Step by step
The question
Question: find the asymptotes of f(x) = (−2x² + 3x + 4)/(x − 2).
An asymptote is a line the graph gets closer and closer to.
We draw it dashed.
1 Compare the powers
The top has x²: power 2.
The bottom has x: power 1.
The top power is one bigger.
Then there is no flat asymptote.
Instead, the graph gets close to a slanted line: a slant asymptote.
Dividing finds it.
2 Set it up
We write it like long division with numbers.
x − 2 goes outside, −2x² + 3x + 4 inside.
3 First part of the answer
Divide the first parts: −2x² divided by x is −2x.
We write it on top.
Multiply: −2x times (x − 2) is −2x² + 4x.
We write it under, with a minus: we take it away.
−2x² take away −2x² is 0.
That is why we chose −2x.
3x take away 4x is −x.
Bring down the next part: 4.
4 Second part of the answer
Divide the first parts: −x divided by x is −1.
We write it on top.
Multiply: −1 times (x − 2) is −x + 2.
We write it under, with a minus: we take it away.
−x take away −x is 0.
That is why we chose −1.
4 take away 2 is 2.
2 has no x.
We can't divide it by x.
So 2 is the remainder: what is left over.
So f(x) is −2x − 1, plus 2/(x − 2).
5 Read the slant asymptote
When x is big, 2/(x − 2) is tiny.
At x = 100 it is 2/98: about 0.02.
Almost 0.
So for a big x, f(x) is close to −2x − 1.
The slant asymptote is y = −2x − 1.
Careful!
The remainder part is not in the line.
It gets smaller and smaller, so we leave it out.
6 Vertical asymptote
The bottom: x − 2 = 0 when x = 2.
We can never divide by 0.
The top is not 0 there, so near it the graph shoots up or down: a vertical asymptote.
So the asymptotes are y = −2x − 1 and x = 2.
7 Check
Let's check with a picture.
The vertical asymptote x = 2, dashed.
The slant asymptote y = −2x − 1, dashed.
The graph of f: on each side it gets close to both dashed lines.
And with numbers: at x = 100, f is about −200.98, and the line gives −201.
Very close.
It works!
Let's look back.
First: compare the powers.
Then: set it up.
Then: first part of the answer.
Then: second part of the answer.
Then: read the slant asymptote.
Then: vertical asymptote.
Last: check.