Calculus Volume 1

Chapter 4 | Applications of Derivatives

411

Figure 4.44 This function crosses its horizontal asymptote multiple times.

−1 ( x ) and lim

−1 ( x ), we first consider the graph of y = tan( x ) over the

c. To evaluate lim x

→∞ tan

x →−∞ tan

interval (− π /2, π /2) as shown in the following graph.

Figure 4.45 The graph of tan x has vertical asymptotes at x =± π 2

Since

lim x →( π /2) −

tan x =∞,

it follows that

−1 ( x ) = π

lim x →∞ tan

2 .

Similarly, since

lim x →(–π/2) +

tan x =−∞,

it follows that

−1 ( x ) = − π

lim x →−∞ tan

2 .

As a result, y = π 2

and y = − π 2

are horizontal asymptotes of f ( x ) = tan −1 ( x ) as shown in the following

graph.

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online