Definition and Domain of Rational Functions
Subject:
Calculus [1]
Definition and Domain of Rational Functions
A rational function is defined as the quotient of two polynomial functions.
f(x) = P(x) / Q(x)
Here are some examples of rational functions:
g(x) = (x2 + 1) / (x - 1)
h(x) = (2x + 1) / (x + 3)
The rational functions to explored in this tutorial are of the form
f(x) = (ax+b)/(cx + d)
where a, b, c and d are parameters that may be changed, using sliders, to understand their effects on the properties of the graphs of rational functions defined above.
Example: Find the domain of each function given below.
g(x) = (x - 1) / (x - 2)
h(x) = (x + 2) / x
Solution