Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Rational Functions
Rational functions are expressions formed by the ratio of two polynomials. They can exhibit unique behaviors such as asymptotes, intercepts, and discontinuities. Understanding the structure of rational functions is essential for analyzing their graphs, particularly how they behave near vertical and horizontal asymptotes.
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Intro to Rational Functions
Transformations of Functions
Transformations involve shifting, reflecting, stretching, or compressing the graph of a function. For the function h(x) = 1/x^2 - 4, recognizing that the '-4' indicates a vertical shift downward is crucial. Mastery of transformations allows for the manipulation of basic functions like f(x) = 1/x or f(x) = 1/x^2 to create new graphs.
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Domain & Range of Transformed Functions
Asymptotes
Asymptotes are lines that a graph approaches but never touches. For rational functions, vertical asymptotes occur where the denominator is zero, while horizontal asymptotes describe the behavior of the function as x approaches infinity. Identifying these asymptotes is vital for accurately sketching the graph of h(x) = 1/x^2 - 4.
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Introduction to Asymptotes