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.
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.
EXAMPLES.
1. Find the x and y – intercepts, of the
following rational functions:
a. f(x) = b. f(x) =
2. Determine the zeroes of the following
rational functions:
a. g(x) = b. h(x) =
ASYMPTOTES
An asymptote is an imaginary line to which a
graph gets closer and closer as the x or y
increases or decreases its value without limit.
Kinds of Asymptote
Vertical Asymptote
Horizontal Asymptote
Oblique / Slant Asymptote
The vertical line 𝑥 = 𝑎 is a vertical
VERTICAL ASYMPTOTE
asymptote of a function f if the graph
the x values approach 𝒂 from the right or
increases or decreases without bound as
left. See illustration below.
Vertical
Asymptote
Examples
Determine the vertical asymptote of a
rational function.
a.
Horizontal Asymptote
The graph of f has at most one horizontal asymptote.
To determine the horizontal asymptote of a rational
function, compare the degree of the numerator n and
the degree of the denominator d.
If n < d, the horizontal asymptote is y= 0
If n = d, the horizontal asymptote y is the ratio of
leading coefficient of the denominator b. That is 𝑦 =
the leading coefficient of the numerator a, to the
If n > d, there is no horizontal asymptote.
Horizontal Asymptote
Horizontal
Asymptote
EXAMPLES
Determine the horizontal asymptote of
each rational function.
a.
SLANT / OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTE
An oblique asymptote is a line that is
when the numerator of 𝑓(𝑥) has a degree
neither vertical nor horizontal. It occurs
that is one higher than the degree of
the denominator.
Slant Asymptote
Vertical
Asymptote
Oblique
Asymptote
Consider the function ℎ(𝑥) = .
EXAMPLES
Determine the asymptotes.
