Precalculus

HS Mathematics
Unit: 08 Lesson: 01

Finding Asymptotes KEY

Discontinuities
n( x )
Rational functions of the form f ( x ) = d(x)
are undefined at values of x that make d(x) = 0.
Wherever a rational function is undefined, a break occurs in its graph.
Each such break is called a discontinuity.

For rational functions, there are two main types:

n( x ) n( x )
A function of the form f ( x ) = d(x)
will have A function of the form f ( x ) = d(x)
will have
a vertical asymptote at x = a if a removable discontinuity at x = b if

x = a is a zero of d(x) (but NOT n(x)). x = b is a zero of both d(x) and n(x).

For the rational functions given,

Factor (if possible) to identify more easily the zeros of the numerator and the denominator.
Then, list the values of x at which the function is undefined, and use these to describe the
functions domain.
Finally, decide which of these values provide locations of vertical asymptotes (VA), and which
denote removable discontinuities (RD).

2x 5 3 x + 12
1) f (x) = 2) f (x) =
x +5 2x 1
Undefined at: x = -5 Undefined at: x=

Domain: (, -5) (-5, ) Domain: (,) (, )

VA: x = -5 VA: x=

RD: None RD: None

2 x + 12 x 2 2 x 24
3) f (x) = 4) f (x) =
x 2 6x x 2 5 x 24
2( x 6) ( x 6)( x + 4)
Factored: f (x) = Factored: f (x) =
x ( x 6) ( x 8)( x + 3)
Undefined at: x = 0, x = 6 Undefined at: x = -3, x = 8

Domain: (, 0) (0, 6) (6, ) Domain: (, -3)(-3, 8)(8, )

VA: x=0 VA: x = -3, x = 8

RD: x=6 RD: None

2012, TESCCC 10/09/12 page 1 of 6

 Precalculus
HS Mathematics
Unit: 08 Lesson: 01

Finding Asymptotes KEY

3x 6 x3 9x
5) f (x) = 2
6) f (x) =
x + 2x 8 x 2 7 x + 12
3( x 2) x ( x + 3)( x 3)
Factored: f (x) = Factored: f (x) =
( x + 4)( x 2) ( x 4)( x 3)
Undefined at: x = -4, x = 2 Undefined at: x = 3, x = 4

Domain: (, -4)(-4, 2)(2, ) Domain: (, 3)(3, 4)(4, )

VA: x = -4 VA: x=4

RD: x=2 RD: x=3

Limits
A rational function f (x ) will have a horizontal asymptote if f (x ) approaches a limit as
x-values approach infinity () or negative infinity ().

One method for approximating a limit is to create an end behavior table for a function, using
extreme positive and negative values for x.

3x + 2 5x 9 3 x 2 + 2x
7) f ( x ) = 8) f ( x ) = 9) f ( x ) =
4x 7 3x 2 + 2x 5x 9

x f(x) x f(x) x f(x)

-400 0.74549 -1000 -0.0017 -200 -118.5

-200 0.74102 -500 -0.0033 -100 -58.55

200 0.75914 500 0.00332 100 61.507

400 0.75455 1000 0.00166 200 121.49

Does a limit seem to exist? Does a limit seem to exist? Does a limit seem to exist?
Yes Yes No

If so, name the If so, name the If so, name the

horizontal y = 0.75 horizontal y=0 horizontal None
asymptote: asymptote: asymptote:

2012, TESCCC 10/09/12 page 2 of 6

 Precalculus
HS Mathematics
Unit: 08 Lesson: 01

Finding Asymptotes KEY

There are other shortcut methods for determining if (and where) rational functions have horizontal
asymptotes. Here, for functions of the form f ( x ) = dn (( xx )) , consider the degrees of the numerator, n(x),
and the denominator, d(x).

If the degree of n(x) is If the degree of n(x) is If the degree of n(x) is

Less than Equal to Greater than

the degree of d(x), then
the function will have a
horizontal asymptote at
y=0
the degree of d(x), then the degree of d(x), then
the function will have a the function will have
horizontal asymptote given by
No horizontal asymptote
The ratio of the leading
coefficients of n(x) and d(x)

Compare the degrees of the polynomials (n(x) and d(x)) in each numerator and denominator using <,
=, or >. Then use the rules above quickly to determine the horizontal asymptote of each function (if
one exists).

4x 2 7x 4x 7 4x 2 7x
10) f ( x ) = 11) f ( x ) = 12) f ( x ) =
2x 2 + x + 3 2x 2 + x + 3 2x 3 + x + 3

Degree Degree Degree Degree Degree Degree

= < <
of n(x) of d(x) of n(x) of d(x) of n(x) of d(x)

Horizontal Horizontal Horizontal

y = 4/2 = 2 y=0 y=0
asymptote: asymptote: asymptote:

x 2 7x + 2 5 x 2 2x 9 2x 3
13) f ( x ) = 14) f ( x ) = 15) f ( x ) =
5x + 3 16 x 2 3x 2 + x 1

Degree Degree Degree Degree Degree Degree

> = >
of n(x) of d(x) of n(x) of d(x) of n(x) of d(x)

Horizontal Horizontal Horizontal

None y = 5/-1 = -5 None
asymptote: asymptote: asymptote:

2012, TESCCC 10/09/12 page 3 of 6

 Precalculus
HS Mathematics
Unit: 08 Lesson: 01

Finding Asymptotes KEY

Slant
n( x )
For functions of the form f ( x ) = d(x)
, if the degree of n(x) is one more than the degree of d(x),
the function can have a slant asymptote (sometimes called oblique asymptotes).
A slant asymptote is a linear asymptote that is neither vertical nor horizontal.

The best method for determining the linear equation for a slant asymptote is to find the quotient using
polynomial long division. When a slant asymptote is present, thenI
f ( x ) = d ( x ) can be written as q( x ) + dr ((xx )) (where q(x) is the quotient and r(x) is the remainder),
n( x )

and the quotient, y = q(x), is the slant asymptote.

Example:
NOTE:
2 one
2x 7 x + 7 Degree = 2
degree
f (x) =
x 2 Degree = 1 higher

2x 3 Quotient

x 2 2x 2 7 x + 7
(2x 2 4x)
3x + 7
(3x + 6)
1 Remainder

Use polynomial long division to write each rational function in the form f ( x ) = q( x ) + dr ((xx)) . Then identify
the slant asymptote.
3x 2 + 4x 5 x 2 2 x 14 x 3 + x 2 3x 1
16) f ( x ) = 17) f ( x ) = 18) f ( x ) =
x +3 2x 8 x2 x 2

6
f(x) = ()x + 1 + 2 x 8 , or x +3
f(x) = 3x 5 + 10
x+ 3 3
f(x) = x + 2 + x2 x 2
f(x) = ()x + 1 + x4

Slant asymptote: Slant asymptote: Slant asymptote:

y = 3x 5 y = ()x + 1 y=x+2

2012, TESCCC 10/09/12 page 4 of 6

 Precalculus
HS Mathematics
Unit: 08 Lesson: 01

Finding Asymptotes KEY

End Behavior
x3 x2 x + 8 Consider the rational functions where the x3 x2 x + 8
f (x) = numerator is 2 or more degrees greater than f (x) =
x +1 x +1
that of the denominator.
Sometimes, these rational functions look
almost identical to other functions (except
near the middle of the graphs, where the
vertical asymptotes occur).

For example, the rational function shown

appears to be almost parabolic (except, of
[-6, 6] by [-10, 20] course, for the vertical asymptote at x = -1). [-10, 10] by [-40, 80]

In these cases, we say the rational function

has an end behavior asymptote.

One method for determining the equation for an end behavior asymptote is to find the quotient from
polynomial long division. When an end behavior asymptote is present, thenI
f ( x ) = d ( x ) can be written as q( x ) + dr ((xx )) (where q(x) is the quotient and r(x) is the remainder),
n( x )

and the quotient, y = q(x), is the end behavior asymptote.

Example:
Quotient Remainder
NOTE:
x3 x2 x + 8 Deg = 3
two 7
f (x) = degrees f ( x ) = x 2 2x + 1 +
x +1 Deg = 1 higher
x +1
x 2 2x + 1 Quotient End behavior asymptote
x + 1 x3 x2 x + 8 is y = x2 2x + 1
(x 3 + x2) NOTE:
-1 1 -1 -1 8 Some-
2x2 x times,
(2x2 2x) -1 2 -1 you can
use
x+8 synthetic
(x + 1) 1 -2 1 7 division!
Remainder
7 Remainder Quotient coefficients

19) Under what circumstances can a synthetic process be used in place of long division?
Synthetic substitution/division can only be used when the divisor (denominator) is of the form
(x a)

2012, TESCCC 10/09/12 page 5 of 6

 Precalculus
HS Mathematics
Unit: 08 Lesson: 01

Finding Asymptotes KEY

Use synthetic substitution to rewrite each rational x 3 6x 2 + 7x + 7
20) f ( x ) =
function in the form f ( x ) = q( x ) + dr ((xx)) (where q(x) x 3
is the quotient and r(x) is the remainder). 3 1 -6 7 7
Then, with the aid of a calculator, sketch the 3 -9 -6
graphs of both the rational function and the end
behavior asymptote in the space provided. 1 -3 -2 1
Rewrite:
f(x) = x2 3x 2 + 1
x3

Graph (sketch):

x 3 + 10 x 2 + 29 x + 19 0 .5 x 3 2 x 2 + 7
21) f ( x ) = 22) f ( x ) =
x+4 x+2
-4 1 10 29 19 -2 -.5 -2 0 7
-4 -24 -20 1 2 -4
1 6 5 -1 -.5 -1 2 3
Rewrite: Rewrite:
f(x) = x2 + 6x + 5 + 1
x+4 f(x) = -0.5x2 x + 2 + 3
x+ 2

Graph (sketch): Graph (sketch):

2012, TESCCC 10/09/12 page 6 of 6