Final answer:
To find the x and y intercepts of a rational function, you can use the rational function factorization method. This method involves steps such as finding the x-intercepts, vertical asymptotes, horizontal asymptotes, and sketching the graph of the function.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the x and y intercepts of a rational function, you can use the rational function factorization method. Here are the steps:
- Set the numerator equal to zero to find the x-intercepts.
- Solve the equation for x to find the x-intercepts.
- Set the denominator equal to zero to find the vertical asymptotes (if any).
- Solve the equation for x to find the vertical asymptotes.
- Set the numerator equal to zero and solve for x to find the horizontal asymptotes (if any).
- Set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x to find the vertical asymptotes.
- Plug in a few x-values on either side of the x-intercepts, vertical asymptotes, and horizontal asymptotes to determine the behavior of the graph.
- Plot the x-intercepts, vertical asymptotes, horizontal asymptotes, and points determined in the previous step to sketch the graph of the rational function.