Obj.

9 Rational Functions
Unit 3 Rational Functions

Concepts and Objectives

Rational Functions (Obj. #9) Identify and graph horizontal and vertical translations of the reciprocal function Determine vertical, horizontal, and oblique asymptotes of rational functions Graph rational functions with no common terms

Rational Functions
A rational function is a function of the form p( x ) f (x) = q( x ) where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials, with q(x) 0. The simplest rational function with a variable denominator is the reciprocal function, defined by 1 f (x) = , x 0 x

The Reciprocal Function

As x gets closer and closer to 0, the value of f(x) gets larger and larger (or smaller and smaller) x 1 2 0.1 0.01 y 1
1 2

10 100

The Reciprocal Function

The graph of f(x) will never intersect the vertical line x = 0, which is called a vertical asymptote. As |x| gets larger and larger, the values of f (x) get closer and closer to 0. The line y = 0 is called a horizontal asymptote.

Translating Functions
Compare the graphs of the following functions:

f ( x ) = x2

h( x ) = x 2

g( x ) = x2 2

j ( x ) = ( x 1)

Translating Functions
We could also write this as

f ( x ) = x2

h( x ) = x 2

g( x ) = f ( x ) 2

j ( x ) = h( x 1)

Translating Functions
So, looking at translations of the reciprocal function, f:
1 1. g ( x ) = = f ( x 3) x 3

shifted 3 units to the right

1 2. h( x ) = + 1 = f ( x + 2) + 1 x +2

shifted 2 units to the left, up 1

Rational Functions
1 As we can see from the table, f ( x ) = 2 has range values that are all positive, x

and like the reciprocal function, get larger and larger, the closer x gets to zero. The graph looks like this:

Determining Asymptotes
Vertical Asymptotes To find vertical asymptotes, set the denominator equal to 0 and solve for x. If a is a zero of the denominator, then the line x = a is a vertical asymptote. Example: Find the vertical asymptote(s) of 3x f (x) = x 2
x 2 = 0 x =2

asymptote is at x = 2

Determining Asymptotes
Horizontal Asymptotes If the numerator has lower degree than denominator, then there is a horizontal asymptote at y = 0. If the numerator and denominator have the same degree, then the horizontal asymptote is at the ratio of the coefficients of the first terms.

Determining Asymptotes
Example: Find the horizontal asymptotes of
x +3 a) f ( x ) = 2 x 16

b) f ( x ) =

3x 4 2x + 1

a) The numerator has a lower degree (1) than the denominator (2), so there is a H.A. at y = 0. b) Since the numerator and denominator have the same degree, the H.A. is at 3 y= 2

Determining Asymptotes
Oblique Asymptotes If the numerator is exactly one degree more than the denominator, then the function has an oblique (slanted) asymptote. To find it, divide the numerator by the denominator and disregard the remainder. Set the rest of the quotient equal to y for the equation of the asymptote. The graph cannot intersect any vertical asymptote. There can be at most one other nonvertical asymptote, and the graph can intersect that asymptote.

Determining Asymptotes
Example: Find the asymptotes of

2x 2 + 5 f (x) = x 3
V.A.: x 3 = 0 x =3 O.A.: 3 2 0 5 6 18 2 6 23

y = 2x + 6

Graphing a Rational Function

To graph a rational function: 1. Make sure the function is written in lowest terms. 2. Find any vertical, horizontal, or oblique asymptotes. 3. Find the y-intercept by evaluating f (0). 4. Find the x-intercepts, if any, by finding the zeros of the numerator. 5. Determine whether the graph will intersect its nonvertical asymptote by setting the function equal to the equation of the asymptote. ( f ( x ) = b ) 6. Plot other points, as necessary, and sketch the graph.

Graphing a Rational Function

x 2 Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2 x x 6

V.A.: x 2 x 6 = 0 ( x 3)( x + 2) = 0 x = 2, 3

H.A.: y = 0

Graphing a Rational Function

x 2 Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2 x x 6 02 1 y-intercept: f ( 0 ) = = 006 3

x-intercept: x 2 = 0 x =2

Graphing a Rational Function

x 2 Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2 x x 6

check H.A.:

x 2 =0 2 x x 6 x 2 = 0 x =2

crosses the H.A. 1 2 3 3 f ( 1 ) = = = 1 + 1 6 4 4

Graphing a Rational Function

x 2 Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2 x x 6

3 2 5 f ( 3) = = 9+36 6 4 2 6 3 f ( 4 ) = = = 16 + 4 6 14 7
42 2 1 f ( 4) = = = 16 4 6 6 3

Graphing a Rational Function

x 2 Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2 x x 6

Graphing a Rational Function

x2 + 1 Example: Graph f ( x ) = x 2

V.A.: x 2 = 0 x=2

O.A.: 2 1 0 1 2 4 1 2 5

y = x +2

f (0) =

0+1 1 = (y-intercept) 02 2

Graphing a Rational Function

x2 + 1 Example: Graph f ( x ) = x 2

Because the numerator has no real zeros, the graph does not have an x-intercept. Does the graph cross the oblique asymptote?

x2 + 1 = x +2 x 2

x 2 + 1 = ( x 2)( x + 2)
x2 + 1 = x2 4

no

Graphing a Rational Function

x2 + 1 Example: Graph f ( x ) = x 2

42 + 1 17 f ( 4) = = 42 2

f ( 1 ) =

( 1) + 1
1 2
2

2 2 = = 3 3

f (6 )

(6 ) =

37 = 62 4

+1

Graphing Rational Functions

As mentioned earlier, a rational function must be defined by an expression in lowest terms before we can determine asymptotes or anything else about the graph. A rational function that is not in lowest terms usually has a hole, or point of discontinuity, in its graph.

Graphing Rational Functions

x2 4 Example: Graph f ( x ) = x 2

( x 2)( x + 2) f (x) = ( x 2)
= x + 2 ( x 2)

When you simplify a rational function, you have to take into account any values of x for which the function is not defined.

Graphing Rational Functions

x2 4 Example: Graph f ( x ) = x 2

Homework
College Algebra Page 372: 37-48, 65-90 (5)