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
3:18 minutes
Problem 73a
Textbook Question
Analyze lim x→∞ f(x) and lim x→−∞ f(x), and then identify any horizontal asymptotes.
f(x) = (3x4 + 3x3 − 36x2) / (x4 − 25x2 + 144)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the degrees of the numerator and the denominator. The numerator is 3x^4 + 3x^3 - 36x^2, which is a polynomial of degree 4. The denominator is x^4 - 25x^2 + 144, also a polynomial of degree 4.
Step 2: Since the degrees of the numerator and the denominator are equal, the horizontal asymptote is determined by the ratio of the leading coefficients. The leading coefficient of the numerator is 3, and the leading coefficient of the denominator is 1.
Step 3: Calculate the horizontal asymptote by dividing the leading coefficients: y = 3/1 = 3. Therefore, the horizontal asymptote is y = 3.
Step 4: Analyze lim x→∞ f(x). As x approaches infinity, the terms with the highest degree in both the numerator and the denominator dominate, so lim x→∞ f(x) = 3.
Step 5: Analyze lim x→−∞ f(x). Similarly, as x approaches negative infinity, the terms with the highest degree dominate, so lim x→−∞ f(x) = 3.
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