Horizontal Asymptote of f(x) = 2x2/(x4-81)1/2 - How to Factor Bottom

Loppyfoot
Messages
192
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Find the horizontal asymptote to the graph: f(x) = 2x2/(x4-81)1/2


Homework Equations





How do I factor the bottom? Because for, the HA, I compare the coefficients.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
x4-81=x4(1-81/x4)

and remember that √(ab)=√a * √b
 
How do I prove that the HA: is y=2?
 
Look at
f(x)~=~\frac{2x^2}{\sqrt{x^4(1 - 81/x^4)}}
and simplify the denominator.

What is the limit of f(x) as x gets large in either direction?
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top