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Notes_3-7_Rational_Functions

The document discusses rational functions, including their definitions, transformations, and the identification of discontinuities such as vertical and horizontal asymptotes. It provides examples of finding zeros, simplifying expressions, and determining discontinuities in various rational functions. Additionally, it covers slant asymptotes and the conditions under which they occur.

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13 views15 pages

Notes_3-7_Rational_Functions

The document discusses rational functions, including their definitions, transformations, and the identification of discontinuities such as vertical and horizontal asymptotes. It provides examples of finding zeros, simplifying expressions, and determining discontinuities in various rational functions. Additionally, it covers slant asymptotes and the conditions under which they occur.

Uploaded by

tapfumaneytadiwa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Notes 3-7: Rational Functions

Warm Up
Find the zeros of each function.
1. f(x) = x2 + 2x – 15 –5, 3

2. f(x) = x2 – 49 ±7
Simplify. Identify any x-values for which the
expression is undefined.
3. x2 + 5x + 4
x+4 x≠±1
x –1
2
x–1

x2 – 8x + 12 x–2
4. 2 x–6 x≠6
x – 12x + 36
I. Rational Functions
A rational function is a function thatcan be written
as a ratio of two polynomials. The parent rational
1
function is 𝑓 𝑥 = .
𝑥

Like logarithmic and exponential


functions, rational functions may
have asymptotes. The function
1
𝑓 𝑥 = has a vertical asymptote
𝑥
at
x = 0 and a horizontal asymptote
at y = 0.
II. Transformations of Rational Functions
1
The rational function 𝑓 𝑥 = can be transformed by
𝑥
using methods similar to those used to transform other
types of functions.
𝟏
Ex 1: Using the graph of 𝒇 𝒙 = as a guide, describe
𝒙
the transformation and graph each function. Identify
the location of the vertical and horizontal asymptotes.

a. g(x) = 1 b. g(x) = 1 + 1
x+4 x
Because h = –4, Because k = 1,
translate f 4 units left. translate f 1 unit up.

Vertical asymptote: x = -4 Vertical asymptote: x = 0


Horizontal asymptote: y = 0 Horizontal asymptote: y = 1
III. Identifying Discontinuities for Other Types of Rational Functions:
𝟑𝒙−𝟏
For functions like f(x) = , we can use the following strategies to
𝒙−𝟐
find discontinuities:
A. Vertical Asymptotes and Holes: To find vertical asymptotes, find the
zeros of the denominator. If there is the same zero in the numerator,
the discontinuity is a hole. If there is NOT the same zero in the
numerator, the discontinuity is a vertical asymptotes. Compare:

𝑥+1
𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥−2)(𝑥+1)
𝑥−2
There is a vertical asymptote
g 𝑥 = There
𝑥−2
at x = 2 is a hole at x = 2
B. Horizontal Asymptotes
If the highest degree is in the denominator, the horizontal
asymptote is at y = 0. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 1 : horizontal asympotote: y = o
𝑥2 + 1

If the degrees in the numerator and denominator are the


same, the horizontal asymptote is the ratio of leading
coefficients. 3𝑥 − 1 3
𝑓 𝑥 = : horizontal asympotote: y =
2𝑥 + 1 2

If the highest degree is in the numerator, there is no


horizontal asymptote. 𝑥2 − 1
𝑓 𝑥 = : no horizontal asymptote
𝑥+1
Ex 1: Determine the discontinuities for the graph of
f(x) =(x2 + 7x + 6) .
f(x) = (x + 6)(x + 1)
x+ 3 x+ 3
Step 1 Vertical asymptotes/holes.
The denominator is 0 when x =
No Holes; Vertical –3. (x + 3) is not in the
asymptote: x = –3 numerator, so it is a vertical
asymptote and not a hole.

Step 2 Horizontal asymptotes.

None: The exponent in the numerator is


the largest, so there is no horizontal
asymptote.
Ex 2: Determine the discontinuities for the graph of
f(x)= x2 + x – 6 (x – 2)(x + 3)
x– 2 f(x) =
x– 2
Step 1 Vertical asymptotes/holes.

No vertical asymptote. The denominator is 0


A hole is at x = 2. when x = 2. Since (x -
2) is also in the
numerator, it is a hole,
not a vertical asymptote.

Step 2 Horizontal asymptotes.


None: The exponent in the numerator is
the largest.
Remember

This is the same as the graph of y = x + 3, except for


the hole at x = 2. On the graph, indicate the hole
with an open circle. The domain of f is
{x|x ≠ 2}.
Hole at x
=2
Ex 3: Determine the discontinuities for the graph of
f(x) = x–2 x–2
. f(x) =
x2 + x x(x + 1)
Step 1 Vertical asymptotes/holes.

No Holes; Vertical The denominator is 0 when x = -1


asymptotes: x = -1 or 0. Since neither of those factors
and x = 0. are also in the numerator, they are
vertical asymptotes and not a
holes.

Step 2 Horizontal asymptotes.

y = 0. The exponent in the denominator


is the largest.
Ex 4: Determine the discontinuities for the graph of
f(x) = x 2 + 2x – 15
.
x–1 f(x) = (x – 3)(x + 5)
x–1

Step 1 Vertical asymptotes/holes.


The denominator is 0 when x =
No Holes; Vertical 1. (x - 1) is not in the numerator,
asymptote: x = 1 so it is a vertical asymptote and
not a hole.
Step 2 Horizontal asymptotes.

None: The exponent in the numerator is


the largest, so there is no horizontal
asymptote.
C. Slant Asymptotes.
The graph of a rational function has a slant
asymptote if the degree of the numerator is exactly
one more than the degree of the denominator. Long
division is used to find slant asymptotes.
The only time you have an oblique asymptote is
when there is no horizontal asymptote. You cannot
have both.
When doing long division, we do not care about the
remainder.
Example 1
• Determine if the following function has a slant
asymptote. If it does, find the equation for it.
x2  2 n > d by exactly one, so no horizontal
f ( x) 
x 1 asymptote, but there is an oblique
(slant) asymptote.
The slant
1 1 0 -2 asymptote is the
line y = x + 1
1 1
1 1 1
Example 2
• Determine if the following function has a slant
asymptote. If it does, find the equation for it.
x2  x  2 n > d by exactly one, so no
f  x 
x 1 horizontal asymptote, but there is
an oblique (slant) asymptote.
The slant
1 1 -1 -2 asymptote is the
line y = x
1 0
1 0 -2

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