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 2.5.39
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 degrees of the polynomials in the numerator and the denominator. Here, both the numerator and the denominator are quadratic polynomials with the highest degree term being x^2.
For limits at infinity, focus on the leading terms of the numerator and the denominator. The leading term in the numerator is 6x^2 and in the denominator is 3x^2.
Calculate the limit as x approaches infinity by dividing the leading coefficients: lim_{x→∞} f(x) = lim_{x→∞} (6x^2/3x^2) = 6/3 = 2.
Similarly, calculate the limit as x approaches negative infinity. Since the leading terms are the same, the limit will also be the same: lim_{x→-∞} f(x) = 2.
Since both limits as x approaches positive and negative infinity are equal to 2, the horizontal asymptote of the function f(x) is y = 2.
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