189k views
1 vote
Write an equation for a rational function with:

Vertical asymptotes at x = 1 and x = -2
at x = 6 and x = -6
x-intercepts
y-intercept at 7

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

To construct a rational function with the given characteristics, we factor in the locations of vertical asymptotes and x-intercepts into the denominator and numerator respectively, and adjust the constant term to achieve the specified y-intercept, resulting in the function f(x) = (7(x - 6)(x + 6))/((x - 1)(x + 2)).

Step-by-step explanation:

To write an equation for a rational function that meets the given criteria, we need to incorporate vertical asymptotes, x-intercepts, and the y-intercept.

Vertical asymptotes occur where the function is undefined, which means they are values of x for which the denominator of the rational function is zero. Therefore, if we have vertical asymptotes at x = 1 and x = -2, the denominator of our function will be (x - 1)(x + 2).

X-intercepts occur where the function equals zero, which corresponds to the numerator of a rational function being zero. Given x-intercepts at x = 6 and x = -6, the numerator will be (x - 6)(x + 6) or x2 - 36.

Lastly, the y-intercept is the value of the function when x = 0. For our function to have a y-intercept at 7, we need the constant term in the numerator to be 7 times the constant term in the denominator when x = 0. Therefore, we adjust the numerator to get the desired y-intercept.

Putting it all together, our rational function equation is:

f(x) = \frac{7(x - 6)(x + 6)}{(x - 1)(x + 2)}

This function has the correct vertical asymptotes, x-intercepts, and y-intercept at 7.

User HarsHarI
by
7.7k points