Question
List the domain and the
-and
-intercepts of the following function. Graph the functio
Be sure to label ahl the asymptotes.
Be sure to label ahl the asymptotes.
Ask by Best Huang. in the United States
Mar 20,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
Domain: All real numbers except
.
Asymptotes:
- Vertical Asymptote:
. - Oblique Asymptote:
.
Graph: Plot the intercepts and asymptotes, then sketch the curve approaching these lines without crossing the vertical asymptote.
Solution
Step 1. Factor and Simplify
We start with the function
Factor the numerator:
So the function is written as
Step 2. Determine the Domain
The only restriction occurs when the denominator is zero, i.e. when
Thus, the domain of
is
Step 3. Find the
-intercepts
The
-intercepts occur when
(and the function is defined). Set the numerator equal to zero:
This gives:
Thus, the
-intercepts are at
Step 4. Find the
-intercept
To find the
-intercept, set
:
Thus, the
-intercept is
Step 5. Identify the Asymptotes
-
Vertical AsymptoteThe vertical asymptote occurs at the value excluded from the domain:Since the numerator does not cancel with the denominator at
, there is a vertical asymptote at -
Oblique (Slant) AsymptoteBecause the degree of the numerator (
) is one more than the degree of the denominator ( ), there is an oblique asymptote. To find it, perform polynomial long division of by : - Divide
by to get . Multiply by to get . - Subtract:
- Divide
by to get . Multiply by to get . - Subtract:
The quotient isand the remainder is . Thus, we rewrite the function: As, the fraction approaches 0, and the graph approaches the line Therefore, the slant asymptote is - Divide
Step 6. Summary of Results
-
Domain:
-
-intercepts: -
-intercept: -
Vertical Asymptote:
-
Oblique (Slant) Asymptote:
Step 7. Graphing the Function
To graph
:
-
Plot and label the
-intercepts at and and the -intercept at . -
Draw the vertical asymptote as a dashed line at
. -
Draw the slant asymptote as a dashed line given by
. -
Sketch the curve approaching the asymptotes:
- For
, the function behaves like as becomes large or very small. - Pay attention to the branch near
, where the function diverges.
- For
-
Ensure that the graph does not cross the vertical asymptote
and that it approaches the line as .
This completes the step-by-step process for listing the domain, intercepts, asymptotes, and graphing the function.
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Bonus Knowledge
To find the domain of the function
, we need to identify where the denominator does not equal zero. Thus, the domain is all real numbers except
(where the function is undefined).
For the
-intercepts, set
, solving the equation
. Factoring gives you
, which gives intercepts at
and
. The
-intercept can be found by evaluating
, so the
-intercept is at
.
Now, the asymptotes: since there’s a vertical asymptote where the denominator is zero, that occurs at
. For the horizontal asymptote, we consider the degrees of the numerator and denominator; as
,
approaches
(no horizontal asymptote, but a slant one).
Get out your graphing tools to plot these points, mark your asymptotes, and enjoy!