Worksheet: Rational Functions
1 Introduction to Rational Functions
A rational function is defined as the ratio of two polynomials. It can be expressed
in the form
P (x)
f (x) =
Q(x)
where P (x) and Q(x) are polynomials and Q(x) ̸= 0.
2 End Behavior
End behavior describes how a function behaves as x approaches ±∞. The end
behavior of a rational function can be analyzed by considering the degrees of
the polynomials in the numerator and denominator.
3 Asymptotic Behavior
Asymptotes are lines that a function approaches but never touches. There are
three main types of asymptotes for rational functions: vertical, horizontal, and
oblique (slant) asymptotes.
3.1 Vertical Asymptotes
Vertical asymptotes occur where the denominator Q(x) is zero and the numer-
ator P (x) is not zero at those points. To find vertical asymptotes:
1. Set the denominator Q(x) equal to zero.
2. Solve for x. The values where Q(x) = 0 are the vertical asymptotes.
For example, consider the function
2x
f (x) =
x2−1
The vertical asymptotes are found by solving x2 − 1 = 0, giving x = ±1.
1
Figure 1: Purple represents the function, while red represents the asymptote(s)
3.2 Horizontal Asymptotes
Horizontal asymptotes describe the behavior of the function as x approaches
±∞. To find horizontal asymptotes:
1. Compare the degrees of the numerator and the denominator.
2. If the degree of P (x) is less than the degree of Q(x), the horizontal asymp-
tote is y = 0.
3. If the degree of P (x) is equal to the degree of Q(x), the horizontal asymp-
leading coefficient of P (x)
tote is y = leading coefficient of Q(x) .
4. If the degree of P (x) is greater than the degree of Q(x), there is no hori-
zontal asymptote.
For example, for
3x2 + 2
f (x) =
x2 − 1
since the degrees of the numerator and denominator are equal, the horizontal
asymptote is y = 31 = 3.
2
Figure 2: Purple represents the function, while red represents the asymptote(s)
3.3 Oblique (Slant) Asymptotes
Oblique asymptotes occur when the degree of P (x) is exactly one more than the
degree of Q(x). To find oblique asymptotes, also known as slant asymptotes:
1. Ensure the numerator has a degree that is exactly one higher than the
denominator.
2. Divide the numerator by the denominator using polynomial long division.
3. The result will be in the form mx + b + remainder term.
4. The oblique asymptote is the linear part, y = mx + b.
For example, consider
x2 + 1
f (x) =
x−1
Perform polynomial long division:
x2 + 1 2
=x+1+
x−1 x−1
The oblique asymptote is y = x + 1.
3
Figure 3: Purple represents the function, while red represents the asymptote(s)
4 Practice Questions
1. Find the vertical, horizontal, and oblique asymptotes for the function
4x3 − 5x + 3
f (x) =
x2 − 2x + 2
2. Determine the vertical and horizontal asymptotes for the function
5x4 − 3x2 + 1
f (x) =
x3 − 2x + 4
3. Analyze the end behavior and asymptotes of the function
2x4 − 3x3 + x − 7
f (x) =
x2 − 4
4. Find and describe the vertical, horizontal, and oblique asymptotes of the
function
x3 + 2x2 − 5
f (x) =
x−2
