Objective: To find the domain and range, intercepts,

zeroes, asymptotes of rational functions, graph rational

functions, and solve problems involving rational
functions.

July 09, 2019

 The Graph of a Rational Function
Properties of Functions

a. The domain of a function is the set of all values that

the variable x can take.
b. The range of a function is the set of all values that f(x)
can take.

c. The zeroes of a function are the values of x which

make the function zero. The real numbered zeroes are
also x-intercepts of the graph of the function.

d. The y-intercept is the function value when x = 0.

 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function

1) Factor the numerator and the denominator

2) State the domain and the location of any holes in the

graph
3) Simplify the function to lowest terms

4) Find the y-intercept (x = 0) and the x-intercept(s) (y = 0)

5) Identify any existing asymptotes (vertical, horizontal, or

oblique
Vertical Asymptote
• If x – a is a factor of the denominator of a
rational function but not a factor of the
numerator, then x = a is a vertical asymptote
of the graph of the function.
• The vertical line x = a is a vertical asymptote
of a function f if the graph of f either increases
or decreases without bound as the x-values
approach a from the right or left.
 Hole (in the graph)
• If x – b is a factor of both the numerator and
denominator of a rational function, then there
is a hole in the graph of the function where
x = b, unless x = b is a vertical asymptote.

• The exact point of the hole can be found by

plugging b into the function after it has been
simplified.
 Horizontal Asymptotes
Definition

- The horizontal line y = b is a horizontal

asymptote of the function f if f(x) gets closer to
b as x increases or decreases without bound (x
→ +∞ or x → -∞.
 Horizontal Asymptotes
• Degree of numerator = Degree of denominator

coefficient of numerator
Horizontal Asymptote: y
coefficient of denominator

• Degree of numerator < Degree of denominator

Horizontal Asymptote: y0

• Degree of numerator > Degree of denominator

Horizontal Asymptote: none

 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function

6) Identify any points intersecting a horizontal or oblique

asymptote.

7) Use test points between the zeros and vertical

asymptotes to locate the graph above or below the x-axis

8) Analyze the behavior of the graph on each side of an

asymptote

9) Sketch the graph

 The Graph of a Rational Function
Example
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 12
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥2 − 4
1) Factor the numerator and the denominator
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
2) State the domain and the location of any holes in the graph
Domain: (−∞, −2) ∪ (−2, 2) ∪ (2, ∞)
No holes
3) Simplify the function to lowest terms
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
4) Find the y-intercept (x = 0) and the x-intercept(s) (y = 0)
y-intercept (x = 0) x-intercept(s) (y = 0)
(0 + 4)(0 − 3) Use numerator factors
𝑓 0 =
(0 + 2)(0 − 2) 𝑥+4=0 𝑥−3=0
−12 𝑥 = −4 𝑥=3
𝑓 0 = =3
−4 (−4, 0) (3, 0)
(0, 3)
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
5) Identify any existing asymptotes (vertical, horizontal, or
oblique
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 12 (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥2 − 4 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
Horiz. Or Oblique Asymptotes Vertical Asymptotes
Examine the largest exponents Use denominator factors
Same ∴ Horiz. - use coefficients 𝑥+2=0 𝑥−2=0
1 𝑥 = −2 𝑥=2
𝑦=
1 𝑉𝐴: 𝑥 = −2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 2
𝐻𝐴: 𝑦 = 1
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
6) Identify any points intersecting a horizontal or oblique
asymptote.
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 12
𝑦 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥2 − 4
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 12
1=
𝑥2 − 4
𝑥 2 − 4 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 12
−4 = 𝑥 − 12
8=𝑥
(8,1)
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
7) Use test points between the zeros and vertical asymptotes
to locate the graph above or below the x-axis
𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒

-4 -2 2 3
𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤

(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3) (+)(−)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2) 𝑓 −3 = =−
(−)(−)
(−5 + 4)(−5 − 3)
𝑓 −5 = 𝑓 −3 = 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤
(−5 + 2)(−5 − 2)
(−)(−) (+)(−)
𝑓 −5 = =+ 𝑓 0 = =+
(−)(−) (+)(−)
𝑓 −5 = 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑓 0 = 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
7) Use test points between the zeros and vertical asymptotes
to locate the graph above or below the x-axis
𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒

-4 -2 2 3
𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤

(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)

(+)(−) (+)(+)
𝑓 2.5 = =− 𝑓 4 = =+
(+)(+) (+)(+)
𝑓 2.5 = 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑓 4 = 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
8) Analyze the behavior of the graph on each side of an
asymptote
𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒

-2 2
𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤

(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)

(+)(−)
𝑥→ −2− 𝑓(𝑥) → − 𝑓(𝑥) → −∞
(0 )(−)

(+)(−)
𝑥→ −2+ 𝑓(𝑥) → + 𝑓(𝑥) → ∞
(0 )(−)
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
8) Analyze the behavior of the graph on each side of an
asymptote
𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒

𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤-2 2 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤

(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)

(+)(−)
𝑥→ 2− 𝑓(𝑥) → 𝑓(𝑥) → ∞
(+)(0− )

(+)(−)
𝑥→ 2+ 𝑓(𝑥) → 𝑓 𝑥 → −∞
(+)(0+ )
 The Graph of a Rational Function
9) Sketch the graph
The Graph of a Rational Function
Exercises:

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10
1. ) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 15

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
2. ) 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−1
 The Graph of a Rational Function
Exercise 1
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 15
1) Factor the numerator and the denominator
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 3)
2) State the domain and the location of any holes in the graph
Domain: (−∞, −5) ∪ (−5, −3) ∪ (−3, ∞)
Hole in the graph at 𝑥 = −5
3) Simplify the function to lowest terms
(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 3)
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
4) Find the y-intercept (x = 0) and the x-intercept(s) (y = 0)
y-intercept (x = 0) x-intercept(s) (y = 0)
(0 − 2) Use numerator factors
𝑓 0 =
(0 + 3) 𝑥−2=0
2 𝑥=2
𝑓 0 =−
3 (2, 0)
2
(0, − )
3
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
5) Identify any existing asymptotes (vertical, horizontal, or
oblique
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 (𝑥 − 2)
𝑓 𝑥 = 2 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 15 (𝑥 + 3)
Horiz. Or Oblique Asymptotes Vertical Asymptotes
Examine the largest exponents Use denominator factors
Same ∴ Horiz. - use coefficients 𝑥+3=0
1 𝑥 = −3
𝑦=
1 𝑉𝐴: 𝑥 = −3
𝐻𝐴: 𝑦 = 1
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
6) Identify any points intersecting a horizontal or oblique
asymptote.
𝑥−2
𝑦 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+3
𝑥−2
1=
𝑥+3
𝑥+3=𝑥−2
3 = −2
𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
𝑛𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
7) Use test points between the zeros and vertical asymptotes
to locate the graph above or below the x-axis
𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒

-3 2
𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤

(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓 𝑥 = (−)
(𝑥 + 3) 𝑓 0 = =−
(+)
(−4 − 2)
𝑓 −4 = 𝑓 0 = 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤
(−4 + 3)
(−) (+)
𝑓 −4 = =+ 𝑓 3 = =+
(−) (+)
𝑓 −4 = 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑓 3 = 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
8) Analyze the behavior of the graph on each side of an
asymptote

-3

(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 + 3)

(−)
𝑥→ −3− 𝑓(𝑥) → − 𝑓(𝑥) → ∞
(0 )

(−)
𝑥→ −3+ 𝑓(𝑥) → + 𝑓 𝑥 → −∞
(0 )
 The Graph of a Rational Function
9) Sketch the graph
 The Graph of a Rational Function
Exercise 2
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−1
1) Factor the numerator and the denominator
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−1
2) State the domain and the location of any holes in the graph
Domain: (−∞, 1) ∪ (1, ∞)
No holes
3) Simplify the function to lowest terms
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 − 1)
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
4) Find the y-intercept (x = 0) and the x-intercept(s) (y = 0)
y-intercept (x = 0) x-intercept(s) (y = 0)
(0 + 2)(0 + 1) Use numerator factors
𝑓 0 =
(0 − 1) 𝑥+2=0 𝑥+1=0
2 𝑥 = −2 𝑥 = −1
𝑓 0 = = −2
−1
(−2, 0) (−1, 0)
(0, −2)
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
5) Identify any existing asymptotes (vertical, horizontal, or
oblique
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−1 (𝑥 − 1)
Horiz. or Oblique Asymptotes Vertical Asymptotes
Examine the largest exponents Use denominator factors
Oblique: Use long division 𝑥−1=0
𝑥 +4
𝑥=1
𝑥−1 x 2
 3x  2
−𝑥 2 −+𝑥 𝑉𝐴: 𝑥 = 1
4𝑥 +2
−4𝑥 −+4 O𝐴: 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 4
0
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
6) Identify any points intersecting a horizontal or oblique
asymptote.
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑦 = 𝑥 + 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−1
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥+4=
𝑥−1
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 1) = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
𝑛𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
7) Use test points between the zeros and vertical asymptotes
to locate the graph above or below the x-axis
𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒

-2 -1 1
𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤

(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑓 𝑥 = (+)(−)
(𝑥 − 1) 𝑓 −1.5 = =+
(−)
(−)(−) (+)(+)
𝑓 −4 = =− 𝑓 −1.5 = 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑓 3 = =+
(−) (+)
(+)(+)
𝑓 −4 = 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑓 0 = =− 𝑓 3 = 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒
(−)
𝑓 0 = 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤
 The Graph of a Rational Function
General Steps to Graph a Rational Function
8) Analyze the behavior of the graph on each side of an
asymptote

(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑓 𝑥 =
(𝑥 − 1)

(+)(+)
𝑥→ 1− 𝑓(𝑥) → 𝑓 𝑥 → −∞
(0− )

(+)(+)
𝑥→ 1+ 𝑓(𝑥) → 𝑓 𝑥 →∞
(0+ )
 The Graph of a Rational Function
9) Sketch the graph
Find the domain and identify vertical
asymptotes & holes.
x 1
f ( x)  2
x  2x  3
Find the domain and identify vertical
asymptotes & holes.
x 1
f ( x)  2
x  2x  3
Find the domain and identify vertical
asymptotes & holes.
x
f ( x)  2
x 4
Find the domain and identify vertical
asymptotes & holes.
x
f ( x)  2
x 4
Find the domain and identify vertical
asymptotes & holes.
x 5
f ( x)  2
2x  x  3
Find the domain and identify vertical
asymptotes & holes.
x 5
f ( x)  2
2x  x  3
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:
x2
f ( x) 
2x  3
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:
x2
f ( x) 
2x  3
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:
x 1
f ( x)  2
x  2x  3
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:
x 1
f ( x)  2
x  2x  3
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:
x 2  3x  4
f ( x) 
x4
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:
x 2  3x  4
f ( x) 
x4
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:

3x 2  7 x  6
f ( x) 
x2  9
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:

3x 2  7 x  6
f ( x) 
x2  9
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:

 x  3
2

f ( x) 
x2
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:

 x  3
2

f ( x) 
x2
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:

3x 2
f ( x)  2
2x  5
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:

3x 2
f ( x)  2
2x  5
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:

x
f ( x)  2
x  2x  3
 Find all asymptotes & holes & then graph:

x
f ( x)  2
x  2x  3
 YOUR TURN!

GROUP ACTIVITY
 Quiz #
Find the following:

a. Horizontal / Slant or Oblique Asymptote

b. Vertical Asymptote
c. x – intercept
d. y – intercept
e. hole
f. graph

𝑥 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 6 3𝑥 2
1.) f(x) = 2.) g(x) = 3.) h(x) =
𝑥2 − 9 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12 9 − 𝑥2

2𝑥 − 4 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 −2 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 −14
4.) f(x) = 5.) g(x) = 6.) h(x) =
𝑥 2 −4 𝑥 2 −6𝑥 𝑥−7

𝑥+3 5𝑥 2 −3𝑥 −2 2𝑥
7.) f(x) = 8.) g(x) = 9.) h(x) =
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 −8 𝑥 2 −1 𝑥+3

16 − 𝑥 2
10.) f(x) =
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 20
Assignment:

For each, identify the x- and y-intercepts, the asymptotes, and the intervals
where the function is above or below the x-axis. Sketch the graph. Identify
the domain, and (if possible) the range.

2
1. f(x) =
𝑥+ 1

2
2. f(x) =
𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 1

3𝑥
3. f(x) =
𝑥+ 3

2𝑥 + 3
4. f(x) =
4𝑥 − 7

4𝑥 − 3 (𝑥 − 1)
5. f(x) =
2𝑥 + 1 (𝑥 + 1)