How do you find the horizontal asymptote for (2x^2)/(x^2-4)?

1 Answer
Jun 5, 2016

vertical asymptotes x = ± 2
horizontal asymptote y = 2

Explanation:

Vertical asymptotes occur as the denominator of a rational function tends to zero. To find the equation/s set the denominator equal to zero.

solve: x^2-4=0rArr(x-2)(x+2)=0rArrx=±2

rArrx=-2,x=2" are the asymptotes"

Horizontal asymptotes occur as

lim_(xto+-oo),f(x)toc" (a constant)"

divide terms on numerator/denominator by x^2

((2x^2)/x^2)/(x^2/x^2-4/x^2)=2/(1-4/x^2)

as xto+-oo,f(x)to2/(1-0)

rArry=2" is the asymptote"
graph{(2x^2)/(x^2-4) [-10, 10, -5, 5]}