Page 4: Detailed Asymptote Analysis
This page continues the comprehensive analysis of the function f(x) = (x² - 3) / (x² - 9), providing more detailed calculations and interpretations.
The analysis begins with a closer look at the vertical asymptote at x = 3. The page demonstrates how to calculate limits as x approaches 3 from both the left and right sides, confirming the existence of the vertical asymptote.
Example: lim[x→3⁺] (x² - 3) / (x² - 9) = +∞ and lim[x→3⁻] (x² - 3) / (x² - 9) = -∞
Next, the page focuses on finding horizontal asymptotes. It shows the calculation of the limit as x approaches positive and negative infinity, revealing that the function has a horizontal asymptote at y = 1.
Highlight: The existence of a horizontal asymptote precludes the possibility of an oblique asymptote for this function.
The position of the function's branches relative to the asymptotes is then determined by evaluating the function at very large positive and negative x values. This helps in understanding how the function behaves as x approaches infinity.
Example: f(100) ≈ 1.006 and f(-100) ≈ 1.006, indicating that the function approaches the horizontal asymptote y = 1 from above.
The page concludes with a summary of the asymptotic behavior of the function:
- Vertical asymptote at x = 3
- Horizontal asymptote at y = 1
- No oblique asymptote
A graphical representation is provided to visualize how these asymptotes relate to the function's graph, emphasizing the importance of asymptote analysis in understanding function behavior.