How to Do Polynomials & Rational Functions

Polynomial functions are functions with more than one solution and typically have repeating constants that are squared, cubed or even higher. Rational functions are two polynomial functions stacked on top of each other. The key to solving these functions is simplifying to a point where the constants are no longer of a power higher than one. This is typically done through a technique known as factoring.

Instructions

    • 1

      Evaluate your problem and confirm that it is a polynomial. For this example, the problem will be f(x) = (x^2 - 4)/(x^2 - 5x + 6). As you can see, this is a polynomial because it contains a power of two.

    • 2

      Factor the top and bottom to its simplest form. In this example, for the top, x^2 factors to x * x, and -4 factors to -2 * 2. For the bottom, the factors of 6 that also add up to -5 are -2 and -3. So it comes out to: (x - 2)(x + 2)/(x - 3)(x - 2). To check, use the FOIL (First, Outside, Inside, Last) method.

    • 3

      Cancel out any identical components in the top and bottom. Here, you can cancel out the (x - 2), simplifying the problem to (x + 2)/(x - 3).

    • 4

      Graph your simplified function to see where the line crosses the x axis. These points are the solutions to the problem.

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