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Given a rational function, sketch a graph.

  1. Evaluate the function at 0 to find the y -intercept.
  2. Factor the numerator and denominator.
  3. For factors in the numerator not common to the denominator, determine where each factor of the numerator is zero to find the x -intercepts.
  4. Find the multiplicities of the x -intercepts to determine the behavior of the graph at those points.
  5. For factors in the denominator, note the multiplicities of the zeros to determine the local behavior. For those factors not common to the numerator, find the vertical asymptotes by setting those factors equal to zero and then solve.
  6. For factors in the denominator common to factors in the numerator, find the removable discontinuities by setting those factors equal to 0 and then solve.
  7. Compare the degrees of the numerator and the denominator to determine the horizontal or slant asymptotes.
  8. Sketch the graph.

Graphing a rational function

Sketch a graph of f ( x ) = ( x + 2 ) ( x 3 ) ( x + 1 ) 2 ( x 2 ) .

We can start by noting that the function is already factored, saving us a step.

Next, we will find the intercepts. Evaluating the function at zero gives the y -intercept:

f ( 0 ) = ( 0 + 2 ) ( 0 3 ) ( 0 + 1 ) 2 ( 0 2 )         = 3

To find the x -intercepts, we determine when the numerator of the function is zero. Setting each factor equal to zero, we find x -intercepts at x = –2 and x = 3. At each, the behavior will be linear (multiplicity 1), with the graph passing through the intercept.

We have a y -intercept at ( 0 , 3 ) and x -intercepts at ( –2 , 0 ) and ( 3 , 0 ) .

To find the vertical asymptotes, we determine when the denominator is equal to zero. This occurs when x + 1 = 0 and when x 2 = 0 , giving us vertical asymptotes at x = –1 and x = 2.

There are no common factors in the numerator and denominator. This means there are no removable discontinuities.

Finally, the degree of denominator is larger than the degree of the numerator, telling us this graph has a horizontal asymptote at y = 0.

To sketch the graph, we might start by plotting the three intercepts. Since the graph has no x -intercepts between the vertical asymptotes, and the y -intercept is positive, we know the function must remain positive between the asymptotes, letting us fill in the middle portion of the graph as shown in [link] .

Graph of only the middle portion of f(x)=(x+2)(x-3)/(x+1)^2(x-2) with its intercepts at (-2, 0), (0, 3), and (3, 0).

The factor associated with the vertical asymptote at x = −1 was squared, so we know the behavior will be the same on both sides of the asymptote. The graph heads toward positive infinity as the inputs approach the asymptote on the right, so the graph will head toward positive infinity on the left as well.

For the vertical asymptote at x = 2 , the factor was not squared, so the graph will have opposite behavior on either side of the asymptote. See [link] . After passing through the x -intercepts, the graph will then level off toward an output of zero, as indicated by the horizontal asymptote.

Graph of f(x)=(x+2)(x-3)/(x+1)^2(x-2) with its vertical asymptotes at x=-1 and x=2, its horizontal asymptote at y=0, and its intercepts at (-2, 0), (0, 3), and (3, 0).
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Given the function f ( x ) = ( x + 2 ) 2 ( x 2 ) 2 ( x 1 ) 2 ( x 3 ) , use the characteristics of polynomials and rational functions to describe its behavior and sketch the function.

Horizontal asymptote at y = 1 2 . Vertical asymptotes at x = 1   and   x = 3. y -intercept at ( 0 , 4 3 . )

x -intercepts at ( 2 , 0 )    and  ( 2 , 0 ) . ( 2 , 0 ) is a zero with multiplicity 2, and the graph bounces off the x -axis at this point. ( 2 , 0 ) is a single zero and the graph crosses the axis at this point.

Graph of f(x)=(x+2)^2(x-2)/2(x-1)^2(x-3) with its vertical and horizontal asymptotes.
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Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
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