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Course: General Mathematics — Second Secondary
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General Mathematics — Second Secondary

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Limits at Infinity

General Mathematics — Second Secondary

Limits at Infinity

Rational functions at infinity

Rational functions at infinity

  • To find the limit of a rational function at ∞, divide the numerator and the denominator by the highest power of x in the denominator, then apply limx → ∞ 1/xn = 0 to each term.
  • The degrees (highest powers) of the numerator and the denominator give a quick rule:
Comparison of degrees Limit at ∞
Degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator 0
Degrees are equal Ratio of the leading coefficients
Degree of the numerator is greater than the degree of the denominator Infinite (∞ or −∞)
  • If limx → ∞ f(x) = L, then the horizontal line y = L is a horizontal asymptote of the graph.
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