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Vertical and Horizontal Assymptote of Rational Functions
Vertical and Horizontal Assymptote of Rational Functions
Asymptotes of Rational
Functions
Rational Functions
Example:
2x
Find the vertical asymptote of f ( x) .
x2 1
2
Since q ( x ) x 1 ( x 1)(x 1) the zeros
are 1 and -1. Thus the vertical asymptotes
are x = 1 and x = -1.
Horizontal Asymptotes
A rational function f(x) is a function that can
be written as p( x)
f ( x)
q( x)
where p(x) and q(x) are polynomial functions
and q(x) 0 .
Example:
3x 1
Find the horizontal asymptote: f ( x) .
2x 1
Degree of numerator = 1
Degree of denominator = 1
Since the degree of the numerator is
equal to the degree of the denominator,
horizontal asymptote is y 3 .
2
Horizontal Asymptotes
• deg of p(x) < deg of q(x), then H.A. is y = 0
p( x) • deg of p(x) = deg of q(x), then H.A. is
f ( x)
q( x) leading coefficien t of p( x)
y
leading coefficien t of q( x)
• deg of p(x) > deg of q(x), then no H.A.
Example:
3x2 1
Find the horizontal asymptote: f ( x ) .
2x 1
Degree of numerator = 2
Degree of denominator = 1
Since the degree of the numerator is greater
than the degree of the denominator, there is
no horizontal asymptote.
Vertical & Horizontal Asymptotes
V.A. : H.A. :
x = a, where a • deg of p(x) < deg of q(x), then H.A. is y = 0
represents real • deg of p(x) = deg of q(x), then H.A. is
zeros of q(x).
leading coefficient of p( x)
y
leading coefficient of q( x )
• deg of p(x) > deg of q(x), then no H.A.
Practice:
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes:
3x2 1
f ( x)
2x 1
Answer Now
Vertical & Horizontal Asymptotes
V.A. : H.A. :
x = a, where a • deg of p(x) < deg of q(x), then H.A. is y = 0
represents real • deg of p(x) = deg of q(x), then H.A. is
zeros of q(x).
leading coefficient of p( x )
y
leading coefficient of q( x )
Answer Now
Vertical & Horizontal Asymptotes
V.A. : H.A. :
x = a, where a • deg of p(x) < deg of q(x), then H.A. is y = 0
represents real • deg of p(x) = deg of q(x), then H.A. is
zeros of q(x).
leading coefficient of p( x )
y
leading coefficient of q( x )
• deg of p(x) > deg of q(x), then no H.A.
Practice:
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes:
2x
f ( x)
x2 1 V.A. : none
H.A.: y = 0
x 1
2 is not factorable and thus has no real roots.