# Curve Sketching 4: Identifying Oblique Asymptotes

In the previous post in this series, we have learned about asymptotes. horizontal asymptote and vertical asymptote. We continue this series by discussing oblique asymptotes in this post.

An oblique asymptote is an asymptote that is not vertical and not horizontal. We need to know these types of asymptotes to sketch graphs especially rational functions. A rational function contains an oblique asymptote if the degree of its numerator is more than 1 that of its denominator. For instance, the function

$y = \displaystyle\frac{x^2-4x-5}{x-3}$

has degree 2 in the numerator and 1 in the denominator. If we divide the expression, we have

$\displaystyle\frac{x^2 - 4x - 5}{x-3} = x - 1 + \displaystyle\frac{8}{x-3}$.

Notice that as $x$ goes to infinity, the remainder goes to 0. The expression $x - 1$ is the oblique asymptote.

The red dashed line in the graph is the oblique asymptote of the function above.  Notice that the function has also a vertical asymptote (see green dashed line) which is $x=3$.

Note however, that if the degree of the numerator of the rational function is more than the degree of the denominator, but not 1, there are no oblique asymptotes. In addition, there is a most one oblique asymptote or one horizontal asymptote, but not both (Why?).

Reference: Bob Miller’s Calc for the Clueless: Calc I

## 2 thoughts on “Curve Sketching 4: Identifying Oblique Asymptotes”

1. It is me again,I would like you to tutor me on two things,is a very important one to me,3-D graphication?I will find a way,here is my request:
a)May you tutor me on Differential Equations?
b)May you tutor me on Integral Equations?

I want you teach me,step by step each of these two topics on every method you know possible.Please,I need this content for a personal project I am working on.

• Hi Gian Carlo,

First of all, I have not taught beyond high school calculus for 10 years, so I will need to spend a lot of time (which I don’t have) for reviewing the stuff you are requesting. I am full time in my work, and I have other works during my free time. Most of my posts in this blog are from stock knowledge, or from the things I teach.

If you want a tutor, you might want to explore the Art of Problem Solving Forum here: http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/index.php. There are thousands of excellent problem solvers there who might be familiar of the topics you want.

Warm regards,
Guillermo