How might being introduced to vertical asymptotes graphically, with no algebraic work, help or hurt my understanding of the topic?

Question

How might being introduced to vertical asymptotes graphically, with no algebraic work, help or hurt my  understanding of the topic?

zepdrix · Answer

You mean, by plugging a function into a calculator just to see what the asymptote looks like?

anonymous · Answer

I think so, yes.

zepdrix · Answer

I dunno. lol... what a weird question :)

Graph y=1/x
Try to think about what is happening as you get closer to 0 from the left and from the right.

That might be a good place to start :D just ... yah...

anonymous · Answer

I can definitely see how it could help... I am having a hard time thinking of any reason that looking at graphs as a way of building an understanding of the topic could actually hurt your understanding.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you both for your help! I am in your debt! :)