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Radical and rational functions — ACT practice questions

Radical and rational functions on the ACT Mathematics test cover square roots, other roots, and quotients of polynomials, including where those expressions are defined and how they graph. Students must find the real-number domain of a function, describe both domain and range, and interpret a rational graph at a canceled factor, such as a hole rather than a vertical asymptote. Questions are multiple choice and often ask which statement describes the domain, the range, or the graph at a given x-value. Common traps include treating a removable discontinuity as an asymptote, forgetting that even roots require a nonnegative radicand, and including values that make a denominator zero.

  • Section: Mathematics 45 questions on the paper
  • 37 practice questions in the app

Sample questions

Question 1

Which of the following describes the real-number domain of the function h(x)=(x2)1/2x6h(x)=\dfrac{(x-2)^{1/2}}{x-6}?

  1. Ax2x\ge 2
  2. Bx2x\ge 2 and x6x\ne 6
  3. Cx>2x>2 and x6x\ne 6
  4. DAll real xx except 6
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Answer: B — x2x\ge 2 and x6x\ne 6

The radicand requires x20x-2\ge0, so x2x\ge2, and the denominator is zero at x=6x=6, which must be excluded. The domain is x2x\ge2 with x6x\ne6.

Question 2

Given that f(x)=4x+53f(x)=\sqrt[3]{4x+5}, which statement correctly describes the domain and range of ff?

  1. AThe domain is [54,)\left[-\dfrac{5}{4},\infty\right), and the range is all real numbers.
  2. BThe domain is all real numbers, and the range is all real numbers.
  3. CThe domain is all real numbers, and the range is [0,)[0,\infty).
  4. DThe domain excludes 54-\dfrac{5}{4}, and the range excludes 0.
Show answer

Answer: B — The domain is all real numbers, and the range is all real numbers.

A cube root is defined for every real radicand and can produce every real output. The linear expression inside does not restrict either set.

Question 3

Which of the following statements best describes the graph of y=(x2)(x+5)(x2)(x+1)y=\dfrac{(x-2)(x+5)}{(x-2)(x+1)} at x=2x=2?

  1. AThere is a hole at x=2x=2.
  2. BThere is a vertical asymptote at x=2x=2.
  3. CThe graph crosses the xx-axis at x=2x=2.
  4. DThe graph has a horizontal asymptote y=2y=2.
Show answer

Answer: A — There is a hole at x=2x=2.

Canceling (x2)(x-2) leaves x+5x+1\dfrac{x+5}{x+1} for x2x\neq 2, so x=2x=2 is a removable discontinuity (hole), not an asymptote.

Practice 37 Radical and rational functions questions in the app

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