Lesson 3.

5 Properties of Rational Functions

A. Definition of a Rational Function

Video tutorials A-B

A Rational Function
can be written in the
form f ( x) N ( x)
D( x)

Where N(x) and D(x)

are polynomials and the
denominator 0.

f ( x)

1
x

Vertical Asymptote: y-axis

(x = 0)
Horizontal Asymptote: x-axis
(y = 0)

The simplest type of

rational function is the
Reciprocal Function
f ( x)

1
x

B. The Steps for Graphing Rational Functions

1. SimplifyFactor numerator and denominator
2. Find and plot the y-intercepts (if any)
Plug zero in for all the xs
3. Find and plot the x-intercepts (if any)
Set the numerator equal to zero and solve.
4. Find Vertical Asymptotes
Set the denominator equal to zero and solve for the restricted values in
the domain
Draw dotted vertical lines through these numbers
5. Find Horizontal Asymptotes
Compare the degree of the numerator (n) and the denominator (m)
If n < m, there is a HA at y = 0
leading coefficient of numerator
If n = m, there is a HA at y =
leading coefficient of denominator
If n > m, there is NO Horizontal Asymptote
Draw dotted horizontal lines through this value
6. Does the graph cross the HA? Set the equation equal to the horizontal asymptote
value and try to solve for x. If you get a solution, graph the ordered pair.
7. Make a table of values
For regions where the behavior of the graph is not obvious, plug in values for
x and plot the ordered pairs.
1
8. Complete your graph with smooth curves.

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

Find the domain of each rational function.

Video tutorials
1.

Rx

4x 2
x 2x 4

2.

Q x

x
3x 5 x 2
2

Use the graph shown to find: Video Tutorial

a)
d)

The domain and range

b) The intercepts if any
Vertical asymptotes, if any

c) Horizontal asymptotes, if any

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes, if any of

the rational function. Video tutorials 1-3
4x 2
x 2x 4

1.

Rx

2.

x 2 6x 5
Qx 2
2x 7x 5

3. Qx

2x 2 8
3x 2 12 x 12

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

A. The Steps for Graphing Rational Functions

9. SimplifyFactor numerator and denominator
10. Find and plot the y-intercepts (if any)
Plug zero in for all the xs
11. Find and plot the x-intercepts (if any)
Set the numerator equal to zero and solve.
12. Find Vertical Asymptotes
Set the denominator equal to zero and solve for the restricted values in
the domain
Draw dotted vertical lines through these numbers
13. Find Horizontal Asymptotes
Compare the degree of the numerator (n) and the denominator (m)
If n < m, there is a HA at y = 0
leading coefficient of numerator
If n = m, there is a HA at y =
leading coefficient of denominator
If n > m, there is NO Horizontal Asymptote
Draw dotted horizontal lines through this value
14. Does the graph cross the HA? Set the equation equal to the horizontal asymptote
value and try to solve for x. If you get a solution, graph the ordered pair.
15. Make a table of values
For regions where the behavior of the graph is not obvious, plug in values for
x and plot the ordered pairs.
16. Complete your graph with smooth curves.
Construct a Rational Function from its Graph.

Video tutorial

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

f ( x)

2x 6
6 x 3

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial

2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

f ( x)

1 2x
2x 3

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial

2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

f ( x)

x2

x 1

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

2

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial

2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

f ( x)

x2
x 3 x 1

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial

2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

f ( x)

2x 4
x x2

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial
2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

f ( x)

x2
x2 4 x

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

x
y

Video tutorial
2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

f ( x)

2x x 2
x 1 x 4

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial
2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

f ( x)

4x2
x2 2 x 3

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial.

2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

f ( x)

2x2 2x 4
x2 x

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial
2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

f ( x)

x 2 3x
x2 x 6

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial

2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

Lesson 3.5 Properties of Rational Functions

f ( x)

5x2 5
x2 4 x 4

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video tutorial

2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

f ( x)

x3 x 2
x3 3x 2

6. Make a table of values and plot extra points.

1. Find and plot y-intercepts (if any).

Video Tutorial

2. Find and plot x-intercepts (if any).

3. Find Vertical Asymptotes.

4. Find Horizontal Asymptotes.

5. Does the graph cross the HA?

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