How do you graph #f(x)=(x^3-2x^2-3x)/(4x^2+8x)# using holes, vertical and horizontal asymptotes, x and y intercepts?
1 Answer
Factor then analyze!
Explanation:
We can factor both the top and the bottom to get asymptotes, some intercepts, and holes.
We see that they both have a zero in common (x=0), which means that
Since the bottom also goes to zero at
Last thing we need to observe: the top and bottom are different orders. Since the top is a higher order, in the limit, the equation will look like
Now we have everything except exact signs.
At
It then goes toward negative infinity and jumps to positive infinity after -2, until the next zero, i.e.
At x=-1, it hits zero and switches sign, i.e.
After x=3, the sign doesn't switch and the function quickly approaches that line, i.e.
From all of that analysis, you should be able to sketch a plot similar to this: graph{x(x-3)(x+1)/(4x(x+2)) [-13.86, 13.86, -6.93, 6.93]}