Question

http://screencast.com/t/OJsN9PMfDMk

Can you help me solve this?

Answer 1

As x approaches negative infinity, y approaches 2. As x approaches positive infinity, y approaches 0.

Answer 2

Why not : As x approaches negative infinity, y approaches -2. As x approaches negative infinity, y approaches 2.

Answer 3

I took the other line the one below the other

Answer 4

No, because if you look at the left hand of the graph, (where x approaches negative infinity) the graph is tending towards y=2. Similarly, on the right hand side, (where x approaches positive infinity) the graph tends toward y=0.

Answer 5

so why the one that tends toward 0 is correct and the one that tends toward 2 is wrong

Answer 6

Pardon? What do you mean?

Answer 7

" (where x approaches negative infinity) the graph is tending towards y=2. Similarly, on the right hand side, (where x approaches positive infinity) the graph tends toward y=0."

I don't understand why your explanation above makes it wrong

Answer 8

Do you understand me now?

Answer 9

@OakTree

Answer 10

Makes what wrong?

Answer 11

This: "Why not : As x approaches negative infinity, y approaches -2. As x approaches negative infinity, y approaches 2."

Answer 12

Because you have two statements for negative infinity. The graph can only asymptote to a single line.

Answer 13

Sorry if I sound stupid but, What do you mean by "asymptote" ? :S

Answer 14

To tend to a value. So the graph kind of looks like it's going to almost touch 0 but not quite? That's called asymptoting.

Answer 15

but the first line has 2 asymptotes as well, one end tends to 2 other end tends to 0

Answer 16

Right. That's why I said that as x approaches negative infinity, the value is 2, and on the other end it's 0. Look at my first response to your question.

Answer 17

But that's because you took into consideration the first line

Answer 18

What line are you talking about?

Answer 19

What if I take the second line and say: when x-> - infinity y is 2 and when x-- > -infinity from the other end of the line then y is -2 and I am talking about this line http://screencast.com/t/izH8AutVI62

Answer 20

@OakTree

Answer 21

both lines together make up the function

Answer 22

and the question asks about the function

Answer 23

You need to look at what x going to \(-\infty\). It seems you are looking at the y value, not the x.

Answer 24

that x, not what x. Or the x...