Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Domain of a Function
The domain of a function is the set of all possible input values (x-values) for which the function is defined. For the function f(x) = ln(x² + 3) / (x - 1), the domain excludes x = 1, where the denominator becomes zero, causing a division by zero error. Additionally, the expression inside the logarithm, x² + 3, must be positive, which it always is for real numbers.
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Asymptotes
Asymptotes are lines that a graph approaches but never touches. For f(x) = ln(x² + 3) / (x - 1), there is a vertical asymptote at x = 1 due to the division by zero. Horizontal asymptotes can be determined by analyzing the behavior of the function as x approaches infinity or negative infinity, which involves understanding the limits of the function.
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Critical Points and Derivatives
Critical points occur where the derivative of a function is zero or undefined, indicating potential maxima, minima, or inflection points. To find these for f(x) = ln(x² + 3) / (x - 1), compute the first derivative and solve for x where the derivative equals zero or is undefined. This helps in understanding the function's increasing or decreasing behavior and concavity.
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