Functions with asymptotes and differentiability Question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of functions with asymptotes, specifically focusing on differentiability, continuity, and graphical representation. Participants explore various aspects of these functions, including limits, asymptotic behavior, and points of discontinuity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant sketches lines for vertical and horizontal asymptotes and notes that the function is not continuous at x=1 due to differing limits from the left and right.
  • Another participant agrees with the graphical interpretation but emphasizes the need to specify intervals for the horizontal asymptotes.
  • There is a discussion about whether a certain point is a hole or a vertical asymptote, with one participant questioning the classification based on the function's expression.
  • Some participants describe the graph of a piecewise function, noting its concavity and behavior at specific points, including vertical and horizontal asymptotes.
  • One participant shares a graph they created and seeks validation on whether it aligns with the expected behavior of the function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on some aspects of the graphical representations and properties of the functions, but there are competing views regarding the classification of certain points as holes or vertical asymptotes. The discussion remains unresolved on these points.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the need for clarity on the intervals of certain values and the piecewise nature of the function, indicating potential limitations in the initial descriptions provided.

ardentmed
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Hey guys,

More questions for you guys this time, these seem easy but always have a few nuances I seem to miss. With that said, I'd greatly appreciate your guys' help.

Question:
08b1167bae0c33982682_9.jpg


For 1a, I sketched two straight lines where x=/ 1 and y=1/2 for one line and y= -1/2 for the other.

Thus, x=1 is a vertical asymptote.

For 1b, f is not continuous because the limit at 1 from the left and right differ; one is 1/2 while the other is -1/2.

For 1c, the function is not differentiable at a=1 because a function f is differentiable at "a" if f ' (a) exists, meaning it must be differentiable over an open interval with "a" in it. a=1 is thus not part of the domain of f: (-infinity,1)u(1, infinity). Thus, f ' (1) is not possible.
As for 2a, I took the limit as x approaches infinity and used the limit division laws (I took the limit of both the nominator and the denominator accordingly)

Thus, $\lim_{{x}\to{infinity}}$ (1+ 2/x) / $\lim_{{x}\to{infinity}}$ √(9+ 5/(x^2)) =
1/√9
=1/3


Also, 7b gave me the most bizarre graph I've seen in quite a while. Would anyone know what this should roughly look like? The one I sketched has 3 points of discontinuity, which I find disconcerting.


Thanks in advance.
 
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Does anyone know how to go about doing this question?

Thanks in advance.
 
1a) You are correct about the graph, but you have to specify the interval of which y = 1/2 and y = -1/2, which I'm sure you probably did, but didn't bother typing out.

1b) and c) and 2a are also correct.
2b) is quite weird, actually. If I were to explain what I drew, I would be basically repeating what the question specifies, but I will try. There's three separate parts to the graph. The first part is concave upwards to the left of -1, the second part is a line that goes from y = 5 (closed dot, since it's continuous from the right.) down to negative infinity when x = 2. And the last portion is a line that goes from positive infinity to -2. There is a vertical asymptote at x = -1 and 2. Also a horizontal asymptote of y = 2 when you approach to negative infinity, and y = -2 when you approach to positive infinity.
 
Last edited:
Rido12 said:
1a) You are correct about the graph, but you have to specify the interval of which y = 1/2 and y = -1/2, which I'm sure you probably did, but didn't bother typing out.

1b) and c) and 2a are also correct.
2b) is quite weird, actually. If I were to explain what I drew, I would be basically repeating what the question specifies, but I will try. There's three separate parts to the graph. The first part is concave upwards to the left of -1, the second part is a line that goes from y = 5 (closed dot, since it's continuous from the right.) down to negative infinity when x = 2. And the last portion is a line that goes from positive infinity to -2. There is a vertical asymptote at x = -1 and 2. Also a horizontal asymptote of y = 2 when you approach to negative infinity, and y = -2 when you approach to positive infinity.

But isn't 1a a hole, not a vertical asymptote, since it cancels out in the expression?

Thanks again for the help.
 
I didn't say it was a vertical asymptote. I just said that because the function is an absolute value, it's defined as a piecewise function. It takes on a different function depending on which region of the domain it lies on, which you didn't specify.
 
Here is the (inverted) graph for this function. Sorry about the webcam quality. Am I on the right track?

Thanks so much for the help. View attachment 2911
 

Attachments

  • snapshot (5).jpg
    snapshot (5).jpg
    15 KB · Views: 109
Correct, again.
 
Rido12 said:
1a) You are correct about the graph, but you have to specify the interval of which y = 1/2 and y = -1/2, which I'm sure you probably did, but didn't bother typing out.

1b) and c) and 2a are also correct.
2b) is quite weird, actually. If I were to explain what I drew, I would be basically repeating what the question specifies, but I will try. There's three separate parts to the graph. The first part is concave upwards to the left of -1, the second part is a line that goes from y = 5 (closed dot, since it's continuous from the right.) down to negative infinity when x = 2. And the last portion is a line that goes from positive infinity to -2. There is a vertical asymptote at x = -1 and 2. Also a horizontal asymptote of y = 2 when you approach to negative infinity, and y = -2 when you approach to positive infinity.
And here is the graph for 2b. View attachment 2912
 

Attachments

  • snapshot (6).jpg
    snapshot (6).jpg
    14.1 KB · Views: 114
Great job! That looks right. (Nod)
 

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