Ch. 2 - Limits

Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition

Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook

Briggs 3rd Edition

Ch. 2 - Limits

Problem 2.4.62

Chapter 2, Problem 2.4.62

Use analytical methods and/or a graphing utility to identify the vertical asymptotes (if any) of the following functions.
h(x)=e^x(x+1)^3

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the form of the function h(x) = e^x (x+1)^3. Notice that it is a product of an exponential function and a polynomial.

Step 2: Recall that vertical asymptotes occur where the function is undefined or where the limit of the function approaches infinity as x approaches a certain value.

Step 3: Analyze the polynomial part (x+1)^3. Vertical asymptotes typically occur where the denominator of a rational function is zero, but since (x+1)^3 is not in the denominator, it does not contribute to vertical asymptotes.

Step 4: Consider the exponential part e^x. The exponential function e^x is defined for all real numbers and does not contribute to vertical asymptotes.

Step 5: Conclude that since neither part of the function h(x) = e^x (x+1)^3 leads to division by zero or undefined behavior, there are no vertical asymptotes for this function.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Vertical Asymptotes

Vertical asymptotes occur in a function when the output approaches infinity as the input approaches a certain value. This typically happens when the function is undefined at that point, often due to division by zero. Identifying vertical asymptotes involves finding values of x that make the denominator of a rational function zero, while ensuring the numerator is not also zero at those points.

Exponential Functions

Exponential functions, such as h(x) = e^x, are characterized by a constant base raised to a variable exponent. These functions grow rapidly and are always positive, meaning they do not have vertical asymptotes. Understanding their behavior is crucial when analyzing composite functions, as they can influence the overall shape and limits of the function.

Polynomial Functions

Polynomial functions, like (x+1)^3, are expressions consisting of variables raised to whole number powers. They are continuous and defined for all real numbers, meaning they do not have vertical asymptotes. Analyzing the degree and roots of polynomial functions helps in understanding their behavior, particularly in conjunction with other function types in composite expressions.

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Textbook Question

Determine the following limits at infinity.

lim t→∞ et,lim t→−∞ e^t,and lim t→∞ e^−t

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Textbook Question

If a function f represents a system that varies in time, the existence of lim ${$\displaystyle\[\lim$_{t$\rightarrow\]\infty$}{f(t)}}$ means that the system reaches a steady state (or equilibrium). For the following systems, determine whether a steady state exists and give the steady-state value.

The population of a colony of squirrels is given by $p (t) = \frac{1500}{3 + 2 e^{- 0.1 t}}$ .

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Textbook Question

Determine $$\lim$_{x$\rightarrow\]\infty$}f$\left$(x$\right$)$ and $$\lim$_{x$\rightarrow$-$\infty$}f$\left$(x$\right$)$ for the following functions. Then give the horizontal asymptotes of $f$ (if any).

$f (x) = \frac{40 x^{5} + x^{2}}{16 x^{4} - 2 x}$

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Textbook Question

The following table gives the position $s$\left$(t$\right$)$ of an object moving along a line at time $t$ . Determine the average velocities over the time intervals $\left\[\lbrack\)1,1.01$\right\]\rbrack$ , $\left\[\lbrack$1,1.001$\right\]\rbrack$ , and $\(\left\]\lbrack$1,1.0001^{}$\right$.]$ . Then make a conjecture about the value of the instantaneous velocity at $t=1$ . <IMAGE>