Question

Describe the behavior of the function ppp around its vertical asymptote at x=-2x=−2x, equals, minus, 2. ​

Answer 1

Answer:

$x->-2^{-}, p(x)->-\infty$ and as $x->-2^{+}, p(x)->-\infty$

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

$p(x) = \frac{x^2-2x-3}{x+2}$ -- Missing from the question

Required

The behavior of the function around its vertical asymptote at $x = -2$

$p(x) = \frac{x^2-2x-3}{x+2}$

Expand the numerator

$p(x) = \frac{x^2 + x -3x - 3}{x+2}$

Factorize

$p(x) = \frac{x(x + 1) -3(x + 1)}{x+2}$

Factor out x + 1

$p(x) = \frac{(x -3)(x + 1)}{x+2}$

We test the function using values close to -2 (one value will be less than -2 while the other will be greater than -2)

We are only interested in the sign of the result

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As x approaches -2 implies that:

$x -> -2^{-}$ Say x = -3

$p(x) = \frac{(x -3)(x + 1)}{x+2}$

$p(-3) = \frac{(-3-3)(-3+1)}{-3+2} = \frac{-6 * -2}{-1} = \frac{+12}{-1} = -12$

We have a negative value (-12); This will be called negative infinity

This implies that as x approaches -2, p(x) approaches negative infinity

$x->-2^{-}, p(x)->-\infty$

Take note of the superscript of 2 (this implies that, we approach 2 from a value less than 2)

As x leaves -2 implies that: $x>-2$

Say x = -2.1

$p(-2.1) = \frac{(-2.1-3)(-2.1+1)}{-2.1+2} = \frac{-5.1 * -1.1}{-0.1} = \frac{+5.61}{-0.1} = -56.1$

We have a negative value (-56.1); This will be called negative infinity

This implies that as x leaves -2, p(x) approaches negative infinity

$x->-2^{+}, p(x)->-\infty$

So, the behavior is:

$x->-2^{-}, p(x)->-\infty$ and as $x->-2^{+}, p(x)->-\infty$