Vertical asymptote

Get the most by viewing this topic in your current grade. Pick your course now.

Introduction
Lessons
  1. Introduction to Vertical Asymptotes

    • How to determine vertical asymptotes of a rational function?

    • Exercise:

    For the rational function: f(x)=(2x+9)(x−8)(6x+11)(x)(2x+9)(x+5)(3x−7)(6x+11)f(x) = \frac{(2x+9)(x-8)(6x+11)}{(x)(2x+9)(x+5)(3x-7)(6x+11)}

    i) Locate the points of discontinuity.

    ii) Find the vertical asymptotes.

Examples
Lessons
  1. Graphing Rational Functions

    Sketch each rational function by determining:

    i) vertical asymptote.

    ii) horizontal asymptotes

    1. f(x)=52x+10f\left( x \right) = \frac{5}{{2x + 10}}
    2. g(x)=5x2−13x+6−2x2+3x+2g\left( x \right) = \frac{{5{x^2} - 13x + 6}}{{ - 2{x^2} + 3x + 2}}
    3. h(x)=x320x−100h\left( x \right) = \frac{{{x^3}}}{{20x - 100}}
  2. Identifying Characteristics of Rational Functions

    Without sketching the graph, determine the following features for each rational function:

    i) point of discontinuity

    ii) vertical asymptote

    iii) horizontal asymptote

    iv) slant asymptote

    1. a(x)=x−9x+9a(x) = \frac{x - 9}{x + 9}
    2. b(x)=x2−9x2+9b(x) = \frac{x^{2}-9}{x^{2}+9}
    3. c(x)=x2+9x2−9c(x) = \frac{x^{2}+9}{x^{2}-9}
    4. d(x)=x+9x2−9d(x) = \frac{x+9}{x^{2}-9}
    5. e(x)=x+3x2−9e(x) = \frac{x+3}{x^{2}-9}
    6. f(x)=x2+9x+9f(x) = \frac{x^{2}+9}{x+9}
    7. g(x)=−x−9−x2−9g(x) = \frac{-x-9}{-x^{2}-9}
    8. h(x)=−x2−9−x2+9h(x) = \frac{-x^{2}-9}{-x^{2}+9}
    9. i(x)=x2−9x+3i(x) = \frac{x^{2}-9}{x+3}
    10. j(x)=x3−9x2x2−3xj(x) = \frac{x^{3}-9x^{2}}{x^{2}-3x}
Free to Join!
StudyPug is a learning help platform covering math and science from grade 4 all the way to second year university. Our video tutorials, unlimited practice problems, and step-by-step explanations provide you or your child with all the help you need to master concepts. On top of that, it's fun - with achievements, customizable avatars, and awards to keep you motivated.

  • Easily See Your Progress

    We track the progress you've made on a topic so you know what you've done. From the course view you can easily see what topics have what and the progress you've made on them. Fill the rings to completely master that section or mouse over the icon to see more details.

  • Make Use of Our Learning Aids

    Last Viewed
    Practice Accuracy
    Suggested Tasks

    Get quick access to the topic you're currently learning.

    See how well your practice sessions are going over time.

    Stay on track with our daily recommendations.

  • Earn Achievements as You Learn

    Make the most of your time as you use StudyPug to help you achieve your goals. Earn fun little badges the more you watch, practice, and use our service.

  • Create and Customize Your Avatar

    Play with our fun little avatar builder to create and customize your own avatar on StudyPug. Choose your face, eye colour, hair colour and style, and background. Unlock more options the more you use StudyPug.
Topic Notes

For a rational function: f(x)=numeratordenominatorf(x) = \frac{numerator}{denominator}

Provided that the numerator and denominator have no factors in common (if there are, we have "points of discontinuity" as discussed in the previous section), vertical asymptotes can be determined as follows:

∙\bullet equations of vertical asymptotes: x = zeros of the denominator

i.e.f(x)=numeratorx(x+5)(3x−7)i.e. f(x) = \frac{numerator}{x(x+5)(3x-7)}; vertical asymptotes: x=0,x=−5,x=75x = 0, x = -5, x = \frac{7}{5}

Basic Concepts
Related Concepts