How to Graphs of Rational Functions?
You can graph rational functions in a few simple steps. Read this post to know more about how to graph rational functions.

The rational function is defined as a polynomial coefficient whose denominator has a degree of at least \(1\). In other words, there must be a variable in the denominator.
The general form of a rational function is \(\frac{p(x)}{q(x)}\). where \(p(x)\) and \(q(x)\) are polynomials and \(q(x)≠0\).
Related Topics
- How to Add and Subtract Rational Expressions
- How to Multiply Rational Expressions
- How to Solve Rational Equations
A step-by-step guide to graphs of rational functions
It can be challenging to draw graphs of rational functions. Finding the asymptotes and intercepts is a fine place to begin when attempting to graph a rational function.
Graphing rational functions involves a series of steps:
- Determine if the rational function has any asymptotes
- Asymptotes should be drawn as dotted lines.
- Find the rational function’s \(x\) and \(y\)-intercepts, if any.
- Determine the \(y\) values for a variety of \(x\) values.
- Draw a smooth curve connecting the points by plotting them on a graph. Don’t cross-vertical asymptotes.
Graphs of Rational Functions – Example 1:
Draw a graph of the following function. \(f(x)=\frac{3x+6}{x-1}\)
First, we need to determine the vertical asymptotes:
\(x-1=0 → x=1 \)
And the horizontal asymptote is:
\(y=\frac{3}{1}=3\)
Then, the \(x\)-intercepts will be,
\(3x+6=0 → 3x=-6 → x=-\frac{6}{3}=-2\) , the \(x\)-intercepts is \((-2,0)\)
The \(y\)-intercept is:
\(f(0)=\frac{3(0)+6}{0-1}\) → \(f(0)=\frac{6}{-1}=-6\) , the \(y\)-intercepts is \((0,-6)\)
We need to find more points on the function and graph the function.
Now, putting all this together gives the following graph.

Exercises for Graphs of Rational Functions
Draw a graph of the following function.
- \(\color{blue}{f(x)=\frac{9}{x^2-9}}\)

- \(\color{blue}{f(x)=\frac{4x^2+x}{2x^2+x}}\)

- \(\color{blue}{f(x)=\frac{x-2}{x^2-3x-4}}\)





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