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Understanding Rational Functions and Asymptotes

1. A rational function is a function that is defined as the quotient of two polynomials, where f and g are polynomials and g is not equal to 0. 2. Vertical asymptotes of a rational function occur when the denominator g(x) equals 0. Horizontal asymptotes occur depending on whether the degree of the numerator is greater than, less than, or equal to the degree of the denominator. 3. Domain restrictions of a rational function are found by setting the denominator g(x) not equal to 0, and x-intercepts occur when the numerator f(x) is equal to 0.

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Rebecka Kermanshahi Peterson
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76 views5 pages

Understanding Rational Functions and Asymptotes

1. A rational function is a function that is defined as the quotient of two polynomials, where f and g are polynomials and g is not equal to 0. 2. Vertical asymptotes of a rational function occur when the denominator g(x) equals 0. Horizontal asymptotes occur depending on whether the degree of the numerator is greater than, less than, or equal to the degree of the denominator. 3. Domain restrictions of a rational function are found by setting the denominator g(x) not equal to 0, and x-intercepts occur when the numerator f(x) is equal to 0.

Uploaded by

Rebecka Kermanshahi Peterson
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

4.

5: Rational Functions
Preview Explain, in your own words, why we cant divide by zero.

Discovering X-Intercepts, Domain, and Vertical Asymptotes of Rational Functions Take a look at the two linear functions, ( ) axes by filling out the corresponding chart. ( ) graphed below. Graph the quotient
( ) on the ( )

same set of

( )
f(x) -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 -4.5 -3.5

( )

( ) ( )

g(x)

Q: What are the equations of ( ) ( ) A: ( ) , ( )

( ) ( )

( ) ( )

Graph

( ) on your calculator and see if ( )

it matches the graph you drew. What is the domain of this function (what values of x are allowed)? What

Q: Take a look at our new function,

( ) . ( )

does this correspond to in terms of f and/or g? Why? A: Example 1 Find the domain of: [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Q: Going back again to our A:

( ) , ( )

what exactly happened at

?!

Lets learn some vocab Definition 1. A rational function is a function that is a ____________________________ of two ____________________________. That is, a rational function is ( ) Definition 2. The line x approaches a.
( ) ( )

where f and g are polynomials and ( )

is a vertical asymptote of the graph of f if f(x) increases or decreases without bound as

The word asymptote comes from the Greek word asymptotes, meaning not touching.

Q: So, what was the vertical asymptote for A: How to find a vertical asymptote: If ( )
( ) is ( )

( ) from ( )

the beginning of the lesson?

a rational function in which f(x) and g(x) have no common factors and a is a zero (or x-intercept) is a vertical asymptote of the graph of h.

of the denominator g(x), then

Example 2 Find the vertical asymptotes, if any, of: [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Q: Can the denominator of a rational function have a zero at a but not have a vertical asymptote at A: Hence, make sure you factor completely and divide any common factors before determining vertical asymptotes.
( ) . ( )

Q: List the x-intercept(s) of our favorite A:

What does this correspond to in terms of f and/or g? Why?

Example 3 Find the x-intercepts of the following functions. Always make sure theyre in your domain. [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Horizontal Asymptotes If we have vertical asymptotes, we gotta have horizontal ones, too Definition 3. The line decreases without bound. is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of f if f(x) approaches b as x increases or

While a function can have several vertical asymptotes it can have only one horizontal asymptote. Although a function can never intersect a vertical asymptote it may cross its horizontal asymptote. Example 4 Can you figure out which term(s) would have the most influence as x approaches .) What does this tell us about our horizontal asymptotes? [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) (We write this as

How to find horizontal asymptotes: (Compare the degrees of top [numerator] and bottom [denominator]) (1) Biggest on bottom, then y=____________ is the horizontal asymptote (like Example 4 ______). (2) Biggest on top, then we have ______ horizontal asymptote (like Example 4 _____). (3) Exponents are the same, then y=______________ is the horizontal asymptote, where a is the leading coefficient of the numerator; b is the leading coefficient of the denominator (like Example 4 _____).

You can remember this by BOBO BOTN EATSDC


Example 5 Find the horizontal asymptote, if any, of: [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Oblique Asymptotes Definition 4. Sometimes a line that is neither horizontal nor vertical is an asymptote. Such a line is called an oblique asymptote or a slant asymptote. Q: What would be another way to write A: What happens to the remainder as or ?

Example 6 State the oblique asymptote of ( )

There can be only __________ horizontal asymptote or __________ oblique asymptote and never both. Note: An asymptote is NOT part of the graph of the function. Putting It All Together Example 7 State whether the following rational functions have a horizontal asymptote, oblique, or neither. If they have a horizontal or oblique asymptote, state what it is. [ ] ( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] ( )

Occurrence of Lines as Asymptotes of Rational Functions For a rational function ( ) ( ) ( ), where f and g have no common factors other than constants: Vertical asymptotes occur at any x-values that make the denominator ________. The x-axis (or y=0) is the horizontal asymptote when the degree of the numerator is __________________ the degree of the denominator. A horizontal asymptote other than the x-axis occurs when the degree of the numerator is ____________ the degree of the denominator. These horizontal asymptotes take the form where a and b are the leading coefficients of the numerator and denominator, respectively. An oblique asymptote occurs when the degree of the numerator is _____ greater than the degree of the denominator.

Other Important Pieces Domain restrictions are found by setting the _____________________ equal to ________. X-intercepts occur when the ________________________ is equal to __________. (Always check domain!) Y-intercepts can be found by computing ___________.

Example 8 Find all asymptotes and intercepts of ( ) State the domain. Graph the function.

Example 9 Find all asymptotes and intercepts of ( ) State the domain. Graph the function.

Example 10 The function ( ) , gives the body concentration N(t), in parts per million, of a certain dosage of (would this be a horizontal or vertical asymptote)? medicine after t hours. [A] What does N(t) approach as t goes to

[B] Explain the meaning of part [A] in terms of the application. Does the concentration ever decrease to

zero?

Q: Whats a rational function? A:

Common questions

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X-intercepts, where the numerator equals zero, indicate points where the graph of the rational function crosses the x-axis, and they must be within the function's domain. They show where the function changes sign. Y-intercepts occur by evaluating the function at x=0 and represent the point where the graph crosses the y-axis. Both intercepts are essential for understanding the initial behavior and orientation of the graph of a rational function .

Scenarios in which a function might intersect its horizontal asymptote, especially in cases involving complex polynomials or where external constraints alter the context of application, may result in a graph that does not approach the horizontal asymptote as expected. Furthermore, the presence of higher degree polynomials or irregular function behavior in other regions might overshadow the asymptote's influence .

A rational function will not have any vertical asymptotes if the factors causing the denominator to be zero are also factors of the numerator, effectively cancelling out the issue leading to division by zero. This means that after simplifying the function by cancelling common factors, the remaining function does not lead to division by zero at those points, hence no vertical asymptote .

Division by zero is undefined because it leads to an inconsistency in the fundamental operations of arithmetic. In the context of rational functions, division by zero happens when the denominator of the function is zero, which is not allowed in the domain of the function. This results in a vertical asymptote at the zeros of the denominator, where the function increases or decreases without bound as the input approaches those points .

Oblique asymptotes occur when the degree of the numerator is exactly one more than the degree of the denominator. They are derived by dividing the numerator by the denominator, the quotient forming the equation of the line representing the oblique asymptote. Oblique asymptotes are unique because a rational function cannot have both horizontal and oblique asymptotes; only one exists, depending on the degree relationship between the numerator and denominator .

The domain of a rational function is affected by the denominator, as division by zero is undefined. Any change that introduces new roots into the denominator leads to new domain restrictions, as these roots must be excluded from the domain to avoid division by zero. Changes in the numerator do not directly affect the domain but might introduce additional x-intercepts. However, they could affect the overall behavior of the function, influencing critical points and asymptotes .

Horizontal asymptotes influence the long-term behavior of a graph by determining the value the function approaches as x tends towards positive or negative infinity. Vertical asymptotes signify points where the function is undefined and approaches positive or negative infinity, effectively splitting the graph into different sections with potentially different behaviors. These asymptotes guide the overall shape and direction of the graph .

Asymptotes are significant as they describe the behavior of a function as the input approaches infinity or particular finite values. Horizontal asymptotes indicate the value the function approaches as x becomes very large or small, dictated by the degree of the polynomial expressions in the numerator and the denominator. Vertical asymptotes show where the function is undefined due to division by zero, typically where the denominator is zero. Oblique asymptotes come into play when the degree of the numerator is one more than the degree of the denominator .

Asymptotes are critical because they provide insight into the function's behavior at extreme values and where it might be undefined. They help determine the limits of the function and predict its behavior near these limits, which is essential for understanding the stability, tendencies, and constraints inherent in real-world applications modeled by rational functions .

To determine the existence of horizontal or oblique asymptotes, compare the degrees of the numerator and the denominator of the rational function. A horizontal asymptote exists when the degree of the numerator is less than or equal to the degree of the denominator. If equal, it's y = (leading coefficient of the numerator)/(leading coefficient of the denominator). If less, it's y = 0. An oblique asymptote exists if the degree of the numerator is exactly one more than the degree of the denominator, determined by performing polynomial long division .

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