Sign Lines, Asymptotes, and Tangent Carriers--An Introduction to Curve Sketching.

This paper discusses methods of sketching various types of algebraic functions from an analysis of the portions of the plane where the curve will be found and where it will not be found. The discussion is limited to rational functions. Methods and techniques presented are applicable to the secondary mathematics curriculum from algebra through calculus. The authors also offer a list of advantages which can be derived from using the techniques described. (FL)