Graphing Rational Functions in Algebra 2

What is a rational function?

• A function that cannot be graphed

• A function represented by the ratio of two polynomials

• A function that can only have rational numbers as outputs

• A polynomial function

What does the parent function of a rational function look like?

• A hyperbola

• A parabola

• A straight line

• A circle

How does a negative sign outside the function affect its graph?

• It shifts the graph upwards

• It shifts the graph downwards

• It reflects the graph across the x-axis

• It reflects the graph across the y-axis

What determines the shift of a graph of a rational function?

• The degree of the polynomial

• The constants added or subtracted outside the function

• The coefficients of the x terms

• The constants added or subtracted inside the function

What is a vertical asymptote?

• A line that the graph cannot cross

• A horizontal line that the graph approaches

• A line that the graph approaches but never touches

• A line that the graph crosses infinitely many times

How do you find a horizontal asymptote when the degrees of the numerator and denominator are the same?

• By dividing the leading coefficients

• There is no horizontal asymptote in this case

• By adding the coefficients

• By multiplying the leading coefficients

What happens to the graph of a rational function as x approaches a vertical asymptote?

• The graph flattens out

• The graph approaches but never touches the asymptote

• The graph crosses the asymptote

• The graph becomes undefined

How can you find the x-intercepts of a rational function?

• By setting the numerator equal to zero

• By finding where the graph crosses the y-axis

• By setting the denominator equal to zero

• By setting the whole function equal to zero

How do you find a y-intercept of a rational function?

• By setting x equal to zero and solving for y

• By setting y equal to zero and solving for x

• By dividing the coefficients of the highest degree terms

• By finding the highest degree of x

What is true about crossing asymptotes?

• The graph cannot cross any asymptotes

• The graph can cross vertical but not horizontal asymptotes

• The graph can cross horizontal but not vertical asymptotes

• The graph can cross asymptotes in the middle sections