Chapter 0: Problem 48
Adjust the graphing window to identify all vertical asympotes. $$f(x)=\frac{2 x}{\sqrt{x^{2}+x}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function has vertical asymptotes at \(x=0\) and \(x=-1\).
Step by step solution
01
Find critical values
The function \(f(x) = \frac{2x}{\sqrt{x^{2}+x}}\) would be undefined where the denominator, \(\sqrt{x^{2}+x}\), is equal to zero. To find these 'critical values', set \(x^{2} + x = 0\). This is a simple quadratic equation, which can be solved either by factoring or using the quadratic formula.
02
Solve for x
Solving for x from the equation in step 1, we get \(x=0\) or \(x=-1\). However, we need to confirm whether these points are vertical asymptotes or holes. A vertical asymptote occurs when the limit as x approaches that value is infinity or negative infinity.
03
Verify the limits at these points
This is done by finding the limit of the function as x approaches 0 from both left and right. Similarly, find the limit as x approaches -1 from both left and right using the limit definition. If any of these limits give us positive or negative infinity, then a vertical asymptote exists at that x-value.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Critical Values
Critical values in mathematics are where a function's behavior changes significantly. For the function \(f(x) = \frac{2x}{\sqrt{x^{2}+x}}\), critical values occur where the denominator becomes zero, making the function undefined. To find these values, solve the equation \(x^{2} + x = 0\).
- Factor the quadratic equation: \( x(x + 1) = 0 \).
- Find solutions for \(x\): \(x = 0\) or \(x = -1\).
Limit Definition and Vertical Asymptotes
The concept of a limit is central to identifying the behavior of functions as they approach certain critical values. A vertical asymptote is a line where the function's value grows indefinitely as the input gets close to a certain critical value. This can be tested using limits.For \(f(x) = \frac{2x}{\sqrt{x^{2}+x}}\), examine the behavior as \(x\) approaches 0 and -1. According to the limit definition:
- If \( \lim_{x \to c^+} f(x) = \pm \infty \) or \( \lim_{x \to c^-} f(x) = \pm \infty \), then \(x = c\) is a vertical asymptote.
Solving Quadratic Equations
Quadratic equations are fundamental in determining critical points for functions. A basic form of a quadratic equation is \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). The solutions can be found using several methods:
- Factoring: But only if the equation is easily factorable.
- The Quadratic Formula: \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \).
- Take out the greatest common factor: \(x(x + 1) = 0\).
- Set each factor equal to zero: \(x = 0\) or \(x = -1\).
Graphing Functions with Vertical Asymptotes
Graphing functions can visually demonstrate where vertical asymptotes occur. A vertical asymptote represents a line where the graph heads towards positive or negative infinity.Start graphing the function \(f(x) = \frac{2x}{\sqrt{x^{2}+x}}\) by:
- Identifying the critical points, such as \(x = 0\) and \(x = -1\).
- Determining the behavior of the graph around these values by checking the limits to see if they become infinite.