Rational functions 3

3
Rational functions
2𝑥2 − 6𝑥 2𝑥2 − 6𝑥 2𝑥2 − 6𝑥
=0 𝑓(𝑥) = >0
𝑥−3 𝑥−3 𝑥−3

a rational a rational a rational

1 Rational Equations
Ex Solve over ℝ :

2𝑥2 − 6𝑥 2𝑥2 − 6𝑥
=0 =0
𝑥−3 𝑥−3

2𝑥2 − 6𝑥
⟺ (𝑥 − 3)⋅ ( ) = 0⋅(𝑥 − 3)
𝑥−3

⟺ 2𝑥2 − 6𝑥 = 0

⟺ 2𝑥 (𝑥 − 3) = 0

⟺ 𝑥=0 ∨ 𝑥−3=0

⟺ 𝑥=0 ∨ 𝑥=3

Checking solutions to the equation:

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 Rational functions 3

2 Rational functions
1
REVIEW: the reciprocal function 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥

Transformations:
1 1
𝑦= 𝑦=
𝑥−3 𝑥+2

shift the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥1 shift the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥1

to the right 3 units
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 Rational functions 3

1 1
𝑦= +2 𝑦= −2
𝑥 𝑥

shift the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥1 shift the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥1

upward 2 units

1 1
𝑦 =2⋅ 𝑦 = 0,5 ⋅
𝑥 𝑥

stretch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥1 shrink the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥1

by a factor 2 by a factor 0,5

1
𝑦=−
𝑥

reflect the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥1

in the 𝑥-axis

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 Rational functions 3

A Analyzing Functions: Graphically

Analyze the function:

8𝑥2 + 128
• 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 − 16

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 Rational functions 3

Analyze the function:

𝑥2 − 2𝑥 − 15
• 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 − 7𝑥 + 10

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 Rational functions 3

Analyze the function:

6𝑥2 − 6
• 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 + 6

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 Rational functions 3

B Sign Diagram of a Rational Function

𝑥2 − 1
• 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 −4

2𝑥2 − 5𝑥 + 2
• 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 2

(𝑥 + 1)3
• 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+1

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 Rational functions 3

6 − 2𝑥2
• 𝑓(𝑥) =
(𝑥2 − 3)3

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 Rational functions 3

C Analyzing Functions: Algebraically

Analyze the function:
𝑥2 − 1
• 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 −4
[Link]

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 Rational functions 3

Analyze the function:

𝑥
• 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 − 1
[Link]

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 Rational functions 3

3 Rational Inequalities
𝑥 + 4
• Solve over ℝ: ≥𝑥+2
𝑥 + 2

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 Rational functions 3

• Solve over ℝ: 1 5−𝑥

≤
𝑥 𝑥+4

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EXERCISES 3
Rational functions

1 Solve over ℝ.

𝑥 5 𝑥−1 2 1
a) +2= d) − 2 =
𝑥−5 𝑥−5 𝑥 𝑥 +𝑥 𝑥+1

𝑥−1 1 4𝑥 − 8 5
b) =3+ e) − 12 = 2
𝑥+1 𝑥+1 2𝑥 + 1 2𝑥 + 𝑥

1 1 2 2𝑥 2𝑥 + 4 1
c) + = f) + =
𝑥 𝑥+1 𝑥+2 𝑥2−9 𝑥−3 𝑥+3

𝑥+1 64 2𝑥
g) + 2 =
𝑥 + 4 𝑥 − 16 𝑥 − 4

2 A father can dig up the backyard in six hours.

His son would take ten hours to dig it up. If
they work together, how long will it take them
to complete the job?

3 A school secretary can prepare a mass mailing of an

informational flyer in 6 hours. A student worker
would take 8 hours to prepare the mailing. How
long will it take to prepare the mailing if they
work together?

4 The volume of a rectangular prism with a square base

is 63 cm3. The side area is 102 cm2. Find the side of the
square base.

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 Rational functions 3

5 Given are five hyperbolas (partially drawn, with their asymptotes). An

equation of hyperbola ℎ1 is 𝑦 = 1x .

a) Match the following equations with their graphs.

2 1
𝑦= +3 𝑦= +1
𝑥−6 𝑥+5

b) State the equation of ℎ5 .

h2

h3
h1

h5
h4

6 Make the sign diagram.

𝑥2 − 3𝑥 𝑥(1 − 𝑥)(2𝑥 + 3)
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = d) 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+1 9𝑥2 − 24𝑥 + 16

2 (𝑥 − 1)3
b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 + 𝑥 − 1 e) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
3𝑥2 − 7𝑥 + 2 5𝑥 + 5𝑥

𝑥(2𝑥 + 1)3 𝑥3 + 𝑥2 − 6𝑥
c) 𝑓(𝑥) = f) 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−1 𝑥

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 Rational functions 3

7 Solve over ℝ.

𝑥+1 𝑥−1 4𝑥 + 9 4𝑥 + 1
a) − <0 d) ≥
𝑥−1 𝑥+1 𝑥+1 𝑥−1

5𝑥 − 3 2𝑥 + 3
b) <0 e) −𝑥>0
𝑥−7 𝑥

𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
c) ≤0
𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 1

8 The radius r (in cm) of a circular ink spot 𝑡 seconds after it

first appears is given by:
1 + 4𝑡
𝑟(𝑡) =
2+𝑡
a) Trace the dotted line for meaningful t-values.

b) Fill in the table (round off to 3 decimal places).

t 8 12 100 500 1000 2000

𝑟(𝑡)

c) After a long time, the stain will almost

stop growing. The radius tends to _____ cm.

5𝑡
9 Suppose that 𝐶(𝑡) = represents the concentration of a drug in a pa-
𝑡2 + 1
tient’s bloodstream t hours after the drug was administrated. Construct a
table of values for 𝐶(𝑡) for 𝑡 = 1,2, … ,10 . Round off answers to 2 decimal
places. Use the table to sketch a graph. Use Desmos to find the maximum
concentration.

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