DOMAIN AND RANGE AND GRAPH

OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
 OBJECTIVES
Determine the vertical and horizontal asymptotes, as well as any removable
discontinuities (holes) in the graph of the rational function.
Locate and analyze the critical points, which are the values of x where the function
may have local maxima, minima, or inflection points.
Find any restrictions on the domain (values of x that are not allowed) and range
(values of y that are not achievable) of the rational function.
Create an accurate sketch or graph of the rational function based on the
information gathered about asymptotes, critical points, domain, and range.
 DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
(Form of a Rational Function)

The domain of a rational function is the set of all real numbers for which the
function is defined. In other words, it's the set of values of x for which the function
f(x) gives a real and finite output. The domain is determined by the values of x for
which the denominator Q(x) is not equal to zero. This is because division by zero is
undefined in mathematics.
 WAYS TO WRITE THE DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Interval Notation
Closed Interval: If a value is included in the domain, use a square bracket [][]. This
means the endpoint is included in the interval.
Open Interval: If a value is not included in the domain, use a round parenthesis ()(). This
means the endpoint is excluded from the interval.
Infinity: To represent that the function is defined for all values less than or greater
∞∞ ∞∞
than a certain number, use − − (negative infinity) or + + (positive infinity),
respectively.
 WAYS TO WRITE THE DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Interval Notation
∞ ∪ ∞
If the function is defined for every value except x=2, we write it as (- ,2) (2, ).
Notice how we use round parenthesis to emphasize that x=2 is not included in the
function’s domain.
∞ ∪ ∪ ∞
For multiple values, for example, x=2 and x=5, we write it as (- ,2) (2,5) (5, ).
A common mistake in writing the domain for multiple values is neglecting the values within
∞ ∪ ∞
two points. For example, some people write the above domain as (- ,2) (5, ),
which neglects the values in between 2 and 5 like 3 and 4 where the function is still
defined
 WAYS TO WRITE THE DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Set-Builder Notation
∈∣ ≠
D={x R Q(x) 0}
D represents the domain of the rational function.
{}{} denotes a set.
∈
x R means "x is an element of the real numbers", indicating that x belongs to the set of
real numbers.
∣ is read as "such that" and separates the condition from the elements.
≠
Q(x) 0 is the condition. It states that Q(x), which is the denominator of the rational
function, cannot be equal to zero.
 SOLVING THE DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
In practice, finding the domain involves identifying any values of x that would make the
denominator Q(x) equal to zero and excluding them from the set of possible inputs.
Since the function is only undefined if the denominator is equal to zero,
equate only the denominator to zero and the resulting x-value is
excluded from the domain

After equating, solve for the excluded x-value which in our case, is
x=1/2, thus if x is any value but x=1/2, the function is defined. This can
∞ ∪ ∞
be expressed in interval notation as (- ,1/2) (1/2, )

(For the sake of simplicity, we will stick to interval notation instead of set-builder)
SOLVING THE DOMAIN OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

In most cases, rational functions can be solved

without looking at the numerator especially if it is
a constant with some exceptions

After equating the denominator to zero, solve the

denominator to get x=-7 where the function is
undefined, Thus, its domain is:
∞ ∪ ∞
(- ,-7) (-7, )
 SPECIAL CASES
Case 1: Equating the denominator to zero results in an imaginary number

Sometimes, cases where equating the denominator to zero will result in an imaginary
number. If that is the case, then all values are defined or included in the domain. It is
∞∞
expressed as (- , ).
 SPECIAL CASES
Case 2: Taking the root by any even number

Another common mistake is that some only include the positive root when taking the
∞ ∪ ∞
root by an even number so their answer is (- ,2) (2, ) which is incomplete. Be
sure to include even the negative roots (-2) so the correct answer is
∞ ∪ ∪ ∞
(- ,-2) (-2,2) (2, )
 ASYMPTOTES AND HOLES
Asymptotes and holes are important features of rational functions that provide information
about the behavior of the function as x approaches certain values.

A vertical asymptote is a vertical line that the graph of a rational function approaches but
never crosses as x approaches a certain value. It occurs where the denominator of the
rational function equals zero and the numerator doesn't.

A horizontal asymptote is a horizontal line that the graph of a rational function approaches
as x becomes very large (positive or negative). It is determined by the degrees of the
numerator and denominator polynomials.
 ASYMPTOTES AND HOLES
Asymptotes and holes are important features of rational functions that provide information about
the behavior of the function as x like its domain and range as x approaches certain values.

In some cases, a rational function may have a slant asymptote, which is a non-
horizontal, non-vertical straight line that the function approaches as x becomes
very large.
A hole in the graph of a rational function occurs when both the numerator and
denominator have a common factor that can be canceled out. This results in a "hole"
in the graph.
 EXAMPLES
Vertical Asymptote

A vertical asymptote is a vertical line on a graph that a function approaches but never touches
as the input approaches a certain value. In mathematical terms, it's a line that the function gets
arbitrarily close to as the independent variable (usually denoted as x) gets very large or very
small. In this function, there is a vertical asymptote at x=1/2 because x never reaches 1/2,
however, reaches values that are closer to 1/2, such as 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, etc.
 EXAMPLES
Horizontal Asymptote

A horizontal asymptote of a graph is a horizontal line y = b where the graph approaches the line as the
∞ ∞
inputs approach or – . To find the horizontal asymptote, compare the highest degree of the
numerator, to the highest degree of the denominator. A constant would yield x^0. Let n and m be the
highest degrees of the numerator and denominator respectively. If n<m, then the horizontal asymptote
will be at the x-axis or y=0, If n=m, then the horizontal asymptote will be at y=a/b where a and b are
respectively the coefficients of the highest degree of the numerator and denominator. And if n>m,
there is no horizontal asymptote but only a slant asymptote.
 EXAMPLES
Horizontal Asymptote

For this example, the highest degree of the numerator is 2

present in x^2 and the highest degree of the denominator is 1 as
2x^1. Since n>m, there is no horizontal asymptote on this
function. There is, however, a slant asymptote.
 EXAMPLES
Slant Asymptote

A slant asymptote, also known as an oblique asymptote or a

diagonal asymptote, is a type of asymptote that is a slanted line
(i.e., it is not horizontal or vertical). Slant asymptotes occur
when the degree of the numerator of a rational function is
exactly one more than the degree of the denominator or in other
words, n=m+1.
 EXAMPLES
Slant Asymptote

This function has a slant asymptote because the highest degree (2)
is one more than the highest degree of the denominator (1). To find
its equation, we do Polynomial Long Division
 EXAMPLES
Slant Asymptote
 EXAMPLES
Holes in Rational Functions

A "hole" in a rational function refers to a point on the graph where

the function is not defined. They occur when there are common
factors in the numerator and denominator that can be canceled out.
This means that the function is undefined at that point,
 EXAMPLES
Holes in Rational Functions

A "hole" in a rational function refers to a point on the graph where

the function is not defined. They occur when there are common
factors in the numerator and denominator that can be canceled out.
This means that the function is undefined at that point,
 EXAMPLES
Holes in Rational Functions

In this function, x^2-4 can be substituted for (x+2)(x-2) which are

common factors present in the numerator and the denominator and
when canceled out, creates an identical function of f(x) = x-2 where
x=-2 is a hole in the graph since x+2=0 and x=-2
 RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
(Form of a Rational Function)

The range of a rational function is the set of all possible values that
the function can output. Unlike the domain, which is determined by
restrictions on the input values (usually x), the range depends on
how the function behaves for different values of x within its domain.
 WAYS TO FIND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solving for the domain of its inverse function

Note that this method only works if the function is a one-to-one

function or passes the horizontal line test (intersects the graph on
any x-value exactly once). The domain of a function is the range of
its inverse, and the range of its inverse is the domain of its function.
So if we find the inverse and apply what we know on domains, we
can find the original function’s range
 WAYS TO FIND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solving for the domain of its inverse function

Let the above function be an example and f(x) = y

Step 1: Change variables from x to y and y to x,
Step 2: Isolate the y variable,
Step 3: Change y to f’(x)
Step 4: Solve for the domain of the inverse function
 WAYS TO FIND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solving for the domain of its inverse function
 WAYS TO FIND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solving for the domain of its inverse function

In interval notation, since the function never touches x=3/2, it should be

excluded from the range. Thus the range of the original function is

∞ ∪ (3/2,∞)
(- ,3/2)
 WAYS TO FIND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Finding the horizontal/slant asymptote
Quick Recap: Let n and m be the highest degree of the numerator and
denominator respectively in the form of a rational function.

If n<m, then the horizontal asymptote is at y=0 or the x-axis

If n=m, then the equation of the horizontal asymptote is y=a/b where a and b
are the coefficients of the highest degrees
If n>m, then there is no horizontal asymptote (There is a slant asymptote if
n=m+1)
 WAYS TO FIND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Finding the horizontal/slant asymptote
Quick Recap: If n=m+1, then there is a slant asymptote which can be solved by
dividing the polynomial on the numerator by the polynomial on the denominator
AKA polynomial long division.

Remember, the remainder is ignored for the slant asymptote, the quotient when
polynomial long division ends or can’t continue will be the equation for the slant
asymptote
 WAYS TO FIND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Finding the horizontal/slant asymptote

Step 1: Compare the n and m of the function or the highest degrees of the numerator
and denominator
Step 2: Follow the prior conditions for each case
Step 3: If n=m+1, then perform polynomial long division
Step 4: Write the range in interval notation
 WAYS TO FIND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Finding the horizontal/slant asymptote

Step 1: The highest degree for each degree is 1.

Step 2: n=m since both highest degrees are 1. So the horizontal asymptote is y=a/b=3/2
Step 3: There is no slant asymptote, so we can ignore this step
∞ ∪ ∞
Step 4: (- ,3/2) (3/2, ) [notice how this is the same result given by the last
way]
 GRAPH OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
The graph of a rational function is the visual representation of a function
that can be expressed as the ratio of two polynomials. It shows how the
output value (y) of the function varies with the input value (x). The graph
may include features such as points, lines, curves, asymptotes, and holes,
depending on the characteristics of the numerator and denominator
polynomials. Vertical asymptotes represent values of x where the function
approaches infinity or negative infinity, while horizontal or slant asymptotes
show the behavior of the function as x approaches positive or negative
infinity. Holes indicate points where the function is undefined.
 GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Step 1: Find all the possible holes and asymptotes of the function before
graphing.
Step 2: Make and use the table of values to get points with each given
x-value
Step 3: Plot the given points, asymptotes, and holes from the table of
values into the coordinate system
Step 4: Connect the points with a line, curve, etc. based on the
information given by the table of values
 GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solve and graph the rational function of:
Step 1: Holes: There are no common factors in the denominator and
numerator so there are no holes in the function
Horizontal Asymptote: n<m, so the horizontal asymptote is at y=0
Vertical Asymptote: The function is undefined when (x^2-9) = 0. So the
vertical asymptote is at x^2 = 9 so x = ±3 (Don’t only include the
positive root)
≠
Slant Asymptote: n m+1, so there is no slant asymptote
 GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solve and graph the rational function of:
Step 2: Let’s try graphing points from x=-5 to x=5
 GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solve and graph the rational function of:
Step 3: Plot the points and asymptotes from the table of values into the coordinate
system
 GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solve and graph the rational function of:

If the points are not enough to predict the flow of the graph of the
function, try adding more points such as x=-8, -9, -10,... and vice versa
 GRAPHING RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Solve and graph the rational function of:
Step 4: Now create a graph that follows through every points you create
WELL DONE!!!
We hope you learned all about the
domain, range, and graph of rational
functions