General Mathematics

Quarter 1 – Module 7:
Representations of Rational
Functions
 Lesson
Representations of Rational
1 Functions

This lesson is about representations of rational function in different ways. We will

deal with the application of rational functions that may involve the number of
persons who can do a task in a certain amount of time. We can handle these
applications involving work in a manner similar to the method we used to solve
distance, speed, and time problems.

What’s In
Let us recall on how to represent a polynomial function problem through table,
graph, 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.
Number of 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
dumplings
wrapped
Minutes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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,
𝐷
𝑇=
𝑁
Where;

T= Time in Minutes

D= Total number of Dumplings made

N= Number of Dumplings made per minute

What’s New

Life is a Beach!

Pueblo Por La Playa is a 12.5 hectare Mexican-inspired exclusive leisure club

nestled off the calm, clear waters of Pagbilao Quezon. The "Pueblo" offers the total
leisure and recreation experience for the entire family. Since it is an exclusive resort,
it has a membership fee. Pueblo Por La Playa charges a ₱300,000.00 annual fee,
then ₱700.00 for each day you stay there. Find the average cost per day to stay in
the resort in 5, 10, 15 and up to 30 days. Graph the function to show whether it
forms a straight line or a curve.

a. Define a formula for the average cost for every 5 days to stay in the resort f(x).
Hint: Since the problem asks for the average cost, use the formula in getting
an average.
b. Based from the situation above, complete the following table to show the
average cost every 5 days.

X 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Y 0
Hint: Substitute the value of x in your equation

c. Plot the following points on the cartesian plane

To graph, simply plot the points and connect it by a smooth curve line.
 What is It
The problem presented above is an example of Rational Function. To solve the
problem, let us answer each question one by one. Below is the definition of a Rational
Function.
Definition
𝑝(𝑥)
Rational function is written in the form of 𝑓(𝑥) = . It should follow the
𝑞(𝑥)

following conditions namely:

1. Both p(x) and q(x) are polynomial functions wherein it has no

negative and fractional exponents.
2. The denominator or q(x) should not be equal to 0.
3. The domain of all values of x where q(x) ≠ 0.

a. Define a formula for the average cost for every 5 days to stay in the resort f(x).
To define the formula, use the formula in getting the average cost.
Let the function be f(x). We can use the formula of getting an average. Average

Let f(x) represents the average cost per day and x represents the number in days.
Note that ₱300,000.00 is a fixed price you need to pay plus the ₱700.00 per day
divided by the number of days (x). We will have,
300000+700(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥)=
𝑥
Observe that it is similar to the structure of our original formula. Note that you will
be using a formula depending on the classification of problems given to you.

b. For every 5 day stay in the resort, create a table of values showing the average
cost.

Solution: Make a table of values with x-values at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30.
X 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Y 0 20,965 41,930 62,895 83,860 104,825 125,790

From the table, we can observe that the average cost of stay decreases as the
time increases. We can use a graph to determine if the points of this function follow
a curve or a line

c. Graph the following points in the Cartesian plane.

.

By connecting the lines, we can clearly see that it follows a curve, thus a Rational
Function.

Example 2:
𝒙
𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒙+𝟐
a. Since we already have an equation, we can skip this part. Proceed with
the table of values

b. Construct table of values from -2 to 2. We can substitute each value on

the equation to complete the table. We will get,

X -2 -1 0 1 2
f(x) Und -1 0 0.33 0.5

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.

What’s More
In the following activities, read each situation carefully to solve each problem. Write
your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Practice Activity 1

Represent this rational equation through table and graph. Identify whether the graph
forms a straight line or a curve.
𝒙+𝟑
𝒇 (𝒙 ) =
𝒙+𝟏
𝟑
𝒇 𝒙
𝒙 𝟏
a. Since we already have an equation, we can skip this part. Proceed with
letter b. Note that when given with a word problem, you cannot skip this
part.

b. Construct table of values from -2 to 2 .

Hint: Substitute the value of x to obtain f(x).
x -2 -1 0 1 2
f(x) -1 undefined 3 2

The function is undefined when x= -1 since it makes the denominator zero.

c. Plot the points in the Cartesian plane and determine whether the points
form a smooth curve or a straight line.
By plotting the points obtained in B we can get,

Independent Assessment 1

In order to join a voice lesson class, you will pay a ₱1,500.00 pesos fee, then
₱500.00 for each class you go to. What is the average cost per class? Graph the
function to show whether it forms a straight line or a curve.