Remember to read the textbook before attempting to do your homework

Chapter 4
(Lecture Notes) Disclaimer:

For the entire chapter 4 lecture notes, assume that all the graphs extend indefinitely (unless the endpoints are marked).

Section 4.1: Rational Functions and Graphs

Definition: A function f defined by p( x) f ( x) = , where q(x) 0 q ( x) and p(x) and q(x) are polynomials is called a !"#$%&"'()*&+#$%&. !"#$%&'#()*+,-#.$'-/* 1 f ( x) = x !(.$'-()*+,-#.$'-/* 1 f ( x) = 2 x

Domain: (, 0) ! (0, ) Range: (, 0) ! (0, )

Domain: (, 0) ! (0, ) Range: (0, )

A few things to note about the reciprocal function: ! Function is discontinuous at x = 0 ! Vertical asymptote: x = 0 (y-axis) ! Horizontal asymptore: y = 0 (x-axis) ! Function is odd; graph is symmetric with respect to the origin.

! ! ! !

A few things to note about the rational function: Function is discontinuous at x = 0 Vertical asymptote: x = 0 (y-axis) Horizontal asymptore: y = 0 (x-axis) Function is even; graph is symmetric with respect to y-axis. 1 4 ? of the ( x + 2)2

Example 1: What is the equation of the vertical asymptote of the graph of y =

horizontal asymptote?

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Lecture Notes by M. Torres Math 114, College Algebra

Example 2: Explain how the graph of f can be obtained from the graph of y =

!"#$%& of the graph of f by hand. Give the domain and range. Optional: Generate an accurate depiction of the graph with a graphing calculator. 1 a. y = 2 x

1 1 or y = 2 . Draw a x x

b. y =

2 1 x+2

c. y =

1 +3 x2

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Lecture Notes by M. Torres Math 114, College Algebra

d. y =

1 +2 ( x 4) 2

Example 3: Use division and translations to !"#$%& the graph of y =

x2 by hand. x3

Remember to read the textbook before attempting to do your homework.

Section 4.2: More on Graphs of Rational Functions

'#$#()*+*+,-.!/)0$1$#!2 Consider a rational function defined by a rational expression that is written in !"#$%&'&$()%. ! To find the *+,-./01'2%3)4&"&$%'5*6067: o Set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x. If a is a zero of the denominator, then x = a is the equation of the vertical asymptote. ! Finding 89,.:9;-01'2%3)4&"&$%'586067: o If the 3#,(## of the numerator and denominator are the 4.56, then <="&>$?&'"@'&A$' !$2B>?C'D"$@@>D>$?&% will give the equation of the horizontal asymptote. 5x2 1 Example: y = 2 , since the numerator and denominator are of the same 3 x + 2 x 10 degree, the equation of the horizontal asymptote is given by y = 5/3-

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Lecture Notes by M. Torres Math 114, College Algebra

! Finding !"#$%"&'()*+,-./0102,*3!4(45: (continued) o If the !"#$"" of the numerator is %&''()*+, the degree of the denominator, then the horizontal asymptote is given by y = 0. ! Finding "6)$789*+,-./0102, (slanted asymptotes) o If the !"#$"" of the numerator is &-+.)%/(0,&(102& than the degree of denominator, then there may be an oblique asymptote.
Question: How do I find the equation of the oblique asymptote? Answer: Divide the numerator by the denominator and disregard the remainder. Set the 34567"86(equal to y to get the equation of the asymptote. Sample: Suppose that when you divide the rational expression you get something like 2 2x + 5 5x 2 the equation of the oblique asymptote is given by y = 2x + 5 ( A few things to note about asymptotes

" The graph .+,,0) intersect any vertical asymptote " There can be only one other (nonvertical) asymptote, and the graph may intersect that asymptote. .59:$";"8<7="(>$?:;<( A comprehensive graph of a rational function will exhibit all of the following: Both x- and y-intercepts. Location of all asymptotes: vertical, horizontal, and/or oblique. The point at which the graph intersects its nonvertical asymptote (if there is any such point). Enough of the graph to exhibit the correct end behavior (i.e. behavior as the graph approaches its nonvertical asymptote) >$?:;78#(?(2?6758?@(A48B6758( p( x) Let f ( x) = define a function with rational expression in :1;2,0*02<.,. q ( x)
Use the seven steps below to sketch its graph: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Find all vertical asymptotes. Find all horizontal or oblique asymptotes. Find the y-intercept. Find the x-intercepts, if any (Hint: these will be the zeros of the numerator). Determine if the graph will intersect its ,0,C&2)D.+% asymptote How?
* If the nonvertical asymptote is of the form y = mx + b, Solve f(x) = mx + b.

1. 2. 3. 4.

* If the nonvertical asymptote is of the form y = b, Solve f(x) = b, where b is the y-value of the H.A.

6. Plot selected points as necessary. Choose an x-value in each interval of the domain determined by the vertical asymptotes and x-intercepts. 7. Complete the sketch.
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!"#$%&'()'*)+($,#-)'*).$/&'0$1)2304/&'0-)) 5"$()6"(/&4$1)7-89,/'/"-:)
Let f ( x) = p( x) define a function with rational expression in !"#$%&'&$()%. q ( x) If n is the largest positive integer such that (x a)n is a factor of the *$+"),+-&"( of f(x), the graph near the .$(&,/-!'-%0)1&"&$ will behave in the manner illustrated.

If n is even:

If n is odd:

If n is the largest positive integer such that (x c)n is a factor of the +2)$(-&"( of f(x), the graph near the x3,+&$(/$1& will behave in the manner illustrated.

If n is even:

If n is odd:

x
x
x x

Example 1: Give the equations of any vertical, horizontal, or oblique asymptotes for the graph of each rational function. 6 a. f ( x) = x+9

b. f ( x) =

2x + 6 x4

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Lecture Notes by M. Torres Math 114, College Algebra

c. f ( x) =

x2 + 4 x 1

Example 2: !"#$%& a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes and be comprehensive. You may want to use your calculator as an aid. x5 a. f ( x) = x+3

b. f ( x) =

( x + 3)( x 5) ( x + 1)( x 4)

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Lecture Notes by M. Torres Math 114, College Algebra

c. f ( x) =

x x 9
2

d. f ( x) =

2 x2 + 3 x4

e. f ( x) =

x 2 16 x+4

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Lecture Notes by M. Torres Math 114, College Algebra