Unit 6 Student Notes: Rational Functions Alg 2

Honors

6.3 Graphing Asymptotes of Rational Functions

Source: http://people.richland.edu/james/lecture/m116/polynomials/rational.html . Italicized portions have been added.

A rational function is a function that can be written as the ratio of two polynomials where the
denominator isn't zero.

𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥)
Rational function: 𝑓𝑓 (𝑥𝑥) =
𝑞𝑞(𝑥𝑥)

Vertical Asymptotes

An asymptote is a line that the curve approaches but does not cross. The equations of the vertical
asymptotes can be found by finding the roots of q(x). Completely ignore the numerator when looking
for vertical asymptotes, only the denominator matters.

If a rational function has a duplicate root for p(x) and q(x), that root is NOT a vertical asymptote, but
is rather a hole (see page 3.)

𝑥𝑥 2 −4 (𝑥𝑥+2)(𝑥𝑥−2)
Example: For the rational function 𝑦𝑦 = = , so there are two vertical
𝑥𝑥 3 −4𝑥𝑥 2 −12𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥(𝑥𝑥−6)(𝑥𝑥+2)
asymptotes at x = 0 and x = 6. Note that since x = -2 is a root of both the numerator and the
denominator, it is NOT a vertical asymptote, but is rather a hole.

𝑥𝑥 2 −3𝑥𝑥−40
Your turn: Find the equations of the vertical asymptotes for 𝑦𝑦 = .
𝑥𝑥 3 −25𝑥𝑥

Horizontal Asymptotes

A horizontal line is an asymptote only to the far left and the far right of the graph. "Far" left or "far"
right is defined as anything past the vertical asymptotes or x-intercepts. Horizontal asymptotes may or
may not be asymptotic in the middle. Sometimes you can cross a horizontal asymptote.

The location of the horizontal asymptote is determined by looking at the degrees of the numerator (n)
and denominator (m).

• If n<m, the x-axis, y=0 is the horizontal asymptote.

• If n=m, then y=an / bm is the horizontal asymptote. That is, the ratio of the leading coefficients.
• If n>m, there is no horizontal asymptote. However, if n=m+1, there is an oblique or slant
asymptote.

Examples: Identify any horizontal asymptotes for the rational functions below.
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 Unit 6 Student Notes: Rational Functions Alg 2
Honors

3𝑥𝑥
a) 𝑦𝑦 =
4𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥+1

The degree of the numerator = 1. The degree of the denominator = 2. Since

the degree of the denominator is larger than the degree of the numerator, there is a
horizontal asymptote at y = 0.

Why is this so? Imagine what happens to this function as x increases to a very large
number.

3𝑥𝑥 2
b) 𝑦𝑦 =
4𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥+1

The degree of the numerator = 2. The degree of the denominator = 2. Since

the degree of the denominator is the same as the degree of the numerator, there is a
3
horizontal asymptote at y = . (This value is the ratio of the leading coefficients.)
4

Why is this so? Imagine what happens to this function as x increases to a very large
number.

3𝑥𝑥 5
c) 𝑦𝑦 =
4𝑥𝑥 2 +5𝑥𝑥+1

The degree of the numerator = 5. The degree of the denominator = 2. Since

the degree of the denominator is smaller than the degree of the numerator, there is NO
horizontal asymptote.

Why is this so? Imagine what happens to this function as x increases to a very large
number.

**Foldable

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 Unit 6 Student Notes: Rational Functions Alg 2
Honors

EXAMPLES:
Graph the vertical and horizontal asymptotes. Then test a point on each side of the vertical asymptote(s) and
sketch the graph.
𝑥𝑥 2 −3𝑥𝑥+2 𝑥𝑥−2
1) y = 2) y =
𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥−3 𝑥𝑥 2 −3𝑥𝑥−4

2 3𝑥𝑥 2 +1
3) y= 4) y =
3𝑥𝑥+6 𝑥𝑥−4

6.4 Graphing Rational Functions

Holes

Sometimes, a factor will appear in the numerator and in the denominator. Let's assume the factor (x-
k) is in the numerator and denominator. Because the factor is in the denominator, x=k will not be in
the domain of the function. This means that there will be a hole at x=k.

𝑥𝑥 2 −4 (𝑥𝑥+2)(𝑥𝑥−2)
Example: For the rational function 𝑦𝑦 = = , x=-2 is a repeated root for the
𝑥𝑥 3 −4𝑥𝑥 2 −12𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥(𝑥𝑥−6)(𝑥𝑥+2)
numerator and denominator, and thus there is a hole at that input value. Holes are written as ordered
pairs. Substitute the value of x=-2 into the function for the remaining factors to find the output value of
(−2−2) −4 1 1
= = − . Thus, the hole is at �−2, − �.
−2(−2−6) 16 4 4

𝑥𝑥 2 −3𝑥𝑥−40
Your turn: Find the value of any hole(s) for 𝑦𝑦 = .
𝑥𝑥 3 −25𝑥𝑥

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 Unit 6 Student Notes: Rational Functions Alg 2
Honors

Slant Asymptotes

When the degree of the numerator is exactly one more than the degree of the denominator, the graph
of the rational function will have a slant asymptote. A rational function will never have more than one
slant asymptote; it will also never have a horizontal asymptote and a slant asymptote at the same time.

To find the equation of a slant asymptote, perform long division (synthetic if it will work) by dividing
the denominator into the numerator. As x gets very large (this is the far left or far right that I was
talking about), the remainder portion becomes very small, almost zero. So, to find the equation of the
slant asymptote, perform the division and discard the remainder.

𝑥𝑥 2 −6𝑥𝑥+5
Example: Find the equation of the slant asymptotes for 𝑦𝑦 = , 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎. Since the degree
𝑥𝑥−4
of the numerator (2) is exactly one more than the degree of the denominator (1), a slant
asymptote exists.

4 1 -6 5
4 -8
1 -2 -3 Disregarding the remainder, the quotient is x – 2, so the equation of
the slant asymptote is y = x – 2. Note that there is also a vertical
asymptote at x=4.

𝑥𝑥 2 −3𝑥𝑥−4
Your turn: Find the value of any slant asymptote for 𝑦𝑦 = . Then graph the function and its
𝑥𝑥+2
oblique asymptote.

2𝑥𝑥 2 −5
Your turn: Find the value of any slant asymptote for 𝑦𝑦 = . Then graph the function and its
𝑥𝑥−1
oblique asymptote.

***FOLDABLE for holes and slant asymptotes***

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 Unit 6 Student Notes: Rational Functions Alg 2
Honors

1
Parent Function for Rational Functions: 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) =
𝑥𝑥
Graph by using a table of values.

What happens as x approaches 0 from either side?

What happens as y approaches 0 from either side?

Any intercepts:

Domain:

Range:

Asymptotes:

End Behavior:
𝑎𝑎
Translating a graph of a simple rational function: 𝑦𝑦 = + 𝑘𝑘 (Also called “graphing form”)
𝑥𝑥−ℎ

Examples: Graph the following and state the vertical and horizontal asymptotes, domain, and range.
4 −4
1) 𝑦𝑦 = 2) 𝑦𝑦 = +2
𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥+3

How could you make the function in #2 look like the other rational functions we’ve been graphing?

𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐+𝟑𝟑
What could you do to write the function, 𝒚𝒚 = , in graphing form? Write it in graphing form.
𝒙𝒙−𝟏𝟏

4𝑥𝑥+9
Translate the graph of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = one unit up and two units to the right. Write the function in
𝑥𝑥+3
graphing form.

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 Unit 6 Student Notes: Rational Functions Alg 2
Honors

6.5: Solving Rational Equations & Systems of Linear and Rational Equations

Solve the following systems. Then check using your graphing calculator.
𝑥𝑥+2 5
1. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑥 2. ℎ(𝑥𝑥) = − 3 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑗𝑗(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 + 3
𝑥𝑥−1 𝑥𝑥+10

Why are the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs intersect the solutions?

𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥+1 5 5 −4𝑥𝑥
3. 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ℎ(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 − 4. 𝑘𝑘(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑟𝑟(𝑥𝑥) = −1
𝑥𝑥+2 2 2 𝑥𝑥 2 −5

5. If each of the following expressions is defined, which is equivalent to 𝑥𝑥 − 1 ?

(𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 − 1) (𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 − 1) 𝑥𝑥 − 1

A. C. ÷
(𝑥𝑥 − 1) 𝑥𝑥 − 2 𝑥𝑥 − 2

(𝑥𝑥 − 1)(𝑥𝑥 + 2) 𝑥𝑥 + 1 𝑥𝑥 + 1 𝑥𝑥 − 1
B. ∙ D. +
𝑥𝑥 + 1 𝑥𝑥 + 2 𝑥𝑥 + 2 𝑥𝑥 + 2

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Unit 6 Student Notes: Rational Functions Alg 2
Honors

−5𝑥𝑥+4
6. Write the end behavior of the function 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ?
2𝑥𝑥−3

6𝑥𝑥+7
7. Translate the graph of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = one unit down and four units left. Write the equation after the
𝑥𝑥+1
translations.

8. Write an equation of a function that has solutions with the rational function graphed below that have x-
coordinates of 1 and -1.

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 Unit 6 Student Notes: Rational Functions Alg 2
Honors

If you’re in a canoe on a river and not paddling, you will travel in the same direction and at the same speed as
the river’s current. When you paddle with the current (downstream), the canoe’s speed is the sum of your
paddling speed and the current’s speed. When you paddle against the current (upstream), the canoe’s speed is
the difference of your paddling speed and the current’s speed.

Suppose you paddle a canoe at a steady speed of 4 miles per hour. You go 6 miles downstream and then 6
miles upstream to get back to where you started. The trip takes 4 hours. What is the speed of the current?

A) Write expressions for the canoe’s downstream and upstream speeds. Let s be the speed of the current.

B) Divide the distance traveled in each direction by the canoe’s speed in that direction to find the time for that
part of the trip.

Downstream time = Upstream time =

C) Use the verbal model to write an equation that models the canoe trip.

Downstream + Upstream = Total Trip

Time Time Time

D) Solve the equation. Although you can solve the equation using algebra, you can also solve it using a
graphing calculator. Treat the left side of the equation as a rational function f(x). Treat the right side of the
equation as the constant function 𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥) = 4.

• Enter the functions and graph them. At what point do the graphs intersect? Interpret the coordinates of
this point in the context of the problem.

• The graph of f(x) has a vertical asymptote at x = 4. Based on the context of the problem, why should
there be a vertical asymptote at x = 4?

E) Solve the equation in part C algebraically. How many solutions does the equation have? Do all of the
solutions make sense in the context of the problem? Why or why not?

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