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Horizontal Asymptote


A horizontal asymptote of the graph y=f(x) is a horizontal line y=L such that

 lim_(x->infty)f(x)=L or lim_(x->-infty)f(x)=L.

Thus the graph approaches the line in at least one horizontal direction. A function may cross a horizontal asymptote, and it may have different horizontal asymptotes as x->infty and x->-infty. For example, f(x)=1/x has the horizontal asymptote y=0 in both directions.


See also

Asymptote, Graph, Limit, Vertical Asymptote

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Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Horizontal Asymptote." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/HorizontalAsymptote.html

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