# Homework Help: Find equation of asymptotes: very basic

1. Mar 26, 2012

### 939

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Find the equations of the asymptotes.

2. Relevant equations

y = 5x^3 - 4x^2 + 11 / 2x (x^2 - 9)

( 5x^3 - 4x^2 + 11 is the numerator, 2x (x^2 - 9) is the denominator)

3. The attempt at a solution

Vertical: x = 0, x = -3, x = 3
Horizontal: Quick question...

The degree of the numerator for the first coefficient of the numerator is 3, for first of the denominator it is 1, correct? Thus there is no horizontal asymptote?

OR

Is the degree of the denominator 3, because of 2x and then x^2, in which case it would be 5/2?

2. Mar 26, 2012

### Dick

The second. The degree of the denominator is 3. 2x(x^2-9)=2x^3-18x.

Last edited: Mar 26, 2012
3. Mar 26, 2012

### Gengar

You're getting slightly confused, but did arrive at the answer kinda. Basically for x large, the x^3 terms on both the denominator and numerator will dominate each expression. Since they are both of degree 3 (that is the highest power of x is 3 for each) we simply look at the coeffecients of both x^3 terms and this will give us the answer. The coeffecient on top is 5, and on the bottom is 2, hence we have an asymptote at y=5/2.

4. Mar 26, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

I'm glad you clarified what you wrote. When you write fractions with multiple terms in either the numerator or denominator, put parentheses around the whole numerator or denominator.

Here is your equation as it should be written:
y = (5x^3 - 4x^2 + 11) / (2x (x^2 - 9))

5. Mar 26, 2012

### 939

Thanks :).

Thanks, I learned something similar when using wolframalpha, but wasn't sure if I should always write them like that :).

6. Mar 26, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

When you write a fraction with inline text (as opposed to using LaTeX), you should always put parentheses around numerators and/or denominators that have multiple terms.
What you wrote -
5x^3 - 4x^2 + 11 / 2x (x^2 - 9)

would be interpreted by many as

5x3 - 4x2 + $\frac{11}{2}$ x(x2 - 9)

Pretty obviously, that's not what you intended.