General Mathematics
Rational Function
Rational Function
𝒑 𝒙
It is a function of the form 𝒇 𝒙 = , where 𝑝(𝑥)
𝒒 𝒙
and 𝑞(𝑥) are polynomials and 𝑞(𝑥) is not equal to
zero.
Example:
𝒙+𝟐
The function 𝒚 = is a rational function since the
𝒙+𝟓
numerator and the denominator are both polynomials,
and the denominator is not equal to zero.
Steps in checking if it is
a rational function:
1.Check if both the numerator and
denominator are polynomials.
2.Check if the denominator is equal
to zero.
Individual Practice:
1. Is 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+1 1. Determine2 whether
𝑥 +3𝑥−5
𝑥+5 𝑓 𝑥 =3 a
a rational 4
𝑥 5 − 3𝑥−10−1
function? rational function or
not.
Individual Practice:
𝑥+1
Is 𝑓 𝑥 = a rational function?
𝑥+5
Both x + 1 and x + 5 are polynomials.
The denominator x + 5 only becomes equal to zero when x = −5.
Thus, the denominator itself is not equal to zero.
Individual Practice:
𝑥 2 +3𝑥−5
Determine whether 𝑓 𝑥 = 3
4
𝑥 5 − 3𝑥−10−1
a rational function or not.
The numerator is a polynomial since the exponents of all
variables are whole numbers.
The exponents of every variable x in the denominator are
positive whole numbers, and no variable is under the radical
sign. Hence, it is a polynomial.
Individual Practice:
𝑥 2 +3𝑥−5
Determine whether 𝑓 𝑥 = 3
4
𝑥 5 − 3𝑥−10−1
a rational function or not.
It can be observed that whatever the value of x, there can be a
value in the denominator that is not equal to zero. Thus, the
denominator is not equal to zero.
General Mathematics
Representing Rational
Functions
through Tables,
Graphs, and Equations
How will you express rational
functions using a table of
values?
How will you determine the
asymptotes of rational
functions?
How will you graph a rational
function?
Table of Values
A table of values is composed of
values x and f(x) or y that satisfy
the given function.
Table of Values
Asymptote
An asymptote is a line that a
curve approaches but does not
intersect.
Asymptote
Vertical Asymptote
Vertical Asymptote
Horizontal Asymptote
Horizontal Asymptote
Horizontal Asymptote
𝑛>𝑚
𝑛<𝑚
𝑛=𝑚
𝑎𝑛 leading coefficient of P(x) – numerator
𝑦=
𝑏𝑚 leading coefficient of Q(x) - denominator
Oblique Asymptote
Oblique Asymptote
More
Examples
Determine the vertical and
horizontal asymptotes of the
function
3
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥
Vertical asymptote of
3
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥
𝒁𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓
𝒙=𝟎 Vertical asymptote
Horizontal asymptote of
3 0 n-Degree of the numerator
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 1 m-Degree of the denominator
𝑛<𝑚
𝒚=𝟎 Horizontal asymptote
Let’s Try This!
1. Construct a table of values for the
𝟓
rational function 𝒇 𝒙 = Then,
.
𝒙+𝟏
determine the vertical and
horizontal asymptotes of the
function.
Let’s Try This!
2. Construct a table of values for the
𝒙𝟐
rational function 𝒇 𝒙 = Then,
.
𝒙+𝟏
determine the vertical and
horizontal asymptotes of the
function.
Let’s Try This!
3. Construct a table of values for the
𝟐𝒙𝟐 +𝟐
rational function 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐 Then,
.
𝟓𝒙 +𝟏
determine the vertical and
horizontal asymptotes of the
function.
