At the end of this lesson,

you should be able to

represent a rational
function through its table
of values, graph, and
equation.
 RATIONAL FUNCTION
•It is a function of the form
𝒑(𝒙)
𝒇 𝒙 = , where 𝒒(𝒙)
𝒒(𝒙)
should not be equal to zero.
 𝟏
How do you represent 𝒇 𝒙 = ?
𝒙
•A rational function can be
represented using a table of
values, a graph, or an
equation.
•A table of values is
composed of values of
𝒙 and 𝒇(𝒙) or 𝒚 that satisfy
the rational function.
•The graph of a rational function
is not continuous, which means it
is made up of different
disconnected pieces. A break or
gap in the graph of a rational
function is called a discontinuity.
•The representation of rational
functions will be incomplete if
we do not have the equation
that corresponds to the
function.
To make a table of values of a rational function:

Step 1: Find the value/s that make the function undefined

by equating the denominator of the function to zero.

Step 2: Choose values less than and greater than the

value/s that make the function undefined.

Step 3: Evaluate the function using the chosen values of x.

To graph a rational function:

Step 1: Create a table of values.

Step 2: Plot the points in the coordinate
plane and connect these points with a
smooth curve.
Since one of
the values is
undefined, there
will be a break or
discontinuity in
the graph of the
rational
function.
The above function is known as
the parent function of rational
functions. Shifting, stretching,
and/or reflecting the graph of
rational function may be done
using the parent function as the
guide.
Shifting, stretching,
and reflecting are
generally known as
the transformations
of a rational function.
The broken line is
called the asymptote.
It is a line that a graph
approaches but never
intersects.
The transformation of the rational
1
function 𝑓 𝑥 = can be represented
𝑥
𝑎
using the function 𝑓 𝑥 = + 𝑘 where
𝑥−ℎ
ℎ is the horizontal transformation (left
for ℎ < 0 and right for ℎ > 0 ), and 𝑘 is
the vertical movement (down for 𝑘 <
0 and up for 𝑘 > 0).
Make a table of values
and draw the graph of
the rational
2
function 𝑓 𝑥 = .
𝑥−3
Make a table of values
and draw the graph of
the rational
𝑥
function 𝑓 𝑥 = .
𝑥+1
 Make a table of values
and draw the graph of
the rational
𝑥+3
function 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 .
𝑥 +6𝑥+9
QUIZ
1. What do you call a break or gap that
separates the graph of a rational
function into two or more disconnected
pieces?

A. continuity
B. curve
C. discontinuity
D. line gap
2. Which of the following is a
rational function?
𝟑
A. 𝒚 = C. 𝒇(𝒙) = √𝟐
𝒙

𝒙 𝟐𝒙 𝟑
B. = D. 𝒚 >
𝟑 𝒙+𝟏 𝒙
3. Which of the following
may not be the denominator of a
rational function?

A. negative number
B. one
C. two
D. zero
4. Which of the following values makes
𝑥+1
the function 𝑓 𝑥 = undefined?
2𝑥−1

A. −1
B. 1
C. ½
D. −1/2
5. Which of the following tables of
values describe the rational function
1
𝑦= ?
𝑥+2
A. C.

B. D.
6. Using the graph of𝑓 𝑥 = 1Τ , what
𝑥
is the transformation of the graph of
1
𝑓 𝑥 = Τ𝑥+1 ?

A. one unit to the right

B. one unit to the left
C. one unit upwards
D. one unit downwards
7. Using the graph of𝑓 𝑥 = 1Τ
, what is
𝑥
the transformation of the graph of 𝑓 𝑥 =
1
+5 ?
𝑥−2
A. Two units to the right and five units downwards
B. Two units to the left and five units upwards
C. Two units to the left and five units downwards
D. Two units to the right and five units upwards
8. The table of values below represents the
𝑥+3
rational function 𝑓 𝑥 = . What values
𝑥−2
complete the table?

A. -4 and undefined
B. 4 and undefined
C. 4 and o
D. -4 and 0
 1
9. Using 𝑦 = as the reference, what is the
𝑥
equation of the rational function represented by
the graph below?
1
A. 𝑦 = 3𝑥
1
B. 𝑦 = 𝑥3
1
C. 𝑦 = 𝑥−3
1
D. 𝑦 = 𝑥+3
10. Given the rates shown in the table below,
what function relates the two variables if the
distance traveled is miles?
150
A.𝑓 𝑡 =
𝑡
B.𝑓 𝑡 = 𝑡 + 150
C.𝑓 𝑡 = 150𝑡
𝑡
D.𝑓 𝑡 =
150