Chapter 2
Rational
Functions
Rational Function
A function of the form
f(x) = , where p(x) and
q(x) are polynomials and
q(x) ≠ 0.
Examples of Rational Functions
1. r(x) = 3. y =
2. g(x) = 4. h(x) =
Rational
Functions,
Equations,
Expressions and
Inequalities
Rational Function
A function of the
form f(x) = , where
p(x) and q(x) are
Examples of Rational Functions
r(x) =
y=
Rational Expression
Isan expression that
can be written as a
ratio of two
Rational Expression
Rational Equation
An equation
involving rational
expressions
Rational Equation
2=
2x =
Rational Inequality
An
inequality
involving
Rational Inequality
<
Inequality Symbols
>
12x ≠
<
≤
≥
≠
Determine whether the given is a rational
function, rational expression, rational equation,
a rational inequality, or none of them.
rational
1. y = 5x3 – 2x function
rational
expression
+1 rational
equation
rational
inequality
None of them
Determine whether the given is a rational
function,rational expression, rational equation,
a rational inequality, or none of them.
rational
function
rational
expression
rational
5. y= equation
rational
inequality
6. 6x - None of them
7. + 3
Determine whether the given is a rational
function,rational expression, rational equation,
a rational inequality, or none of them.
0
1. f(x) = -x2 – 2x
2. 5. p(x) =
6. 6x -
7. x - 3 =
Determine whether the given is a rational
function,rational expression, rational equation,
a rational inequality, or none of them.
0
1. f(x) = -x2 – 2xrational
2.
function
rational
inequality
None of them
rational
function
Determine whether the given is a rational
function,rational expression, rational equation,
a rational inequality, or none of them.
rational
expression
5. p(x) = None of them
6. 6x -
rational
7. x - 3 = equation
rational
equation
SOLVING
Rational
Equations
Solving Rational Equations
and Inequalities
Solve the following rational
equations
1.
2.
3.
[ ]
Solution for number 1
𝟐
10x 𝟑 𝟏
10
− =
𝒙
x 𝟐 𝒙 𝟓
20
5
___= 2x
___
2 2
x = or 2.5
Solution for number 2
𝟓 𝟕
6[ +𝟏= ]6
𝟑𝒙 𝟔
10 + 6
10
10
𝒙 =𝟏𝟎
Solution for number 3
3
Solve the following rational
equations
1. 2.
3.
Graph of
Rational
Functions
Graphing Rational
Function
a. The domain of a function is the set of all
values that the variable can take.
b. The range of a function is the set of all values
that x can take.
c. The zeroes are also x-intercepts of the graph
of the function.
d. The y-intercept is the function value when x =
Horizontal and Vertical
asymptotes
Verticalasymptotes are vertical lines
which correspond to the zeroes of the
denominator of a rational function.
Horizontal asymptotes are
horizontal lines the graph
approaches.
Sample graph
Construct a table of values for the given
function then graph
1. y=
x -5 -3 -2 0 1 3 5
Y -1/2 -1 -2 2 1 1/2 1/3
x -5 -3 -2 0 1 3 5
Y -1/2 -1 -2 2 1 1/2 1/3
The Domain
and Range of
a
Rational
Functions
Domain – All possible input values. (values of
x)
Range – All Possible output values. (values of
y)
Example
Given the set of ordered pairs {(a,1),(b,2),
(c,3),(d,4),(0,k)}
Domain: {a,b,c,d,0}
Range: {1,2,3,4,k}
1. Find the domain and range of the
rational function f(x) =
Note: f(x) = y y= Given
y= Change f(x) to y xy + 3y = 2 Cross Multiply
x+3=0 Equate the denominator xy = -3y + 2 Transpose 3y
to 0
x= Divide both sides by y
x = -3 Addition Property
y=0 Equate the denominator
to 0
Domain: {x | x ϵ R, x ≠ -3} Range: {y | y ϵ R, y ≠ 0}
2. Find the domain and range of the
rational function f(x) =
Note: f(x) = y y= Given
xy + 2y = x-4 Cross Multiply
y= Change f(x) to y
xy - x= -2y-4 Transpose x and 2y
x+2=0 Equate the denominator
to 0 x(y-1) = -2y-4 get the common factor
x = -2 Addition Property x= Divide both sides by y-1
y–1=0 Equate the denominator
to 0
Domain: {x | x ϵ R, x ≠ -2} y = 1 Equate the
denominator to 0
Find the domain and range of each
rational function.
1. f(x) = 3. f(x) =
2. f(x) = 4. f(x) =
determining
the:
(a) intercepts;
(b) zeroes; and
(c) asymptotes
of rational
functions
INTERCEPTS AND ZEROES OF
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
The intercepts of the graph of a rational function are the
points of intersection of its graph and an axis.
The y-intercept of the graph of a rational function r(x) if
it exists, occurs at r(0), provided that r(x) is defined at x
= 0. To find y-intercept simply evaluate the function at x
= 0.
INTERCEPTS AND ZEROES OF
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
The x-intercept of the graph of a rational function r(x), if it
exists, occurs at the zeros of the numerator that are not zeros of
the denominators.
To find x – intercept equate the function to 0.
The zeroes of a function are the values of x which make the
function zero. The numbered zeroes are also x-intercepts of the
graph of the function.
INTERCEPTS AND ZEROES OF
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Find the (1.) x intercept (2.) y intercept and
(3.) zeroes of the following rational functions:
1. f(x) =
2. f(x) =
Solution for number 1 x-intercept
f(x) = Given
0= Change f(x) to
0
0=2– x Cross
Multiply
x=2 Transpose –x to
the left side
x intercept is (2,0)
Solution for number 1 y-intercept
f(x) = Given
y= Change f(x) to y
y= Change x to 0
y = Simplify
y intercept is (0, )
Solution for number 1 zeroes
f(x) = Given
2–x=0 Equate the numerator
to 0
2=x Addition Property
x=2 Symmetric
Property
The zero of f(x) is 2
Solution for number 2 x-intercept
f(x) = Given
0= Change f(x) to
0
0 = 2x Cross
Multiply
0=x Divide both sides
by 2
x=0
Solution for number 2 y-intercept
f(x) = Given
y = Change f(x) to y
y = Change x to 0
y = Simplify
y=0
y intercept is (0,0)
Solution for number 2 zeroes
f(x) = Given
2x = 0 Equate the numerator
to 0
2x = 0 Divide both sides
by 2
2 2
x=0 Simplify
The zero of f(x) is 0
Find the (1.) x intercept (2.) y intercept and
(3.) zeroes of the following rational functions:
1. f(x) = 4. f(x) =
2. f(x) = 5. f(x) =
3. f(x) =