The rational function is
.
First graph the function.
\The rational function
.
Factor the numerator and denominator of
. Find the domain of the rational function :
The domain of a rational function is the set of all real numbers for which the function is mathematically correct.
\Denominator of the function should not be zero.
\
and 
and
.
The domain of function
is
.
Write
in lowest terms :
The function is
.
.
The function
is in lowest terms.
The rational function
.
\
\
Locate the intercepts of the graph and determine the behavior of the graph of
near each
- intercept :
Change
to
.
Find the intercepts.
\Find the
-intercept by equating
to zero.


Determine the behaviour of the graph of
near each
-intercept.
Near
:
.
Plot the point
and indicate a line with negative slope.
Find the
intercept, by substituting
in the rational function.


There is no
-intercepts.
\
\
Determine the vertical asymptotes :
\Vertical asymptote can be found by making denominator to zero.
\
or 
or
.
\
Determine the horizantal asymptotes / oblique asymptotes :
\To find horizontal asymptote, first find the degree of the numerator and the degree of denominator.
\Degree of numerator
, Degree of the denominator
.
Since the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator,
\hence horizontal asymptote is
.
Use the zeros of the numerator and denominator of
to divide the
-axis into intervals :
The real zero of numerator is
and the real zeros of denominator
and
.
So divide the
- axis into four intervals.
\
\
| Interval | \ \
| \
\
| \
\
| \
Location of the graph | \
| \
| \
\
| \
\
| \
\
| \
\
Below the \ | \
| \
| \
\
| \
\
| \
\
| \
\
Above the \ | \
| \
| \
\
| \
\
| \
\
| \
\
Below the \ | \
| \
| \
\
| \
\
| \
\
| \
\
Above the | \
End behavior of the graph :
\As
and
, hence the graph of
approaches to a vertical asymptote at
.
As
and
, hence the graph of
approaches to a vertical asymptote at
.
As
and
, hence the graph of
approaches to a horizontal asymptote at
.
Use the results obtained in Steps 1 through 7 to graph the function :
\Draw the coordinate plane.
\Plot the horizontal and vertical asymptotes.
\Plot the
and
intercepts and coordinate pairs found in the table.
Connect the plotted points to smooth curve.
\\
\
First determine the intervals of
-such that the graph is above the
- axis from the graph.
The graph of the function
is above the
- axis on the intervals
or 
From the graph,
for
.
The solution set is
or in interval notation,
.
;
.