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
Introduction to Limits
Problem 2.5.45
Textbook Question
Determine limx→∞f(x) and limx→−∞f(x) for the following functions. Then give the horizontal asymptotes of f (if any).
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1
Identify the dominant terms in the numerator and the denominator as x approaches infinity and negative infinity. For f(x) = \frac{1}{2x^4 - \sqrt{4x^8 - 9x^4}}, the dominant term in the denominator is \sqrt{4x^8} = 2x^4 when x is large.
Simplify the expression by factoring out the dominant term from the square root in the denominator: \sqrt{4x^8 - 9x^4} = x^4\sqrt{4 - \frac{9}{x^4}}.
Rewrite the function f(x) in terms of the dominant term: f(x) = \frac{1}{2x^4 - x^4\sqrt{4 - \frac{9}{x^4}}} = \frac{1}{x^4(2 - \sqrt{4 - \frac{9}{x^4}})}.
Evaluate the limit as x approaches infinity: lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{1}{x^4(2 - \sqrt{4 - \frac{9}{x^4}})}. As x becomes very large, \frac{9}{x^4} approaches 0, so \sqrt{4 - \frac{9}{x^4}} approaches 2, making the denominator approach x^4(2 - 2) = 0. Therefore, the limit is undefined, indicating no horizontal asymptote at infinity.
Evaluate the limit as x approaches negative infinity: lim_{x \to -\infty} f(x) = lim_{x \to -\infty} \frac{1}{x^4(2 - \sqrt{4 - \frac{9}{x^4}})}. The analysis is similar to the positive infinity case, and the limit is also undefined, indicating no horizontal asymptote at negative infinity.
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