Lesson 2 Basic Concepts On Rational Function
Lesson 2 Basic Concepts On Rational Function
Things to Remember
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HELLO STUDENTS!
This lesson focuses on the nature and the domain of
a rational function.
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2
Rational Function
What it is?
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“ ‘Rational function’ is the name given to
a function which can be represented as
the quotient of polynomials, just as a
rational number that is expressed as a
quotient of whole number. The typical
𝑝(𝑥)
rational function has the form
𝑞(𝑥)
where p and q are polynomials.
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LEARNING COMPETENCIES
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BIG
CONCEPT
How do we describe a rational
function? What is the domain of a
rational function?
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RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
𝑃(𝑥)
The domain of a rational function 𝑄(𝑥) consists of all points 𝑥
where 𝑄(𝑥) is non-zero. This domain really depends on the
way in which 𝑃(𝑥) and 𝑄(𝑥) are chosen. For example,
𝑥2 − 4
𝑔 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 6
can be written as
(𝑥−2)(𝑥+2)
𝑔 𝑥 = (𝑥−3)(𝑥−2)
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DOMAIN OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION
𝑃(𝑥)
The domain of a rational function 𝑄(𝑥) is the set of all real
numbers so that 𝑄(𝑥) ≠ 0, so
(𝑥−2)(𝑥+2)
𝑔 𝑥 = (𝑥−3)(𝑥−2)
𝑥+2
which can be simplified to 𝑥−3, then the domain is the set of
all real numbers except 3.
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DOMAIN OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION
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Example 1: What is the domain of ℎ 𝑥 = ?
𝑥
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DOMAIN OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION
𝑥+4
Example 2: Find the domain of 𝑏 𝑥 =
2𝑥+8
2𝑥 + 8 ≠ 0
𝑥−1
Example 3: Find the domain of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2−2𝑥−3
Solution:
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 ≠ 0
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) ≠ 0
𝑥1 ≠ 3
𝑥2 ≠ −1
The domain is the set of all real numbers except 3 and -1.
Note: Make sure that the rational expression is in simplest form before setting
the denominator not equal to zero.
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CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING
3𝑥−4
1. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+1
2𝑥 2 −1
2. 𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −3𝑥
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−8
3. ℎ 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −4
𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
4. 𝑘 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −9
𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
5. 𝑝 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4 14
SUMMARY
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What’s Next?
Do an advance
reading
about
Asymptotes
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