The document defines asymptotes as straight lines that a curve approaches indefinitely but never meets, as the curve and line are prolonged infinitely.
Specifically, it provides two examples: [1] A vertical line is a vertical asymptote for a curve if the distance between the curve and line tends to zero as the curve extends upward without limit. [2] The x-axis is a horizontal asymptote for a curve if the distance between the curve and axis tends to zero as x increases without limit.
It then gives instructions for finding asymptotes of a given curve by solving for y or x explicitly, setting the denominator to zero, and finding the values that make the denominator vanish, which give the vertical or horizontal
The document defines asymptotes as straight lines that a curve approaches indefinitely but never meets, as the curve and line are prolonged infinitely.
Specifically, it provides two examples: [1] A vertical line is a vertical asymptote for a curve if the distance between the curve and line tends to zero as the curve extends upward without limit. [2] The x-axis is a horizontal asymptote for a curve if the distance between the curve and axis tends to zero as x increases without limit.
It then gives instructions for finding asymptotes of a given curve by solving for y or x explicitly, setting the denominator to zero, and finding the values that make the denominator vanish, which give the vertical or horizontal
The document defines asymptotes as straight lines that a curve approaches indefinitely but never meets, as the curve and line are prolonged infinitely.
Specifically, it provides two examples: [1] A vertical line is a vertical asymptote for a curve if the distance between the curve and line tends to zero as the curve extends upward without limit. [2] The x-axis is a horizontal asymptote for a curve if the distance between the curve and axis tends to zero as x increases without limit.
It then gives instructions for finding asymptotes of a given curve by solving for y or x explicitly, setting the denominator to zero, and finding the values that make the denominator vanish, which give the vertical or horizontal
The document defines asymptotes as straight lines that a curve approaches indefinitely but never meets, as the curve and line are prolonged infinitely.
Specifically, it provides two examples: [1] A vertical line is a vertical asymptote for a curve if the distance between the curve and line tends to zero as the curve extends upward without limit. [2] The x-axis is a horizontal asymptote for a curve if the distance between the curve and axis tends to zero as x increases without limit.
It then gives instructions for finding asymptotes of a given curve by solving for y or x explicitly, setting the denominator to zero, and finding the values that make the denominator vanish, which give the vertical or horizontal
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ASYMPTOTES
When a straight line has a position with respect to a curve such that as the two are indefinitely prolonged the distance between them tends to zero, the straight line is called the asymptotes of the curve.
(see post at messenger)
:: the curve goes closer and closer to the line, x = 1 as the curve goes higher and higher. The distance between the curve and the line tends to zero as the curve continous upward beyond all bound. Such a line is called a vertical asymptote to the curve. Similarly , the x-axis is called a horizontal asymptote since the distance between the curve and the x-axis tends to zero as x increases beyond all bound.
Note: to find the asymptotes, solve the equation explicitly for y in terms of x, then if the result is a fraction, set the denominator of the fraction equal to zero and solve for the numerical value of x. the resulting value of x are the vertical asymptotes. A similar procedure with the roles of x and y reversed shows that the values of y which cause the denominator to vanish in the expression
f ( y) x g ( y) , g(y) = 0 may give a horizontal asymptote
Illustration: Find the asymptotes and sketch the graph of the equation x²y - 4y + x = 0
Solution: 1) to find the V.A. , solve for y in terms of x
x²y- 4y + x = 0
x²y - 4y = - x
Y(x²- 4)= - x
x y x2 4
x y 4 x2
Set the denominator to zero: 4 - x² = 0
x² = 4 X=±2
Therefore: x = 2 and x = -2 , are the vertical asymptotes(V.A.)
2) To find the horizontal asymptotes: solve for x in terms of y
x²y - 4y + x = 0
Arrange: x²y + x - 4y = 0 (it is a quadratic equation in variable x)
b b 2 4ac x 2a (1) (1) 2 4( y )( 4 y ) x 2( y )
1 1 16 y 2 x 2y
Set denominator to zero: 2y = 0
Y=0
Therefore: the line y = 0 , is the horizontal asymptote (H.A.)
