Go to content
IMPORTANT: The multiple MathsNet domain names will soon be rationalised to just the single domain name of www.mathsnet.com. You are currently using mathnetap.com which will become unavailable soon. Please update your favourites/bookmarks to www.mathsnet.com as soon as possible. mathnetap
The graph of $y = {(ax - b) \over (x - c)(x - d)}$
The display initially shows the above curve for $a = 3$, $b = 7$, $c = 1$, $d = 2$
Also shown are two red horizontal lines. The curve does not lie between these lines. In other words, y cannot take values between those indicated by the red lines, so y (with initial coefficients) cannot take values between 1 and 9.
What values of $a$, $b$, $c$, $d$, make the red lines vanish?

Summary/Background

The red lines will vanish when a2cd+b2-ab(c+d) < 0. For example if you keep a=3, c=1, d=2, then b2-9b +18< 0 or (b-6)(b-3) < 0, which happens when b is between 3 and 6.

Software/Applets used on this page

This page uses JSXGraph.
JSXGraph is a cross-browser library for interactive geometry, function plotting, charting, and data visualization in a web browser. It is implemented completely in JavaScript, does not rely on any other library. It uses SVG and VML and is fully HTML5 compliant.
This page also uses the MathJax system for displaying maths symbols.

Glossary

function

A rule that connects one value in one set with one and only one value in another set.

graph

A diagram showing a relationship between two variables.
The diagram shows a vertical y axis and a horizontal x axis.

Full Glossary List

This question appears in the following syllabi:

SyllabusModuleSectionTopicExam Year
AP Calculus AB (USA)2Coordinate geometryRational curves-
AP Calculus BC (USA)2Coordinate geometryRational curves-
AQA A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)FP1Coordinate geometryRational curves-
AQA A2 Maths 2017Pure MathsExtraRational Curves-
AQA AS/A2 Maths 2017Pure MathsExtraRational Curves-
CCEA A-Level (NI)C3Coordinate geometryRational curves-
Edexcel A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)C3Coordinate geometryRational curves-
Edexcel A2 Maths 2017Pure MathsExtraRational Curves-
Edexcel AS/A2 Maths 2017Pure MathsExtraRational Curves-
I.B. Higher Level2Coordinate geometryRational curves-
I.B. (MSSL)4Coordinate geometryRational curves-
OCR A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)C4Coordinate geometryRational curves-
OCR A2 Maths 2017Pure MathsExtraRational Curves-
OCR MEI A2 Maths 2017Pure MathsExtraRational Curves-
OCR-MEI A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)C4Coordinate geometryRational curves-
Universal (all site questions)CCoordinate geometryRational curves-
WJEC A-Level (Wales)C4Coordinate geometryRational curves-