Final answer:
A rational function with the required characteristics is f(x) = 8(x + 6)(x - 5) / (x + 4)(x - 4), considering vertical asymptotes, x-intercepts, and a horizontal asymptote.
Step-by-step explanation:
To write an equation for a rational function with given characteristics, we need to incorporate the vertical asymptotes, x-intercepts, and horizontal asymptote into our function.
Firstly, vertical asymptotes at x = -4 and x = 4 suggest that the denominator of our function will be in the form (x + 4)(x - 4), as setting x to -4 or 4 will make the denominator zero, which creates the asymptotes.
Secondly, x-intercepts at x = -6 and x = 5 indicate that the numerator will have factors that become zero at these x-values. Hence, the numerator should be(x + 6)(x - 5).
Finally, for the function to have a horizontal asymptote at y = 8, the degree of the numerator and denominator must be the same, and the leading coefficients of the numerator and denominator must have a ratio that equals 8. To achieve the horizontal asymptote, we multiply the numerator by 8, thus the leading coefficients of the numerator and denominator are in the ratio 8:1.
Combining all these elements gives us our rational function: f(x) = 8(x + 6)(x - 5) / (x + 4)(x - 4)