Math Problem Statement

Give the equation of the horizontal asymptote, if any, of the function f(x) = (5x^2 + 3) / (5x^2 - 3).

Solution

Solution:

The function is:

f(x)=5x2+35x23.f(x) = \frac{5x^2 + 3}{5x^2 - 3}.

To determine the horizontal asymptote of a rational function, we analyze the degrees of the numerator and denominator:

  1. Degree of the numerator: deg(5x2+3)=2\deg(5x^2 + 3) = 2,
  2. Degree of the denominator: deg(5x23)=2\deg(5x^2 - 3) = 2.

Since the degrees of the numerator and denominator are equal, the horizontal asymptote is given by:

y=leading coefficient of the numeratorleading coefficient of the denominator.y = \frac{\text{leading coefficient of the numerator}}{\text{leading coefficient of the denominator}}.

In this case, the leading coefficient of both the numerator and the denominator is 55. Therefore:

y=55=1.y = \frac{5}{5} = 1.

Final Answer:

The horizontal asymptote is:

y=1y = 1 (Option A).


Would you like further explanation? Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. What happens to the function as xx \to \infty or xx \to -\infty?
  2. How do horizontal asymptotes differ from vertical asymptotes?
  3. What if the numerator had a higher degree than the denominator?
  4. How would the graph of this function behave near the asymptotes?
  5. Could there be oblique (slant) asymptotes for this function?

Tip:

Horizontal asymptotes describe the behavior of a function as x±x \to \pm\infty. They are determined solely by the highest degree terms in the numerator and denominator!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Horizontal Asymptotes
Rational Functions
Limits at Infinity

Formulas

Horizontal asymptote for rational functions: y = (leading coefficient of numerator) / (leading coefficient of denominator)

Theorems

The behavior of rational functions as x approaches infinity

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12