MODULE 4 : RATIONAL FUNCTION AND ITS GRAPHS

LEARNING CONCEPTS AND ACTIVITIES

RATIONAL FUNCTION
𝑝(𝑥)
A rational function is a function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = where P and Q are polynomials.
𝑞(𝑥)
The domain of a rational function consists of all real numbers x except those for which the
denominator is zero. When graphing a rational function, we must pay attention to the behavior of
the graph near those x-values.

We can represent a rational function by a table of values, graph, and equation.

GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTION

EQUATION TABLE OF X AND Y GRAPH

𝟏 VALUES
𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒙 𝒙 𝒚
-2 -1/2
-1 -1
-1/2 -2
½ 2
1 1
2 ½

DOMAIN AND RANGE OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION

• Domain is the set of real numbers excluding the value that will make the denominator equal
to zero.
• To find the range of a rational function is by finding the domain of the inverse function
a. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦.
b. Interchange the variables 𝑥 and 𝑦.
c. Solve 𝑦 in terms of 𝑥.
• Another way to find the range of rational function is to find the value of horizontal
asymptote.

RATIONAL DOMAIN RANGE

FUNCTION
3 𝑥−7 = 0 Let f(x) be y.
𝑓(𝑥) = 3
𝑥−7 𝑥 = 0+7
𝑥=7 𝑦=
𝑥−7
Interchange x and y.
Domain: {𝒙|𝒙 ≠ 𝟕} 3
𝑥=
𝑦−7
Solve for y in terms of x.

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 The domain of 𝑓(𝑥) is the set of 𝑥(𝑦 − 7) = 3
all real numbers except 7. 𝑥𝑦 − 7𝑥 = 3
𝑥𝑦 = 3 + 7𝑥
3 + 7𝑥
𝑦=
𝑥

Range: {𝒚|𝒚 ≠ 𝟎}

The range of 𝑓(𝑥) is the set of all

real numbers except 0.

𝑥+1 2𝑥 − 3 = 0 𝑥+1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦=
2𝑥 − 3 2𝑥 = 3 2𝑥 − 3
3 𝑦+1
𝑥= 𝑥=
2 2𝑦 − 3
𝑥(2𝑦 − 3) = 𝑦 + 1
3
Domain: {𝒙|𝒙 ≠ } 2𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑥 = 𝑦 + 1
2
2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 1
𝑦(2𝑥 − 1) = 3𝑥 + 1
3+𝑥
𝑦=
2𝑥 − 1
𝟏
Range: {𝒚|𝒚 ≠ }
𝟐

INTERCEPTS OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION

Intercepts are x-coordinate and y-coordinate of points at which a graph crosses the x-axis or y-axis.
• x-intercept – it is the x-coordinate of the point where the graph crosses the x-axis.
• y-intercept – it is the y-coordinate of the point where the graph crosses the y-axis.

TO FIND THE INTERCEPTS:

To find the x-intercept, substitute 0 for y and solve for x.
To find the y-intercept, substitute 0 for x and solve for y.

*Not all rational functions have both x and y intercepts. If the rational function has no real solution,
then it does not have intercepts.

RATIONAL x-intercept y-intercept

FUNCTION
𝑥+3 𝑥+3 0+3
𝑓(𝑥) = 0= 𝑦=
𝑥−1 𝑥−1 0−1
0= 𝑥+3 3
𝑦=
𝒙 = −𝟑 −1
The x-intercept is -3. 𝒚 = −𝟑
The y-intercept is -3.
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 4 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 4 02 − 5(0) − 4
𝑓(𝑥) = 0= 𝑦= 2
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 0 + 2(0) + 3
0 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4 −4
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 1) = 0 𝑦=
3
𝒙=𝟒;𝒙=𝟏 The y-intercept is -4/3.
The x-intercepts are 1 and 4.
𝑥 2 + 16 𝑥 2 + 16 02 + 16
𝑓(𝑥) = 0= 2 𝑦=
𝑥2 + 4 𝑥 +4 02 + 4
𝑥 2 + 16 = 0 16
𝑦=
𝑥 2 = 0 − 16 4
𝑥 2 = −16 𝑦=4
𝑥 = √−16 The y-intercept is y = 4.
There is no real solution.
Hence, there is no x-intercept.

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 2 2 2
𝑓(𝑥) = 0= 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−5 𝑥−5 0−5
Since the numerator is a constant, 2
𝑓(𝑥) = −
there is no x-intercept. 5
The y-intercept is y = -2/5.

ZEROS OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION

𝑝(𝑥)
The zeros of rational function 𝑓(𝑥) = can be determined by solving 𝑝(𝑥) = 0. In other words,
𝑞(𝑥)
whatever values that make the numerator 𝑝(𝑥) equal to zero are the zeroes of 𝑓(𝑥) provided that it
is not a zero of the denominator 𝑞(𝑥).

To find the zeros of rational functions

1. Factor the numerator and denominator.
2. Identify the restrictions.
3. Identify the values of 𝑥 that make the numerator equal to zero.
4. Identify the zero of 𝑓(𝑥).

RATIONAL FUNCTION Zeros

𝑥2− 5𝑥 Factor the numerator and denominator.
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 − 5)
𝑥+2 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+2
Identify the restrictions.
𝑥+2 = 0
𝑥 = −2
Identify the values of 𝑥 that make the numerator
equal to zero.
𝑥(𝑥 − 5) = 0
𝑥 = 0 or 𝑥 = 5
Since the zeros in the numerator 0 and 5 are not
zeros of the denominator, therefore the zeros of
the rational function 𝑓(𝑥) are 0 and 5.
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 3) There is a common factor in the numerator and
𝑓(𝑥) =
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3) denominator which is (𝑥 − 3).

The zeros of 𝑓(𝑥) are 𝒙 = 𝟐 and 𝒙 = −𝟒.

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 − 1 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)
There is a common factor in the numerator and
denominator which is (𝑥 + 1). The zeros of 𝑓(𝑥) is
𝒙 = −𝟐.
(𝑥 − 6)2 (𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 − 6)
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) =
(𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 − 6) (𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 − 6)
The restricted values in the denominator are
𝑥 = ±6.
The only zeros in the numerator is 𝑥 = 6, since it is
a restricted value of 𝑥 thus, the function has no
zero.

VERTICAL, HORIZONAL, AND OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTES OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION

Asymptotes – It is line that is being approached but never touched by the graph of the function.

• Vertical Asymptote

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 The line 𝒙 = 𝒂 is a vertical asymptote of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) if 𝑦 approaches ±∞ as 𝑥
approaches 𝑎 from the right or left.

• Horizontal Asymptote
The line 𝒚 = 𝒃 is a horizontal asymptote of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) if 𝑦 approaches 𝑏 as 𝑥
approaches ±∞.

𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 +𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + … +𝑎1 𝑥+𝑎0

Let 𝑓(𝑥) = be a rational function with numerator of degree 𝑛 and
𝑏𝑛 𝑥 𝑚+𝑏𝑚−1 𝑥 𝑚−1 + … +𝑏1 𝑥+𝑏0
denominator of degree 𝑚.

1. If 𝑛 < 𝑚, then the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 0

𝑎
2. If 𝑛 = 𝑚, then the horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = , where a is the leading coefficient of the
𝑏
numerator and b is the leading coefficient of the denominator
3. If 𝑛 > 𝑚, then there is no horizontal asymptote

Note: The graph of a rational function will never intersect any of its vertical asymptotes.
However, the graph may intersect its horizontal asymptote.

• Oblique Asymptote
It is also known as diagonal or slant asymptote which is represented by 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏.

Finding Oblique Asymptote

1. A rational function can have at most 1 oblique asymptote.
2. If a rational function has a horizontal asymptote, it will not have an oblique
asymptote.
3. Oblique asymptotes only occur when 𝑛 > 𝑚.
4. When you have this situation, simply divide the numerator by the denominator, using
polynomials long division or synthetic division. The quotient (set equal to y) will be the
oblique asymptote. Note that the remainder is ignored.

RATIONAL VERTICAL HORIZONTAL OBLIQUE

FUNCTION ASYMPTOTE ASYMPTOTE ASYMPTOTE
3 𝑥−7=0 Since the numerator 3 is a Since there is a
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−7 𝑥 =0+7 constant, the degree of a horizontal
𝒙=𝟕 constant is 0. Then, n = 0. asymptote, there is
no oblique
The degree of the asymptote.
denominator is 1 then, m
= 1.

Therefore, n < m because

0 < 1, the horizontal
asymptote is
y = 0.
2𝑥 − 1 𝒙 = −𝟑 Since n = 1 and m = 1, There is no oblique
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+3 therefore n = m. asymptote.

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 The leading coefficient of
n is 2 and the leading
coefficient of n is 1.
2
𝑦=
1
𝒚=𝟐
3𝑥 + 4 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 1 = 0 Since n < m, There is no oblique
𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥 2+ 3𝑥 + 1 (2𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 1) = 0 y = 0. asymptote.
𝟏
𝒙 = − 𝟐 and 𝒙 = −𝟏

2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 𝑥−2=0 n=3 Divide the

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝒙=𝟐 m=2 polynomials in
𝑥−2
Since n > m, there is no numerator by the
horizontal asymptote. denominator.

2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−2

By synthetic division,

The oblique
asymptote is
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏.

References:
1. Chua, R. E. et al. (2016). General Mathematics. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House. pp. 43-
56.
2. Camilon, M. G. et al. (2016). General Mathematics for SHS. Quezon City: Educational Resources
Corp.
3. Oronce, O. A. et al. (2016). General Mathematics. Quezon City: Rex Publishing, Inc. pp. 38-53.
4. Versoza, D. B. et al. (2016). General Mathematics Learner’s Material First Edition. Quezon City:
Lexicon Press Inc. pp. 13-20.
5. Orines, F. B. et al. (2016). Next Century Mathematics General Mathematics. Quezon City:
Phoenix Publishing House. pp. 38-53.

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