
Section 12.2: The Big Method • 251
5. Vertical asymptotes: these generally occur where the denominator is
zero (if there is a denominator!). Beware: if the numerator is zero too,
then you might have a removable discontinuity
∗
instead of a vertical
asymptote. Also, you may have a vertical asymptote due to a log factor.
Mark all the vertical asymptotes as dotted vertical lines on your graph.
6. Sign of the function: at this point, draw up a table of signs for f(x),
as described in Section 12.1. We already know where f is zero from
#3 above, and we know where it’s discontinuous from #4 and #5. The
table tells you exactly where the curve is above or below the x-axis.
7. Horizontal asymptotes: find the horizontal asymptotes by calculating
lim
x→∞
f(x) and lim
x→−∞
f(x).
Even if the limits are ±∞, it may be that you can still work out what
f(x) behaves like for large (or negatively large) x and thereby get a sort
of “diagonal” asymptote. In any case, draw dashed horizontal lines on
your graph to remind you about the horizontal asymptotes, if there are
any. At this point, you can fill in little bits of the function near both
the horizontal and vertical asymptotes, using the table of signs for f(x)
to tell which side of each of the asymptotes the function lies on.
8. Sign of the derivative: now, time for calculus. Find the derivative,
then find all the critical points—remember, these are points where the
derivative is 0 or does not exist. Now draw up a table of signs for f
0
(x),
as described in Section 12.1.1 above. Use the third row of the table to
tell where the function is increasing, decreasing, or flat.
9. Maxima and minima: from the table of signs, you can find all the
local maxima or minima—remember, these only occur at critical points.
For each maximum or minimum x, you need to find the value of y by
substituting the value of x into the equation y = f(x). Make sure you
label all these points on your graph.
10. Sign of the second derivative: find the second derivative, then find
all the points where the second derivative is zero or does not exist.
Now you should draw up a table of signs for f
00
(x), as described in
Section 12.1.2 above. The pictures in the third row of the table indicate
where the curve is concave up and where it’s concave down.
11. Points of inflection: use the table of signs for the second derivative
to identify the inflection points. Remember, the second derivative at
an inflection point has to be zero, and the sign of the second derivative
has to be different on either side of the inflection point. For each inflec-
tion point x, you need to find the y-coordinate by substituting into the
equation y = f(x). Make sure these points are labeled on your graph.
Now, using all the information you’ve gathered, complete the sketch of the
graph. If anything looks inconsistent, then you might have made a mistake!
All the information you gather should work nicely together.
∗
For example, if f(x) = (x
2
− 3x + 2)/(x − 2), then by factoring the numerator as
(x − 1)(x − 2), you can easily see that f(x) = x − 1 except at x = 2, where f is undefined.
The graph is on page 42.