4.5E: Describing Relationships with Rational Functions (Exercises)
- Page ID
- 99741
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Part 1: Simplified Rational Functions
In exercises #1-4, (a) identify the undefined value(s) (b) Find the zero(s); (c) identify the end behavior; (d) match each equation form with one of the graphs without technological assistance.
1. \(f(x)=\dfrac{x-4}{x+2}\)
2. \(g(x)=\dfrac{x^2-8x+16}{x+2}\)
3. \(h(x)=\dfrac{x-4}{x^2+4x+4}\)
4. \(k(x)=\dfrac{x^2-2x-8}{x^2-x-2}\)
A.
B.
C.
D. 
In exercises #5 -12, for the simplified rational function: (a) identify the undefined value(s) (b) Find the zero(s); (c) identify the end behavior (if a horizontal asymptote occurs, identify the horizontal asymptote); (d) use the given sign chart to graph the function without technological assistance.
5.\( f(x)=\dfrac{x-2}{x+1}\)

6. \( g(x)=\dfrac{x+5}{2x-1}\)

7. \( h(x)=\dfrac{-4}{x^2-4x+4 }\)

8. \( k(x)=\dfrac{x^{2} -2x-3}{x-1}\)

9. \(g\left(x\right)=\dfrac{x-2}{x^{2} -2x+1}\)

Part 2: General Rational Functions
In exercises #10 -19, for the rational function: (a) identify the undefined value(s) and determine whether a vertical asymptote or hole occurs at the undefined value; (b) Find the zero(s); (c) identify the end behavior (if a horizontal asymptote occurs, identify the horizontal asymptote); (d) determine the sign of each interval; and (e) use this information to graph the function without technological assistance.
10. \(p(x)=\dfrac{2x-3}{x+4}\)
11. \(q(x)=\dfrac{x-5}{3x-1}\)
12. \(s(x)=\dfrac{4}{x^2-4x+4 }\)
13. \(f(x)=\dfrac{x^{2} +x-6}{x^{2} -25}\)
14. \(g(x)=\dfrac{2x^{2} +7x-15}{3x^{2} -14x+15}\)
15. \(a(x)=\dfrac{x^{2} +2x-3}{x^{2} -1}\)
16. \(b(x)=\dfrac{x^{2} -x-6}{x^{2} -4}\)
17. \(k(x)=\dfrac{2x^{2} -3x-20}{x-5}\)
18. \(f(x)=\dfrac{3x^{2} -14x-5}{3x^{2} +8x-16}\)
19. \(n(x)=\dfrac{3x^{2} +4x-4}{x^{3} -4x^{2} }\)
In exercises #19 -24, find a possible formula for a rational function whose graph is given below.
19.
20.
21. 
22.
23.
24. 
25. A scientist has a beaker containing 20 mL of a solution containing 20% acid. To dilute this, she adds pure water. The concentration in the beaker after adding \(n\) mL of water is given by \(C(n)=\dfrac{4}{20+n} \)
a. Find the concentration if 10 mL of water has been added.
c. How many mL of water must be added to obtain a 4% solution?
d. What is the right end behavior as \(n \to \infty\)? What is the physical significance of this?
26. A gauss meter is a device for measuring the strength and polarity of magnetic fields. Suppose the following two measurements are made. At a distance of 8 feet from a magnet, the meter reads 2.3. At a distance of 6 feet, the meter reads 4.4. Then the meter reading \(m(x)\) can modeled by the rational function \(m(x)=\dfrac{134.9}{x^2-5.33\) where \(x\) represents the distance in feet from a magnet.
- How far must he go for the meter to reach 10? 100?
- What is the right end behavior as \(n \to \infty\)? What is the physical significance of this?
27. The speed \(s\) it takes to cover a distance of 20 miles is modeled by the function \(s=\dfrac{20}{t}\). Find the vertical asymptote. What is the physical significance of the vertical asymptote?
Part 3: Rational Inequalities
In #28 - 31, solve the rational inequalities. Express your result in interval notation.
28. \( \dfrac{x+1}{x-3} \ge 0 \)
29. \( \dfrac{x-2}{x^2-4x} < 0 \)
30. \( \dfrac{1}{x-1} > 2 \)
31. \( \dfrac{3}{x-2} \le \dfrac{2}{x} \)
- Answer
-
1. (a) \( f(x) \) has an undefined value at \(x=-2\). A vertical asymptote occurs here. (b) \( f(x) \) has a zero at \(x=4\) (c) As \( x \to \pm \infty\), \( y \to 1\). A horizontal asymptote occurs at \(y=1 \). (d) Graph D
(d)
5. (a) \( f(x) \) has an undefined value at \(x=-1\). A vertical asymptote occurs here. (b) \( f(x) \) has a zero at \(x=2\) (c) As \( x \to \pm \infty\), \( y \to 1\). A horizontal asymptote occurs at \(y=1 \). (d)
(d)

10. (a) \( p(x) \) has an undefined value at \(x=-4\). A vertical asymptote occurs here since \(p\) is simplified. (b) \( p(x) \) has a zero at \(x=\dfrac{2}{3}\) (c) As \( x \to \pm \infty\), \( y \to 2\). A horizontal asymptote occurs at \(y=2 \).
(d)
(e) 
15. (a) \( a(x) \) has undefined values at \(x=1\) and \(x=-1\). A vertical asymptote occurs at \(x=-1\). A hole occurs at \(x=1\). (b) \( a(x) \) has a zero at \(x=-3\) (c) As \( x \to \pm \infty\), \( y \to 1\). A horizontal asymptote occurs at \(y=1 \).
(d)
(e) 
19. \(q(x)=\dfrac{x-3}{(x+3)(x-4)}\)
28. \( (-\infty,-1] \cup (3,\infty) \)

