RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

A rational function is the ratio of two polynomial functions. If P(x) and Q(x) are polynomials, then a
𝑷(𝒙)
function of the form 𝑹(𝒙) = 𝑸(𝒙) is a rational function where Q(x)# 0. The domain of R(x) is the intersection
of the domains of P(x) and Q(x).

Properties:

Domain
The domain of the function is the set of all values that the variable x can take.
Range
The range of the function is the set of values that the variable y can take.
Vertical Asymptote
A vertical asymptote for R(x) is a vertical line x = k, where k is a constant, that the graph of R(x)
approaches but does not touch.
𝑷(𝒙)
If 𝑹(𝒙) = 𝑸(𝒙), then values of x that make Q(x) = 0 result in vertical asymptotes if P(x) ≠ 0.
Horizontal Asymptote
𝑷(𝒙)
A rational function 𝑹(𝒙) = 𝑸(𝒙) has a horizontal asymptote y = a, if as |𝑥| increases without limit,
R(x) approaches a. R(x) has at most one horizontal asymptote. The horizontal asymptote of R(x) may be
found from a comparison of the degree of P(x) and the degree of Q(x).
(1) If the degree of P(x) is less than the degree of Q(x), then R(x) has a horizontal asymptote of y = 0.
𝑎
(2) If the degree of P(x) is equal to the degree of Q(x), then R(x) has a horizontal asymptote of 𝑦 = 𝑏,
where a, is the leading coefficient (coefficient of the highest degree term) of P(x) and b, is the leading
coefficient of Q(x).
(3) If the degree of P(x) is greater than the degree of Q(x), then R(x) does not have a horizontal
asymptote.
x-intercept (zero of the function)
The x-intercept or the zero of the function is the value of x when y = 0.
𝑷(𝒙)
The x-intercept of 𝑹(𝒙) = 𝑸(𝒙) is the value of x that makes P(x) = 0.

y-intercept
The y-intercept of the graph of the function is the value of y when x = 0.
𝑷(𝒙) 𝑷(𝟎)
The y-intercept of 𝑹(𝒙) = 𝑸(𝒙) is the value of 𝑹(𝒙) = 𝑸(𝟎).
Examples:
3𝑥
1. Consider 𝑅(𝑥) = .
𝑥+2

a. Determine the x-intercept.

3𝑥
𝑅(𝑥) =
𝑥+2
3𝑥
=0
𝑥+2
3𝑥 = 0
𝒙 = 𝟎, therefore the x-intercept is 0.

b. Determine the y-intercept.

3𝑥
𝑅(𝑥) =
𝑥+2
3(0)
𝑅(0) =
0+2
0
𝑅(0) =
2
𝑅(0) = 0
𝒚 = 𝟎, therefore the y-intercept is 0.

c. Determine the vertical asymptote.

3𝑥
𝑅(𝑥) =
𝑥+2
𝑥+2=0
𝒙 = −𝟐
Therefore, the vertical asymptote is at 𝒙 = −𝟐.

d. Determine the horizontal asymptote.

3𝑥
𝑅(𝑥) =
𝑥+2
Consider the leading coefficient of the numerator and denominator.
3
𝑦=
1
𝒚=𝟑
Therefore, the horizontal asymptote is at 𝒚 = 𝟑.
3𝑥
e. Sketch the graph of 𝑅(𝑥) = 𝑥+2 .

Construct a table of values.

x -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2

y 4.5 5 6 9 undefined -3 0 1 1.5

 Plot the points on the Cartesian Plane.

f. Determine the domain and the range based on the

graph.

Domain:
𝐷 = {𝑥𝜖ℝ|𝑥 ≠ −2}
𝐷 = (−∞, −2) ∪ (−2, +∞)

Range:
𝑅 = {𝑦𝜖ℝ|𝑦 ≠ 3}
𝑅 = (−∞, 3) ∪ (3, +∞)

𝑥+3
2. Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3

a. Determine the x and y-intercepts.

𝑥+3
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 − 2𝑥 − 3
Find the x-intercept: Find the y-intercept:

𝑥+3 𝑥+3
=0 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 − 2𝑥 − 3 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3
𝑥+3=0 0+3
𝒙 = −𝟑 𝑓(0) = 2
(0) − 2(0) − 3
Therefore, the x-intercept = -3 3
𝑓(0) =
−3
𝑓(0) = −1
𝒚 = −𝟏
Therefore, the y-intercept = -1

b. Determine the vertical and horizontal asymptotes.

Find the vertical asymptote: Find the horizontal asymptote:
𝑥+3
𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 = 0 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) = 0 The leading term of the numerator is x,
𝑥−3=0 𝑥+1=0 while the leading term of the denominator is
𝒙=𝟑 𝒙 = −𝟏 𝑥 2 . Since the degree of the numerator is less
Therefore, the vertical asymptotes are: than the degree of the denominator, then the
𝒙 = 𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒙 = −𝟏 horizontal asymptote is given by:
𝒚=𝟎
 𝑥+3
c. Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3

Step1. Plot the intercepts and asymptotes on the Cartesian Plane.

Step 2. Make a table of values using values greater than or less than the intercepts and asymptotes
to predict the movement of the graph.
x -4 -3 -2 -1 -0.5 0 2 3 4
y -0.05 0 0.2 undefined -1.43 -1 1.67 undefined 1.4

Step 3. Sketch the graph based on the table of values.

You may also try using a graphing

application such as DESMOS or GEOGEBRA
to sketch the graph of a rational function.

Based on the graph,

the domain is given by:
𝐷 = {𝑥 ∈ ℝ|𝑥 ≠ −1, 𝑥 ≠ 3}
In interval notation:
𝐷 = (−∞, −1) ∪ (−1,3) ∪ (3, +∞)

Activity: Form a trio and perform the given task.

Determine the intercepts and asymptotes of the given function then sketch its graph and
determine the domain.
𝑥−5 𝑥−5
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = b. 𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥−3 𝑥 2 −8𝑥+12