Question
upstudy study bank question image url

Find the Horizontal Asymptote of this function... \[ \begin{array}{l}\frac{5 x^{3}-x^{2}+6}{x-4}\end{array} \]

Ask by Dawson Conner. in the United States
Jan 22,2025

Real Tutor Solution

Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

There is no horizontal asymptote for the function \( \frac{5x^3 - x^2 + 6}{x - 4} \).

Solution

To determine the horizontal asymptote of the function: \[ f(x) = \frac{5x^3 - x^2 + 6}{x - 4} \] we analyze the degrees of the polynomial in the numerator and the denominator. 1. **Degree of the Numerator (P(x))**: The highest power of \( x \) in the numerator is \( x^3 \), so the degree is **3**. 2. **Degree of the Denominator (Q(x))**: The highest power of \( x \) in the denominator is \( x \), so the degree is **1**. **Rules for Horizontal Asymptotes:** - **If the degree of \( P(x) \) < degree of \( Q(x) \):** The horizontal asymptote is \( y = 0 \). - **If the degree of \( P(x) \) = degree of \( Q(x) \):** The horizontal asymptote is \( y = \frac{\text{Leading Coefficient of } P(x)}{\text{Leading Coefficient of } Q(x)} \). - **If the degree of \( P(x) \) > degree of \( Q(x) \):** There is **no horizontal asymptote**. Instead, the function may have an oblique (slant) asymptote or a more complex behavior. In this case, since the degree of the numerator (3) is greater than the degree of the denominator (1), **there is no horizontal asymptote** for the function \( f(x) \). **Conclusion:** The function \( \frac{5x^3 - x^2 + 6}{x - 4} \) does **not** have a horizontal asymptote. **Answer:** There is no horizontal asymptote for the given function.

Reviewed and approved by the UpStudy tutoring team

error msg
Explain
Simplify this solution

Extra Insights

To determine the horizontal asymptote of the function \( \frac{5x^{3}-x^{2}+6}{x-4} \), we need to look at the degrees of the numerator and the denominator. The highest degree in the numerator is 3 (from \(5x^{3}\)), and the highest degree in the denominator is 1 (from \(x\)). Since the degree of the numerator (3) is greater than the degree of the denominator (1), there is no horizontal asymptote for this function. Instead, the function will display polynomial growth as \(x\) approaches infinity. As a fun fact, when dealing with rational functions, if the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator, then the horizontal asymptote is \(y = 0\). And if the degrees are the same, the horizontal asymptote can be found by taking the ratio of the leading coefficients. This helps you visualize how the function behaves at extreme values of \(x\)!

Related Questions

Latest Pre Calculus Questions

Try Premium now!
Try Premium and ask Thoth AI unlimited math questions now!
Maybe later Go Premium
Study can be a real struggle
Why not UpStudy it?
Select your plan below
Premium

You can enjoy

Start now
  • Step-by-step explanations
  • 24/7 expert live tutors
  • Unlimited number of questions
  • No interruptions
  • Full access to Answer and Solution
  • Full Access to PDF Chat, UpStudy Chat, Browsing Chat
Basic

Totally free but limited

  • Limited Solution
Welcome to UpStudy!
Please sign in to continue the Thoth AI Chat journey
Continue with Email
Or continue with
By clicking “Sign in”, you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy