THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

MATH1013 University Mathematics II

Tutorial 6 Solutions

1. Clearly, f is continuous at all nonzero points. Therefore, only x = 0 could be a vertical

asymptote. However, we find that

x2 + sin x sin x
lim = lim (x + ) = 0 + 1 = 1.
x→0 x x→0 x
By definition, x = 0 is not a vertical asymptote. Thus, there is no vertical asymptote.

For horizontal and oblique asymptotes, we use proposition 4.5. Note that

f (x) x2 + sin x sin x

lim = lim = 1 + lim .
x→±∞ x x→±∞ x2 x→±∞ x2

1 sin x 1 1
Since − 2
⩽ 2
⩽ 2 and ± 2 → 0 when x → ±∞, the above limit is equal to 1 by the
x x x x
sandwich theorem. Also, we have
sin x
lim (f (x) − x) = lim =0
x→±∞ x→±∞ x
again by the sandwich theorem. By proposition 4.5, the only oblique asymptote is y = x, and
there is no horizontal asymptote.

2. (a) We compute
f (h) − f (0) 1 1 1
f ′ (0) = lim = lim (h sin + ) =
h→0 h h→0 h 2 2
1
by the sandwich theorem since − ∣h∣ ⩽ h sin ⩽ ∣h∣ and ± ∣h∣ tends to 0 when h tends to 0.
h
1 1 1 1 1
(b) For x ≠ 0, we have f ′ (x) = 2x sin − cos + . Note that f ′ ( ) = − < 0 for any
x x 2 2nπ 2
positive integer n. As f ′ is continuous at every nonzero point, we have f ′ (x) < 0 for
1 1
all x sufficiently close to . This shows f is decreasing around the point by
2nπ 2nπ
1
proposition 4.6(b). For sufficiently large n, is sufficiently close to 0. Therefore, every
2nπ
1
open interval I containing 0 must consist of some point , which suggests f cannot be
2nπ
strictly increasing on I.

(c) No. This is because we only have f ′ (0) > 0 in this example, but proposition 4.6 requires
f ′ (x) > 0 for all x in a certain interval containing 0.

Remark. The mysterious thing of this example is that even though f ′ (x) exists for
every x, it is not continuous at 0. It follows that the value of f ′ (0) does not give us any
information about the behaviour of f .

1
 f ′ (x) − f ′ (c) f ′ (x)
3. (a) Recall that f ′′ (c) = lim = lim (note that f ′ (c) = 0 since c is a critical
x→c x−c ′ x→c x − c
f (x)
point). As f ′′ (c) > 0, this shows > 0 for x sufficiently close to c.
x−c
f ′ (x)
ˆ For x slightly smaller than c, since > 0 and x − c < 0, we have f ′ (x) < 0.
x−c
f ′ (x)
ˆ For x slightly larger than c, since > 0 and x − c > 0, we have f ′ (x) > 0.
x−c

(b) By part (a) and proposition 4.6, we know that f is strictly decreasing for x slightly smaller
than c, and is strictly increasing for x slightly larger than c. Therefore, c must be a local
minimum point.

4. (a) For x-intercepts, we solve f (x) = 0 to obtain x = 1. There is no y-intercept since the
function is not defined at x = 0.

(b) By the sign test (Q5(a) of tutorial 4), f has a constant sign on each of the intervals
(−∞, 0), (0, 1) and (1, ∞). We can easily deduce the following.

x<0 0<x<1 x>1

f (x) − − +

(c) Only x = 0 could be a vertical asymptote since f is continuous on its domain R − {0}.
x−1 −1 x−1 x−1
Since lim 2 is of the form and < 0 for x close to 0, we have lim 2 = −∞
x→0 x 0 x2 x→0 x
by proposition 3.8(b). By definition, x = 0 is a vertical asymptote.

For horizontal and oblique asymptotes, we use proposition 4.5. Note that
f (x) x−1 x 1
m = lim = lim = lim 3 = lim 2 = 0
x→±∞ x x→±∞ x3 x→±∞ x x→±∞ x

by proposition 3.9. Also, we have

x−1 x 1
lim (f (x) − mx) = lim 2
= lim 2 = lim = 0.
x→±∞ x→±∞ x x→±∞ x x→±∞ x
Therefore, the only horizontal asymptote is y = 0, and there is no oblique asymptote.

2−x
(d) We have f ′ (x) = 3
. Since the only solution to f ′ (x) = 0 is x = 2, by the sign test,
x
f ′ has a constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, 0), (0, 2) and (2, ∞). This gives the
following.
x<0 0<x<2 x>2
f ′ (x) − + −
f (x) ↓ ↑ ↓

(e) The only critical point is x = 2. As f is increasing on (0, 2) and is decreasing on (2, ∞),
we know that 2 is a local maximum point.

Remark. Although f is decreasing on (−∞, 0) and is increasing on (0, 2), x = 0 is not a

local minimum point. This is because 0 is not even in the domain of f .

2
 2x − 6
(f) We have f ′′ (x) = 4
. Since the only solution to f ′′ (x) = 0 is x = 3, by the sign test,
x
f ′′ has a constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, 0), (0, 3) and (3, ∞). This gives the
following.
x<0 0<x<3 x>3
f ′′ (x) − − +
f (x) concave concave convex

(g) There is an inflexion point at x = 3 since f changes from concave to convex, and it is
continuous at 3.

(h) The graph of f is given below.

y

(2, f (2))
(3, f (3)) x−1
y=
x2
x
(1, 0)

Remark. One should include the following features in the figure.

ˆ intersection points with the coordinate axes, local extremum points and inflexion
points
ˆ asymptotes
ˆ sign, monotonicity and convexity

Additional problems:
5. (a) As f is continuous at every x ≠ −1, only x = −1 could be a vertical asymptote. As
4x2
lim + f (x) = lim + = ∞,
x→−1 x→−1 x+1
x = −1 is a vertical asymptote.

For horizontal and oblique asymptotes, we use proposition 4.5. Note that
f (x) 4x 4x
m = lim = lim = lim =4
x→±∞ x x→±∞ x + 1 x→±∞ x

by proposition 3.9. Also, we have

−4x −4x
lim (f (x) − mx) = lim = lim = −4.
x→±∞ x + 1 x→±∞ x
x→±∞

This shows y = 4x − 4 is an oblique asymptote, and there is no horizontal asymptote.

3
(b) Note that 6x3 − x2 + 3x − 2 = (2x − 1)(3x2 + x + 2) where 3x2 + x + 2 has no real root.
1
Therefore, only x = could be a vertical asymptote. We compute
2
(x2 − 1)(2x − 1) x2 − 1 3
lim+ g(x) = lim+ = lim =−
x→ 12 x→ 12 (2x − 1)(3x2 + x + 2) x→ 12 + 3x2 + x + 2 13
and
−(x2 − 1)(2x − 1) 3
lim− g(x) = lim− 2
= .
x→ 12 x→ 21 (2x − 1)(3x + x + 2) 13
1
Therefore, x = is not a vertical asymptote, and thus there is no vertical asymptote.
2
For horizontal and oblique asymptotes, we use proposition 4.5. Note that
g(x) (x2 − 1)(2x − 1) 2x3
m1 = lim = lim = lim =0
x→∞ x x→∞ x(6x3 − x2 + 3x − 2) x→∞ 6x4

by proposition 3.9. Also, we have

(x2 − 1)(2x − 1) 2x3 1
lim (g(x) − m1 x) = lim 3 2
= lim = .
x→∞ x→∞ 6x − x + 3x − 2 x→∞ 6x3 3
1
This shows y = is a horizontal asymptote. Similarly, we have
3
g(x) (x2 − 1)(1 − 2x) −2x3
m2 = lim = lim = lim =0
x→−∞ x x→−∞ x(6x3 − x2 + 3x − 2) x→−∞ 6x4

and
(x2 − 1)(1 − 2x) −2x3 1
lim (g(x) − m2 x) = lim = lim =− .
x→−∞ x→−∞ 6x3 − x2 + 3x − 2 x→−∞ 6x3 3
1
This shows y = − is another horizontal asymptote. There is no oblique asymptote.
3
(c) Only x = 0 could be a vertical asymptote since h is continuous on R − {0}. Note that
(2 − x) + (x + 2) 2
lim+ h(x) = lim+ = lim+ = ∞.
x→0 x→0 2x x→0 x

Therefore, x = 0 is the only vertical asymptote.

For horizontal and oblique asymptotes, we use proposition 4.5. We have

h(x) (x − 2) + (x + 2) 1
m1 = lim = lim = lim = 0
x→∞ x x→∞ 2x2 x→∞ x

and
(x − 2) + (x + 2)
lim (h(x) − m1 x) = lim = 1.
x→∞ 2x
x→∞
This shows y = 1 is a horizontal asymptote. Similarly, we have
h(x) (2 − x) + (−x − 2) −1
m2 = lim = lim = lim =0
x→−∞ x x→−∞ 2x2 x→−∞ x

and
(2 − x) + (−x − 2)
lim (h(x) − m2 x) = lim = −1.
x→−∞ 2x
x→−∞
This shows y = −1 is another horizontal asymptote. There is no oblique asymptote.

4
 1
6. (a) The domain of f is (−∞, 2]. For x ∈ (−∞, 2), we have f ′ (x) = − √ < 0. Therefore,
4 − 2x
f is always monotonic decreasing by proposition 4.6(b) and the continuity of f at 2.

Remark. One may include or exclude the endpoints of the intervals when answering this
kind of questions.

(b) We have g ′ (x) = 1 − e−x . Note that g ′ (x) > 0 if and only if e−x < 1 if and only if x > 0.
By changing the inequality signs, g ′ (x) < 0 if and only if x < 0. Therefore, by proposition
4.6, g is monotonic increasing on (0, ∞), and is monotonic decreasing on (−∞, 0).

1 − ln x
(c) The domain of h is (0, ∞). For x > 0, we have h′ (x) = . Note that h′ (x) > 0 if
x2
and only if ln x < 1 if and only if x < e. By changing the inequality signs, h′ (x) < 0 if and
only if x > e. Therefore, by proposition 4.6, h is monotonic increasing on (0, e), and is
monotonic decreasing on (e, ∞).

2
7. (a) We have f ′ (x) = 6x2 − 10x + 4 = (x − 1)(6x − 4). The roots of f ′ (x) are x = , 1. By the
3
2 2
sign test, f ′ has a constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, ), ( , 1) and (1, ∞). This
3 3
gives the following.

2 2
x< 3 3
<x<1 x>1
f (x)
′
+ − +
f (x) ↑ ↓ ↑
2 2
The only critical points are x = , 1. As f is increasing on (−∞, ) and is decreasing on
3 3
2 2 2
( , 1), we know that is a local maximum point. As f is decreasing on ( , 1) and is
3 3 3
increasing on (1, ∞), we know that 1 is a local minimum point.

(b) As f is continuous and the domain is a closed and bounded interval, it must attain the
global extrema by the extreme value theorem. The global extrema can only be attained
at the endpoints of the interval or the interior local extremum points. Thus, we compare
2 217
the values f (0) = 7, f ( ) = , f (1) = 8 and f (2) = 11. This shows the global minimum
3 27
is 7 (attained at x = 0), and the global maximum is 11 (attained at x = 2).

(x − 1)ex − e2
8. (a) We have f ′ (x) = and
x2
(x2 − 2x + 2)ex + 2e2 [(x − 1)2 + 1]ex + 2e2
f ′′ (x) = = >0
x3 x3
for x > 0. By proposition 4.6, f ′ is strictly increasing on (0, ∞) since f ′′ is the derivative
of f ′ .

(b) Note that f ′ (2) = 0. By part (a), we know that f ′ (x) < 0 for x < 2, and f ′ (x) > 0 for x > 2.
Therefore, by proposition 4.6, f is strictly decreasing on (0, 2), and is strictly increasing
on (2, ∞). This shows f attains a global minimum at x = 2.

5
 −2x − 4
9. We have f ′ (x) = . Note that f ′ (x) = 0 when x = −2, and f ′ is undefined at x = 1.
(x − 1)3
By the sign test, f ′ has a constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, −2), (−2, 1) and (1, ∞).
This gives the following.

x < −2 −2 < x < 1 x>1

f ′ (x) − + −
f (x) ↓ ↑ ↓

As f is decreasing on (−∞, −2) and is increasing on (−2, 1), we must have f (x) ⩾ f (−2) for
all x < 1. Also, since f is decreasing on (1, ∞), we have
2x + 1 2x 2
f (x) ⩾ lim f (x) = lim 2
= lim 2 = lim = 0 > f (−2)
x→∞ x→∞ (x − 1) x→∞ x x→∞ x
1
for all x > 1. Thus, f (x) ⩾ f (−2) for all x in the domain of f . This means f (−2) = − is the
3
global minimum of f .

10. (a) We have f ′ (x) = (2−x)ex . Since the only solution to f ′ (x) = 0 is x = 2, by the sign test, f ′
has a constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, 2) and (2, ∞). This gives the following.

x<2 x>2
f ′ (x) + −
f (x) ↑ ↓

(b) The only critical point is x = 2. As f is increasing on (−∞, 2) and is decreasing on (2, ∞),
we know that 2 is a local maximum point.

(c) We have f ′′ (x) = (1 − x)ex . Since the only solution to f ′′ (x) = 0 is x = 1, by the sign
test, f ′′ has a constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, 1) and (1, ∞). This gives the
following.
x<1 x>1
f ′′ (x) + −
f (x) convex concave

(d) There is an inflexion point at x = 1 since f changes from convex to concave, and it is
continuous at 1.

11. (a) Since f is continuous on its domain (0, ∞), the only possible vertical asymptote is x = 0.
However, we have lim+ x ln x = 0 by a classwork question (subsection 4.3), so there is no
x→0
vertical asymptote.

For horizontal and oblique asymptotes, we use proposition 4.5. As f is only defined at
positive numbers, we need not consider x → −∞. Note that

f (x)
m = lim = lim ln x = ∞,
x→∞ x x→∞

which is impossible. Therefore, there is no asymptote.

6
 (b) We have f ′ (x) = 1 + ln x. Note that f ′ (x) = 0 if and only if x = e−1 . Thus, f ′ has a
constant sign on each of the intervals (0, e−1 ) and (e−1 , ∞). This gives the following.

0 < x < e−1 x > e−1

f (x)
′
− +
f (x) ↓ ↑

As f is decreasing on (0, e−1 ) and is increasing on (e−1 , ∞), we know that e−1 is a global
1
minimum point, and hence the global minimum is f (e−1 ) = − . There is no global
e
maximum because there is no other critical point.

1
(c) We have f ′′ (x) = > 0 since x > 0. Therefore, f is convex on the whole domain (0, ∞).
x

12. (a) For x-intercepts, we solve f (x) = 0 to obtain x = −2. There is no y-intercept since the
function is not defined at x = 0.

(b) By the sign test, f has a constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, −2), (−2, 0) and
(0, ∞). We have the following table.

x < −2 −2 < x < 0 x>0

f (x) − + +

(c) Only x = 0 could be a vertical asymptote since f is continuous at all other points. Since
1
lim+ (x + 2)e x = (2)(∞) = ∞, x = 0 is a vertical asymptote.
x→0

For horizontal and oblique asymptotes, we use proposition 4.5. Note that

f (x) (x + 2) x1
m = lim = lim ( ⋅ e ) = (1)(1) = 1.
x→±∞ x x→±∞ x

Also, we have
1
1 1 1 ex − 1
lim (f (x) − mx) = lim ((x + 2)e x − x) = lim (x(e x − 1) + 2e x ) = ( lim ) + 2.
x→±∞ x→±∞ x→±∞ x→±∞ x−1

0
This is a limit of the form . By L’Hôpital’s rule, we have
0
1 1
ex − 1 −x−2 e x 1
lim = lim = lim e x = 1.
x→±∞ x −1 x→±∞ −x−2 x→±∞

Therefore, lim (f (x) − mx) = 1 + 2 = 3, and so y = x + 3 is the only oblique asymptote.

x→±∞
There is no horizontal asymptote.

Remark. One may also compute

1
lim− (x + 2)e x = (0 + 2)(0) = 0.
x→0

This has no contradiction with the fact that x = 0 is a vertical asymptote. Also, this is
useful in plotting the graph of f .

7
 1 1
When we compute lim ((x + 2)e x − x) in the solution, we single out the term 2e x be-
x→±∞
cause it is not easy to apply L’Hôpital’s rule when there are many complicated terms in
the expression. We always want to leave the numerator and the denominator to be some
simple terms such as monomials xk .

x2 − x − 2 1
(d) We have f ′ (x) = e x . Note that f ′ (x) = 0 if and only if x = −1, 2. Thus, f ′ has a
x2
constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, −1), (−1, 0), (0, 2) and (2, ∞). This gives the
following.
x < −1 −1 < x < 0 0 < x < 2 x > 2
f ′ (x) + − − +
f (x) ↑ ↓ ↓ ↑

(e) The only critical points are x = −1, 2. As f is increasing on (−∞, −1) and is decreasing
on (−1, 0), we know that −1 is a local maximum point. As f is decreasing on (0, 2) and
is increasing on (2, ∞), we know that 2 is a local minimum point.

5x + 2 1 2
(f) We have f ′′ (x) = e x . Note that f ′′ (x) = 0 if and only if x = − . Thus, f ′′ has
x4 5
2 2
a constant sign on each of the intervals (−∞, − ), (− , 0) and (0, ∞). This gives the
5 5
following.
x < − 25 − 25 < x < 0 x>0
f ′′ (x) − + +
f (x) concave convex convex

2
(g) There is an inflexion point at x = − since f changes from concave to convex, and it is
5
2
continuous at − .
5

8
(h) The graph of f is given below.
y

1
y = (x + 2)e x

(2, f (2))

y =x+3

(−1, f (−1)) 2 2
(− , f (− ))
5 5
x
(−2, 0)