SHS

General
Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module 10:
Intercepts, Zeroes and Asymptotes of
Rational Functions

1
General Mathematics – SHS
Quarter 1- Week 3, Module 10: Intercepts, Zeroes and Asymptotes of Rational
Functions

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Mary Doll P. Villanueva
Editor: Desiree R. Euste
Reviewers: Sarah Christine P. Godoy
Simeon D. Brillantes
Illustrator: Kenji Ryan F. Amaro
Layout Artist: Jhomar B. Jaravata
Cover Art: Jed Adra

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 INTERCEPTS, ZEROES AND ASYMPTOTES
OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Introduction

This module aims to help you determine the intercepts, zeroes and
asymptotes of rational functions. This module also provides tasks and exercises
that you will perform for you to be equipped with the necessary competency.

Objectives

At the end of this module, you will be able to determine the intercepts,
zeroes and asymptotes of rational functions.(M11GM-Ic-1)

Vocabulary List

The following important terms will be used in this module. They are
defined as follows:
• The x-intercept of a rational function is the value of x that
makes the numerator equal to zero but will not make the
denominator equal to zero.
• The zeroes of a rational function are the values of x which
make the function zero. The real-numbered zeroes are also x-
intercepts of the graph of rational functions.

• The y-intercept of a rational function is the function value

when x = 0.

• The vertical line x =v is a vertical asymptote of a rational

function f if the graph of f either increases or decreases without
bound as the x-values approach v from the right or left.

• The horizontal line y = h is a horizontal asymptote of the

rational function f if𝑓(𝑥) gets closer to h as x increases or
decreases without bound (𝑥 → +∞𝑜𝑟𝑥 → −∞).

Reference: General Mathematics Learner’s Material and Teacher’s Material, 1 st Edition 2016

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 Pre-Test

Direction: Answer the following questions. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

2𝑥
1. What is the x-intercept of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = ?
𝑥−4
a. (-1,0)
b. (1,0)
c. (2,0)
d. (4,0)
𝑥−3
2. What is the y-intercept of the function (𝑥) = ?
(𝑥+2)2
a. (0,-1)
1
b. (3 , 0)
3
c. (− 4 , 0)
d. (6,0)
2𝑥 2 +10𝑥+12
3. How many zeroes does the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥−6
have?
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3
𝑥−6
4. What are the vertical asymptotes of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −4
?
a. 𝑥 = ±1
b. 𝑥 = ±2
c. 𝑥 = ±4
d. 𝑥 = ±6
3𝑥 2 −5𝑥−2
5. What is the horizontal asymptote of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = ?
𝑥 2 −9
a. 𝑦 = 0
b. No horizontal asymptote
c. 𝑦 = 1⁄3
d. 𝑦 = 3

- Your Pre-Test ends here. -

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 Learning Activities

In determining the intercepts, zeroes, and asymptotes of rational functions, we must

follow these steps.

Steps on determining the intercepts, zeroes, and asymptotes of rational functions:

Note: Modify the function in lowest term by simplifying and applying factoring
techniques (if factorable).

I. x-intercept
a. To find the x-intercept, find the value of x that will make the numerator
equal to zero but will not make the denominator equal to zero.
II. y-intercept
a. To find the y-intercept, if 0 is in the domain, evaluate f(x) at x = 0.
III. Zeroes
a. The zeroes of a function are the values of x which make the function zero.
The real number zero is also an x-intercept of a function.
IV. Vertical Asymptote
Find the values of v where the denominator is zero. If this value of v does
not make the numerator zero, then the line x = v is a vertical asymptote
V. Horizontal asymptote
To find horizontal asymptote, identify the degree of the numerator (n) and the
degree of the denominator (m).
a. If the degree of the numerator is equal to the degree of the denominator,
identify the leading coefficient of the numerator (a) and the denominator
𝑎
(b). Then, write = 𝑏 .
b. If n < m, then y = 0.
c. If n > m, then there is no horizontal asymptote.

Learn from the succeeding examples on how to determine the x-intercept, y-

intercept, zeroes, vertical asymptote and horizontal asymptote of rational functions.

Example #1:Find the x-intercept, y-intercept, zeroes, vertical asymptote, and horizontal

2𝑥−1
asymptote of the rational function 𝑓(𝑥) = .
𝑥−4

To find the x- intercept, find the value of x that will make the numerator equal to zero
but will not make the denominator equal to zero.
2𝑥−1
For the function 𝑓(𝑥) = , the numerator is 2𝑥 − 1.
𝑥−4
Use the numerator and equate it to zero. 2𝑥 − 1 = 0
𝟏
Solve for the value of x. 𝒙= 𝟐

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 𝟏
The x-intercept of the function is ( , 𝟎) .
𝟐

The zero of a function is the value of x which makes the function zero. Thus, the real-
number zero is also the x-intercept of the rational function.

𝟏
The zero of the rational function is .
𝟐

To find the y-intercept, if 0 is in the domain, evaluate f(x) at x = 0. (Note: To evaluate

a function means to substitute the value of x to the function, and then perform the
indicated operations.)
2𝑥 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−4
2(0) − 1
𝑓(0) =
0−4
𝟏
𝒇(𝟎) =
𝟒
𝟏
The y-intercept of the function is (𝟎, ).
𝟒

To find the vertical asymptote, find the value of x that will make the denominator 0.
That is,
𝑥−4=0
𝒙=𝟒
Since there is no common factor between the numerator and the denominator or 4
will not make the numerator be 0, the vertical asymptote of the graph of f is the line
x = 4.

To find horizontal asymptote, identify the degree of the numerator (n) and the
degree of the denominator (m).

Since the degree of the numerator is equal to the degree of the denominator in the
2𝑥−1
function 𝑓(𝑥) = which is 1, identify the leading coefficient of the numerator (a)
𝑥−4
𝑎 𝑎
and the denominator (b), then write𝑦 = 𝑏 .Thus, the horizontal asymptote 𝑦 = 𝑏 is
𝟐
equal to 𝒚 = 𝟏 or 𝒚 = 𝟐.

The equation of the horizontal asymptote of the rational function is 𝒚 = 𝟐.

Example #2: Find the x-intercept, y-intercept, zeroes, vertical asymptote, and horizontal

2𝑥 2 +5𝑥 −3
asymptote of the rational function 𝑓(𝑥) = .
2𝑥 2 −9𝑥 −5

Note: It is highly recommended to modify the function in lowest term by simplifying

and applying factoring techniques (if factorable).

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To find the x- intercept, find the value of x that will make the numerator equal to zero
but will not make the denominator equal to zero.
2𝑥 2 +5𝑥 −3
For the function 𝑓(𝑥) = , the numerator is 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3.
2𝑥 2 −9𝑥 −5
Use the numerator and equate it to zero.

2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3 = 0
Use factoring method since the equation is factorable.
(2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 3) = 0
Solve for the values of x.
(2𝑥 − 1 = 0) | (𝑥 + 3 = 0)
𝟏
𝒙= ; 𝒙 = −𝟑
𝟐
𝟏
The x-intercepts of the function are ( , 𝟎)and(−𝟑, 𝟎).
𝟐

The zero of a function is the value of x which makes the function zero. Thus, the real-
number zero is also the x-intercept of the rational function.
𝟏
The zeroes of the rational function are and -3.
𝟐

To find the y-intercept, if 0 is in the domain, evaluate f(x) at x = 0. (Note: To evaluate

a function means to substitute the value of x to the function, and then perform the
indicated operations.)

2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3
𝑓(𝑥) = 2
2𝑥 − 9𝑥 − 5
2(02 ) + 5(0) − 3
𝑓(0) =
2(02 ) − 9(0) − 5
𝟑
𝒇(𝟎) =
𝟓
𝟑
The y-intercept of the function is (0, ).
𝟓

To find the vertical asymptote, find the value of x that will make the function
undefined. (Note: The function will only be undefined if the denominator is equal to
zero.)
Use the denominator and equate it to zero and find the value/s of x.
2𝑥 2 +5𝑥 −3
For the function 𝑓(𝑥) = , the denominator is 2𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 5.
2𝑥 2 −9𝑥 −5

Use the denominator and equate it to zero.

2𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 5 = 0

You may use any method to conveniently find the value/s of x. You may opt to use
factoring method (if factorable).

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 (2𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 5) = 0

Solve for the values of x.

(2𝑥 + 1 = 0) | (𝑥 − 5 = 0)
𝟏
𝒙= − ; 𝒙=𝟓
𝟐
1 𝟏
Since − 𝑜𝑟 5 will not make the numerator be 0,the lines𝐱 = − and 𝐱 = 𝟒are the vertical
2 𝟐
asymptotes of the graph of f.
To find horizontal asymptote, identify the degree of the numerator (n) and the
degree of the denominator (m).

Since the degree of the numerator is equal to the degree of the denominator in the
2𝑥 2 +5𝑥 −3
function 𝑓(𝑥) = , which is 2, identify the leading coefficient of the
2𝑥 2 −9𝑥 −5
𝑎
numerator (a) and the denominator (b), then write𝑦 = .Thus, the horizontal
𝑏
𝑎 𝟐
asymptote 𝑦 = 𝑏 is equal to 𝒚 = 𝟐 or 𝒚 = 𝟏.

The equation of the horizontal asymptote of the rational function is 𝒚 = 𝟏.

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 Let’s check your understanding!

Practice Task 1

Direction: Answer the following questions. Justify your answer.

1. Are the zeroes and x-intercepts of rational functions equal?

2. What should be the value for x to find the y- intercept of a rational function?

3𝑥−7
3. Does 𝑥 = 2 makes the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−2
undefined? Is it the vertical asymptote of
the function?

4. Identify the degree of the numerator and the degree of the denominator in the
𝑥+3
function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥−3
.

5. What is the horizontal asymptote of the function given in item #4?

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 Practice Task 2

Direction: Answer the following problems completely.

2𝑥 2 +3𝑥+1
1. How many x-intercepts does the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥+4
have?

2. What are the zeroes of the function in item #1?

𝑥 2 +3𝑥+2
3. Does the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+3
have a horizontal asymptote?

7𝑥 2
4. What is the vertical asymptote of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −2𝑥+1
?

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 Practice Task 3

Direction: Analyze each item carefully then write your answer.

2𝑥−1 3𝑥−2
1. Find y-intercepts of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −1
− 𝑥 2 +1 .

𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 +𝑥
2. What are the zeroes of the function (𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −𝑥−2
?

−5𝑥 4 −3𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 −10

3. Find all asymptotes of (𝑥) = 𝑥 3 −3𝑥 2 +3𝑥−1
.

You are now ready to take the next test.

Good luck!

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 Post-Test

Direction: Read each item carefully then choose the letter of the best answer.
𝑥+7
1. How many vertical asymptotes does the function 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−3)(𝑥+2)have?
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3
2. If the degree of the numerator (n) is less than the degree of the denominator (m),
what is the equation of the horizontal asymptote of a rational function? Use a and b
as the leading coefficients of the numerator and the denominator, respectively.
𝑎
a. 𝑦 = 𝑏
b. 𝑦 = 0
𝑏
c. 𝑦 =
𝑎
d. No horizontal asymptote
3. How will you find the y-intercept of a rational function?
a. Evaluate the function at x = 0.
b. Evaluate the function at x = a.
c. Find the values of x where the numerator will be zero and do not make the
denominator equal to zero.
d. Find the values of x where the denominator will be zero.

𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
4. What are the x-intercepts of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+3
?
a. (-3,0) and (-2,0)
b. (2,0) and (3,0)
c. (3,0) and(-2,0)
d. (-3,0) and (2,0)

𝑥 2 +8𝑥+15
5. What is the y-intercept of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 +9𝑥+18 ?
a. (0,-3)
5
b. (0, 6)
3
c. (0, − 4)
d. (0,2)
𝑥 2 −3𝑥
6. What are the zeroes of the function (𝑥) = 𝑥−6
?
a. 1, 3
b. 0, -3
c. 0, 3
d. 3, -1

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 𝑥 2 −3
7. What are the vertical asymptotes of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 2 +4𝑥+3) (𝑥−2)
?
a. 𝑥 = −1, 2, −3
b. 𝑥 = ±2, 1
c. 𝑥 = −2, 1, 3
d. 𝑥 = ±1, 3
2𝑥 2 +3
8. What is the horizontal asymptote of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥+5)(2𝑥−5)?
a. 𝑦=0
b. No horizontal asymptote
c. 𝑦 = 5⁄3
d. 𝑦 = 1⁄2
5𝑥
9. What value of x makes the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 6−2𝑥equal to zero?
a. -1
b. 0
c. 1
d. 2
2𝑥 2
10. What is the y-intercept of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = ?
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−3
a. (0,-3)
b. (0, 2)
1
c. (0, − )
3
d. (0, 0)

- Your Post-Test ends here.-

Assignment

𝑥 2 +3𝑥−70
Given the function, 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+10)(𝑥 2 −10𝑥+21)
.

Find its:
a. x-intercept/s
b. y-intercept
c. vertical asymptote/s
d. horizontal asymptote

Reference: General Mathematics Learner’s Material and Teacher’s Material, 1 st Edition 2016

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 ANSWER KEY

PRE-TEST
1. A 4. B
2. C 5. D
3. C

PRACTICE TASK I
1. YES 4. 1 (both)
2. x=0 5. 𝑦 = 1⁄2
3. YES. YES.

PRACTICE TASK II
1. 2 3. no
2. -1 & -0.5 4. x = 1

PRACTICE TASK III

1. (0, 3)
2. 0, −1
3. Vertical asymptote : 𝑥 = 1 and no horizontal asymptote

POST TEST
1. C 6. C
2. B 7. A
3. A 8. D
4. C 9. B
5. B 10. C

ASSIGNMENT
1. x-intercepts/zeroes : (7, 0) and(-10,0)
2. y-intercept : (0, − 1⁄3)
3. vertical asymptotes : 𝑥 = −10, 3, 7
4. horizontal asymptote: 𝑦 = 0

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