*oblique asymptotes of radical expressions

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The discussion centers on the oblique asymptotes of the radical expression \(y = \sqrt{x^2 + 6x}\), which are identified as \(y = x + 3\) and \(y = -x - 3\). The derivation involves analyzing the asymptotic behavior as \(x\) approaches positive and negative infinity, leading to the conclusion that \(\sqrt{x^2 + 6x} \sim x + 3\) for \(x \to +\infty\) and \(\sqrt{x^2 + 6x} \sim -(x + 3)\) for \(x \to -\infty\). The discussion also highlights the method of completing the square to derive the asymptotes from the equation of the hyperbola formed by the expression.

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  • Knowledge of hyperbolas and their equations.
  • Ability to perform algebraic manipulations, including completing the square.
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  • Study the derivation of oblique asymptotes for various types of functions.
  • Learn about the properties of hyperbolas and their asymptotic behavior.
  • Explore the concept of limits in calculus, particularly for radical functions.
  • Investigate the use of conjugate expressions in calculus for simplifying limits.
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karush
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it seems most oblique asymptotes are mostly with rational expressions but
$\sqrt{x^2+6x}$ has the asymptote of $y=x+3$ and $y=-x-3$
I don't know how this is derived since it is not a rational expression

thanks ahead:cool:
 
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karush said:
it seems most oblique asymptotes are mostly with rational expressions but
$\sqrt{x^2+6x}$ has the asymptote of $y=x+3$ and $y=-x-3$
I don't know how this is derived since it is not a rational expression

thanks ahead:cool:

For large \(x\) we have the asymtotic behavior: \[\sqrt{x^2+6x} \sim \sqrt{x^2+6x+9}=\pm (x+3)\]
Note deliberate error of use of the \(\pm\) sign, a square root is by definition positive, so as \(x \to +\infty,\ \sqrt{x^2+6x} \sim x+3\), and \(x \to -\infty,\ \sqrt{x^2+6x} \sim -(x+3)\). See plot below.

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karush said:
it seems most oblique asymptotes are mostly with rational expressions but
$\sqrt{x^2+6x}$ has the asymptote of $y=x+3$ and $y=-x-3$
I don't know how this is derived since it is not a rational expression

thanks ahead:cool:

As usual, you can proceed by studying the difference $f(x)-(ax+b)$ since you've got that information. For calculus, you would then use the conjuguated expression.

For $x>0$:
$\sqrt{x^2+6x}-x-3=\frac{(\sqrt{x^2+6x}-x-3)(\sqrt{x^2+6x}+x+3)}{\sqrt{x^2+6x}+x+3}=\frac{x^2+6x-(x+3)^2}{\sqrt{x^2+6x}+x+3)}=\frac{-9}{\sqrt{x^2+6x}+x+3)}$
therefore $\lim_{x->+\infty}{f(x)-x-3}=0$
you can even deduce from above that the curve is under the asymptote ($f(x)-(ax+b) < 0 $)
 
Hello, karush!

It seems most oblique asymptotes are mostly with rational expressions,
but $y \:=\:\sqrt{x^2+6x}$ has the asymptotes $y=x+3$ and $y=-x-3$
I don't know how this is derived since it is not a rational expression.
We have: .$y \:=\:\sqrt{x^2+6x} $

Square both sides: .$y^2 \:=\:x^2+6x \quad\Rightarrow\quad x^2 + 6x - y^2 \:=\:0 $

Complete the square: .$x^2 + 6x \color{red}{+ 9} - y^2 \:=\:0 \color{red}{+9} \quad\Rightarrow\quad (x+3)^2 - y^2 \:=\:9 $

Divide by 9: .$\dfrac{(x+3)^2}{9} - \dfrac{y^2}{9} \:=\:1$The graph is the upper half of this hyperbola,

. . whose asymptotes are: $y \:=\:\pm(x+3)$
 

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