercepts, zeroes, asymptotes of rational
functions (M11GM-Ib-5; M11GM-Ic-1);
graph rational functions (M11GM-Ic-2); and
Graph:
solve problems involving rational functions (M11GM-Ic-3).
3) x – intercept: ±2
Vertical asymptote: 0 and 4
Horizontal asymptote: 1
In doing this module, please
follow these reminders…
1. Take the pretest before
Graph:
working or answering the
module.
2. Perform the activities as
Posttest
suggested.
1) A 3. Answer all the exercises.
4. Check your answers
2) D against the Key to Correc-
tion.
3) C
5. Take the Post Test.
4) B
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Pretest
Direction: Which of the following graphs below, best describe the
functions in each number. Write the letter of your choice before each
1) D
number.
2) A
3) C
4) B
A B
Practice Time
1) y – intercept: -6
x – intercept: -2
Vertical asymptote: 1
Horizontal asymptote: 3
C D
1) y =
2) y = Graph:
3) y =
2 23
Review:
The domain of a function is the set of all values that the variable
4) f(x) = x can take.
The range of the function is the set of all values that f(x) will
A) C) take.
The zeroes of a function are the values of x which make the
function zero. The real numbered zeroes are also x – intercepts
of the graph of the function.
The y – intercept is the function value when x = 0.
Lesson Proper:
B) Example 1. Consider the function f(x) = . (a) Find its domain, (b)
intercepts, (c) sketch its graph, and (d) determine its range.
D) Solution:
a) The domain of f(x) is {x ⃓ x ≠ -2}.
Observe that the function is undefined at x = -2. This means that
x = -2 is not part of the domain of f(x). In addition, other values of
x will make the function undefined.
b) The x – intercept of f(x) is 2 and its y – intercept is -1.
Recall that the x – intercepts of a rational function are the values
of x that will make the function zero. A rational function will be
zero if its numerator is zero. Therefore, the zeroes of a rational
function are the zeroes of its numerator. The numerator x – 2 will
be zero at x = 2. Therefore, x = 2 is a zero of f(x). Since it is a real
zero, it is also an x – intercept.
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The y – intercept of a function is equal to f(0). In this case, f(0) = -
= -1.
c) In sketching the graph of f(x), look at what happens to the graph
near the values of x which make the denominator undefined. Recall
that in the previous lesson, we simply skipped connecting the points 3) f(x) =
at integer values. Let us see what happens when x takes on values
that brings the denominator closer to zero. A) C)
The denominator is zero when x = -2. Let us look at the values of x
close to -2 on its left side (i.e. x < -2, denoted -2-) and values of x close to -
2 on its right side (i.e. x > -2, denoted -2+).
i. Table of values for x approaching -2-
x -3 -2.5 -2.1 -2.01 -2.001 -2.0001 As x approaches -
2- B)
f(x) 5 9 41 401 4001 40001 f(x) increases with-
out bound.
D)
-
Notation. Use the notation ―f(x) + as x -2 ― to indicate that f
(x) increases without bound as x approaches -2 from the left..
ii. Table of values for x approaching -2+
x -1 -1.5 -1.9 -1.99 -1.999 -1.9999 As x approaches -
2+
f(x) -3 -7 -39 -399 -3999 -39999 f(x) decreases
without bound.
Notation. Use the notation ―f(x) - as x -2+― to indicate that f(x)
decreases without bound as x approaches -2 from the right.
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Plotting the points corresponding to these values on the
Cartesian plane:
2) f(x) =
A) C)
Figure 2.3: Note that the axes do not have the same scale.
Observe that as x approaches -2 from the left and from the
right, f(x) gets closer and closer to the line x = -2, indicated in the
B) figure with a dashed line (vertical asymptote).
Definition. The vertical line x = a is a vertical asymptote of a
D) function f if the graph of f either increases or decreases
without bound as the x – values approach a from the
right or left.
Finding the Vertical Asymptotes of a Rational Function
Find the values of a where the denominator is zero.
If this value of a does not make the numerator zero, then the line
x = a is a vertical asymptote.
Look how the function behaves as x increases or decreases
without bound.
First construct a table of values for f(x) as x increases without
bound, or in symbols, as x + .
20 5
iii. Table of values for f(x) as x +
x 5 10 100 1,000 10,000
As x +
f(x) 0.43 0.67 0.96 0.9960 0.99960 f(x) approaches 1-
Direction: Choose the correct intercept/s, asymptote/s, and graph of
the following functions. Write the letter of your choice before each
Next, construct a table of values for f(x) as x decreases
number.
without bound, or in symbols, as x - .
iv. Table of values for f(x) as x - 1) f(x) =
x -5 -10 -100 -1,000 -10,000
As x - A) C)
f(x) 2.3 1.4 1.041 1.0040 1.000400 f(x) ap-
3 1 1 1 proaches 1+
Plotting the points according to these on the Cartesian
Plane:
B) D)
Figure 2.4: Note that the axes do not have the same scale.
6 19
Observe that as x increases or decreases without bound, f
(x) gets closer and closer to 1. The line y = 1 is indicated in the figure
with a dashed line (horizontal asymptote).
Direction: Sketch the graph of each of the following functions and Definition. The horizontal line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of
identify all intercepts and asymptotes. the function f if f(x) gets closer to b as x increases or
decreases without bound (x + or x - ).
1) f(x) = A rational function may or may not cross its horizontal
asymptote. If the function does not cross the horizontal asymptote y
= b, then b is not part of the range of the rational function.
2) f(x) = Now that we know the behavior of the function as x
approaches -2 (where the function is not defined), and also as x
+ or x - , we can complete the sketch of the graph by
3) f(x) = looking at the behavior of the graph at the zeroes.
Construct a table of signs to determine the sign of the
function on the intervals determined by the zeroes and the
intercepts. Refer to the lesson on rational inequalities for the steps in
constructing a table of signs:
The boundary between the intervals -2 < x < 2 and x > 2 is a
Interval x < -2 -2 < x < 2 x>2
Test point x = -3 x=0 x=3
Test with the rational function f(x) > 0 f(x) < 0 f(x) > 0
zero. Since the function is positive on the left of 2 and negative on
the right, the function transitions from positive on negative at x = 2.
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Plot the zeroes, y – intercept, and the asymptotes. From the table of
signs and the previous graphs, we know that f(x) < 1 as x - . Draw a
Properties of rational functions:
short segment across (2, 0) to indicate that the function transitions from
negative to positive at this point. How to find Do the following:
the:
y – intercept Evaluate the function at x = 0.
We also know that f(x) increases without bound as x -2- and f(x) x – intercept Find the values of x where the numerator will be zero.
Find the values of a where the denominator is zero. If this
decreases without bound as x -2+. Sketch some arrows near the asymp- Vertical value of a does not make the numerator zero, then the line
tote to indicate this information. asymptotes x = a is a vertical asymptote.
Let n be the degree of the numerator and m the degree of
the denominator:
If n < m, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.
Horizontal
asymptotes
If n = m, the horizontal asymptote is y = , where a
if the leading coefficient of the numerator and b is the
leading coefficient of the denominator.
If n > m, there is no horizontal asymptote.
Figure 2.5: Zeroes and asymptotes of f(x)
Figure 2.6: Tracing with smooth curves
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The vertical line x = a is a vertical
asymptote of a function f if the graph of f either increases or decreases
without bound as the x – values approach a from the right or left.
Finding the Vertical Asymptotes of a Rational Function
Find the values of a where the denominator is zero.
If this value of a does not make the numerator zero, then the line
x = a is a vertical asymptote.
Figure 2.7: The actual sketch of the graph of y = for reference
The horizontal line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of the function f if f(x)
(d) From the graph of the rational function, we observe that the f
gets closer to b as x increases or decreases without bound (x + or x unction does not cross the horizontal asymptote. We also ob
serve that the function increases and decreases without bound,
- ). and is asymptotic to the line y = 1. Therefore, only the value 1 is
not included in the range of f(x).The range of f(x) is {y ℝ⃓y
Finding the Horizontal Asymptotes of a Rational Function ≠ 1}.
Let n be the degree of the numerator and m be the degree of the Example 2. Find the horizontal asymptote of f(x) = .
denominator.
If n < m, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0. Solution:
We have seen from the previous example that the horizon-
tal asymptotes can be determined by looking at the behavior of ra-
If n = m, the horizontal asymptote is y = , where a if the
tional functions when ⃓x⃓ is very large (i.e., at extreme values of x).
leading coefficient of the numerator and b is the leading
coefficient of the denominator.
However, at extreme values of x, the value of a polynomial
If n > m, there is no horizontal asymptote.
can be approximated using the value of the leading term.
For example, if x = 1000, the value of 4x2 + 4x + 1 is
4,004,001. A good approximation is the value of 4x 2, which is
4,000,000.
16 9
Similarly, for extreme values of x, the value of x2 + 3x + 2
can be approximated by x2. Thus, for extreme values of x, then f(x)
can be approximated by , and therefore, f(x) approaches 4
for extreme values of x. This means that we have a horizontal as-
ymptote at y = 4.
Example 3. Find the horizontal asymptote of f(x) = .
Solution: Figure 2.12: Actual sketch of the graph using a software grapher
Following the idea from the previous example, the value of
The domain of the function is all values of x not including
those where the function is undefined. Therefore the domain of f(x)
can be approximated by = for extreme values of x.
is {x ℝ⃓≠ and x ≠ -4}.
Thus, the horizontal asymptote is y = .
From the graph of the function, we observe that the function
Example 4. Find the horizontal asymptote of f(x) = . increases and decreases without bound. The graph also crosses
the horizontal asymptote. Therefore, the range of the function is the
Solution: set ℝ of all real numbers.
Again, based on the idea from the previous example, the
value of can be approximated by = for extreme
values of x.
If we substitute extreme values of x in , we obtain values
very close to 0. Thus, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.
Example 5. Show that f(x) = can be approximated by
= .
If we substitute extreme values of x in , we obtain ex-
treme values as well.
10 15
Draw sections of the graph near the asymptotes based on Thus, if x takes on extreme values, then y also takes on
the transition indicated on the table of signs. extreme values and does not approach a particular finite number.
The function has no horizontal asymptote.
We summarize the results from the previous examples as
follows:
Finding the Horizontal Asymptotes of a Rational Function
Let n be the degree of the numerator and m be the degree
of the denominator.
If n < m, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.
If n = m, the horizontal asymptote is y = , where a if
the leading coefficient of the numerator and b is the
Figure 2.10: Sketch the graph near the asymptotes based on the leading coefficient of the denominator.
table of signs If n > m, there is no horizontal asymptote.
Properties of rational functions:
Complete the sketch by connecting the arrowheads, making
sure that the sketch passes through the y – intercept as well. The How to find the: Do the following:
sketch should follow the horizontal asymptote as the x – values
goes to the extreme left and right of the Cartesian plane. y – intercept Evaluate the function at x = 0.
x – intercept Find the values of x where the numerator will
be zero.
Find the values of a where the denominator is
Vertical asymp- zero. If this value of a does not make the nu-
totes merator zero, then the line x = a is a vertical
asymptote.
Let n be the degree of the numerator and m the
degree of the denominator:
If n < m, the horizontal asymptote is y =
Horizontal asymp- 0.
totes If n = m, the horizontal asymptote is y =
Figure 2.11: Rough sketch of the graph following the information
above , where a if the leading coefficient of the
numerator and b is the leading coefficient
of the denominator.
If n > m, there is no horizontal asymp-
tote.
14 11
Construct a table of signs for the following intervals defined
Example 6. Sketch the graph of (x) = . Find its domain and by the zeroes and the values where the denominator will be zero:
range. x < -4
Solution: -4 < x < -
The numerator and denominator of f(x) can be factored as
follows: - <x<
f(x) = = <x<3
From the factorization, we can get the following properties x>3
of the function:
y – intercept f(0) = =
zeroes: {- , 3}
vertical asymptotes: x = and x = -4
horizontal asymptote: the polynomials in the numerator and de-
nominator have equal degree. The horizontal asymptote is the
Draw sections of the graph through the zeroes indicating
ratio of the leading coefficients: y = the correct transition based on the table of signs.
Figure 2.9: Sketch the transition across the zeroes based on the
Plot the intercepts and asymptotes on the Cartesian plane:
Figure 2.8: Intercepts and asymptotes of f(x) table of signs
12 13