TROY UNIVERSITY PROGRAM AT HUST

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Chapter 5 – Polynomial
and Rational Functions
MTH112, PRE-CALCULUS ALGEBRA

DR. DOAN DUY TRUNG

Outline
• Polynomial Functions and Models
• Properties of Rational Functions
• The Graph of a Rational Function
• Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
• The Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function
• Complex Zeros; Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

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Polynomial Functions and Models
• Identify Polynomial Functions and Their Degree
• Graph Polynomial Functions Using Transformations
• Identify the Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function and Their
Multiplicity
• Analyze the Graph of a Polynomial Function
• Build Cubic Models from Data

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Identify Polynomial Functions and
Their Degree

• The degree of a polynomial function is the largest power of x that

appears.
• The zero polynomial function 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 + 0𝑥 + 0𝑥 2 + ⋯ + 0𝑥 𝑛

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Identify Polynomial Functions and
Their Degree
• Determine which of the following are polynomial functions. For
those that are, state the degree for those that are not, tell why
not

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Summary of the properties of some
polynomial functions

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Power functions
A power function of degree 𝑛 is a monomial function of the form
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛
Where 𝑎 is a real number, 𝑎 ≠ 0, and 𝑛 > 0 is an integer.
Properties of Power functions, 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑛

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Graph Polynomial Functions Using
Transformations
Graph 𝑓 𝑥 = 1 − 𝑥 5
It is helpful to rewrite 𝑓 as 𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 5 + 1

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Graph Polynomial Functions Using
Transformations
1 4
• Graph 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−1
2

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Identify the Real Zeros of a Polynomial
Function and Their Multiplicity
If 𝑓 is a function and 𝑟 is a real number for which 𝑓 𝑟 = 0, then 𝑟 is
called a real zero of 𝑓.
The following statements are equivalent:
✓ 𝑟 is a real zero of a polynomial function 𝑓
✓ 𝑟 is an 𝑥-intercept of the graph of 𝑓
✓ 𝑥 − 𝑟 is a factor of 𝑓
✓ 𝑟 is a solution to the equation 𝑓 𝑥 = 0

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Identify the Real Zeros of a Polynomial
Function and Their Multiplicity
• If 𝑥 − 𝑟 𝑚 is a factor of a polynomial 𝑓 and 𝑥 − 𝑟 𝑚+1 is not a
factor of 𝑓, then 𝑟 is called a zero of multiplicity 𝑚 of 𝑓.

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Turning Points
• The points at which a graph changes direction are called turning
points.
• If f is a polynomial function of degree n, then the graph of f has
at most turning points
• If the graph of a polynomial function f has turning points, the
degree of f is at least n.

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End Behavior
• The behavior of the graph of a function for large values of x,
either positive or negative, is referred to as its end behavior.

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Analyze the Graph of a Polynomial
Function
Analyze the graph of the polynomial function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1)
End behavior 𝑦 = 𝑥 4
𝑥-intercepts, {−1,0,4}
𝑦-intercepts {0}
At most 3Turning points

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Properties of Rational Functions
• Find the Domain of a Rational Function
• Find the Vertical Asymptotes of a Rational Function
• Find the Horizontal or Oblique Asymptote of a Rational Function

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Rational Function

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Rational Function
• Examples: Find the Domain of a Rational Function
2𝑥 2 −4
a) 𝑅 𝑥 = 𝑥+5
1
b) 𝑅 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 −4

𝑥3
c) 𝑅 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 +1

𝑥 2 −1
d) 𝑅 𝑥 = 𝑥−1

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Rational Function
Analyze the graph of 𝐻 𝑥 = 1/𝑥 2
Domain: 𝑥 ≠ 0
1 1
𝐻 −𝑥 = 2
= 2 = 𝐻(𝑥)
−𝑥 𝑥
H is an even function, so its graph is symmetric with respect to the
y-axis.

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Using Transformations to Graph a
Rational Function
1
Graph the rational function: 𝑅 𝑥 = +1
𝑥−2 2

Domain: 𝑥 ≠ 2

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Asymptotes
1
Let 𝑅 𝑥 = + 1 be a function
𝑥−2 2

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Asymptotes

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Asymptote
• A horizontal asymptote, when it occurs, describes the end
behavior of the graph as 𝑥 → ∞ or as 𝑥 → −∞. The graph of a
function may intersect a horizontal asymptote.
• A vertical asymptote, when it occurs, describes the behavior of
the graph when x is close to some number c. The graph of a
rational function will never intersect a vertical asymptote.
•

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Oblique Asymptote
• If, as 𝑥 → −∞ or as 𝑥 → ∞, the value of a rational function 𝑅(𝑥)
approaches a liner expression 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑎 ≠ 0, then the line 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 +
𝑏, 𝑎 ≠ 0, is an oblique asymptote of 𝑅.
• An oblique asymptote, when it occurs, describes the end
behavior of the graph. The graph of a function may intersect an
oblique asymptote.

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Find the Vertical Asymptotes of a
Rational Function

• Find the vertical asymptote, if any, of the graph of each rational

function

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Find the Horizontal or Oblique
Asymptote of a Rational Function
• If a rational function 𝑅(𝑥) is proper, that is, if the degree of the
numerator is less than the degree of the denominator, then as or
as the value of approaches 0.
• Consequently, the line 𝑦 = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the
graph
• If a rational function is proper, the line 𝑦 = 0 is a horizontal
asymptote of its graph.

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Finding a Horizontal Asymptote
• Find the horizontal asymptote, if one exists, of the graph of

𝑝 𝑥
• If a rational function 𝑅 𝑥 = is improper, that is, if the degree
𝑞 𝑥
of the numerator is greater than or equal to the degree of the
denominator, we use long division to write the rational function
as the sum of a polynomial 𝑓(𝑥) (the quotient) plus a proper
rational function.

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Finding a Horizontal Asymptote
𝑟(𝑥) 𝑟(𝑥)
• Since is proper, → 0 as 𝑥 → −∞ or as 𝑥 → ∞. As a result
𝑞(𝑥) 𝑞(𝑥)

• If 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑏, a constant, the line 𝑦 = 𝑏 is a horizontal asymptote of

the graph of 𝑅
• If 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑎 ≠ 0, the line 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 is an oblique asymptote
of the graph of 𝑅
• In all other cases, the graph of 𝑅 approaches the graph of 𝑓,
and there are no horizontal or oblique asymptotes.

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Finding a Horizontal or Oblique
Asymptote
• Find the horizontal or oblique asymptote, if one exists, of the
graph of

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The Graph of a Rational Function
• Analyze the Graph of a Rational Function
• Solve Applied Problems Involving Rational Functions

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Analyze the Graph of a Rational
Function
𝑥−1
• Analyze the graph of the rational function: 𝑅 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −4

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Analyze the Graph of a Rational
Function
𝑥−1
• Analyze the graph of the rational function: 𝑅 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −4

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Analyzing the Graph of a Rational
Function R
• STEP 1: Factor the numerator and denominator of R. Find the domain of the
rational function.
• STEP 2: Write R in lowest terms.
• STEP 3: Locate the intercepts of the graph. The x-intercepts are the zeros of
the numerator of R that are in the domain of R. Determine the behavior of the
graph of R near each x-intercept.
• STEP 4: Determine the vertical asymptotes. Graph each vertical asymptote
using a dashed line
• STEP 5: Determine the horizontal or oblique asymptote, if one exists. Determine
points, if any, at which the graph of R intersects this asymptote. Graph the
asymptote using a dashed line. Plot any points at which the graph of R
intersects the asymptote
(continue)

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Analyzing the Graph of a Rational
Function R
• STEP 6: Use the zeros of the numerator and denominator of R to
divide the x-axis into intervals. Determine where the graph of R is
above or below the x-axis by choosing a number in each interval
and evaluating R there. Plot the points found.
• STEP 7: Analyze the behavior of the graph of R near each
asymptote and indicate this behavior on the graph.
• STEP 8: Use the results obtained in Steps 1 through 7 to graph R.

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Analyzing the Graph of a Rational
Function R
• Analyze the graph of the rational function:
𝑥2 − 1
𝑅 𝑥 =
𝑥

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Constructing a Rational Function
from Its Graph
• Find a rational function that might have the graph shown in the
following Figure.

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Solve Applied Problems Involving
Rational Functions
Reynolds Metal Company manufactures aluminum cans in the
1
shape of a cylinder with a capacity of 500 cubic centimeters (
2
liter). The top and bottom of the can are made of a special
aluminum alloy that costs 0.05 cent per square centimeter. The
sides of the can are made of material that cost 0.02 cent per
square centimeter.
Express the cost of material for the can as a function of the radius r
of the can?

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Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
• Solve Polynomial Inequalities
• Solve Rational Inequalities

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Solve Polynomial Inequalities
2 2
• Solve 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 1 > 0 by graphing 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 1

f 𝑥 > 0 ⟺ 𝑥 ∈ −3,1 ∪ (1, ∞)

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How to Solve a Polynomial
Inequality Algebraically
Solve the inequality 𝑥 4 > 𝑥
Rearrange the inequality so that: 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 > 0

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Solve Rational Inequalities
𝑥−1 𝑥−1
Solve ≥ 0 by graphing 𝑅 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −4 𝑥 2 −4

Solutions: −2,1 ∪ (2, ∞)

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How to Solve a Rational Inequality
Algebraically
4𝑥+5
Solve the inequality ≥3
𝑥+2
𝑥−1
Rearrange the inequality so that 0 is on the right side ≥0
𝑥+2

Solutions: 𝑥 ∈ −∞, −2 ∪ [1, ∞)

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The Real Zeros of a Polynomial
Function
• Use the Remainder and Factor Theorems
• Use the Rational Zeros Theorem to List the Potential Rational Zeros
of a Polynomial Function
• Find the Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function
• Solve Polynomial Equations
• Use the Theorem for Bounds on Zeros
• Use the Intermediate Value Theorem

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Use the Remainder and Factor
Theorems

• 𝑓(𝑥) is the dividend, 𝑔(𝑥) is the divisor, 𝑞(𝑥) is the quotient, and
𝑟(𝑥) is the remainder.

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Remainder Theorem
If 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 𝑐 𝑔 𝑥 + 𝑅, then 𝑓 𝑐 = 𝑅
Remainder Theorem: Let 𝑓 be a polynomial function. If 𝑓(𝑥) is
divided by 𝑥 − 𝑐, then the remainder is 𝑓(𝑐)
Factor Theorem: Let 𝑓 be a polynomial function. Then 𝑥 − 𝑐 is a
factor of 𝑓(𝑥) if and only if 𝑓 𝑐 = 0
Example: Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether the
function 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 has factor
(a) 𝑥 − 1 (b) 𝑥 + 3

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Number of Real Zeros
Number of Real Zeros: A polynomial function cannot have more
real zeros than its degree.

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Use the Rational Zeros Theorem to List the
Potential Rational Zeros of a Polynomial Function

• Example: List the potential rational zeros of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 + 11𝑥 2 −

7𝑥 − 6
• Example: Find the real zeros of the polynomial function 𝑓 𝑥 =
2𝑥 3 + 11𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 6. Write 𝑓 in factored form.

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Solve Polynomial Equations

Example: Find the real solutions of the equation: 𝑥 5 − 5𝑥 4 + 12𝑥 3 −

23𝑥 2 + 32𝑥 − 16 = 0

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Use the Theorem for Bounds on Zeros

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Use the Intermediate Value Theorem

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Use the Intermediate Value Theorem
Example: Show that 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 5 − 𝑥 3 − 1 has a zero between 1 and 2

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Complex Zeros; Fundamental Theorem
of Algebra
• Use the Conjugate Pairs Theorem
• Find a Polynomial Function with Specified Zeros
• Find the Complex Zeros of a Polynomial Function

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Use the Conjugate Pairs Theorem

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Use the Conjugate Pairs Theorem

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