Graphing Rational Equations

A rational function is a function of the form

where p(x) and q(x) are Polynomials.
Vertical asymptotes- a function is not
defined for values which would make the
denominator zero. If there is a value, then a
vertical asymptote occurs at that point.
To find vertical asymptotes, set the
denominator equal to zero and solve for X.
EX.1 find the vertical asymptotes then sketch
the graph.

Horizontal Asymptotes

A horizontal asymptote exist when the value

of X gets very large or very small and the Y
value gets closer and closer to same value
"b". Then the line y=b will be the equation of
the horizontal asymptote.
When the degree of the numerator is
greater than the degree of the denominator,
the horizontal asymptote is y=0.

 When the degree of the numerator is equal

to the degree of the denominator, the
equation of the horizontal asymptote can be
determined by
y=

leading coefficient of numerator .

leading coefficient of the denominator

Slant Asymptotes
When the degree of the numerator is bigger
than the degree of the denominator. The
equation of the slant asymptote can be
determined by dividing the numerator by
the denominator.
Use long division, ignore the remainder.

Finding intercepts

To find an x-intercept, plug in zero for y and

solve for x.
To find a y-intercept, plug in zero for x and
solve for y.

Graphing Radical Equations

Radical Function- a function with a variable

under a root. General form:

Writing Simple Radical Equations

Identify if the radical is a square root or
cube root.
Find the origin:
Plug h, k and a point (x, y) into the equation,
to find 'a'.
Then plug h, k, and 'a' back into:

Ex.4 Write a cube root function with a

horizontal shift left 7 and a reflection over the
x-axis.
O

Ex.5 write a square root function with a

vertical shift up 11 and horizontal shift right 7.

Finding intercepts of radicals equations

To find an x-intercept, plug in zero for y and
solve for x.
To find a y-intercept, plug in zero for x and
solve for y.
Remember: when solving radical equations
you want to get the radical by itself, then you
can eliminate a radical by raising it to a power.
Domain: all possible x values