Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
1. Limits and Continuity
Finding Limits Algebraically
5:48 minutes
Problem 46c
Textbook Question
Analyze the following limits and find the vertical asymptotes of f(x) = (x + 7) / (x4 − 49x2).
lim x → -7 f(x)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the points where the denominator is zero, as these are potential vertical asymptotes. Set the denominator equal to zero: \(x^4 - 49x^2 = 0\).
Step 2: Factor the equation \(x^4 - 49x^2 = 0\) by factoring out \(x^2\), resulting in \(x^2(x^2 - 49) = 0\).
Step 3: Further factor \(x^2 - 49\) using the difference of squares: \((x - 7)(x + 7)\). This gives the factored form \(x^2(x - 7)(x + 7) = 0\).
Step 4: Solve for \(x\) in the equation \(x^2(x - 7)(x + 7) = 0\). The solutions are \(x = 0\), \(x = 7\), and \(x = -7\). These are the potential vertical asymptotes.
Step 5: Analyze the limit \(\lim_{x \to -7} \frac{x + 7}{x^4 - 49x^2}\). Substitute \(x = -7\) into the factored form to check if the limit results in an indeterminate form like \(\frac{0}{0}\), which would confirm a vertical asymptote at \(x = -7\).
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