Unit 3

Graphing Rational
Functions

Objectives:
1st
Find the Vertical Asymptotes
Find the Horizontal Asymptotes

Rational Functions
An asymptote is a vertical or horizontal
line where the function is undefined.
(Dashed line)
A rational function can have more than one
asymptote:
1.Vertical asymptote (are the excluded values)
2.Horizontal asymptote (at most one, must apply the
rules for)

Vertical Asymptotes
V.A. is a vertical line where x = a, and a represents the
real zeros of the denominator ( excluded valued).

Example:

Find the vertical asymptote of

f ( x)

2x
2

x 1

2
q
(
x
)

x
1 ( x 1)( x 1) the zeros
Since
are 1 and -1. Thus the vertical asymptotes
are x = 1 and x = -1.

Recall: x cannot be 1 or -1 if you solved it.

Horizontal Asymptotes
The horizontal asymptote is
determined by looking at the
degrees of p(x) and q(x).
**In other words, the degree of the
numerator and degree of the denominator**

Rules for the HA

(horizontal asymptote).

a. If the degree of p(x) is less than the degree

of q(x), then the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.
b. If the degree of p(x) is greater than the degree
of q(x), then there is no horizontal asymptote.
c. If the degree of p(x) is equal to the degree of
q(x), then the horizontal asymptote is a ratio
of
y

leading coefficient of p ( x)
.
leading coefficient of q ( x)

Lets try 1
Example 1:

Find the horizontal asymptote: f ( x)

3x
2

x 1

Degree of numerator = 1
Degree of denominator = 2
y = 0.
Since the degree of the numerator is

less than the degree of the denominator,

horizontal asymptote is

Example 2:

3x 1
.
Find the horizontal asymptote: f ( x)
2x 1
Degree of numerator = 1
Degree of denominator = 1

3
y
2
Since the degree of the numerator is

equal to the degree of the denominator,

horizontal asymptote is
.

Example 3
Example:

Find the horizontal asymptote:

3x2 1
f ( x)
.
2x 1

Degree of numerator = 2
Degree of denominator = 1
There is no horizontal asymptote. Since the

degree of the numerator is greater than the

degree of the denominator.

Break!
Video on Asymptotes
http://cms.gavirtualschool.org/Shared/Math/CCGPS_AdvancedAlgebra/RationalandRadicalRelationships/index.html

Tab 4 , Video 1/3

Lets practice Handout

page 1 (1-5)

Graphing
Rational Function
STEPS!

p( x)
f ( x)
q( x)

1. Identify your asymptotes and sketch them.

(Horizontal and Vertical)
2. Create a table of values to graph at least 2 points on
either side of the vertical asymptote.
3. Sketch!

Hyperbola- Type of Rational

Function.
ax b
One form:
y
cx d

2nd Form (Standard form of a Hyperbola: y a k

xh

If using 2nd form

Asymptotes: x=h

(vertical) Note: If denominator in equation is

(+), equation will be a neg h).

it)

y=k

(horizontal/take whatever sign with

Find 2 points on either side of the vertical asymptote.

(Evaluate to find (x,y) coordinates.
Graph the asymptotes.
Plot the points and sketch graph.

a
yxh
kx

h
yk
Copy ..

Graphing a Rational Function

The graph of a
characteristics.

Vertical asymptotes:
Horizontal asymptotes:

Then plot 2 points to the

left and right of the
center

has the following


2
1.12y
x1
x

0
y
2
Example 1

Graphing a Rational Function

1.Identify your
asymptotes and sketch
them. (Horizontal and
Vertical)
2.Create a table of
values to graph at least
2 points on either side
of the vertical
asymptote.
3.Sketch!

Graph the function. State the domain and range.

Vertical asymptotes:
Horizontal asymptotes:
x

3
y
2
x 1

Example 2
.

Vertical Asymptote: x=1

Horizontal Asymptote: y=2

-5 1.5
-2

Left of
vert.
asymp.
Right of
vert.
asymp.

1.Identify your asymptote

and sketch them.
(Horizontal and Vertical)
2.Create a table of values
to graph at least 2 points
on either side of the
vertical asymptote.
3.Sketch!

2
536x1yx11,4
6.201y

4
You try!

Graphing a Rational Function

Graph the function.

center:

Vertical asymptotes:
Horizontal asymptotes:
x

x2
y
3x 3

Example 4

Vertical asymptote:
3x+3=0 (set denominator =0)
3x=-3
x= -1
x
Horizontal Asymptote:

-3

1
3

y
.83

-2 1.33
0

-.67

Think Pair Share

Domain and Range

Domain-The domain of each graph is all real numbers except what
makes the denominator zero. (X Values)
Range All y values

When describing the Domain and Range from

the Standard equation form. Consider the
following!

3
y
2
x 1 E

Ex. 1

State the domain & range.

The Domain &

Range is.

Domain: (-, 1) U (1, )

Range: (-, 2) U (2, )

Ex. 2 When describing the domain from the graph itself!

Domain: (- , -2) U (-2, 2) U (2, )

Range: (- , 0] U (3, )

x
70
.143y23
al
2R

2
yx1

Graphing a Rational Function

State the domain and range.

Vertical asymptotes:
Horizontal asymptotes:
x

Domain:
Range:

1
12
0.1y1

2
3
/0/3alR
x

3
2
yy11/2

You try!

State the domain and range.

Vertical asymptotes:
Horizontal asymptotes:
x

Domain:
Range:

You try!

Ex

Domain: (-,)
Range:

1 1
2 , 2

Lets practice Describe the Domain

and Range # 5-10 from Handout 1