In the context of rational functions, what does the term "outward" refer to when discussing 'a'?

In the context of rational functions, the term "outward" when discussing 'a' typically pertains to the scaling factor that affects how the graph of the function behaves. When 'a' is involved, it can significantly impact the features of the graph, including its growth rate, range, and overall width.

When 'a' is positive and greater than one, the function's values tend to grow faster, which refers to the growth rate. This indicates a more rapid increase or decrease in the output values of the function as the input values increase.

The term "outward" also relates to how the function expands its range. A larger absolute value of 'a' allows the function to reach higher values more quickly, thereby broadening the range of the function's output.

As for the width of the graph, when 'a' is increased, the associated rational function may appear "wider." The influence of 'a' can stretch the graph horizontally. A smaller value of 'a' can create a graph that is "narrower," while a larger value tends to result in a "wider" graph, making it easier to see how the function diverges as the input changes.

Thus, the term "outward" can relate