
Applications of Rational Functions
- To solve problems with rational formulas Rational functions can be used to represent real-life situations and to find solutions to real problems. ...
- To solve work problems Rational functions and rational equations can be used in a wide variety of problems related to rates, time, and work. ...
- Solve mixing problems ...
- See also ...
How do you make a rational function?
A rational function is any function which can be written as the ratio of two polynomial functions, where the polynomial in the denominator is not equal to zero.Domain restrictions of a rational function can be determined by setting the denominator equal to zero and solving.
How to evaluate rational functions?
How to Evaluate a Rational Function: Example 1. Evaluate f (3) for {eq}f (x)=dfrac {x+2} {3x-8} {/eq} Step 1: Determine your input value for your function, this will be the value inside your ...
How do rational functions apply in real life?
- Your math teacher was right.
- Use Rational expressions to calculate price in situations like a double funeral.
- Nurses Use Rational Expressions for the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream to determine dosage.
- Farmer use rational expressions to predict moisture by taking soil samples.
What does a rational function look like?
What does a rational function look like? Here is a sketch of this graph. First, notice that the graph is in two pieces. Almost all rational functions will have graphs in multiple pieces like this. A rational function will be zero at a particular value of x only if the numerator is zero at that x and the denominator isn't zero at that x .

What is the important features of rational function?
Two important features of any rational function r ( x ) = p ( x ) q ( x ) are any zeros and vertical asymptotes the function may have. These aspects of a rational function are closely connected to where the numerator and denominator, respectively, are zero.
What is rational function in your own words?
A rational function is one that can be written as a polynomial divided by a polynomial. Since polynomials are defined everywhere, the domain of a rational function is the set of all numbers except the zeros of the denominator.
How are rational expressions used in real life?
0:043:23What Can Rational Expressions in Math Be Used for in Real Life?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith the work rate which is how fast they work. Times the time that they work. And that's going toMoreWith the work rate which is how fast they work. Times the time that they work. And that's going to equal. The part of job that they.
What are the three things that help you in representing real life situation to rational function?
What are the three things that help you in representing real –life situations to rational function? The given value in the situation. The relationship between quantities. Related formulas and equations.
What are the two functions used to form the rational function?
Two basic rational functions are the reciprocal function, f(x)=1x, and the squared reciprocal function, g(x)=1x2. For both of these basic functions, the domain is all real numbers such that x≠0. For function f, the range is all real numbers such that y≠0; for function g, the range is real numbers such that y>0.
How important is rational function in solving real-life problems?
and rational equations can be useful tools for representing real-life situations and for finding answers to real problems. In particular, they are quite good for describing distance-speed-time questions, and modeling multi-person work problems.
How can the understanding of radicals help us solve problems in daily life?
Radical expressions are utilized in financial industries to calculate formulas for depreciation, home inflation and interest. Electrical engineers also use radical expressions for measurements and calculations. Biologists compare animal surface areas with radical exponents for size comparisons in scientific research.
How are rational functions used in medicine?
A rational function can be used to determine the concentration of a certain drug after a fixed amount of hours. Doctors constantly use rational functions to predict how fast patients will metabolize medication over time.
What is rational function equation and inequalities?
Rational functions are those functions that are the division of two polynomials. To solve an equation involving rational functions, we cross multiply the numerators and denominators. Then we move all our terms to one side. Then we use our algebra skills to solve.
How do you describe the transformation of a rational function?
Transforming Rational Functions. The parent rational function, f(x) = 1 over x 1 x , has a vertical asymptote at x = 0 and a horizontal asymptote at y = 0. Changing the parameters a, h, and k, will change the intersection point of the asymptotes.
What are the differences of rational function and equation?
A rational expression is nothing more than a fraction in which the numerator and/or the denominator are polynomials. A rational equation is an equation containing at least one rational expression.
What is rational equation example?
A rational equation can be defined as an equation that involves at least one rational expression, or you can say a fraction. For example, 2x+14 = x3 is a rational equation. These fractions can be on one side or both sides of the equation.
How Does One Identify If a Function is Rational or Not?
In a rational function, there are a few operations that are not allowed to be used in the function. Let us understand them by the following examples.
What Are Asymptotes?
An asymptote is a line that the graph of the function approaches, but never touches.
Let's Summarize
We hope you enjoyed learning about rational function with the simulations and practice questions. Now you will be able to easily solve problems on solving rational function, rational function graph, rational function formula, types of a rational function, and rational function calculator.
About Cuemath
At Cuemath, our team of math experts is dedicated to making learning fun for our favorite readers, the students!
1. What is the purpose of a rational function?
The purpose of a rational function is mainly in the field of numerical analysis. It is used for interpolation and approximation of functions.
2. How can we use rational functions in real life?
Rational functions and equations can be used in many real-life situations. We can use them to describe speed-distance-time relationships and modeling work problems.
3. What are rational coefficients?
In any polynomial equation, the term before the variable is known as a coefficient.
Solve problems with rational formulas
Rational functions can be used to represent real life situations and to find solutions to real problems. Equations representing direct, inverse, or joint variations are examples of rational functions that can model everyday situations.
Solve work problems
Rational functions and rational equations can be used in a wide variety of problems related to rates, time, and work. It is possible to determine how to combine workers or machines to complete a job using rational expressions and functions.
Solve mixing problems
Mixtures are made up of proportions of different substances such as gases, water, food or chemicals. Mixtures are found in many products or even naturally around us. For example, chemical reactions and manufacturing involve mixtures.
Other applications of rational functions in everyday life
Medicine: Rational functions have applications in medicine. Before an operation, a patient can be injected with some medication. When the concentration of the drug in the blood is at a desired level, the operation can continue. The concentration of the drug in the blood can be modeled using a rational function.
See also
Interested in learning more about applications of functions? Take a look at these pages:
What is a rational function?
As we have mentioned, rational functions are formed by dividing two polynomials from each other. By the end of this section, we’ll understand why the function shown below is a rational function.
How to solve rational functions?
What happens when we’re given the rational function? Can we also find the values returned by rational functions and find their zeros?
How to solve problems involving rational functions?
We’ve now extensively discussed the elements and properties of a rational function’s graph. Now, how do we apply these when given word problems?
Why is it important to learn to graph rational functions?
Learning how to graph rational functions can also help us apply our previous knowledge to different math concepts such as asymptotes, holes, and limits.
How to predict the behavior of a rational function?
We can predict the behavior of a rational function’s curves by checking the values of f ( x) at different intervals.
Can the rational function denominator be zero?
As a refresher, rational functions’ denominator can never be equal to zero ($q (x) neq 0$). This means that to find a rational function’s zeros, we equate the numerator ($p (x)$) to $0$ and solve for $x$.
What are the properties of rational functions?
First off, we should probably define a vertical asymptote. A vertical asymptote at a value x is when the value of our function approaches either positive or negative infinity when we evaluate our function at values that approach x (but are not equal to x ).
What is the result of a common factor in the denominator?
If there are more instances of the common factor in the denominator, the result is a vertical asymptote.
Did we use the numerator?
You might be thinking. . . Wait, we didn't use the numerator! Were we supposed to? Well, we technically did use the numerator since we had to make sure there were no common factors between the numerator and denominator. But, when it comes to actually computing our vertical asymptotes, we only use the denominator!
Can we use the theorem of common factor?
We can't use the theorem since there is a common factor in both the numerator and the denominator.
Is R a rational function?
The function R ( x) = 1 / ( ( x - 1) ( x ^2 + 3)) is a rational function since the numerator , 1, is a polynomial (yes, a constant is still a polynomial) and the denominator, ( x - 1) ( x ^2 + 3), is also a polynomial (it's just in a factored form).
Why study rational and radical functions?
When a patient undergoes major surgery, the anesthesiologist must prepare a very specific mixture of drugs that will put the patient under for a specific time period. If the drugs are too weak, the patient might wake up in the middle of the procedure; if they are too powerful, there is a risk that the patient may not wake up at all.
Contribute!
Did you have an idea for improving this content? We’d love your input.

to Solve Problems with Rational Formulas
to Solve Work Problems
- Rational functions and rational equations can be used in a wide variety of problems related to rates, time, and work. It is possible to determine how to combine workers or machines to complete a job using rational expressions and functions. A work problem is an example of one of the applications of rational functions. Work problems often ask us to estimate how long it will ta…
Solve Mixing Problems
- Mixtures are made up of proportions of different substances such as gases, water, food, or chemicals. Mixtures are found in many products or even naturally around us. For example, chemical reactions and manufacturing involve mixtures. Mathematically, mixtures can be more interesting when the components of the mixture are added at different rates and concentrations…
Other Applications of Rational Functions in Everyday Life
- Medicine:Rational functions have applications in medicine. Before an operation, a patient can be injected with some medication. When the concentration of the drug in the blood is at the desired level, the operation can continue. The concentration of the drug in the blood can be modeled using a rational function. For example, the hypothetical function C(t)=3tt2+3could help a doctor …
See Also
- Interested in learning more about applications of functions? Take a look at these pages: 1. Applications of Linear Functions 2. Applications of Quadratic Functions 3. Applications of Trigonometric Functions 4. Applications of Exponential Functions 5. Applications of Logarithmic Functions 6. Applications of Complex Numbers