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Prep 2 SS · Mathematics
Functions · Limits

Asymptotes and Infinite Branches of Rational Functions

Before you start, make sure you know: Algebraic fractions (High School Year 1 (semesters 1 and 2))
Before you start, make sure you know: Polynomial division (Secondary Year 3)

A new social media account launches today. Will there be a cap on followers in the long run, or will it grow without stopping? And on a graph, what happens to the curve when $x$ gets close to a value where the function is not defined? To answer without a graphing calculator we use asymptotes: lines that the curve gets closer and closer to. At the end of the section we come back to the question about followers.

Comparing degrees: the limit at infinity

The behavior of $\dfrac{P(x)}{Q(x)}$ as $x\to\pm\infty$ depends on comparing the degree of $P$ with that of $Q$: the lower-degree terms become insignificant.

Graph of a rational function that decreases and approaches the horizontal asymptote y = 0 as x tends to positive infinity y = 0 (asymptote) x → ∞ degree of numerator < degree of denominator → the limit is 0

In a polynomial, only the highest-degree term matters.

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Calculate the following limits by analysing the leading term of each polynomial: a) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} (2x^3 - 5x^2 + 10)$ b) $\lim_{x \to -\infty} (-x^2 + 3x - 1)$…

Calculate the following limits by analysing the leading term of each polynomial:

  1. a) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} (2x^3 - 5x^2 + 10)$
  1. b) $\lim_{x \to -\infty} (-x^2 + 3x - 1)$
  1. c) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} (4 - x^4)$
Solve
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Calculate the limits as $x \to +\infty$ and as $x \to -\infty$ of the following rational functions by comparing the degrees of the numerator and the denominator: a)…

Calculate the limits as $x \to +\infty$ and as $x \to -\infty$ of the following rational functions by comparing the degrees of the numerator and the denominator:

  1. a) $f(x) = \frac{3x^2 - 5}{x^3 + 2x}$
  1. b) $g(x) = \frac{x^2 + 1}{4x^2 - 3x}$
  1. c) $h(x) = \frac{5x^3 + 2}{x^2 - 7}$
Solve

Horizontal asymptote

When the limit at infinity is a finite number $L$, the line $y=L$ is the horizontal asymptote: the value the quantity approaches in the long run.

Back to the followers: if $S(t)=\dfrac{120t^2+500}{3t^2+4t+10}$ (in thousands), the degrees are equal and the limit is $\dfrac{120}{3}=40$. There is a cap: the horizontal asymptote $y=40$, that is, about $40{,}000$ followers.

Increasing or decreasing?

A function is increasing if $f(x)$ gets larger as $x$ increases, and decreasing if it gets smaller as $x$ increases. For a function like $\dfrac{ax+b}{cx+d}$ it helps to divide and write it as $L+\dfrac{k}{x-h}$: the line $y=L$ is the horizontal asymptote and $x=h$ the vertical one. If $k>0$, the part $\dfrac{k}{x-h}$ decreases as $x$ increases on each branch, so the function is decreasing on each branch of its domain. If $k<0$, it is increasing.

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Given the following graph of the function $f(x)$, determine the value of the limits at infinity and state the equation of its horizontal asymptote: a)…

Given the following graph of the function $f(x)$, determine the value of the limits at infinity and state the equation of its horizontal asymptote:

  1. a) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} f(x)$
  1. b) $\lim_{x \to -\infty} f(x)$
−2 −4 −6 −8 2 4 6 8 −2 2 4 6 0 x y f(x) Asymptote: y = ? b) x → −∞ f(x) → ? a) x → +∞ f(x) → ?
Solve
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Find the equation of the horizontal asymptote of the following functions. If it does not have one, state so with justification: a) $f(x) = \frac{2x - 1}{x + 3}$ b)…

Find the equation of the horizontal asymptote of the following functions. If it does not have one, state so with justification:

  1. a) $f(x) = \frac{2x - 1}{x + 3}$
  1. b) $g(x) = \frac{4}{x^2 - 1}$
  1. c) $h(x) = \frac{x^2 + 5}{2x - 3}$
Solve
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The number of users of an educational social network, measured in thousands, follows the time evolution $t$ (in months) according to the function: $$N(t) = \frac{20t +…

The number of users of an educational social network, measured in thousands, follows the time evolution $t$ (in months) according to the function:

$$N(t) = \frac{20t + 100}{0.5t + 2}$$
  1. Calculate the initial number of users (at $t=0$).

  2. Determine what the number of users will tend to in the long term (as $t \to +\infty$).

  3. Is there any value of $t$ for which the function is not continuous? Reason whether this value makes sense in the context of the problem.

Solve
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Determine the value of the parameters $a$ and $b$ so that the function $g(x) = \frac{ax + 5}{bx - 4}$ has a vertical asymptote at the line $x = 2$ and a horizontal…

Determine the value of the parameters $a$ and $b$ so that the function $g(x) = \frac{ax + 5}{bx - 4}$ has a vertical asymptote at the line $x = 2$ and a horizontal asymptote at the line $y = 3$. Once found, check whether the function is increasing or decreasing on its domain.

Solve

Vertical asymptote

Vertical asymptotes appear at the values that make the denominator zero (and not the numerator): there the function "shoots up" toward $+\infty$ or $-\infty$.

Graph of a rational function with a dashed vertical asymptote at x = 0 where both branches rise toward infinity x = 0 near x = 0, f(x) → +∞ from both sides
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For the function $f(x) = \dfrac{1}{x^2}$, complete the following table of values to investigate its behavior as $x$ approaches $0$. | $x$ | $-0.1$ | $-0.01$ | $0$ |…

For the function $f(x) = \dfrac{1}{x^2}$, complete the following table of values to investigate its behavior as $x$ approaches $0$.

$x$ $-0.1$ $-0.01$ $0$ $0.01$ $0.1$
$f(x)$ ? ? Undef. ? ?

From the table, deduce the value of the one-sided limits $\lim_{x \to 0^-} f(x)$ and $\lim_{x \to 0^+} f(x)$. Does the overall limit exist at $x=0$?

Solve
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Given the function $f(x) = \dfrac{x + 1}{x - 4}$: a) State its domain of definition. b) Calculate the one-sided limits at the point where the function is not defined:…

Given the function $f(x) = \dfrac{x + 1}{x - 4}$:

  1. a) State its domain of definition.
  2. b) Calculate the one-sided limits at the point where the function is not defined: $\lim_{x \to 4^-} f(x)$ and $\lim_{x \to 4^+} f(x)$.
  3. c) What type of infinite branch does the function have at $x = 4$?
Solve
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Given the rational function $f(x) = \frac{2x^2 - 8}{x^2 - x - 2}$: 1. Determine its domain of definition. 2. Calculate the one-sided limits at the points where the…

Given the rational function $f(x) = \frac{2x^2 - 8}{x^2 - x - 2}$:

  1. Determine its domain of definition.

  2. Calculate the one-sided limits at the points where the function is not defined.

  3. Specify which of those points correspond to a vertical asymptote and which to a removable discontinuity (missing point).

Solve
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Consider the function $f(x) = \frac{k}{x^2 - 9}$. 1. If we know that the function passes through the point $(0, -1)$, find the value of $k$. 2. With the value of $k$…

Consider the function $f(x) = \frac{k}{x^2 - 9}$.

  1. If we know that the function passes through the point $(0, -1)$, find the value of $k$.

  2. With the value of $k$ obtained, carry out a complete study of the asymptotes of the function and position its infinite branches relative to its vertical asymptotes.

Solve

Roots and exponentials at infinity

The idea is the same: what dominates is what remains. With roots, $\sqrt{x^2-3x}$ behaves like $\sqrt{x^2}=|x|$ for very large $x$, and $\sqrt{4x^2+1}$ like $2|x|$.

Watch the sign: $\sqrt{x^2}=|x|$, which is $x$ if $x>0$ but is $-x$ if $x<0$. That is why, when $x\to-\infty$, you have to write $\sqrt{x^2}=-x$.

With exponentials, remember how $3^x$ behaves: as $x\to+\infty$, $3^x\to+\infty$; as $x\to-\infty$, $3^x\to0^+$ (for example $3^{-10}$ is almost $0$).

When a difference of roots gives $\infty-\infty$, we multiply and divide by the conjugate.

Now the same kind of function toward the left. Here $x<0$ and everything changes.

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Calculate the following limits of functions involving radicals: a) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} \sqrt{x^2 - 3x}$ b) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} \frac{\sqrt{4x^2 + 1}}{x - 5}$ c)…

Calculate the following limits of functions involving radicals:

  1. a) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} \sqrt{x^2 - 3x}$
  1. b) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} \frac{\sqrt{4x^2 + 1}}{x - 5}$
  1. c) $\lim_{x \to +\infty} \frac{x+2}{\sqrt{x^3 + 1}}$
Solve
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Calculate the following limits and, from them, determine the horizontal asymptotes of each function: 1. $\lim_{x \to +\infty} \left( \sqrt{x^2 + 5x} - x \right)$ 2.…

Calculate the following limits and, from them, determine the horizontal asymptotes of each function:

  1. $\lim_{x \to +\infty} \left( \sqrt{x^2 + 5x} - x \right)$

  2. $\lim_{x \to -\infty} \frac{3^x + 2}{3^x - 1}$

Solve
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Given the function $f(x) = \sqrt{x^2 + 4x} - x$, whose domain is $(-\infty, -4] \cup [0, +\infty)$, study its behavior as $x \to +\infty$ and as $x \to -\infty$. a)…

Given the function $f(x) = \sqrt{x^2 + 4x} - x$, whose domain is $(-\infty, -4] \cup [0, +\infty)$, study its behavior as $x \to +\infty$ and as $x \to -\infty$.

  1. a) Calculate $\lim_{x \to +\infty} f(x)$ and, if it exists, the equation of the corresponding asymptote.
  1. b) Calculate $\lim_{x \to -\infty} f(x)$ and, if there is an asymptote, find its equation (it may be horizontal or oblique).
  1. c) Does it have the same horizontal asymptote in both directions? Justify your answer by calculating both limits in detail and draw a sketch of the resulting branches, indicating the asymptotes and the points $(-4, 4)$ and $(0, 0)$.
Solve

Extension: oblique asymptote

When the numerator has exactly one degree more than the denominator, the function does not approach a horizontal line but a slanted one.

It can also be obtained with limits: $m=\displaystyle\lim_{x\to\infty}\dfrac{f(x)}{x}$ and $n=\displaystyle\lim_{x\to\infty}\big(f(x)-mx\big)$.

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Study the behavior at infinity of the function $f(x) = \frac{x^2 - 3x}{x + 1}$ by calculating: a) The existence of an oblique asymptote of the form $y = mx + n$. b) The…

Study the behavior at infinity of the function $f(x) = \frac{x^2 - 3x}{x + 1}$ by calculating:

  1. a) The existence of an oblique asymptote of the form $y = mx + n$.
  1. b) The relative position of the curve with respect to that asymptote when $x \to +\infty$ (indicate whether the function lies above or below the line).
Solve
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Study the infinite branches of the function $f(x) = \dfrac{x^3}{x^2 + 1}$. Having no horizontal or vertical asymptotes, determine the equation of its oblique asymptote…

Study the infinite branches of the function $f(x) = \dfrac{x^3}{x^2 + 1}$. Having no horizontal or vertical asymptotes, determine the equation of its oblique asymptote and schematically represent its behavior at infinity using the following reference graph:

x f(x) O 1 5 −1 −5 1 5 −1 −5 y = mx + n = ? f(x) = x³ x² + 1 Curve f(x) Asymptote ? Calculation of asymptote m = lim ( f(x) / x ) = ? n = lim ( f(x) - mx ) = ? ( x → ±∞ ) Zoom (x → +∞) Relative position? Zoom (x → -∞) Relative position? Study of infinite branches
Solve
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Find the equation of the oblique asymptote of the function $f(x) = \frac{2x^3 - 5x^2 + 1}{x^2 + x}$. Once obtained: a) Calculate the point where the graph of the…

Find the equation of the oblique asymptote of the function $f(x) = \frac{2x^3 - 5x^2 + 1}{x^2 + x}$. Once obtained:

  1. a) Calculate the point where the graph of the function intersects this oblique asymptote.
  2. b) Determine, by studying the limit of the difference $[f(x) - (mx+n)]$, whether the function approaches the asymptote from above or from below as $x \to +\infty$.
Solve
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Given the rational function $f(x) = \frac{ax^2 + bx + 1}{2x - 4}$, calculate the values of the parameters $a$ and $b$ knowing that the function has an oblique asymptote…

Given the rational function $f(x) = \frac{ax^2 + bx + 1}{2x - 4}$, calculate the values of the parameters $a$ and $b$ knowing that the function has an oblique asymptote whose equation is $y = 2x + 5$. Once the parameters are found, study whether the graph of the function lies above or below this asymptote as $x \to +\infty$.

Solve

Extension: complete analysis of a rational function

We compare degrees at infinity and look for the zeros of the denominator. This is how the function is described without tabulating many points.

Absolute value and piecewise functions

Absolute value is defined by cases: $|u|=u$ if $u\ge0$ and $|u|=-u$ if $u<0$. To remove it, first find where $u$ is positive and where it is negative.

For piecewise functions we study each piece with its own limits, and at the point where they join we check the one-sided limits.

To design a function with given asymptotes: the denominator carries the factors for the vertical ones; a common factor in the numerator and denominator produces the hole; and the leading coefficient is adjusted for the horizontal one.

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Match each of the following functions with its behavior at $+\infty$: 1. $f(x) = \frac{10}{x-2}$ 2. $g(x) = \frac{5x^2}{x^2 + 1}$ 3. $h(x) = \frac{x^2 - 1}{x}$…

Match each of the following functions with its behavior at $+\infty$:

  1. $f(x) = \frac{10}{x-2}$

  2. $g(x) = \frac{5x^2}{x^2 + 1}$

  3. $h(x) = \frac{x^2 - 1}{x}$

Behaviors:

  1. a) Tends to $+\infty$ (Parabolic branch).
  2. b) Has a horizontal asymptote at $y = 0$.
  3. c) Has a horizontal asymptote at $y = 5$.
Solve
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Given the graph of the function $f(x)$ shown below, identify the equations of its asymptotes (vertical and horizontal) and describe the behavior of the function using…

Given the graph of the function $f(x)$ shown below, identify the equations of its asymptotes (vertical and horizontal) and describe the behavior of the function using limits as $x \to +\infty$ and as $x \to -\infty$.

x y 0 1 2 −1 −2 1 2 −1 f(x) f(x)
Solve
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A digital marketing analyst is studying the evolution of the followers of a new social media account. The number of followers (in thousands) follows the function…

A digital marketing analyst is studying the evolution of the followers of a new social media account. The number of followers (in thousands) follows the function $S(t) = \frac{120t^2 + 500}{3t^2 + 4t + 10}$, where $t \geq 0$ is the time in months since the launch.

  1. a) Determine whether there is a growth limit for the number of followers in the long term. If so, give the equation of the horizontal asymptote.
  1. b) Graphically represent the behavior of the function at infinity by means of a sketch of its asymptotic branches (draw some axes, the asymptote and the curve approaching it when $t \to +\infty$).
Solve
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Calculate all the asymptotes of the following piecewise-defined function and study the behavior of its infinite branches:…

Calculate all the asymptotes of the following piecewise-defined function and study the behavior of its infinite branches:

$f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{2x^2}{x+1} & \text{if } x < 0 \\ \frac{x-1}{x^2-9} & \text{if } x \geq 0 \end{cases}$

State specifically the one-sided limits at the points where vertical asymptotes exist.

Solve
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Consider the family of functions $f(x) = \frac{x^2 - k}{x^2 + k^2 - 2}$. Find the values of the parameter $k \in \mathbb{R}$ for which the function: 1. Has no vertical…

Consider the family of functions $f(x) = \frac{x^2 - k}{x^2 + k^2 - 2}$. Find the values of the parameter $k \in \mathbb{R}$ for which the function:

  1. Has no vertical asymptotes.

  2. Has exactly one vertical asymptote.

  3. Has two vertical asymptotes.

For all cases, state the horizontal asymptote of the function.

Solve
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Let the function be $f(x) = \frac{|x^2 - 1|}{x - 1}$. a) Redefine the function as a piecewise function by eliminating the modulus. b) Calculate the one-sided limits at…

Let the function be $f(x) = \frac{|x^2 - 1|}{x - 1}$.

  1. a) Redefine the function as a piecewise function by eliminating the modulus.
  1. b) Calculate the one-sided limits at $x = 1$. Is there a vertical asymptote at that point or is it a removable discontinuity?
  1. c) Study the existence of horizontal asymptotes by calculating $\lim_{x \to +\infty} f(x)$ and $\lim_{x \to -\infty} f(x)$. Explain the difference between both results.
Solve
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Design a rational function $f(x) = \frac{P(x)}{Q(x)}$ that simultaneously satisfies the following four conditions: 1. Has a vertical asymptote at $x = -4$. 2. Has a…

Design a rational function $f(x) = \frac{P(x)}{Q(x)}$ that simultaneously satisfies the following four conditions:

  1. Has a vertical asymptote at $x = -4$.

  2. Has a removable discontinuity at $x = 1$.

  3. Has a horizontal asymptote at $y = 5$.

  4. Passes through the origin $(0,0)$.

Provide the final algebraic expression of the function in simplified form.

Solve

Back to the beginning: the followers do not grow without stopping, because the limit at infinity is finite and the horizontal asymptote $y=40$ marks the cap of about $40{,}000$.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section