Question

Graph rational functions

1. f(x) = (-x)/(x+1)

2. f(x) = (x^4) / (x^2 + 2)

When do you know that a graph is either
1/x
or 1/x^2

Answer 1

If you have to graph these, the best thing to do is to make an x/y chart. Fill in the x values and you will get the resulting y value. Notice, though, that in the first one, the number that makes the denominator 0 is a -1, so you will have a vertical asymptote at -1.

Answer 2

The first graph looks like this: