Calculus: Early Transcendentals 8th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285741552
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-155-0

Chapter 2 - Review - Exercises - Page 167: 21

Answer

The asymptotes are: 1) Line $x=0$ is vertical asymptote from the left and $y$ goes to $+\infty$; 2) Line $x=0$ is vertical asymptote from the right and $y$ goes to $+\infty$; 3) Line $y=0$ is horizontal asymptote when $x\to-\infty$; 4) Line $y=0$ is horizontal asymptote when $x\to +\infty$.

Work Step by Step

From the graph below we suspect that the asymptotes are: 1) Line $x=0$ is vertical asymptote from the left and $y$ goes to $+\infty$; 2) Line $x=0$ is vertical asymptote from the right and $y$ goes to $+\infty$; 3) Line $y=0$ is horizontal asymptote when $x\to-\infty$; 4) Line $y=0$ is horizontal asymptote when $x\to +\infty$. Let's prove this: 1) $$\lim_{x\to0^-}\frac{\cos^2x}{x^2}=\left[\frac{\cos^2 0^-}{(0^-)^2}\right]=\left[\frac{1}{0^+}\right]=+\infty$$ which is what is needed. 2) $$\lim_{x\to 0^+}\frac{\cos^2 x}{x^2}=\left[\frac{\cos^20^+}{(0^+)^2}\right]=\left[\frac{1}{0^+}\right]=+\infty$$ which is what is needed. 3) $$\lim_{x\to -\infty}\frac{\cos^2x}{x^2}=\left[\frac{\text{something that is always between $-1$ and $1$}}{(-\infty)^2}\right]=\left[\frac{\text{something that is always between $-1$ and $1$}}{+\infty}\right]=0.$$ which is what is needed. 4) $$\lim_{x\to +\infty}\frac{\cos^2x}{x^2}=\left[\frac{\text{something that is always between $-1$ and $1$}}{(+\infty)^2}\right]=\left[\frac{\text{something that is always between $-1$ and $1$}}{+\infty}\right]=0.$$ which is what is needed.
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