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Definition of Horizontal Asymptote

A horizontal asymptote is a horizontal line that a function approaches as x approaches infinity or negative infinity. For rational functions, the horizontal asymptote can be found using highest order term analysis, which involves dividing the highest order terms of the numerator and denominator. If this results in a constant, that value is the asymptote. If powers of x remain in the numerator, there is no asymptote, and if powers remain in the denominator, the asymptote is y=0. Exponential functions of the form f(x)=a(bx)+c always have a horizontal asymptote of y=c. If a graph is given, look at the left and right sides to see what value the curve appears to approach.

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74 views3 pages

Definition of Horizontal Asymptote

A horizontal asymptote is a horizontal line that a function approaches as x approaches infinity or negative infinity. For rational functions, the horizontal asymptote can be found using highest order term analysis, which involves dividing the highest order terms of the numerator and denominator. If this results in a constant, that value is the asymptote. If powers of x remain in the numerator, there is no asymptote, and if powers remain in the denominator, the asymptote is y=0. Exponential functions of the form f(x)=a(bx)+c always have a horizontal asymptote of y=c. If a graph is given, look at the left and right sides to see what value the curve appears to approach.

Uploaded by

Sarah
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Definition of Horizontal Asymptote

A horizontal asymptote for a function is a horizontal line that the graph of the


function approaches as x approaches ∞ (infinity) or -∞ (minus infinity). In other
words, if y = k is a horizontal asymptote for the function y = f(x), then the values (y-
coordinates) of f(x) get closer and closer to k as you trace the curve to the right (x→
∞) or to the left (x → -∞).

The Limit Definition for Horizontal Asymptotes


Because asymptotes are defined in this way, it should come as no surprise that limits
make an appearance.  The precise definition of a horizontal asymptote goes as
follows:  We say that y = k is a horizontal asymptote for the function y = f(x) if either
of the two limit statements are true:  .

Finding Horizontal Asymptotes Graphically


A function can have two, one, or no asymptotes. For example, the graph shown
below has two horizontal asymptotes, y = 2 (as x→ -∞), and y = -3 (as x→ ∞).

If a graph is given, then simply look at the left side and the right side. If it appears
that the curve levels off, then just locate the y-coordinate to which the curve seems
to be approaching. It helps to sketch a horizontal line at the height where you think
the asymptote should be. Let’s see how this works in the next example. Keep in
mind, you will typically not be shown the dashed line — that would make the problem
way too easy!
The graph on the left shows a typical function. If you follow the left part of the curve
as far to the left as you can, where do you end up? In other words, what is the y-
coordinate of the leftmost point shown in the graph? A good estimate might be
somewhere between 1 and 2, perhaps a little closer to 1.
Well imagine what would happen if you continued drawing the graph to the left of
what is shown. It seems reasonable that the curve levels off and approaches a value
of 1, gently touching down on the horizontal line y = 1 just like an airplane landing.
Similarly, follow the right part of the curve as far to the right as you can, and imagine
what would happen if you kept going. Again, the curve seems to level off and
approach y = 1, this time coming up from below the line. This function has a single
horizontal asymptote, y = 1. Once you sketch the line (dashed in the righthand
figure), it becomes clear that we have found the correct horizontal asymptote.

Finding Horizontal Asymptotes Analytically


What if you are not given a graph? Well in many cases it’s actually quite easy to
determine the horizontal asymptote(s), if any exist. There are just a few rules to
follow.

Rational Functions
If your function is rational, that is, if f(x) has the form of a fraction, f(x) = p(x) / q(x), in
which both p(x) and q(x) are polynomials, then you can use highest order term
analysis. The highest order term of a polynomial p(x) is the single term having the
greatest degree (exponent on x). For example, the highest order term of 6x – 3x5 +
5x3 + 42 is: –3x5.
Highest Order Term Analysis
To do highest order term analysis on a rational function, make sure the top and
bottom polynomials are fully expanded and then write a new function having only the
highest order term from the top and from the bottom. All other terms (lower order
terms) can safely be ignored. Cancel any common factors and variables and:

 If the result is a constant k, then y = k is the single horizontal asymptote. This
happens when the degree of the top matches the degree of the bottom.
 If the result has any powers of x left over on top, then there is no horizontal
asymptote.
 If the result has any powers of x left over on bottom, then y = 0 is the single
horizontal asymptote.
Examples for Highest Order Term Analysis
Let’s use highest order term analysis to find the horizontal asymptotes of the
following functions.

(a) The highest order term on the top is 6x2, and on the bottom, 3x2. Dividing and
cancelling, we get (6x2)/(3x2) = 2, a constant. Therefore the horizontal asymptote
is y = 2.
(b) Highest order term analysis leads to (3x3)/(x5) = 3/x2, and since there are powers
of x left over on the bottom, the horizontal asymptote is automatically y = 0.
(c) This time, there are no horizontal asymptotes because (x4)/(x3) = x/1, leaving
an x on the top of the fraction.

Exponential Functions
The method of highest order term analysis is quick and easy but only applies to
rational functions. What if you are given a different kind of function? Certain
functions, such as exponential functions, always have a horizontal asymptote. A
function of the form f(x) = a (bx) + c always has a horizontal asymptote at y = c. For
example, the horizontal asymptote of y = 30e–6x – 4 is: y = -4, and the horizontal
asymptote of y = 5 (2x) is y = 0.

Horizontal Asymptotes in General?


More general functions may be harder to crack. However, just remember that a
horizontal asymptote are technically limits (as x→ ∞ or x→ -∞). Therefore, they
measure the end behavior of the function. If you are working on a section of the
exam that allows a graphing calculator, then you may simply graph the function and
trace it to the right and left until you can determine whether the values level off in
either direction.

Conclusion
Problems about horizontal asymptotes are usually not too difficult. Know how to look
at the graph, or if a graph is not given, then know how to analyze the function
(highest order term analysis for rational functions, the special rule for exponential
functions, or when all else fails, try graphing).

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