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Range of rational function

The set of real values of rational polynomial for real values of x need not be the range of the function. It is because rational function is not defined for zeroes of polynomial in denominator. In previous section, we evaluated values of function for real x. But, domain may not be the real number set, but subset of R, which excludes certain values of x. We need to exclude values of “y”, which corresponds to values of x for which denominator becomes zero. This statement, however, is slightly confusing, because function is not defined for those values of x in the first place. How would we determine values of y corresponding to values of x for which function reduces to indeterminate form involving division by zero. We actually determine limiting values of function at these points and exclude those values of y from the real set of y, which is determined assuming x belonging to R.

There are certain cases in which denominator of the rational function can not become zero. Consider rational functions :

f x = 2 x 2 x + 1 x 2 + 1 g x = x + 1 2 x 2 x + 1 h x = 2 x 2 x + 1 | x | + 1

The denominators of all these functions can not be zero. Under this condition, domain of the function is real number set R.

Problem : Find the range of function :

f x = x 1 + x 2

Solution : The denominator of the given rational function can not be zero. Hence, domain of function is real number set R. There is no exclusion point. Rearranging to form a quadratic equation in x, we have :

y + y x 2 = x

y x 2 x + y = 0

We should analyze for coefficient of “ x 2 ” in the quadratic equation. For quadratic equation, coefficient of “ x 2 ” can not be zero i.e. y ≠ 0. For real x, y ≠ 0 and D≥0 :

D = - 1 2 4 X y X y = 1 4 y 2 0 y 2 1 4 y [ - 1 2 , 1 2 ]

What if y=0? Putting this value in the quadratic equation, we have :

0 x + 0 = 0

x = 0

This is included in the domain. Hence, y=0 is included in the range. The range of the rational function, therefore, remains unaffected :

y [ - 1 2 , 1 2 ]

Problem : Find the range of the function :

y = f x = x 2 5 x + 4 x 2 3 x + 2

Solution : We see that discrimanants of numerator and denominator polynomials are positive. On factorizing,

y = x 2 5 x + 4 x 2 3 x + 2 = x 1 x 4 x 1 x 2

Clearly, rational function is not defined for x=1 and x=2. Domain of the function is R- {1,2). For the sake of determining range, the limiting values of function for these values of x are obtained by canceling (x-1) from numerator and denominator :

y = x 4 x 2

For x=1, y = 3. For x=2, however, the function value is indeterminate. In totality, we need to exclude y=3 from the interval of real values of y. Now, in order to determine real values of y, we rearrange the given function to form a quadratic equation in x :

y x 2 3 y x + 2 y = x 2 5 x + 4 y 1 x 2 + 5 3 y x + 2 y 4 = 0

We should analyze for coefficient of “ x 2 ” in the quadratic equation. For quadratic equation, coefficient of “ x 2 ” can not be zero i.e. y-1 ≠ 0. For real x, y-1 ≠ 0 and D≥0.

For y-1 = 0, y = 1. Putting this value in the quadratic equation,

0 + 5 3 x + 2 4 = 0 x = 1

We see that x=1 is not part of domain. This is actually the value which reduces denominator to zero. Hence, we should exclude y = 1 from the real values of y. Now for D≥0,

D = 5 3 y 2 4 y 1 2 y 4 0 25 + 9 y 2 30 y 4 { 2 y 2 6 y + 4 } 0 25 + 9 y 2 30 y 4 { 2 y 2 6 y + 4 } 0

The coefficient of y 2 is positive. The discriminant is 0. Clearly, following sign rule, f(x) ≥0 for all real values of y. Hence, real values of y are real number set R. However, we need to exclude y = {1,3) as discussed above. Therefore, range of given function is R-{1,3}.

Alternative

Once, exception points are noted, we can evaluate “y” from the reduced form :

y = x 4 x 2

Solving,

x = 2 y - 4 y 1

Clearly, y#1. But we have seen that y#3 as well. Hence, range of rational function is R-{1,3}.

Graph of rational function

We know that rational function is a composition of two functions in the following form,

f x = p x q x

where q(x) ≠ 0. If q(x) = 0, then the ratio has the form “ x / 0 ”, which is not defined.

For plotting, let us consider a simple rational function given by, f x = 1 / x . This function is known as reciprocal function. It is not defined for x = 0. In order to plot the function, we calculate few initial values as :

F o r x = - 1, y = - 1

F o r x = - 2, y = - 0.5

F o r x = - 3, y = - 0.33

F o r x = 0, y is not defined

F o r x = 1, y = 1

F o r x = 2, y = 0.5

F o r x = 3, y = 0.33

The graph of the function is shown here :

Rational function

This plot is not defined at x = 0.

This plot is not defined at x = 0. The domain of the given function, therefore, is real numbers, “R” except zero. Also,

x = 1 y

This means that function value can not be zero. Hence, range of the function is also real numbers, “R” except zero.

D o m a i n = R { 0 }

R a n g e = R { 0 }

Problem : Draw the graph of rational function given by :

f x = x 2 1 x 1

Discuss the nature of graph and also determine domain and range of the given function.

Solution : The form of the given function is that of rational function. We observe that the function is not defined for "x = 1" as function has the form " x / 0 ", which is undefined. The domain of the given function, therefore, is “R” except “1”. It should be noted that while interpreting domain or range we should not cancel out common terms in the numerator and denominator.

For other values of “x”, the value of the function is given by the reduced expression :

f x = x 2 1 x 1 = x + 1

Clearly, if the given function were valid for x =1, then y = x+1 = 1 + 1 = 2. Thus, function f(x) can take any real value except “2”. Hence, range of the function is "R" except "2". The domain and range of the given function are :

D o m a i n = R { 1 }

R a n g e = R { 2 }

In order to plot the function, we calculate few initial values as :

F o r x = - 3, y = 2

F o r x = - 2, y = 1

F o r x = - 1, y = 0

F o r x = 0, y = 1

F o r x = 1, y is not defined

F o r x = 2, y = 3

F o r x = 3, y = 4

The graph of the function is shown here :

Rational function

The plot is not defined at x = 1.

The plot is not defined at x = 1. There is a break at x = 1.

Nature of graph

Here, we consider graphs of rational functions of type :

y = 1 x , 1 x 3 , 1 x 5 ,.............

The nature of graph of these rational function of type y = 1 x n , where n is an odd integer such that n≥ 1, is similar to graph of y=1/x as shown in the figure. The graph is that of rectangular hyperbola.

Rational function

Graph of rational function.

We need to emphasize that the graph generalizes the nature and is helpful to estimate domain and range of functions. We need to graph individual function if required. The nature of graph of function type y = 1 x n , where n is an even integer such that n≥2 is shown in the figure below :

y = 1 x 2 , 1 x 4 , 1 x 4 ,.............

Rational function

Graph of rational function.

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Source:  OpenStax, Functions. OpenStax CNX. Sep 23, 2008 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10464/1.64
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