 |
| ||
| |||
|
| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
|
Question from Kendall, a teacher: If a compound function is defined as 1/x for x<0 and 5 for x>=0 does it have a vertical asymptote at x=0? According to the definition in my book I think it does because the left-hand limit is infinity and it only takes one side to cause a vertical asymptote. Thanks! |
Hi Kendall,
You did exactly what I would have done, you checked to see what the textbook author has as a definition. I also looked in three books on my shelf and they all agree that there is a vertical asymptote if either the right-hand or left-hand limits approach plus or minus infinity.
Harley
| ||
| ||
| ||
 |
 |
|
Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.