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
Problem 2.4.49
Textbook Question
Find all vertical asymptotes x=a of the following functions. For each value of a, determine x→a+limf(x), x→a−limf(x), and x→alimf(x).
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1
Identify the points where the denominator of the function f(x) = \frac{x+1}{x^3-4x^2+4x} is equal to zero, as these are potential vertical asymptotes. Set x^3 - 4x^2 + 4x = 0 and solve for x.
Factor the equation x^3 - 4x^2 + 4x = 0. Start by factoring out the greatest common factor, which is x, to get x(x^2 - 4x + 4) = 0.
Further factor the quadratic x^2 - 4x + 4. Notice that it is a perfect square trinomial, so it can be factored as (x - 2)^2. Thus, the equation becomes x(x - 2)^2 = 0.
Solve the factored equation x(x - 2)^2 = 0 to find the values of x that make the denominator zero. The solutions are x = 0 and x = 2.
For each potential vertical asymptote x = 0 and x = 2, evaluate the one-sided limits: \lim_{x \to a^+} f(x), \lim_{x \to a^-} f(x), and \lim_{x \to a} f(x). Analyze the behavior of the function as x approaches these values from the left and right to confirm the presence of vertical asymptotes.
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