Construct a function given two asymptotes

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To construct a function with a vertical asymptote at x = -1 and a slant asymptote of y = 8x + 7, a rational function is suggested instead of a hyperbola, as the latter does not provide a vertical asymptote. The discussion emphasizes the need to combine functions effectively to achieve the desired asymptotic behavior. A proposed function is f(x) = 1/(x + 1), which has the required vertical asymptote, but further adjustments are necessary to incorporate the slant asymptote. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding how function addition and multiplication affect asymptotic behavior, particularly as x approaches infinity.
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The problem
Giva an example of a function ## f(x) ## that has one vertical asymptote at ## x = -1 ## and
and another asymptote that is ## y=8x+7 ##.

Translated from Swedish.

The attempt
I know that I should use the hyperbola here but I am not sure how to adapt the hyporbola to the tilting asymptote. Can anyone help please?

Hyperbola:
##(\frac{x}{a})^2-(\frac{y}{b})^2 = 1##
or
##(\frac{y}{b})^2-(\frac{x}{a})^2 = 1 ##
(I gess that doesn't matter which one I choose since both can satisfy our demands. )

My first thought was to move the whole function f 7 units of length up ,thus the function we are looking fore (lets call it g) is f(x) +7. I now have to adjust the formula above to the tilt of 8.

##(\frac{x}{a})^2-(\frac{y}{b})^2 = 1 \\ (\frac{y}{b})^2 =(\frac{x}{a})^2- 1 \\ (\frac{y}{b}) = \pm \sqrt{(\frac{x}{a})^2- 1} \\ ##
1 goes away for when x-> ##\infty##

## (\frac{y}{b}) = \pm \sqrt{(\frac{x}{a})^2- 1} \\ \frac{y}{b} = \pm \sqrt{(\frac{x}{a})^2} ##

There are 2 asymptotes here

## \frac{y}{b} = \sqrt{ (\frac{x}{a})^2 } \\ y = \frac{xb}{a} ##

and

## \frac{y}{b} = - \sqrt{ (\frac{x}{a})^2 } \\ y = - \frac{xb}{a} ##

the tilt (k) is thus

## k=\frac{b}{a} \\ 8=\frac{b}{a} ##

or
the tilt (k) is thus

## k = \frac{-b}{a} \\ 8 = \frac{-b}{a} ##

We can pick a=1 and adjust b accordingly.

## 8 = -\frac{b}{1} \\ -8 = b ##A hyporbola where a = 1 and b=-8 does satisfy (hopefully :) ) our requierments.
## (x)^2-( \frac{y}{-8} )^2 = 1##

this one is not a function though so I rearranged the the formula (removed one half of the range not sure if there is a proper word for it) and got the following function
$$ f(x) = 8 \sqrt{x^2-1} $$

therefore

$$ g(x) = 8 \sqrt{x^2-1} + 7 $$
but fore some reason that was wrong...

Can somone please help?
 
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Does your function ##
g(x) = 8 \sqrt{x^2-1} + 7## have a vertical asymptote at x = -1?

Do not stick to the hyperbola.
What can be a very simple function g(x) which has a vertical asymptote at x=-1? So as g(x) goes to +or - infinity when x-->-1?
You get an asymptote y=8x+7 by using a factor that tends to 1 when x goes to infinity. Use g(x) in this factor.
 
Last edited:
Rectifier said:
The problem
Giva an example of a function ## f(x) ## that has one vertical asymptote at ## x = -1 ## and
and another asymptote that is ## y=8x+7 ##.

Translated from Swedish.

The attempt
I know that I should use the hyperbola here but I am not sure how to adapt the hyperbola to the tilting asymptote. Can anyone help please?

Hyperbola:
##(\frac{x}{a})^2-(\frac{y}{b})^2 = 1##
or
##(\frac{y}{b})^2-(\frac{x}{a})^2 = 1 ##
(I gess that doesn't matter which one I choose since both can satisfy our demands. )
...
...
therefore,$$ g(x) = 8 \sqrt{x^2-1} + 7 $$
but fore some reason that was wrong...

Can someone please help?
For get the hyperbola. It doesn't have a vertical asymptote.

Try a rational function. One which has the desired vertical asymptote ans also has a slant asymptote.
 
Thank you for your help!

SammyS said:
For get the hyperbola. It doesn't have a vertical asymptote.

Try a rational function. One which has the desired vertical asymptote ans also has a slant asymptote.

Forgot that I had that other asymptote too...

##f(x)= \frac{1}{x+1}##

has a vertical asymptote but I am not sure how to get that slant asymptote though...
 
Rectifier said:
Thank you for your help!
Forgot that I had that other asymptote too...

##f(x)= \frac{1}{x+1}##

has a vertical asymptote but I am not sure how to get that slant asymptote though...
What is the behavior of ##\displaystyle \ f(x)= \frac{1}{x+1}\ ## as ##\displaystyle \ x \to \pm \infty \ ?##
 
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SammyS said:
What is the behavior of ##\displaystyle \ f(x)= \frac{1}{x+1}\ ## as ##\displaystyle \ x \to \pm \infty \ ?##
f(x) -> 0
 
Rectifier said:
f(x) -> 0
That's correct.

What happens if you add the function ##\ h(x) =8x+7\ ## to ##\ f(x)\ ?##
 
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SammyS said:
That's correct.

What happens if you add the function ##\ h(x) =8x+7\ ## to ##\ f(x)\ ?##
Add like + or should I multiply it?
 
Try thinking about this! If you were to multiply the two functions what would you get as x goes to infinity? What if you added then?
 
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HallsofIvy said:
Try thinking about this! If you were to multiply the two functions what would you get as x goes to infinity? What if you added then?
Thank you for the reply.

I have seriously no idea of what would hapen (I guess that there is no easy answer since the behaviour of the product is so unpredictable - at least for me) :,( I have tried to simplify it with same functions like f(x)=x and g(x)=x f(x)g(x)=x^2 but there is no good easy answer. Its easier when you add stuff since then you just add the values from each function together for all x-es. The easiest case is when you add a constant function since you basically move the graph up or down.
 
  • #11
Rectifier said:
Thank you for the reply.

I have seriously no idea of what would hapen (I guess that there is no easy answer since the behaviour of the product is so unpredictable - at least for me) :,( I have tried to simplify it with same functions like f(x)=x and g(x)=x f(x)g(x)=x^2 but there is no good easy answer. Its easier when you add stuff since then you just add the values from each function together for all x-es. The easiest case is when you add a constant function since you basically move the graph up or down.
Try it each way .

For addition: If f(x) → 0 for large x, then what is the effect at large x, if you add f(x) to some other function?

For multiplication: If f(x) → 0 for large x, and you multiply it by a function that goes to ±∞, then you need to investigate further, which isn't too difficult. Otherwise, what do you suppose happens to the product (multiplication) for large x ?
 

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