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4-1 Rational Functions (Presentation)

A rational function is a function of the form p( x ) f (x) = q( x) where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials. The simplest rational function with a variable denominator is the reciprocal function. The graph of f(x) will never intersect the vertical line x = 0, which is called a vertical asymptote.

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667 views

4-1 Rational Functions (Presentation)

A rational function is a function of the form p( x ) f (x) = q( x) where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials. The simplest rational function with a variable denominator is the reciprocal function. The graph of f(x) will never intersect the vertical line x = 0, which is called a vertical asymptote.

Uploaded by

Sandra Miller
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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4-1 Rational Functions

Unit 4 Rational Algebraic Functions


Concepts and Objectives
 Rational Functions (Obj. #12)
 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 y

1 1
1
2
2
0.1 10

0.01 100
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, Revisited
 Recall from last week:

f ( x ) = x2 h( x ) = x 2

g( x ) = x2 − 2 2
j ( x ) = ( x − 1)
Translating, Revisited
 We could also write this as

f ( x ) = x2 h( x ) = x 2

g( x ) = f ( x ) − 2 j ( x ) = h( x −1)
Translating, Revisited
 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 3x − 4
a) f ( x ) = 2 b) f ( x ) =
x − 16 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 O.A.: 3 2 0 5
x =3 6 18
2 6 23
y = 2x + 6
Graphing a Rational Function
To graph a rational function:
1. Find any vertical asymptotes.
2. Find any 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.
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 H.A.: y = 0
( x − 3)( x + 2) = 0
x = −2, 3
Graphing a Rational Function
x −2
 Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2
x − x −6
0−2 1
y-intercept: f ( 0 ) = =
0−0−6 3

x-intercept: x − 2 = 0
x =2
• •
Graphing a Rational Function
x −2
 Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2
x − x −6
x −2
check H.A.: 2
=0
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+3−6 6
−4 − 2 −6 3
f ( −4 ) = = =−
16 + 4 − 6 14 7
4−2 2 1
f ( 4) = = = •• • •
16 − 4 − 6 6 3 ••
Graphing a Rational Function
x −2
 Example: Graph f ( x ) = 2
x − x −6
Homework
 College Algebra
 Page 372: 18-27 (×3), 37-48, 65-90 (×5)

 Turn In: 27, 40, 42, 44, 48, 70, 90

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