Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Vertical Asymptotes
Vertical asymptotes occur in a function when the function approaches infinity as the input approaches a certain value. This typically happens at points where the denominator of a rational function equals zero while the numerator does not. Identifying these points is crucial for understanding the behavior of the function near those values.
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Limits
Limits are fundamental in calculus, representing the value that a function approaches as the input approaches a certain point. In the context of vertical asymptotes, evaluating the left-hand limit (lim x→a<sup>-</sup> f(x)) and the right-hand limit (lim x→a<sup>+</sup> f(x)) helps determine the behavior of the function near the asymptote, indicating whether it approaches positive or negative infinity.
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Rational Functions
A rational function is a ratio of two polynomials. Understanding the structure of the numerator and denominator is essential for finding vertical asymptotes, as the roots of the denominator indicate potential asymptotes. In this case, analyzing the function f(x) = (3x<sup>4</sup> + 3x<sup>3</sup> − 36x<sup>2</sup>) / (x<sup>4</sup> − 25x<sup>2</sup> + 144) requires factoring and solving the denominator to identify the vertical asymptotes.
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