Asymptotes

Asymptotes:

In analytic geometry, an asymptote of a curve is a line such that the distance

between the curve and the line approaches zero as they tends to infinity.

i.e. an asymptotes is defined as a tangent whose points of contact are at infinity

and again it is not itself wholly at infinity.

N:B: Asymptotes touch the curve in infinity . For any infinite value of x, if we
get the finite value of y, then the finite value of x is our asymptote.

1
𝑦=
𝑥

𝑥−1
𝑦=
𝑥+2

Rule: (Parallel to x axis):

In algebraic equation of 𝑛-th degree in 𝑥, 𝑦 if the highest power of x (say 𝑥 𝑛 ) is

absent, all the asymptotes || to x-axis are obtained by equating to zero the
coefficient to the next available highest power of x (𝑥 𝑛−1 ), in equation. If the
coefficient is constant, then equate to zero the next available highest power .If
the coefficient give imaginary factors, then there will be no asymptotes || to x-
axis.

Problem 01: Determine the asymptotes of the curve, 𝑦 3 − 𝑦𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 −

4 = 0.
Solution:

It is an equation of third degree. In this equation highest power of x, i.e. 𝑥 3 is

absent. So there may be some asymptote parallel to x- axis.

Arrange the equation in descending power of x.

Then, 𝑥 2 (1 − 𝑦) + 𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 3 − 4 = 0 ………………………………..(1)

Equating to zero the coefficient of 𝑥 2 .

(1 − 𝑦) = 0

⇒𝑦=1

Then asymptote parallel to X-axis is, 𝑦 = 1.

Rule: (Parallel to y axis):

In algebraic equation of 𝑛-th degree in 𝑥, 𝑦 if the highest power of y (say 𝑦 𝑛 ) is

absent, all the asymptotes || to y-axis are obtained by equating to zero the
coefficient to the next available highest power of y (𝑦 𝑛−1 ), in equation. If the
coefficient is constant, then equate to zero the next available highest power .If
the coefficient give imaginary factors, then there will be no asymptotes || to y-
axis.

Problem 02: Determine the asymptotes of the curve, 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 −

𝑎2 = 0.

Solution:

In this equation the highest power of y (i.e 𝑦 4 ) is absent. So there may be some
asymptote parallel to y- axis.

Then, (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦 2 + 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑎2 = 0 ……………………………..(1)

Equating to zero the available highest power of 𝑦 2 .

1 − 𝑥2 = 0

∴ 𝑥 = ±1

Thus asymptotes parallel to y-axis are given by,

𝑥 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = −1

Algebraic curve: (Rule)

(a) Let, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 be the asymptotes of (𝑎0 𝑦 𝑛 + 𝑎1 𝑦 𝑛−1 𝑥 + 𝑎2 𝑦 𝑛−2 𝑥 2 +

⋯ … … + 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 ) + (𝑏1 𝑦 𝑛−1 + 𝑏2 𝑦 𝑛−2 𝑥 + ⋯ . . +𝑏𝑛 𝑥 𝑛−1 ) + (𝑐0 𝑦 𝑛−1 +

𝑐1 𝑦 𝑛−2 𝑥 + ⋯ … … + 𝑐𝑛 𝑥 𝑛−2 ) + ⋯ … = 0 ……………….(1)

Replace, 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 = 𝑚 in the homogeneous nth degree term, we get 𝜙𝑛 (𝑚).

Similarly, 𝜙𝑛−1 (𝑚) from the (𝑛 − 1)th degree terms.

(b) Putting 𝜙𝑛 (𝑚)=0, we get the roots of m. Considering only the real roots of

m. For imaginary roots there will be no asymptotes. Then we get the value of

𝜙𝑛−1 (𝑚)
C by, 𝐶 = −
𝜙′𝑛 (𝑚)

(c) If 𝜙𝑛 (𝑚) = 0 has two equal roots, then

𝐶2
𝜙 ′′ 𝑛 (𝑚) + 𝐶𝜙 ′ 𝑛−1 (𝑚) + 𝜙𝑛−2 (𝑚) = 0, will find the value of C.
2!

Two || asymptotes.
(d) If 𝜙𝑛 (𝑚) = 0 has three equal roots.

𝐶3 𝐶2
𝜙 ′′′ 𝑛 (𝑚) + 𝜙 ′′ 𝑛−1 (𝑚) + 𝐶𝜙′𝑛−2 (𝑚) + 𝜙𝑛−3 (𝑚) = 0, will find the
3! 2!

value of C.

three|| asymptotes.
A Special Case:

If the equation of an algebraic curve can be put in the form, 𝐹𝑛 + 𝐹𝑛−1 = 0, 𝐹𝑛

consist of nth and lower degree terms, which can be expressed as a product of n

linear factors, and 𝐹𝑛−1 consist of terms at most of (𝑛 − 2), then all the

asymptotes are given by, 𝐹𝑛 = 0.

Problem 03:

Find the asymptotes of the curve 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 − 𝑦 + 2 = 0.

Solution: Let the equation can be written as,

(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 ) + (𝑥 − 𝑦) + 2 = 0 ………………………………………(1)

Highest power of the above equation is 2, i.e. 𝑛 = 2.

Let, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶, be the asymptote of (1).

Substitute 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 𝑚 in (1).

𝜙2 (𝑚) = 1 + 2𝑚 − 𝑚2

𝜙2′ = 2 − 2𝑚

For the value of m, we let 𝜙2 (𝑚) = 0

1 + 2𝑚 − 𝑚2 = 0

⇒ 𝑚 = 1 ± √2

Again, substitude, 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 𝑚 in the next highest power term after (1).

𝜙1 (𝑚) = 1 − 𝑚

𝜙𝑛−1 (𝑚)
We know, 𝐶 = −
𝜙′𝑛 (𝑚)
 𝜙1 (𝑚) 1−𝑚 1
=− = =−
𝜙2′ (𝑚) 2−2𝑚 2

Therefore, the asymptotes are

1
𝑦 = (1 ± √2)𝑥 −
2

Problem 04: Find the asymptotes of the curve 𝑥 3 − 2𝑦 3 + 𝑥𝑦(2𝑥 − 𝑦) +

𝑦(𝑥 − 𝑦) + 1 = 0

Solution:

Given equation can be written as,

𝑥 3 − 2𝑦 3 + 𝑥𝑦(2𝑥 − 𝑦) + 𝑦(𝑥 − 𝑦) + 1 = 0………..………(1)

Highest power of the above equation is 3, i.e. 𝑛 = 3.

Let, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶, be the asymptote of (1).

Substitute 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 𝑚 in (1).

𝜙3 (𝑚) = 1 − 2𝑚3 + 2𝑚 − 𝑚2

𝜙3′ = −6𝑚2 + 2 − 2𝑚

For the value of m, we let 𝜙3 (𝑚) = 0

1 + 2𝑚 − 𝑚2 − 2𝑚3 = 0

⇒ (1 − 𝑚)(1 + 𝑚)(1 + 2𝑚) = 0

1
⇒ 𝑚 = 1, −1, −
2

Again, substitude, 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 𝑚 in the next highest power term after (1).

𝜙2 (𝑚) = 𝑚 − 𝑚2
 𝜙𝑛−1 (𝑚)
We know, 𝐶 = −
𝜙′𝑛 (𝑚)

𝜙2 (𝑚) 𝑚−𝑚2
=− ′ (𝑚) =
𝜙3 2−2𝑚−6𝑚2

𝑚 = 1, 𝐶 = 0

𝑚 = −1, 𝐶 = −1

1 1
𝑚 = − ,𝐶 =
2 2

Therefore, the asymptotes are

𝑥 1
𝑦 = 𝑥, 𝑦 = −𝑥 − 1, 𝑦 = − +
2 2

∴ 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 0, 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1 = 0, 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 1 = 0

Problem 05: Find the asymptotes of the curve 𝑦 3 − 5𝑥𝑦 2 + 8𝑥 2 𝑦 − 4𝑥 3 −

4𝑦 2 + 12𝑥𝑦 − 8𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 − 3𝑥 + 2 = 0

Solution:

Given equation can be written as,

𝑦 3 − 5𝑥𝑦 2 + 8𝑥 2 𝑦 − 4𝑥 3 − 4𝑦 2 + 12𝑥𝑦 − 8𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 − 3𝑥 + 2 = 0……(1)

Highest power of the above equation is 3, i.e. 𝑛 = 3.

Let, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶, be the asymptote of (1).

Substitute 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 𝑚 in (1).

𝜙3 (𝑚) = 𝑚3 − 5𝑚2 + 8𝑚 − 4

Similarly,

𝜙2 (𝑚) = −4𝑚2 + 12𝑚 − 8

𝜙1 (𝑚) = 3𝑚 − 3

𝜙3′ = −3𝑚2 − 10𝑚 + 8

For the value of m, we let 𝜙3 (𝑚) = 0

𝑚3 − 5𝑚2 + 8𝑚 − 4 = 0

⇒ (𝑚 − 1)(𝑚 − 2)2 = 0

⇒ 𝑚 = 1, 2,2

𝜙𝑛−1 (𝑚) 𝜙2 (𝑚) −4𝑚2 +12𝑚−8

We know, 𝐶 = − =− ′ (𝑚) =
𝜙′𝑛 (𝑚) 𝜙3 −3𝑚2 −10𝑚+8

Putting, 𝑚 = 1, 𝐶 = 0

∴ Asymptotes, 𝑦 = 𝑥

Now, here 𝑚 = 2,2 repeated root, so the value of C is obtained by following

equation

𝐶2
𝜙 ′′ 𝑛 (𝑚) + 𝐶𝜙 ′ 𝑛−1 (𝑚) + 𝜙𝑛−2 (𝑚) = 0
2!

𝐶2
⇒ (6𝑚 − 10) + 𝐶(−8𝑚 + 12) + (3𝑚 − 3) = 0
2!

𝐶2
⇒ (12 − 10) + 𝐶(−16 + 12) + (6 − 3) = 0
2!

𝐶2
⇒ (2) + 𝐶(−4) + 3 = 0
2!

⇒ (𝐶 − 1)(𝐶 − 3) = 0

⇒ 𝐶 = 1, 3

So, other two asymptotes are

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3
So, asymptotes are, 𝑦 = 𝑥

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3

Problem 05: Prove that the asymptotes of the curve (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )𝑦 − 2𝑎𝑦 2 +

5𝑥 − 7 = 0 form a triangle of area 𝑎2 .

Solution: Given the curve,

(𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )𝑦 − 2𝑎𝑦 2 + 5𝑥 − 7 = 0

⇒ 𝑦(𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 − 2𝑎𝑦) + 5𝑥 − 7 = 0

⇒ 𝑦{𝑥 2 − (𝑦 + 𝑎)2 } − 𝑎2 𝑦 + 5𝑥 − 7 = 0

⇒ 𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑎)(𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑎) + 𝑎2 𝑦 + 5𝑥 − 7 = 0

Since above equation is of the form,

𝐹𝑛 + 𝐹𝑛−1 = 0

So, 𝐹𝑛 = 0, i.e. 𝑦(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑎)(𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑎) = 0, so asymtotes will be, 𝑦 = 0, 𝑥 +

𝑦 + 𝑎 = 0, 𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑎 = 0 𝐴 (𝑎, 0)
𝐵(−𝑎, 0)

Let, 𝑦 = 0

𝑥+𝑦+𝑎 =0

𝑥−𝑦−𝑎 =0

Makes the triangle ABC .

𝐶(0, −𝑎)

Putting, 𝑦 = 0 in 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑎 = 0 ⟹ 𝑥 = −𝑎

∴ 𝐵 (−𝑎, 0)

And 𝑦 = 0 in 𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑎 = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 = 𝑎
∴ 𝐴(𝑎, 0)

And solving, 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑎 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑎 = 0 we get, 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = −𝑎

𝐶 (0, −𝑎)

𝑎 0 1
1 1
∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 = |−𝑎
2
0 1| = 2 (𝑎2 + 𝑎2 ) = 𝑎2 sq. unit.
0 −𝑎 1

Home Work: