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Graphing Rational Functions Guide

The document outlines how to graph rational functions of the form f(x)=p(x)/q(x) and describes that the x-intercepts are the real zeros of the numerator p(x), there are vertical asymptotes at the real zeros of the denominator q(x), and the graph will have a horizontal asymptote if the degree of the numerator is less than or equal to the degree of the denominator. It also provides examples of graphing specific rational functions where the degree of the numerator is less than, equal to, and greater than the degree of the denominator to illustrate the different characteristics and behaviors of the

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Hector R.
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433 views8 pages

Graphing Rational Functions Guide

The document outlines how to graph rational functions of the form f(x)=p(x)/q(x) and describes that the x-intercepts are the real zeros of the numerator p(x), there are vertical asymptotes at the real zeros of the denominator q(x), and the graph will have a horizontal asymptote if the degree of the numerator is less than or equal to the degree of the denominator. It also provides examples of graphing specific rational functions where the degree of the numerator is less than, equal to, and greater than the degree of the denominator to illustrate the different characteristics and behaviors of the

Uploaded by

Hector R.
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gra ph ing

a
Ration al Func tion

MATH PR OJECT
GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
CONCEPT
GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
SUMMARY

Let p (x  ) and q (x ) be polynomials with no common factors other 


   

than 1.The graph of the rational function

p (x ) a m x m + a m – 1x m – 1 + … + a 1x + a 0


f (x ) =           =
       

q (x )
 
b n x n + b n – 1x n – 1 + … + b 1x + b 0
       

has the following characteristics. 

1. x ­ intercepts are the real zeros of p (x ) 
 

2. vertical asymptote at each real zero of q (x )  

3. at most one horizontal asymptote
GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
CONCEPT
GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
SUMMARY

p (x ) a m x m + a m – 1x m – 1 + … + a 1x + a 0


f (x ) =           =
       

q (x )
  b n x n + b n – 1x n – 1 + … + b 1x + b 0
       

3. at most one horizontal asymptote at each zero of q (x )   

• If m < n, the line y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote. 

am
• If m = n, the line y =        is a horizontal asymptote. 
 

bn  

• If m > n, the graph has no horizontal asymptote. Its end 
a m  x m – n .
   behavior is the same as the graph of y =         

bn  
Graphing a Rational Function (m < n)

Graph y = 4 . State domain


x 2 + 1 and range.
SOLUTION

The numerator has no zeros, so there


is no x-intercept.

The denominator has no real zeros, so


there is no vertical asymptote.

The degree of the numerator (0) is less than the degree of the
denominator (2), so the line y = 0 (the x-axis) is a horizontal asymptote.

The bell-shaped graph passes through (–3, 0.4), (– 1, 2), (0, 4), (1,2),
and (3, 0.4). The domain is all real numbers; the range is 0 < y ≤ 4.
Graphing a Rational Function (m = n)

2
Graph y = 3x .
x2 – 4
SOLUTION

The numerator has 0 as its only zero,


so the graph has one x-intercept at (0, 0).
The denominator can be factored as
(x + 2)(x – 2), so the denominator has
zeros at 2 and – 2. This implies vertical
asymptotes at x = – 2 and x = 2.

The degree of the numerator (2) is equal to the degree of the denominator (2),
am
so the horizontal asymptote is y = = 3.
bn
Graphing a Rational Function (m = n)

2
Graph y = 3x .
x2 – 4

To draw the graph, plot points between


and beyond vertical asymptotes.

x yy
To the left of –4 4
x = – 2
–3 5.4
–1 –1
Between x = – 2
and x = 2 0 0
1 –1
To the right 3 5.4
of x = 2
4 4
Graphing a Rational Function (m > n)

2
Graph y = x – 2x – 3 .
x+4

SOLUTION

The numerator can be factored as ( x – 3)


and ( x + 1); the x-intercepts are 3 and –1.

The only zero of the denominator is – 4, so


the only vertical asymptote is x = – 4 .

The degree of the numerator (2) is greater than the degree of the denominator (1),
so there is no horizontal asymptote and the end behavior of the graph of f is the
2 –1
same as the end behavior of the graph of y = x = x.
Graphing a Rational Function (m > n)

2
Graph y = x – 2x – 3 .
x+4
To draw the graph, plot points to the
left and right of the vertical asymptote.

x yy
–12 – 20.6
To the left of
x = – 4 –9 –19.2
–6 – 22.5
–2 2.5
0 – 0.75
To the right of
x = – 4 2 – 0.5
4 0.63
6 2.1

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