ASYMPTOTES

An asymptote of a curve is a line

such that the distance between
the curve and the line approaches
zero as they tend to infinity
Y

X
TYPES OF ASYMPTOTES
 ASYMPTOTES

VERTICAL HORZONTAL OBLIQUE

ASYMPTOTES ASYMPTOTES ASYMPTOTES
 VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES

The line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the

graph of the function
y = ƒ (x) if at least one of the following
statements is true:

Lim f (x) =+∞ or -∞ or Lim f (x)=+∞ or -

X → a-
∞X → a+
Y

ASYMPTOTES

CURVE X
The function ƒ(x) may or may not be defined at a, and its precise value
at the point x = a does not affect the asymptote.
For example, for the function

f(x)=1/x for x>0

or 5 for x<=0
has a limit of +∞ as x → 0+, ƒ(x) has the vertical asymptote x = 0, even
though ƒ(0) = 5. The graph of this function does intersect the vertical
asymptote once, at (0,5). It is impossible for the graph of a function to
intersect a vertical asymptote (or a vertical line in general) in more than
one point.
A common example of a vertical asymptote is the case of a rational
function at a point x such that the denominator is zero and the
numerator is non-zero.
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
Horizontal asymptotes are horizontal lines that
the graph of the function approaches as x → ±∞.
The horizontal line y = c is a horizontal
asymptote of the function y = ƒ(x)
if Lim f(x)=c
x→∞
or
Lim f(x)=c
x→ -∞

In the first case, ƒ(x) has y = c as asymptote

when x tends to −∞, and in the second that ƒ(x)
has y = c as an asymptote as x tends to +∞
Y

curve

asymptotes

X
 OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTES
When a linear asymptote is not parallel to
the x- or y-axis, it is called an oblique
asymptote or slant asymptote. A function
f(x) is asymptotic to the straight line y =
mx + n (m ≠ 0)
if Lim [f (x) - (mx+n) ]=0
x→∞

Or
Lim [f (x) - (mx+n) ]=0
X → -∞
Y

asymptotes

m x +b

curve
 WORKING RULE TO FIND OBLIQUE
ASYMPTOTES OF AN ALGEBRAIC
CURVES

1. In the highest degree terms,put

x=1,y=m and obtain Φn (m).Then in
the next highest degree term again
put x=1,y=m to obtain Φn-1 (m) and
so on.
2. Put Φn (m)=0,then its roots say
m1,m2…. are the slopes of the
asymptotes.
3.For the non repeated roots nof Φ
(m)=0,find c from the relation
c=-Φn-1 (m)/Φn(m) for
each value
of m.
The required asymptotes are
y=m1x+c1
y=m2x+c2
y=m3x+c3 …………
4.If Φ ′n (m)=0 for some value of m but
Φn-1 (m)≠0 ,then there is no
asymptotes corresponding to that
value‘ of m.
5.If Φn "'(m)=0 and also Φ n-1 (m)=0
which is the case when two of the
asymptotes ″ are parallel, then find c
from the equation
‘′
(c²/2!)Φn (m)+ cΦn-1 (m)+Φn-2
(m)=0
which gives two values of c. Thus
there are two parallel asymptotes
 ′
6.If Φ n (m)=Φn-1 (m)=Φn-2 (m)=0,then
″

the values of c corresponding to this

value of m are determined from the
equation
″
(c³/3!)Φn (m)+(c²/2!)Φn-1 (m)+cΦn-1
″′ ’

(m)=0.
 EXAMPLE

TO FIND ASYMPTOTES OF
ALGEBRAIC CURVE
 Find the asymptotes of the curve
x³+3x²y-4y³-x+y+3=0?
SOLUTION:
The given curve is
x³+3x²y-4y³-x+y+3=0

To find the oblique asymptotes

Putting x=1,y=m in the third, second
and first degree terms one by one, we get
 Φ3 (m)=1+3-4m³
Φ 2 (m)=0
Φ 1 (m)=-1+m
Now Φ 3 (m)=0
1+3m-4m³=0
(1-m)(1+4m+4m²)=0
m=1,m=-½,m=-½
Also Φ3′ (m)=3-12m²
″
and Φ 3 (m)=-24m
therefore, c=-Φn-1(m)/Φ′n (m)
=-Φ2 (m)/Φ′ 3 (m)
=-(0/(3-12m²))
When m=1, c=-(0/(3-12))=0
When m=-1/2
c=-(0/(3-3))=0
Therefore in this case, c is given by
(c²/2!)Φ ″3 (m)+cΦ′ 2 (m)+Φ(m)=0
1
(c²/2!)(-24m)+c.0+(m-1)=0
 (c²/2)(12)-(1/2)-1=0
c²=1/4
c=±1/2, for m=-1/2
Now the asymptotes are obtained by
putting the values of m and c in
y=mx+c,
i.e. y=x+0 ,
y=(-1/2)x+1/2
and y=(-1/2)x+(-1/2)
WORKING RULE FOR FINDING
ASYMPTOTES OF POLAR
CURVES
1.In the given equation ,put r=1/u.
2.If the given equation involves
trigonometric ratios, convert them to
sinθ and cosθ.
find the limit of θ as u → 0.
Let θ1 ,θ 2 ,…..,θ n be the limits obtained.
3. Find p=lim(-dθ/du) for each of the θ ,
u 0
θ θ i
obtained in step 2.
4.The corresponding asymptotes
i
are
given by the equation p=r sin(θ-θi ).
i
 EXAMPLE

TO FIND ASYMPTOTES OF
POLAR CURVE
 1.FIND THE ASYMPTOTES OF
THE CURVE r=(2a)/(1+2cosθ)?
SOLUTION:
Putting u=1/r,the equation of
the curve becomes
2au=1+2cosθ
When u → 0,then
cosθ1 =-1/2
= cos2π/3
θ 1 =2nπ±2π/3
Differentiating(1) w.r.t θ, we have
2a(du/dθ)=-2sinθ
or dθ/du=-a cosecθ
p= lim(-dθ/du)
θ→θ1

= lim a cosecθ

=a cosec(2nπ±2π/3)
 =±a cosec2π/3
=±2a/√3
The asymptotes is
p=r sin(θ –θ1 )
±2a/√3 =r sin[2nπ±2π/3-θ]

±2a/√3 =r sin[±2π/3-θ]
=r sin[2π/3±θ]
2. Find the asymptotes of the curve
r=a secθ+b tanθ?

SOLUTION:
The given curve is
r=a/cosθ+b (sinθ/cosθ
=(a+b sinθ)/cosθ
u=cosθ/(a+bsinθ) ,where u=1/r
..1
du/dθ=(a+bsinθ)(-sinθ)-(cosθ)(bcosθ)
.2
(a+bsinθ)
 =-(a sinθ+b)/(a+b sinθ)²
From(1), u 0 gives cosθ → 0
i.e. θ 1 =(2n+1)π/2
Now, p=lim(-dθ/du)
θ → θi

=lim(a+bsinθ)²/(asinθ+b)

=[a+bsin(2n+1)π/2]²
asin(2n+1)π/2+b
 =[a+b(-1)ⁿsinπ/2]²
a(-1)ⁿsinπ/2+b
=[a+b(-1)ⁿ]²
a(-1)ⁿ+b
The equation of asymptotes is
p=r sin(θ-θ1 )
[a+b(-1)ⁿ]² =r sin[(2n+1)π/2-θ
a(-1)ⁿ+b
=(-1)ⁿ r cosθ
 CURVE
TRACING
 METHOD
OF TRACING A CURVE
1.Symmetry
(i) A curve is symmetrical about x-axis if the equation
remains the same by replacing y by
–y. here y should have even powers only.
For example y2= 4ax.
(ii) It is symmetrical about y-axis if it contains only even
powers of x For example x2 = 4ay
(iii) If on interchanging x and y, the equation remains
the same then the curve is
symmetrical about the line. y = x, For example
x3 + y3= 3axy
(iv) A curve is symmetrical in the opposite quadrants if
its equation remains the
same when x and y replaced by –x and –y. For
example y = x3
 Y

O
X

Y’
 Y

X’ X
O
 Y

X’ X
O

Y’
 Y

X’ X
O

Y’
2. (a) Origin

The curve passes through the origin, if

the equation does not contain
constant term.

For example the curve y2 = 4ax passes

through the origin.
 (b) Tangents at the origin:
To know the nature of a multiple
point it necessary to find the tangent
at that point.
The equation of the tangent at the
origin can be obtained by equating to
zero, the lowest degree term in the
equation of the curve.
 3. Asymptotes
Asymptotes are the tangents to the
curve at infinity.

(a) Asymptote parallel to the x-

axis is obtained by equating to zero, the
coefficient of the highest power of x.
For example yx2 - 4x2 + x + 2 = 0
(y - 4)x2 + x + 2 = 0
The coefficient of the highest power of x
i.e. x2 is y - 4 = 0
y - 4 = 0 is the asymptote parallel
to the x axis.
 (b) Asymptote parallel to the
y-axis is obtained to zero, the coefficient of
highest power of y.
For example
xy3 - 2y3 + y2 + x2 + 2 = 0
(x-2)y3 + y2 + x2 + 2 = 0
The coefficient of the highest power of y. i.e.
y3 is x -2.
X -2 = 0 is the asymptote parallel to y-axis.
4. The points of intersection with
the axes
(i) By putting y= 0 in the equation of the
curve we get the co-ordinates of the point
of intersection with the x –axis.

(ii) By putting x = 0 in the equation of

the curve; the ordinate of the point
of intersection with the y-axis is obtained
by solving the new equation.
5. Regions in which the curve
does not lie.
If the value of y is imaginary for
certain value of x then the curve
does not exist for such values.

Example. y2 = 4x
For negative value of x, y is
imaginary so there is no curve is
second and third quadrant.
 (i) For y> 2a x is imaginary so
there is no curve in second and
third quadrant
(ii) For negative values of y, x is
imaginary. There is no curve in
3rd and 4th quadrant.
 6. SPECIAL POINTS
Put 0=dx/dy for the points where tangent is
parallel to the x-axis.
For example x2 + y2 - 4x + 4y -1 = 0 ………(1)
2x +2ydxdy- 4 + 4dxdy= 0
(2y+4) dx/dy= 4 - 2x
or dx/dy=(4-2x)/(2y+4)
Now dx/dy= 0.
4-2x = 0 or x = 2
Putting x =2 in (1),
we get y2 + 4y -5 = 0
y= 1,- 5
The tangents are parallel to x-axis at the points
(2,1) and (2, -5).
 This procedure can be
remembered as :

SOAP-RS
symmetry

region
Special point
origin asymptotes

Point of intersection
EXAMPLE
 1. Trace the curve y2( 2a – x ) = x3

Solution: y2= x3/( 2a – x ) ……..(1)

(i) Symmetrical about x-axis:

Equation contains only even powers of y; therefore, it

is symmetrical about x-axis.
 Y

TANGENT

2a

O
X
Y=0

ASYMPTOTES

CISSOID

Y’
(ii) Origin:

Equation does not contain any

constant term;
therefore, it passes through
origin.
(iii) Asymptote parallel to y-axis:

Equation of asymptote is obtained by

equating the coefficient of lowest degree of
y.

2ay2 – xy2 = x3
or (2a-x)y2 = x3
Eq. Of asymptote is
2a-x = 0 or x = 2a.
(iv) Region of absence of curve:

y2 becomes negative on putting x>2a or

x<0, therefore, the curve does not exist for
x<0 and x>2a.
(v) Tangent at the origin:

Equation of the tangent is obtained by

equating to zero the lowest degree terms in
the equation (1).
2ay2 – xy2 = x3
Equation of tangent:
2ay2 = 0 → y2 = 0
2.Trace the curve
x2y2=(a+y)2(a2-y2)

Proof:
The given equation of the curve
is
x2y2=(a+y)2(a2-y2)
y2
 Y
B(0,a) Y=a

X
X’ O

B’(0,-a)

Y’
1.Symmetry:
Because of even powers
of x only, the curve is symmetrical
about y-axis.

2. origin:
The curve does not pass
through the origin.
3.ASYMPTOTES:
The equation of the
curve is of 4th degree in x and y. The
terms containing x4 and x3 are absent
.The coefficient of x2 is y2.
Therefore the asymptotes parallel to x-
axis is y=0.There is no other
asymptotes to the curve.
4. Points of intersection with co-
ordinate axis:
The curve does not meet x-
axis.It meets y-axis,where
x=0.Therefore y=-a,y=a.
Shifting the origin at (0,a),the
equation of the curve transforms into
X2(Y+a)2=(Y+2a)2(-Y)
Thus the equation of the tangent at
the new origin is Y=0 or y=a is
tangent at (0,a).
Again shifting the origin at (0,-a),the
equation transform into
X2(Y-a)2=Y3(2a-Y).
Therefore the tangents at the origin
are given by X2=0 i.e y-axis is a
cuspidal tangent at (0,-a).
5.Region:
The whole of the curve lies
between y=-a and y=a.
Hence the shape of the curve is as
shown in figure.
ASSIGNMENT
1.If y=√logx+√logx+……..+∞, prove
that (2y-1)dy=1
dx x
2.If f(x)=x³+2x²-5x+11,find the value
of f(9/10) with the help of taylor’s
series for f(x+h).
3.State and prove MACLAURIN’S
theorem with Lagrange’s form of
remainder after n terms.
4.Find all the asymptotes of the curve
x(y-x)²-x(y-x)-2=0.
5.If 1 and 2 are the radii of curvature
at the extremities of a focal chord of
a parabola whose semi-latus rectum
is l,prove that (1)-2/3+(2)-2/3=(l)-2/3.
6.If cx,c+y be the chord of curvature
parallel to coordinates axes at any
point of the curve y=c cosh(x/c);
prove the 4c2(cx2+cy2)=cy4.
7.If y=(cos x)(cos x)(cos x)…∞,prove that
dy=-y2tan x
dx 1-y log cos x
8.If y=(sin-1x)2, prove that
(1-x2)yn+2-(2n+1)xyn+1-n2yn=0.
9.Differentiate sin3x w.r.t. cos3x.

10.Evaluate lim xb-bx .

x b xx-bb
TEST
SET-A
 Attempt any two

1.Find the asymptotes of the hyperbola

x2-y2 =1

9 4
2.Find all the asymptotes of the following
curves
x(y-x)2-x(y-x)=2
3.Find the asymptotes of curve
r cos 2θ=a sin 3θ
SET-B
 Attempt any two

1.Find the equation of the hyperbola

having x+y-1=0 and x-y+2=0 as its
asymptotes and passing through
the origin.
2.Find the asymptotes of the curve
r=a sec θ+b tan θ
3.Find the asymptotes of y=x. ex-e-x
ex+e-x