Introduction to Graphing Rational Functions
Purplemath
How do you graph a rational function?
To graph a rational function:
- Factor the numerator and denominator.
- Solve the factors for their zeroes; keep in mind that zeroes of the denominator create vertical asymptotes
- Find the x- and y-intercepts, if they exist.
- Find any horizontal or slant (that is, oblique) asymptotes.
- Plot enough points to be able to see what the graph is doing.
- Sketch your graph.
Once you get the swing of things, rational functions are actually fairly simple to graph. Let's work through a few examples.
- Graph the following:
First I'll find the vertical asymptotes, if any, for this rational function. Since I can't graph where the function doesn't exist, and since the function won't exist where there would be a zero in the denominator, I'll set the denominator equal to zero to find any forbidden points:
x − 1 = 0
x = 1
So I can't have x = 1, and therefore I have a vertical asymptote there. I'll dash this in on my graph:
Next I'll find the horizontal or slant asymptote. Since the numerator and denominator have the same degree (they're both linear), the asymptote will be horizontal, not slant, and the horizontal asymptote will be the result of dividing the leading coefficients:
I'll dash in the line for this asymptote:
(If you're not sure of how I found these asymptotes, then review the lesson on asymptotes. You will need to be comfortable with this topic before you proceed further with graphing rationals.)
Next, I'll find any x- or y-intercepts.
y-intercept (so x = 0):
x-intercept (so y = 0):
Then the intercepts are at (0, −5)and (−2.5, 0). I'll draw these points in:
Now I'll pick a few more x-values, compute the corresponding y-values, and plot a few more points.
| x | |
|---|---|
| −6 | |
| −1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 6 | |
| 8 | |
| 15 |
I mostly picked x-values near the middle of the graph. Because of the horizontal asymptote, I already have a good idea of what the graph does off to the sides.
(It can be a good idea to do a point or two near the ends anyway, as a check on your work.)
Also, since I had no intercepts on the right-hand side of the vertical asymptote to give me hints as to what was happening with the graph, I needed more points there to show me what was going on.
Now I'll plot these points:
And now I can connect the dots:
When you draw your graph, make sure you show the graph continuing off to the sides. Don't just stop at a point you've drawn, because this will make it look as though the graph actually stops at that point.
DON'T DO THIS!
Can I just copy my calculator's graph?
Warning: Your calculator may display a misleading graph for a given rational function. When you graph, you plot some points and then you connect them; your calculator does the same thing. But you're smart enough to know not to cross a vertical asymptote; your calculator isn't that intelligent.
If your calculator shades a pixel down at the bottom of the screen, and then the next computed pixel to be shaded is at the top of the screen, then the calculator is likely to merrily draw a nice vertical line connecting the two dots, like this:
For this reason, you may wish to switch your graphing mode from "line" to "dot" (or the equivalent setting for your calculator model; check your owner's manual). In dot mode, you'll get a graph that looks like this:
I've highlighted the disconnected dots in red. The whole graph is dots, but most of the dots are right next to each other, so they look like a line. If you keep the graphing mode as "line", you will need to remember that what the screen displays may be somewhat incorrect when graphing rationals.
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