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# Analysis of Graphs of Rational Functions

## Created using asymptotes, intercepts, zeros, holes, and sign tests.

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Graphs of Rational Functions by Hand

Sketching rational functions by hand is a mental workout because it combines so many different specific skills to produce a single coherent image.  It will require you to closely examine the equation of the function in a variety of different ways in order to find clues as to the shape of the overall function.  Since computers can graph these complicated functions much more accurately than people can, why is sketching by hand important?

#### Watch This

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMVYaFptvkk James Sousa: Ex. Match Equations of Rational Functions to Graphs

#### Guidance

While there is no strict procedure for graphing rational functions by hand there is a flow of clues to look for in the function.  In general, it will make sense to identify different pieces of information in this order and record them on a sketch.

STEPS FOR GRAPHING BY HAND

1. Examine the denominator of the rational function to determine the domain of the function. Distinguish between holes which are factors that can be canceled and vertical asymptotes that cannot. Plot the vertical asymptotes.
2. Identify the end behavior of the function by comparing the degrees of the numerator and denominator and determine if there exists a horizontal or oblique asymptote. Plot the horizontal or oblique asymptotes.
3. Identify the holes of the function and plot them.
4. Identify the zeroes and intercepts of the function and plot them.
5. Use the sign test to determine the behavior of the function near the vertical asymptotes.
6. Connect everything as best you can.

Example A

Completely plot the following rational function.

Solution:  After attempting to factor the numerator you may realize that both  and  are vertical asymptotes rather than holes.  The horizontal asymptote is .  There are no holes.  The -intercept is:

The numerator is not factorable, but there is a zero between 0 and 1.  You know this because there are no holes or asymptotes between 0 and 1 and the function switches from negative to positive in this region.

Putting all of this together in a sketch:

Example B

Completely plot the following rational function.

Solution:  Since this function is already factored, much of the work is already done.  There is a hole at (2, 0).  There are two vertical asymptotes at .  There are no horizontal or oblique asymptotes because the degree of the numerator is much bigger than the degree of the denominator.  As  gets large this function grows without bound.  As  get very small, this function decreases without bound.  The function has no  intercept because that is where a vertical asymptote is.  Besides the hole at (2, 0), there are zeroes at (-2, 0), (1, 0)  and (3, 0).  This is what the graph ends up looking like.

Notice on the right portion of the graph the curve seems to stay on the -axis.  In fact it does go slightly above and below -axis, crossing through it at (1, 0), (2, 0) and (3, 0) before starting to increase.

Example C

Estimate a function that would have the following graphical characteristics:

Solution:  First think about the vertical asymptotes and how they affect the equation of the function.  Then consider zeroes and holes, and the way the graph looks at these places.  Finally, use the -intercept to refine your equation.

• The function has two vertical asymptotes at  so the denominator must have the factors .
• There is one zero at , so the numerator must have a factor of .
• There are two holes that appear to override zeroes which means the numerator and denominator must have the factors  and .
• Because the graph goes from above the -axis to below the -axis at , the degree of the exponent of the  factor must be ultimately odd.
• Because the graph stays above the -axis before and after , the degree of the  factor must be ultimately even.

A good estimate for the function is:

This function has all the basic characteristics, however it isn’t scaled properly.  When  this function has a -intercept of -216 when it should be about -2.  Thus you must divide by 108 so that the  intercept matches.  Here is a better estimate for the function:

Concept Problem Revisited

Computers can graph rational functions more accurately than people.   However, computers may not be able to explain why a function behaves in certain ways.  By being a detective and looking for clues in the equation of a function, you are applying high level analytical skills and powers of deduction.  These analytical skills are vastly more important and transferrable than the specific techniques involved with rational functions.

#### Vocabulary

The sign test is a procedure for determining only whether a function is above or below the  axis at a particular  value.  The specific height is not calculated.

Oblique asymptotes are asymptotes that occur at a slant.  They are always lines.

A horizontal asymptote is a flat dotted line that indicates where a function goes as  get infinitely large or infinitely small.

End behavior is a term that asks you to describe the horizontal asymptotes

A vertical asymptote is a dashed vertical line that indicates that as a function approaches, it shoots off to positive or negative infinity without ever actually touching the line.

A rational function is a function with at least one rational expression.

A rational expression is a ratio of two polynomial expressions.

#### Guided Practice

1.  Graph the following rational function:

2.  Graph the following rational function:

3. Graph the following rational function:

1.  Here is the graph:

2.  Here is the graph:

3.

#### Practice

Use the function below for 1-7.

1.  Identify the vertical asymptotes and holes for the function.

2.  What values will you use the sign test with in order to accurately sketch around the vertical asymptotes?  Complete the sign test for these values.

3.  Identify any horizontal or oblique asymptotes for the function.

4.  Describe the end behavior of the function.

5.  Find the zeroes of the function.

6.  Find the -intercept of the function.

7.  Use the information from 1-6 to sketch the function.

Use the function below for 8-14.

8.  Identify the vertical asymptotes and holes for the function.

9.  What values will you use the sign test with in order to accurately sketch around the vertical asymptotes?  Complete the sign test for these values.

10.  Identify any horizontal or oblique asymptotes for the function.

11.  Describe the end behavior of the function.

12.  Find the zeroes of the function.

13.  Find the -intercept of the function.

14.  Use the information from 8-13 to sketch the function.

15.  Graph the function below by hand.

### Vocabulary Language: English

End behavior

End behavior

End behavior is a description of the trend of a function as input values become very large or very small, represented as the 'ends' of a graphed function.
Hole

Hole

A hole exists on the graph of a rational function at any input value that causes both the numerator and denominator of the function to be equal to zero.
Horizontal Asymptote

Horizontal Asymptote

A horizontal asymptote is a horizontal line that indicates where a function flattens out as the independent variable gets very large or very small. A function may touch or pass through a horizontal asymptote.
Oblique Asymptote

Oblique Asymptote

An oblique asymptote is a diagonal line marking a specific range of values toward which the graph of a function may approach, but generally never reach. An oblique asymptote exists when the numerator of the function is exactly one degree greater than the denominator. An oblique asymptote may be found through long division.
Oblique Asymptotes

Oblique Asymptotes

An oblique asymptote is a diagonal line marking a specific range of values toward which the graph of a function may approach, but generally never reach. An oblique asymptote exists when the numerator of the function is exactly one degree greater than the denominator. An oblique asymptote may be found through long division.
Rational Function

Rational Function

A rational function is any function that can be written as the ratio of two polynomial functions.
sign test

sign test

The sign test is a procedure for determining only whether a function is above or below the $x$-axis at a particular $x$ value. The specific height is not calculated.
Vertical Asymptote

Vertical Asymptote

A vertical asymptote is a vertical line marking a specific value toward which the graph of a function may approach, but will never reach.
Zero

Zero

The zeros of a function $f(x)$ are the values of $x$ that cause $f(x)$ to be equal to zero.