Math 111 Final Exam Review KEY

1. Use the graph of y = f (x) in Figure 1 to answer the following. Approximate where necessary.

y
2

x
-4 -2 2 4
-2

-4

-6

Figure 1
(a) Evaluate f (−1).
f (−1) = 0
(b) Evaluate f (0).
f (0) = −6
(c) Solve f (x) = 0.
x = −2, x = −1, x = 2, or x = 3
(d) Solve f (x) = −7.
x ≈ −2.5, x ≈ 0.5, or x ≈ 3.5
(e) Determine if f is even, odd, or neither from its graph.
Neither. The function is not symmetric about the y-axis and is therefore not even. The function is not
symmetric about the origin and is therefore not odd.
(f) State any local maximums or local minimums.
There is a local maximum of 2 at about -1.5 and a local maximum of 2 at about 2.5. There is a local
minimum of -7 at about 0.5.
(g) State the domain and range of f .
Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Range: (−∞, 2]
(h) Over what interval(s) is the function increasing?
(−∞, −1.5) ∪ (0.5, 2.5)
(i) Over what interval(s) is the function decreasing?
(−1.5, 0.5) ∪ (2.5, ∞)
(j) Over what interval(s) is the function concave up?
Concave up: (−0.5, 1.5)
(k) Over what interval(s) is the function concave down?
Concave down: (−∞, −0.5) ∪ (1.5, ∞)
(l) Find the zeros of f .
The zeros are -2, -1, 2, and 3.
(m) Find a possible formula for this polynomial function.
To find a formula, we note that since the zeros of the function are -2, -1, 2, and 3, the function will have
(x+2), (x+1), (x−2) and (x−3) as factors. Since the graph of the function goes straight through each of
its zeros, none of these factors repeat. Therefore a possible function is f (x) = k(x+2)(x+1)(x−2)(x−3).
As the graph contains the point (0, −6), we know that f (0) = −6. We will use this to find k:
−6 = k(0 + 2)(0 + 1)(0 − 2)(0 − 3)
1
− =k
2
Therefore a possible formula for this polynomial function is f (x) = − 21 (x + 2)(x + 1)(x − 2)(x − 3).

1
 2x − 1
2. Let f (x) = .
x+2

(a) Find f −1 (x).

2x − 1
y=
x+2
y(x + 2) = 2x − 1

yx + 2y = 2x − 1

yx − 2x = −2y − 1

x(y − 2) = −2y − 1

−2y − 1
x=
y−2
−2y − 1
f −1 (y) =
y−2

−2x − 1 2x + 1
Therefore f −1 (x) = . This can be simplified to f −1 (x) = − .
x−2 x−2


(b) Confirm the inverse by computing f −1 (f (x)) and f f −1 (x) .

f −1 (f (x)) = f −1 (f (x))

f f −1 (x) = f f −1 (x)


 
2x − 1 
2x + 1

=f −1
=f −
x+2 x−2
 
2 2x−1 +1
 
x+2 2 − 2x+1
x−2 −1
=−   = 
2x−1
−2

x+2 − 2x+1
x−2 +2
 
2 2x−1 +1 x+2
 
x+2 2 − 2x+1
x−2 −1 x−2
=−   · =  ·
2x−1
−2 x+2

x+2 − 2x+1
x−2 +2 x−2

2(2x − 1) + 1(x + 2) −2(2x + 1) − 1(x − 2)

=− =
(2x − 1) − 2(x + 2) −(2x + 1) + 2(x − 2)
5x −5x
=− =
(−5) (−5)
=x =x

(c) State the domain and range of f and f −1 .

Domain of f : {x | x 6= −2} Domain of f −1 : {x | x 6= 2}

Range of f : {y | y 6= 2} Range of f −1 : {y | y 6= −2}

(d) Evaluate f (0).

f (0) = − 12
(e) Evaluate f −1 (0).
f −1 (0) = 12

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 2 of 20

 (f) Solve f (x) = 3.

2x − 1
=3
x+2
2x − 1 = 3(x + 2)
2x − 1 = 3x + 6
−7 = x
The solution is -7.
(g) Determine if f is even, odd, or neither from its formula.
To show that f is even, it must be shown that f (−x) = f (x). To show that f is odd, it must be shown
that f (−x) = −f (x). As
2(−x) − 1
f (−x) =
x+2
−2x − 1
=
x+2

and thus f (−x) 6= f (x) and f (−x) 6= −f (x), it holds that f is neither even or odd.
(h) State any horizontal and vertical asymptotes.
There is a horizontal asymptote of y = 2 since the ratio of leading terms is 2. There is a vertical
asymptote of x = −2 since the factor (x + 2) appears in the denominator.
(i) State any horizontal and vertical intercepts of f .
1


The horizontal intercept occurs where f (x) = 0 and is 2, 0 . The vertical intercept occurs where
x = 0 and is 0, − 12 .

(j) Sketch a graph of y = f (x) in Figure 2.

y

x
-8 -4 4 8

-4

-8

Figure 2

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 3 of 20

 3. Let f (x) = |x|. For each of the following, sketch a graph of the tranformation in Figure 4 and write the
simplified formula for the function. Describe the order of transformations, being as specific as possible and
listing them in an appropriate order.
y
4
(a) −f (x)
2
(b) f (x + 1)
(c) 2f (x) x
-4 -2 2 4
(d) f (x) + 3 -2

(e) 2f (x + 1) + 3 -4

(f) f (3x)

Figure 3. Graph of y = |x|

y y y
4 4 4

2 2 2

x x x
-4 -2 2 4 -4 -2 2 4 -4 -2 2 4
-2 -2 -2

-4 -4 -4

(a) −f (x) = −|x| (b) f (x + 1) = |x + 1| (c) 2f (x) = 2|x|

y y y
4 4 4

2 2 2

x x x
-4 -2 2 4 -4 -2 2 4 -4 -2 2 4
-2 -2 -2

-4 -4 -4

(d) f (x) + 3 = |x| + 3 (e) 2f (x+1)+3 = 2|x+1|+3 (f) f (3x) = |3x|

Figure 4

4. Complete Table 3 below using the given values in the table. If any value is undefined, write “undefined.”

Table 1
x -2 -1 0 1 2
f (x) 2 1 0 1 2
g(x) 4 2 0 -2 -4
(g ◦ f )(x) -4 -2 0 -2 -4
(g · f )(x) 8 2 0 -2 -8
f (x) + g(x) 6 3 0 -1 -2
f (x) 1 1
g(x) 2 2 und. − 21 − 12
g −1 (x) 1 und. 0 und. -1

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 4 of 20

 5. Find a formula for the piecewise-defined function 6. In Figure 6, graph the piecewise function defined
graphed in Figure 5 below. by 
x2 − 4,

2x + 5,
 x ≤ −2  −2 ≤ x < 0
f (x) = 3, −2 < x < 2 f (x) = 2, 0<x<1
1  1

− 2 x + 2, x≥1

2 x − 4, x≥2

y y
bc 3 bc 3

2 bc bc
2
b
b 1 1

b
x x
-3 -2 -1 1 2 3 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3

-1 -1

-2 -2

-3 b -3

bc

Figure 5. Graph of y = f (x) Figure 6

7. The volume, V (in cubic centimeters) of a circular balloon of radius r (in centimeters) is given by V = f (r) =
4 3
3 πr . As someone blows air into the balloon, the radius of the balloon as a function of time t (in seconds) is
given by r = g(t) = 2t.

(a) Find and interpret f (3).

4
f (3) = π(3)3
3
= 36π
≈ 113.1

The volume of a balloon with a radius of 3 centimeters is approximately 113.1 cm3 .

(b) Find and interpret g(3).

g(3) = 2(3)
=6

A balloon that has air blown into it for 3 seconds will have a radius of 6 cm.
(c) Find and interpret f (g(3)).

f (g(3)) = f (6)
4
= π(6)3
3
= 288π
≈ 904.8

The volume of a balloon that has been blown into for 3 seconds is about 904.8 cm3 .

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 5 of 20

 (d) Find and interpret f (g(t)).

f (g(t)) = f (2t)
4
= π(2t)3
3
4
= π 8t3


3
32 3
= πt
3

This function represents the volume of the balloon that has had air blown into it for t seconds.
(e) Explain why g(f (r)) in nonsense.
The unit of the input of f is seconds. To input a variable whose unit is centimeters into the function
f does not make sense.
(f) Find and interpret r = f −1 (V ).

4 3
V = πr
3
3
V = r3
r4π
3 3V
=r
4π
r
3V 3
r = f −1 (V ) =
4π
The inverse function represents the radius of the balloon as a function of the volume.
(g) Find and interpret f −1 (20).
r
3 · 20
3
f −1
(20) =
4π
r
3 15
=
π
≈ 1.7
When the volume of the balloon is 20 cm3 , the radius is approximately 1.7 cm.

8. Write the following using exponents.

√
1
 
(a) log4 (64) = 3 1
(b) ln e = (c) log10 = −2
2 100
3
4 = 64 1/2
√ 1
e = e 10−2 =
100

9. Solve the following equations. Give the exact solution and then round accurate to two decimal places. Check
your solutions for (e) through (j).
(a) 7x = 5

7x = 5
x = log7 (5)
x ≈ 0.83
   
ln(5) log(5)
The solution set is {log7 (5)}. Equivalent solution sets are amd .
ln(7) log(7)

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 6 of 20

 (b) e5x = 10

e5x = 10
5x = ln(10)
ln(10)
x=
5
x ≈ 0.46
 
ln(10)
The solution set is .
5

(c) 5ex = 10

5ex = 10
ex = 2
x = ln(2)
x ≈ 0.69
The solution set is {ln(2)}.

(d) 2 32x = 7 5x−2

One possible approach:

2 32x = 7 5x−2

2 (9x ) = 7 (5x ) 5−2

7 x
2 (9x ) = (5 )
25
25
· 2 (9x ) = 5x
7
50 5x
= x
7 9
 x
50 5
=
7 9
   x 
50 5
log = log
7 9
   
50 5
log = x log
7 9

log 50


7

=x
log 59

x ≈ −3.34

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 7 of 20

 Another possible approach:
2 32x = 7 5x−2

log 2 32x = log 7 5x−2

log(2) + log 32x = log(7) + log 5x−2

log(2) + 2x log(3) = log(7) + (x − 2) log(5)

log(2) + x ((2 log(3))) = log(7) + x log(5) − 2 log(5)

x ((2 log(3)) − x log(5)) = log(7) − 2 log(5) − log(2)

x (2 log(3) − log(5)) = log(7) − log 52 − log(2)

 
7
x (log(9) − log(5)) = log − log(2)
25
    
9 7
x log = log ÷2
5 25
    
9 7
x log = log
5 50
7


log 50
x=
log 95

x ≈ −3.34
( ) (
)
7
log 50


log 50 7
The solution set is
. Equivalently, the solution set can be written as
. Fur-
log 95 log 59
(
)
ln 507

thermore, if you applied the natural logarithm function to each side, you could obtain or
ln 95
(
)
ln 50
7

.
ln 95

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 8 of 20

 (e) log4 (2x + 1) = 2
log4 (2x + 1) = 2
2x + 1 = 42
2x + 1 = 16
2x = 15
15
x=
2
Check:
 
15
log4 2· + 1 = log4 (16)
2
=2X
 15
The solution set is 2 .

(f) log2 (x) + log2 (3) = log2 (2)

log2 (x) + log2 (3) = log2 (2)
log2 (3x) = log2 (2)
3x = 2
2
x=
3
Check: log2 23 + log


 2 (3) = log2 (2) X
The solution set is 32 .

(g) log2 (x) − log2 (3) = log2 (2)

log2 (x) − log2 (3) = log2 (2)

x
log2 = log2 (2)
3
x
=2
3
x=6
Check: log2 (6) − log2 (3) = log2 (2) X
The solution set is {6}.

(h) 2 log5 (x − 6) = log5 (x)

2 log5 (x − 6) = log5 (x)

log5 (x − 6)2 = log5 (x)
(x − 6)2 = x
x2 − 12x + 36 = x
x2 − 13x + 36 = 0
(x − 9)(x − 4) = 0
x = 9 or x = 4
Check x = 9:
2 log5 (9 − 6) = 2 log5 (3)
= log5 (9) X
Check x = 4: 2 log5 (4 − 6) is undefined.

The solution set is {9}.

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 9 of 20

 √
1
(i) logx 3 = 4

√  1
logx 3 =
4
√
x1/4 = 3
 √ 4
x= 3
x=9
Check:
√   
log9 3 = log9 31/2
1
= log9 (3)
2
1 1
= ·
2 2
1
= X
4
The solution set is {9}.
(j) log(1 − x) = 2 + log(1 + x)

log(1 − x) = 2 + log(1 + x)

log(1 − x) − log(1 + x) = 2
 
1−x
log =2
1+x
1−x
102 =
1+x
1−x
100 =
1+x
100(1 + x) = 1 − x

100 + 100x = 1 − x

99 = −101x
99
− =x
101
x ≈ −0.98
Check:
99
= log 200




Left-hand side: log 1 − − 101 101
Right-hand side:
    
99 2
2 + log 1 + − = 2 + log
101 101
 
2
= log 102 + log


101
 
2
= log 100 ·
101
 
200
= log
101
 
99
The solution set is − .
101

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 10 of 20

 10. Find the equation of an exponential function that passes through each pair of points:
(a) −1, 13 and (1, 12)


1
We will find C and a for f (x) = Cax . As f contains the points −1, 13 and (1, 12), we have = Ca−1


3
and 12 = Ca1 .

One method is to make a ratio in order to eliminate C:

12 Ca
1 = Ca−1
3
36 = a2
±6 = a
Since a must be positive, a = 6. Substituting to find C, we obtain
C(6)1 = 12
C=2
The exponential function passing through these points is defined by f (x) = 2(6)x .
1
An alternate method is to solve one equation for C and substitute. We will solve = Ca−1 and
3
substitute into 12 = Ca1 .

1
= Ca−1
3
1
a=C
3

Substituting to find a, we obtain

12 = Ca1
 
1
12 = a·a
3
36 = a2
±6 = a
Since a must be positive, a = 6. The exponential function passing through these points is defined by
f (x) = 2(6)x .

(b) (2, 128) and (5, 2)

We will find C and a for f (x) = Cax . As f contains the points (2, 128) and (5, 2), we have 128 = Ca2
and 2 = Ca5 . Thus
2 Ca5
=
128 Ca2
1
= a3
64
1
=a
4
Substituting to find C:
 2
1
C = 128
4
C = 128 · 16
= 2048
1 x


The exponential function passing through these points is defined by f (x) = 2048 4 .

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 11 of 20

 11. Mr. Oops invests $10, 000 into an account. After 4 years, he has $4, 096. Let t be the number of years after
Mr. Oops’ investment began and let Q be the value of the investment at time t.

(a) Write two ordered pairs of the form (t, Q) representing the information above.
The two ordered pairs are (0, 10000) and (4, 4096).
(b) Assuming the investment decreases exponentially, write an exponential function modeling the value of
the investment, Q, at time t. Use the ordered pairs you found in (a) to do so.
We will find a function of the form Q = f (t) = Cat . As the initial value is $10, 000, we know that
Ca0 = 10000, and thus C = 10000. We will then solve Ca4 = 4096 for a:

10000a4 = 4096
4096
a4 =
10000
256
a4 =
625
 1/4
256
a=
625
4
=
5
= 0.8

4 t
An exponential function modeling this investment is Q = f (t) = 10000(0.8)t or Q = f (t) = 10000


5 .

(c) Assuming the investment decreases linearly, write a linear function modeling the value of the investment,
Q, at time t. Use the ordered pairs you found in (a) to do so.
We will find a function of the form Q = g(t) = mt + b. As the initial value is $10, 000, we know that
10000 = m(0) + b and thus b = 10000. We will find m using the slope formula:

4096 − 10000
m=
4−0
−5904
=
4
= −1476

Therefore a linear function modeling this investment is Q = g(t) = −1476t + 10000.

12. The temperature of a cup of tea after it was brewed can be modeled by the function T = f (t) = 100e−0.1t +68,
where t is the number of minutes since the tea was brewed and T is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
(a) Find and interpret f (0).

f (0) = 100e−0.01(0) + 68
= 168

The initial temperature of the tea is 168o F.

(b) Find and interpret f (10).

f (10) = 100e−0.1(10) + 68
= 100e−1 + 68
≈ 104.8

After 10 minutes, the temperature of the tea is approximately 104.8o F.

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 12 of 20

 (c) Find and interpret f −1 (T ). We will solve T = 100e−0.1t + 68 for t:
T = 100e−0.1t + 68

T − 68 = 100e−0.1t

T − 68
= e−0.1t
100
 
T − 68
ln = −0.1t
100
 
T − 68
−10 ln =t
100

T − 68
Therefore the inverse function is t = f −1 (T ) = −10 ln . This function gives the time after
100
the tea was brewed as a function of the tea’s temperature.
(d) Find and interpret f −1 (80).

 
80 − 68
f −1 (80) = −10 ln
100
 
3
= −10 ln
25
≈ 21.2
It takes approximately 21.2 minutes for the tea to reach 80o F.
(e) Graph the function f in your calculator. What is the horizontal asymptote?

The horizontal asymptote is T = 68. (This happens to be the room temperature.)

13. Tom and Jerry make separate investments at the same time. Their respective investments can be modeled
by the functions
 12t
0.065
T = f (t) = 5000(1.065)t and J = g(t) = 4500 1 +
12
where t is the number of years since each investment began and T and J are their respective investment values
in dollars.

(a) Who has the higher effective rate of interest?  r n

To find the effective rate of interest for each Jerry, we will use the formula re = 1 + − 1:
n
 12
0.065
re = 1 + −1
12
≈ 0.067
Therefore Jerry’s effective rate of interest is about 6.7%.

The effective rate of interest of Tom’s investment is 6.5%. We can apply the above formula if
necessary, which will give
1
re = (1 + 0.065) − 1
= 0.065
Therefore Jerry has the higher effective rate of interest.
(b) How much does Tom invest initially? How much does Jerry invest initially?
Tom’s initial investment was $5, 000. Jerry’s initial investment was $4, 500.

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 13 of 20

 (c) What will the values of their respective investments be after 5 years?
Tom’s investment after 5 years:
f (5) = 5000(1.065)5
≈ 6850.43
Jerry’s investment after 5 years:
 12(5)
0.065
g(5) = 4500 1 +
12
= 6222.68
After 5 years, Tom’s investment will be worth $6850.43 and Jerry’s investment will be worth $6222.68.

(d) How long will it take for Jerry’s investment to double?

As Jerry’s initial investment is $4, 500, we will solve g(t) = 9000:
 12t
0.065
9000 = 4500 1 +
12
 12t
0.065
2= 1+
12
 12t !
0.065
ln(2) = ln 1+
12
 
0.065
ln(2) = 12t ln 1 +
12
ln(2)

=t
12 ln 1 + 0.065
12
t ≈ 10.69
Jerry’s investment will double in approximately 10.69 years.
(e) How long will it take for their investments to be worth the same amount? How much will their respective
investments be worth at this time? Use your graphing calculator to answer these.
To find these values, we will find the intersection point of f (t) and g(t). Graphing y1(x) = 5000(1.065)x

12x
and y2(x) = 4500 1 + 0.06512 , the intersection point is (56.96, 180611.94). This means that in about
56.96 years each investment will be worth about $180, 611.94.

14. The percentage of carbon 14, Q, remaining in a fossil t years since decay began can be modeled by the
function
Q = f (t) = 100e−0.000124t
(a) If a piece of cloth is thought to be 750 years old. What percentage of carbon 14 is expected to remain
in this sample?
We will evaluate f (750):
f (750) = 100e−0.000124(750)
≈ 91.12
The cloth should have about 91.12% of its carbon 14 remaining.
(b) If a fossilized leaf contains 70% of its original carbon 14, how old is the fossil?
We will solve f (t) = 70:
70 = 100e−0.000124t
0.7 = e−0.000124t
ln(0.7) = −0.000124t
ln(0.7)
=t
−0.000124
t ≈ 2876.41
The fossil is about 2876.41 years old.

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 14 of 20

 15. Find possible equations for each polynomial function in Figure 7. List the zeros and their multiplicity, the
vertical intercept, and the long-run behavior.

y y
8 8

6 6

4 4
b (4, 2.4)
2 2

x x
-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
-2 -2

-4 -4

-6 -6

-8 -8

(a) (b)

Figure 7

Solution to Figure 7(a)

• Zeros
– The zero at (−1, 0) has even multiplicity, so the function has (x + 1)2 as a factor.
– The zero at (5, 0) does not repeat, so the function has (x − 5) as a factor.
• Vertical Intercept
– The vertical intercept is (0, −1).
• Long-run Behavior
– As x → ∞, f (x) → ∞
– As x → −∞, f (x) → −∞
– This is an odd-degree polynomial function with a positive leading coefficient.
A possible formula for this function is of the form f (x) = k(x + 1)2 (x − 5). We will use f (0) = −1 to find k:
−1 = k(0 + 1)2 (0 − 5)
1
=k
5
A possible formula for this polynomial function is f (x) = 51 (x + 1)2 (x − 5).

Solution to Figure 7(b)

• Zeros
– Four of the zeros are −2, −1, 0, and 2. None of these repeat as the graph goes straight through the
horizontal axis at each zero. Thus the factors (x + 2), (x + 1), x, and (x − 2) each appear once in
the function.
– The zero at (5, 0) repeats an odd number of times since the graph of the function “flattens” (or
“squishes”) there. Thus the factor (x − 5) appears in the function an odd number of times. We
will assume it appears three times.
• Vertical Intercept
– The vertical intercept is (0, 0).
• Long-run Behavior
– As x → ∞, f (x) → −∞
– As x → −∞, f (x) → ∞
– This is an odd-degree polynomial function with a negative leading coefficient.

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 15 of 20

 A possible formula for this function is of the form f (x) = kx(x + 2)(x + 1)(x − 2)(x − 5)3 . We will use f (4) = 2.4
to find k:
2.4 = k(4)(4 + 2)(4 + 1)(4 − 2)(4 − 5)3
2.4 = −240k
−0.01 = k
A possible formula for this polynomial function is f (x) = −0.01x(x + 2)(x + 1)(x − 2)(x − 5)3 or
1
f (x) = − x(x + 2)(x + 1)(x − 2)(x − 5)3 .
100
16. Sketch a graph of y = f (x) for each polynomial function below. Also list the zeros and their multiplicity,
the vertical intercept, and the long-run behavior.

(a) f (x) = −x2 (x + 4)

• Zeros
– The zero at (0, 0) repeats twice. Thus the function will “bounce” at this point.
– The zero at (−4, 0) does not repeat. Thus the function will go straight through the horizontal axis
at this point.
• Vertical Intercept
– The vertical intercept is (0, 0).
• Long-run Behavior
– This is a third-degree polynomial function with a negative leading coefficient.
– As x → ∞, f (x) → −∞
– As x → −∞, f (x) → ∞
The graph is shown in Figure 8.

y
8

x
-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
-2

-4

-6

-8

Figure 8

(b) g(x) = (x − 2)(x + 1)2 (x + 2)

• Zeros
– The zero at (2, 0) does not repeat. Thus the function will go straight through the horizontal axis
at this point.
– The zero at (−1, 0) repeats twice. Thus the function will “bounce” at this point.
– The zero at (−2, 0) does not repeat. Thus the function will go straight through the horizontal axis
at this point.
• Vertical Intercept
– The vertical intercept is (0, −4).
• Long-run Behavior

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 16 of 20

 – This is a fourth-degree polynomial function with a positive leading coefficient.
– As x → ∞, f (x) → ∞
– As x → −∞, f (x) → ∞
The graph is shown in Figure 9.

y
12

x
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
-4

-8

-12

Figure 9

17. Find possible equations for each rational function in Figure 10 below. List the zeros and their multiplicity,
any vertical asymptotes, any horizontal asymptotes, and the vertical intercept.

y y
8 8

6 6
(2, 1.6)
4 4

2 2 b

x x
-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
-2 -2

-4 -4

-6 -6

-8 -8

(a) (b)

Figure 10

Solution to Figure 10(a)

• Zeros
– At (−2, 0), the graph of the function goes straight through the horizontal axis. Thus the factor
(x + 2) appears in the numerator and does not repeat.
• Vertical Intercept
– The vertical intercept is (0, −4).
• Vertical Asymptote(s)
– The vertical asymptote is x = 1. As the function approaches positive infinity on one side of the
asymptote and negative infinity on the other, the factor (x − 1) appears in the denominator and
either does not repeat or repeats an odd number of times. We will assume it does not repeat.

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 17 of 20

 • Horizontal Asymptote/ Long-run Behavior
– The horizontal asymptote is y = 2. Therefore the ratio of leading terms of this rational function
is 2.
k(x + 2)
A possible formula for this function is of the form f (x) = . We will use f (0) = −4 to find k. This
x−1
should confirm the long-run behavior.
k(0 + 2)
−4 =
0−1
2=k
2(x + 2) 2x + 4
A possible formula for this polynomial function is f (x) = or f (x) = .
x−1 x−1
Solution to Figure 10(b)
• Zeros
– At the point (0, 0), the graph of the function “flattens” or “squishes.” Thus the factor (x) appears
in the numerator and repeats an odd number of times. We will assume it appears three times.
• Vertical Intercept
– The vertical intercept is (0, 0).
• Vertical Asymptote(s)
– For the vertical asymptote x = −3, the function approaches positive infinity on one side of the
asymptote and negative infinity on the other. Thus the factor (x + 3) appears in the denominator
once or an odd number of times. We will assume it appears once.
– For the vertical asymptote x = 3, the function approaches positive infinity from both sides. Thus
the factor (x − 3) will appear in the denominator an even number of times. We will assume it
appears twice.
• Horizontal Asymptote/ Long-run Behavior
– The horizontal asymptote is y = 1. Therefore the ratio of leading terms of this rational function
is 1.
kx3
A possible formula for this function has the form f (x) = . We will use f (2) = 1.6 to find k. This
(x + 3)(x − 3)2
should confirm the long-run behavior.
k · 23
1.6 =
(2 + 3)(2 − 3)2
k·8
1.6 =
5
1=k
x3
A possible formula for this polynomial function is f (x) = .
(x + 3)(x − 3)2

18. Sketch each rational function below. List the zeros and their multiplicity, any vertical asymptotes, any
horizontal asymptotes, and the vertical intercept.
x2 − 2x − 3
(a) f (x) = − 2
x + 3x + 2
We begin by factoring and simplifying this function as follows:
x2 − 2x − 3
f (x) = −
x2 + 3x + 2
(x − 3)(x + 1)
=−
(x + 2)(x + 1)
x−3
=− , x 6= −1
x+2
x−3
Thus the graph of f will be identical to that of the function, g(x) = , but will have a hole at
x+2
x = −1.

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 18 of 20

 • Zeros
– The zero of this function is −3. As the factor (x+3) is in the numerator and does not repeat,
the graph of the function will go straight through the horizontal axis at the point (−3, 0).
• Vertical Intercept
– The vertical intercept is 0, 32 .

• Vertical Asymptote(s)
– The vertical asymptote is x = 2 since the factor (x−2) is in the denominator. Since this factor
does not repeat, the function will approach positive infinity on one side of the asymptote
and negative infinity on the other.
• Horizontal Asymptote/ Long-run Behavior
– The ratio of leading terms is −1, and thus the horizontal asymptote is y = −1.

The last step in determining a graph for this function is to determine if the graph lies above or below
the x-axis on each side of its asymptote and zeros. Since the vertical asymptote occurs at x = −2 and
the zero occurs at x = 3, we will choose test points in the intervals (−∞, −2), (−2, 3) and (3, ∞). The
inputs chosen are x = −3, x = 1 and x = 4:

Table 2
Interval (∞, −2) (−2, 3) (3, ∞)
Input chosen −3 1 4
2
Function value f (−3) = −6 f (1) = 3 f (4) = − 61
Location of graph below x-axis above x-axis below x-axis
1, 23 4, − 16



Point on graph (−3, −6)

A graph of the function is shown in Figure 11.

y
8

4 bc

2
b
b
x
-8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8
-2

-4

b -6

-8

Figure 11

2x + 4
(b) g(x) =
x2 − 16
2(x + 2)
First, it will be helpful to factor g(x): g(x) = .
(x − 4)(x + 4)
• Zeros
– The zero of this function is −2. As the factor (x+2) is in the numerator and does not repeat,
the graph of the function will go straight through the horizontal axis at the point (−2, 0).
• Vertical Intercept
– The vertical intercept is 0, − 14 .

• Vertical Asymptote(s)

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 19 of 20

 – The vertical asymptote are x = 4 and x = −4 since the factors (x − 2) and (x + 4) appear
in the denominator. Since these factor do not repeat, the function will approach positive
infinity on one side of each asymptote and negative infinity on the other.
• Horizontal Asymptote/ Long-run Behavior
– The ratio of leading terms is x2 , and thus the function will behave like g(x) = 2
x in the long
run. This means the function has the horizontal asymptote y = 0.

The last step in determining a graph for this function is to determine if the graph approaches positive
or negative infinity from each side of its asymptotes. One option is to estimate the function’s value near
the asymptote. The other is to choose a specific input on either side of the asymptote and determine
the function’s value there. We will choose to evaluate f (−5), f (−3), f (3) and f (5):

Table 3
Interval (−∞, −4) (−4, −2) (−2, 4) (4, ∞)
Input chosen −5 −3 3 5
Function value f (−5) = − 23 f (−3) = 2
7 f (3) = − 10
7 f (5) = 14
9

Location of graph below x-axis above x-axis below x-axis above x-axis
−5, − 23 −3, 27 3, − 10 5, 14





Point on graph 7 9

A graph of the function is shown in Figure 12.

y
8

2 b
b
b
b x
-8 -6 -4 -2 2 b 4 6 8
-2

-4

-6

-8

Figure 12

Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 20 of 20