Limits of Functions and Asymptotes

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying and classifying discontinuities in functions, specifically focusing on a rational function and its asymptotic behavior. The subject area includes limits, discontinuities, and asymptotes in calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss methods for finding discontinuities and classify them into types such as removable, jump, and infinite. Questions arise regarding the identification of vertical and horizontal asymptotes, particularly in relation to specific functions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the types of discontinuities and asymptotic behavior. Some have provided insights into the classification of discontinuities, while others are questioning and confirming their understanding of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific functions and the need to classify discontinuities, with some participants expressing uncertainty about definitions and classifications. The discussion includes references to limits approaching infinity and the conditions under which certain types of discontinuities occur.

Econometricia
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1. I am concerned with finding the discontinuities of a functin say x3+3x2+2x / (x-x3)
2. I am having issues with classifying for the type of discontinuities. Finding them is not an issue.
3. Also when finding horizontal asymptotes F(x) = 4 / (2e-x +1) I understnad that the HA are found by taking the limit of the function as X--->-INF/INF , but why is one of the HA 4?

Thank You =).

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Econometricia said:
1. I am concerned with finding the discontinuities of a functin say x3+3x2+2x / (x-x3)



2. I am having issues with classifying for the type of discontinuities. Finding them is not an issue.
Do you mean classifying them into vertical or horizontal asymptotes? The vertical asymptotes are generally the numbers that make the denominator zero, that don't also make the numerator zero. To find them, factor both the numerator and denominator. The numbers that make the denominator zero are x = -1, x = 0, and x = 1. x = 0 is NOT a vertical asymptote, because the numerator is also zero when x = 0.
Econometricia said:
3. Also when finding horizontal asymptotes F(x) = 4 / (2e-x +1) I understnad that the HA are found by taking the limit of the function as X--->-INF/INF , but why is one of the HA 4?
As x --> infinity, e-x --> 0, so the denominator --> 1, and the overall fraction --> 4.
Econometricia said:
Thank You =).
 
Thank You for your help. I was actually meaning the discontinuities as Jump,Removable, Infinite. So far I have understood that only piece wise functions can have a Jump. Infinite limits are when the lim of F(x) as X-->A = INF/-INF. And removable is when the limit exists , but is not defined. Am I correct?
 
Econometricia said:
Thank You for your help. I was actually meaning the discontinuities as Jump,Removable, Infinite. So far I have understood that only piece wise functions can have a Jump. Infinite limits are when the lim of F(x) as X-->A = INF/-INF. And removable is when the limit exists , but is not defined. Am I correct?
Close. A removable discontinuity occurs when [tex]lim_{x \to a} f(x)[/tex] exists (that means both one-sided limits exist), but f is not defined at a.

In your first example, I believe that there is a removable discontinuity at x = 0.
 
Yea, that is correct. =) Thank you sir.
 

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