# Functions with more than two horizontal asymptotes?

• Jul 20th 2012, 06:06 AM
LiberalArtMajorTakingCalc
Functions with more than two horizontal asymptotes?
Are there any special instances where a function will have more than two horizontal asymptotes?
• Jul 20th 2012, 06:51 AM
skeeter
Re: Functions with more than two horizontal asymptotes?
Quote:

Originally Posted by LiberalArtMajorTakingCalc
Are there any special instances where a function will have more than two horizontal asymptotes?

a single horizontal asymptote occurs when $\lim_{x \to \pm \infty} f(x) = L$

it is possible for two to exist ...

$\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = L$

$\lim_{x \to -\infty} f(x) = K$

$K \ne L$

if there were three, then neither of the above limits would exist.
• Jul 20th 2012, 06:55 AM
Plato
Re: Functions with more than two horizontal asymptotes?
Quote:

Originally Posted by LiberalArtMajorTakingCalc
Are there any special instances where a function will have more than two horizontal asymptotes?

Do you know the vertical line test for a function?
What would more than two horizontal asymptotes imply?
Have a look at this.
• Jul 20th 2012, 07:03 AM
LiberalArtMajorTakingCalc
Re: Functions with more than two horizontal asymptotes?
I already know all of that, but I haven't learned multivariate or vector calculus yet and I was wondering if there are any functions in the upper-division mathematics that have more than two
• Jul 20th 2012, 07:15 AM
HallsofIvy
Re: Functions with more than two horizontal asymptotes?
Your question has nothing to do with "multivariable or vector Calculus", it has only to do with the definition of "horizontal asymptote".

If you want to ask your question in terms of multiple independent variables, you will have to define "horizontal" an "horizontal asymptote" in multiple variables.