How Do You Find the Range and Oblique Asymptote of \( x + \frac{1}{x} \)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the range and oblique asymptote of the function \( f(x) = x + \frac{1}{x} \). Participants explore mathematical methods to calculate these properties without relying on graphical representations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about how to calculate the range and asymptote mathematically, noting that textbooks often suggest graphing.
  • One participant proposes that the asymptote is parallel to \( y = x \) based on the behavior of the function as \( x \) approaches infinity.
  • Another participant provides a limit calculation to support the claim that the asymptote is \( y = x \). However, the exact value of the asymptote is questioned by others.
  • Participants discuss the derivative of the function to analyze its increasing and decreasing intervals, leading to a proposed range of \( (-\infty, -2] \cup [2, +\infty) \).
  • One participant suggests an alternative method to find the range by analyzing the discriminant of a quadratic equation derived from the function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the exact value of the asymptote, as some participants interpret it as a line rather than a specific value. The proposed range is discussed but not universally accepted, indicating multiple competing views.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various methods to determine the range and asymptote, but the discussion includes uncertainties regarding the calculations and interpretations of results. The dependence on the behavior of the function at specific intervals is also noted.

leprofece
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$$\frac{1}{x}+x$$

as i canot see it the function is x +1/x
Find the range and the obliquous asymptote

Ok it looks to be easy but the most of books say that I must see the graph but teacher asks me in a math way
How can I calculate it??
a book tells me that I must solving for x

about athe oblique asymptote i must use a formula that i forget

The answers are Range x>2 y x<2
asympote in x but in what number ?
 
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leprofece said:
$$\\frac{1}{x}$$+ x

as i canot see it the function is x +1/x
Find the range and the obliquous asymptote

Ok it looks to be easy but the most of books say that I must see the graph but teacher asks me in a math way
How can I calculate it??
a book tells me that I must solving for x

about athe oblique asymptote i must use a formula that i forget

The answers are Range x>2 y x<2
asympote in x but in what number ?

$$f(x)=x+\frac{1}{x}=\frac{x^2+1}{x}$$

We notice that the polynomial in the numerator is a higher degree $(2^{nd})$ than the denominator $(1^{st})$, so we know that we have a slant asymptote.

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

When $x$ gets large, $\frac{1}{x}$ gets very small,so the function $f$ will get close to $x$.Therefore,the asymptote is parallel to $y=x$.

To find the actual asymptote,we look at the limit of $f(x)-x:$

$$\lim_{x \to +\infty} \left ( x+\frac{1}{x}-x \right )=\lim_{x \to +\infty} \frac{1}{x}=0$$

The limit is $0$,so for large $x$, $f(x)$ is close to $x$,which is the asymptote.

Otherwise, you can just use polynomial division.
$f(x)=\frac{x^2+1}{x}=x+\frac{1}{x}$
So,we see that the function has been rewritten after long division has been performed.

The last term of $f$ becomes negligible for large $x$, so the asymptote is $x$ .
 
Last edited:
Ok thanks but In what value
in any x value
in 0
in x +
or in x -

And I Need the range
it must be calculate in math way without seeing the graph
 
Last edited:
leprofece said:
Ok thanks but In what value
in any x value
in 0
in x +
or in x -

And I Need the range
it must be calculate in math way without seeing the graph

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

The domain of $f$ is $\{ x \in \mathbb{R}: x \neq 0 \}$

$$f'(x)=1-\frac{1}{x^2}$$

$$f'(x)=0 \Rightarrow x^2=1 \Rightarrow x=\pm 1$$

We can see that $f$ is increasing at the interval $(-\infty,-1]$, decreasing at the intervals $[-1,0)$ and $(0,1]$ and increasing at $[1,+\infty)$

The range of the interval $(-\infty,-1]$ is $R_1=(\lim_{x \to -\infty} f(x),f(-1)]=(-\infty,-2]$.

The range of the interval $[-1,0)$ is $R_2=(\lim_{x \to 0} f(x),f(-1)]=(-\infty,-2]$.

The range of the interval $(0,1]$ is $R_3=[f(1), \lim_{x \to 0} f(x))=[2,+\infty)$

The range of the interval $[1,+\infty)$ is $R_4=[f(1),\lim_{x \to +\infty} f(x))=[2,+\infty)$

Therefore,the range of the function is: $R=R_1 \cup R_2 \cup R_3 \cup R_4=(-\infty,-2] \cup [-2,+\infty )$.
 
Thanks And what is the value of the asymptote?
 
evinda gave you that in post #2. The asymptote is a line, not a value.

-Dan
 
Another method you could use to find the range is to write the equation as:

$$x^2-yx+1=0$$

Require the discriminant to be non-negative:

$$y^2-4\ge0$$

Hence:

$$|y|\ge2$$
 

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