4
Asymptotes and Curve Tracing
The aim of this chapter is to study the shape of a plane curve y=f(x). For this purpose, we must investigate the variation of the function f, in the case of unlimited increase and absolute value and of x or y, or both, of a variable point (x, y) on the curve. The study of such variation of the function requires the concept of an asymptote. Before defining an asymptote to a curve, let us define finite and infinite branches of a plane curve as follows:
Consider the equation of the ellipse 
Solving this equation, we get
The first equation represents the upper half of the ellipse while the second equation represents ...
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