Identify the horizontal asymptote of the rational function below.

a. 7
b. 2
c. -7
d

To find the horizontal asymptote of the rational function , we can compare the degrees of the numerator and the denominator. Since both the numerator and the denominator have the same degree (1), the horizontal asymptote can be determined by the ratio of the leading coefficients. Here, the leading coefficient of the numerator is 7, and the leading coefficient of the denominator is 1. Therefore, the horizontal asymptote is .

So the answer is: a. 7

Using limits can also clarify this: as approaches infinity, approaches . Thus, the value the function is approaching is indeed 7, confirming our earlier deduction.