Lesson Objective

Analyze and sketch graphs of rational functions.
Sketch graphs of rational functions that have slant asymptotes.
Use graphs of rational functions to model and solve real life problems

How do you sketch the graph of a rational function?

parent function

HSA-IF.C.7d: Graph rational functions, identifying zeros and asymptotes when suitable factorizations are available, and showing end behavior.

Use Khan Academy

Students will analyze the graphs of rational functions by using the concepts learned in previous sections such as transformations of functions, finding zeros of polynomial functions, and find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes.

Use rational functions to model the concentration of a chemical in the bloodstream after and injection.

Remind students of the algorithm for synthetic division, and how it only works when the divisor is in the form x-k.

Give different level students qualities of graphs and ask them to come up with a rational function with those qualities. More advanced students will have more qualities.

Use common resources

PreCalc with Limits