POINTERS AND REVIEWER FOR THE EXAM
GENERAL MATHEMATICS
S. Y. 2025-2026
Prepared by: Junabeth Rebadomia Tindungan
Proverbs 14:23 (NIV) – “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
If you truly want to get high scores, you need to put in the effort by studying and practicing, not just by
wishing for good results. Please know that God loves you and you can do it.
POINTERS:
Introduction to Rational Functions
Steps in Evaluating a Function
Operations of Functions
Distinguish Rational Function, Rational Equation, Rational Inequality
Solving Rational Equations and Solving Rational Inequalities
Domain and Range of Rational Function
Function or Not a Function
REVIWER:
Introduction to Rational Functions
A rational function is a ratio of two polynomials.
The numerator is the polynomial on top; the denominator is the polynomial at the bottom.
The domain includes all real numbers except those that make the denominator zero.
The range is the set of all possible output values.
Rational functions cannot have square roots in the denominator.
To find the domain, set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x.
Vertical asymptotes appear where the denominator equals zero.
Horizontal asymptotes are determined by the degrees of numerator and denominator.
Substituting allowed x-values gives output values called the range.
If f(x) = (x + 3)/(x – 6), x cannot equal 6 because if you substitute 6 in the variable x in the denominator, the
answer is zero. Therefore, 6 is the restriction. 6 is not allowed.
The values of x we can substitute are called the domain.
Rational functions are undefined when the denominator equals zero.
A rational function can have slant asymptotes if the numerator’s degree is one higher than the denominator.
Simplifying a rational function can reveal holes in the graph where numerator and denominator share factors.
Numbers that make the denominator zero are called restrictions.
Steps in Evaluating a Function
1. Write down the Given Function
2. Substitute the given input value into the function in place of the variable x.
3. Perform the operations and simplify the expression.
4. State the result as the output of the function.
Operations of Functions
Addition Subtraction
1. Write the given functions 1. Write the given functions
2. Use the addition rule: (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x) 2. Use the subtraction rule: (f – g)(x) = f(x) – g(x)
3. Substitute the expressions for f(x) and g(x) 3. Substitute the expressions for f(x) and g(x)
4. Combine like terms and simplify. 4. Combine like terms and simplify.
Multiplication Division
1. Write the given function 1. Write the given functions
2. Use the multiplication rule: (f · g)(x) = f(x) · g(x) 2. Use the division rule: Factor the numerator if
3. Substitute the expressions for f(x) and g(x) possible: (f ÷ g)(x) = f(x) ÷ g(x)
4. Multiply two functions and simplify. 3. Substitute the expressions for f(x) and g(x)
4. Divide two functions and simplify.
Distinguish Rational Function, Rational Equation, Rational Inequality
Feature Rational Function Rational Equation Rational Inequality
A fraction of two An equation that involves a rational
An inequality that involves a
polynomials, written as expression set equal to something,
Definition rational expression, like
f(x) = numerator / like (numerator / denominator) =
(numerator / denominator) > 0
denominator value
Mathematical
Uses f(x) = ... Uses = Uses <, >, ≤, ≥
Sign
Example f(x) = (x + 2)/(x – 3) (x + 2)/(x – 3) = 4 (x + 2)/(x – 3) > 0
Solving Rational Equations
If you move a negative to the other side, it just becomes positive. If it’s positive, transposing the number to
the other side will become negative.
First thing you usually check is which x-values are not allowed because they make the denominator zero.
Multiplying by the LCD or the denominator helps eliminate fractions in rational equations.
Remember, a rational equation is just a fraction with polynomials on top and bottom.
Watch those negative signs, they love to sneak in when you multiply both sides.
Once you’ve simplified both sides of a rational equation, the next step is to solve for x and make sure it works
with the restrictions.
Not every rational equation has a solution; some get blocked by restrictions entirely.
Rational equations often pop up in real-life problems like speed, mixtures, or cost per item.
Simplifying numerator and denominator before solving can save you from messy mistakes.
The first thing you usually check when solving a rational equation is the restrictions or the denominator,
meaning the x-values that would make the denominator zero.
Solving Rational Inequalities
A rational inequality is an inequality that has a fraction with polynomials on top and bottom, and you find all
x-values that make it true.
When the denominator is zero, the function is undefined, so you cannot use those x-values.
The first thing to do is figure out which x-values make the numerator or denominator zero to help divide the
number line.
Always remember to check your final answers by substituting back into the original inequality to avoid
mistakes.
Solving rational inequalities usually takes multiple steps, and you just follow them carefully without skipping
any.
Rational inequalities often appear in real-life problems like speed, rates, or cost per item.
Domain and Range of Rational Function
A rational inequality is an inequality that has a fraction with polynomials on top and bottom, and you find all
x-values that make it true.
A rational function is basically a fraction or ratio of two polynomials, one on top and one on the bottom.
The x-values you can plug into the function, as long as the denominator doesn’t become zero, are called the
domain.
The x-values that make the denominator zero are special and called restrictions or excluded values.
If x = 11 makes the denominator zero, then x = 11 is considered a restriction.
Vertical asymptotes often appear at x-values that make the denominator zero, so the graph shoots up or down
there.
Substituting allowed x-values into the function gives the output, which forms the range.
Simplifying the numerator and denominator first can make finding restrictions.
Whenever the denominator is zero, the function doesn’t have a value at that point.
Function or Not a Function
Relation / Equation Function or Not
{(0, 1), (1, 2), (2, 3)} Function – each x goes to only one y
{(2, 5), (2, 6), (3, 7)} Not a function – x = 2 has two y’s
{(–1, 0), (0, 1), (1, 2)} Function – each x has one y
{(1, 4), (2, 5), (2, 6)} Not a function – x = 2 has two y’s
{(3, 7), (4, 8), (5, 9)} Function – each x has only one y
