Limits at Infinity

Definition Assume f is defined for all x as x approaches −∞ and ∞. A limit at infinity for
f is either of the following limits.

lim f (x) lim f (x)

x→−∞ x→∞

If either of these limits exist and equals, say L, then y = L is a horizontal asymptotes of f .

1
Example 1 The graph of f (x) = is given below. Find all asymptotes by examining the
x
graph.

−5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5
−1

−2

−3

−4

−5
Fact Let a be any constant and r > 0. Then when defined, we have

a
lim =0
x→±∞ xr

Example 2 Compute the following limits.

5
(a) lim
x→∞ x2

−4.1
(b) lim
x→−∞ x39

17
(c) lim √
x→−∞ x
Example 3 Compute the following limits.

9x2 − x + 5
(a) lim
x→∞ 2x2 + 5x − 3

x+3
(b) lim
x→∞ x3 − 3x + 1
Example 4 Compute the following limit.
√
9x2 + 1
lim
x→∞ x+2
Fact Below is a graph of g(t) = et . Use the graph to determine lim et and lim et .
t→−∞ t→∞

−4 −3 −2 −1 1
−1

Example 5 Compute the following limit.

3 − et
lim
t→∞ 4et + 2