Unit G Summary Question #8: Y-Intercepts

8. How do you find the y-intercept of a rational function? Does this need to be done in the original or simplified equation?

When finding the y-intercept of a rational function you simply plug in zeroes in the equation wherever there would normally be an 'x'. Froms here you solve normally. For example, if the equation was y= x^2+3x+/3x+1 you would plug in the 0's so that it would look like
y=(0)^2+3(0)+1/3(0)+1---> y=1/1 or y=1, thus the y-intercept would be (0,1).
You MUST note that if your graph did have holes and you canceled things out from the top and bottom (if you need review refer to Unit G Summary Question #4) it is mandatory that in order to find the y-intercept that you use the simplified/remaining equation.
Also, remember that a graph of a rational function can only have ONE y-intercept or NONE, but never more than one!