Chapter 2 Asymptotes
Chapter 2 Asymptotes
ASYMPTOTES
2.1:Introduction
Some curves may have branch or branches extending beyond the finite region. We can get a
point
Px. v) on such a branch of the curve and if Pmoves along the curve so that at least one
coordinate x or y
tends to infinity or minus infinity. We can get a straight line such that as the point P recedes to infinity
along the branch, the perpendicular distance of P from the straight line tends to 0. Such astraight line is
called an asytmptote of the curve.
Definition. A straight l1ne S said to be an asymptote of an infinite branch of a curve, if, as the point P
recedes to infinity along the branch, the perpendicular distance of P from the straight line tends to 0.
2.2: Determination of asymptotes
We know that the equation of a line which is not parallel to Y-axis is of the form
y= m+C
..(1)
The abscissa x must tend to infinity as the point P(x, v) recedes to infinity along the curve. We shall
now determine m and c so that the line (1) will be an asymptote of the given
curve.
Let p = PM be the perpendicular distance of any point p (x, y) on the infinite branch of the given
curve from the line (1).
y-mx -c
Then P=
’y-mx-c’0 when x ’ 0
’ lim (y- mx-c)=0 M
+... + .. (3)
X 2 x?-è."(m)+.
a'y'+bx? =1
C=
-, (m) -[m+m²
o, (m) 1+2m
-o, (m)
d(m) 1-4m'
1 -6m +9m?
Asymptotes 2.9
when m= 0, c= =0
1
so, y = 0is an asymptotes.
C=
-. (m)_3a
o, (m) -1
when m=1,c=-3a
So, y = x- 3a is an asymptote to the curve.
The line through (a,0) and parallel to y=x- 3a is y- 0 =l(r-a).
i.e, y=X-a
1.e, X-)y =a.... (3)
The line (2) meets x-axis at P(a, 0) and y-axis as Q(0, - a).
The mid point of PQ is
Now solving equation (1) and equation (3),
a -a
we can get (a, 0) and
2'2 as the points of intersection of curve (1)and line (3).
a -a
But, 2 2 is the mid point of PQ,
Hence the portion of the line intercepted by the axes is bisected by the curve.
Dxample - 2.4.3: Find the equation of thecubic which has the same asymptotes as the curve.
*-6xy+lLxy' -6y' +x+y +l=0
and which touches the axis of y at the origin and passes through the point (3, 2)
aolution : -6xy +1 lxy' -6y' +x+y+l=0
we write F,=r -6x'y +llxy' -6y' =(r-}lx-2v)(x-3y)
=x+y+1
Thus, the equation of the curve can be written in the form F + F =0. where F has non repeated
linear factors.
Thus, F, =0 is the joint equation of the asymptotes of the cubic.
The general equation of the cubic is of the form
F + ax + by+c=0
Tt
’ cose=cos ’0=2nnt
3
a =2nn+ ,B= 2n
-)
Tt -2a
’rsin 2nn +
-oj ’rsin
3
s(B)=sin 2n-=sin 3 -3
a 2a
EXERCISE - 2
1 Find the asymptotes parallel to the coordinate axes of the following curves :
() a'(r+y') =x'y' (ii) (z -y')x- ay' =9
(iii) x'y-2x-5xy +6y +2=0
2. Find the asymptotes of the following curves :
() x+y'-3axy =0
(ii) 2x-xy-2xy' +y' -4x +8xy +4x =0
(ii) -y- y' +y'-t+y' -10x-2y +1 =0
(iv) *-*y -xy' +y' -4y' +2r +2ry + x+y+1=0
(v) x(y-x' = x(y-x) +2
(vi) (*-y) +a (x*-y)=a'xy
(vi) y' +x'y+ 2xy' -y+l=0
(viii)y(x- y) =x+y
(ix) (x+ y)(x- y)(2x-y) - 4x(x-2y) +4x =0
(x) y' +3y'x-x'y- 3x + y'-2.xy +3x' +4y +5 =0
(xi) (9-af'(-a)=x +a'
(xii) (x-y)' (x-2y)(x-3y) -2a(x -y')-2a' (z-2y)(x+y) =0
(xii) x' +4x'y +4xy' +5x' + 15xy +10y' -2y +] =0
(xiv)(x-y+ 2) (2x -3y +4)(4x -5y+6) +5x -6y +7=0
3. Show that the following curves have no asymptotes :
() y'=x(*+1' (ii) *+y =a(r-y' )
(ii) *('+x*}=a'(r-y') (iv) a'y' =x (2a-x)
4 Show that the asymptotes of the curve x´y' -a(x+y´)-a'lx+ y) +a' =0 form a square.
S
Find the asymptotes of thecurve xyxy + xy ty'+x-y=0.
and show that they cut the curve again in three points which lie on the line x + y = 0.
6
Show that the asymptotes of the quadric
(r'-4y )(*-9y')+5r'y -Sxy' -30y' +xy +7y' -1=0, cut the curve in the eight points
which lie on a circle.
7
Find the equation of the cubic which has the same asymptotes as the curve
*-6x*y+1 lxy' -6y' +x+y +l=0 and which passes through the points (0, 0), (1, 0) and
(0, 1).
2.16 Calculus and Ordinary Differential Equations
8. Find the cquation of the straight line on which lie three points of intersection of the cubic
x'+ 2x*y-xy' -2y +4y° + 2y +y -l=0 and its asymptotes.
9
Find the asymptotes of the curve (2x-3y +1)' (x+y)-8x +2y -9=0 and show that they
intersect the curve again in three points, which lie on a straight line. Obtain the equation of the
line.
10. Find the asymptotes of the following curves :
a
(i) r sin =a (1-cos0)
(iii) r=alog (iv) rlog0 = a
a
(v) r= (Vi) r=asec+ btan
-1