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 2.4.48
Textbook Question
Find all vertical asymptotes of the following functions. For each value of , determine , , and .
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1
Step 1: Identify the points where the denominator of the function is zero, as these are potential vertical asymptotes. For the function \( f(x) = \frac{\cos(x)}{x^2 + 2x} \), set the denominator equal to zero: \( x^2 + 2x = 0 \).
Step 2: Solve the equation \( x^2 + 2x = 0 \) by factoring. Factor out an \( x \) to get \( x(x + 2) = 0 \). This gives the solutions \( x = 0 \) and \( x = -2 \).
Step 3: Determine the behavior of the function as \( x \) approaches each of these values from the left and right. For \( x = 0 \), evaluate \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} f(x) \) and \( \lim_{x \to 0^-} f(x) \).
Step 4: Similarly, evaluate the limits for \( x = -2 \). Calculate \( \lim_{x \to -2^+} f(x) \) and \( \lim_{x \to -2^-} f(x) \).
Step 5: Analyze the results of these limits. If the one-sided limits approach \( \pm \infty \), then \( x = 0 \) and \( x = -2 \) are vertical asymptotes. If the two-sided limit \( \lim_{x \to a} f(x) \) does not exist or is infinite, it confirms the presence of a vertical asymptote at \( x = a \).
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