Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Practice Exam

What is an asymptote?

1. A type of function

2. A line that a graph approaches but never touches

3. A measure of angle

4. A point where a graph intersects

The correct answer is: A line that a graph approaches but never touches

An asymptote is defined as a line that a graph approaches but never actually touches. This concept is particularly prevalent in the study of functions, especially rational functions and exponential functions. Asymptotes can be vertical, horizontal, or oblique, serving to illustrate the behavior of the graph in the vicinity of certain values or as the independent variable approaches infinity. For instance, in the case of a rational function, vertical asymptotes often occur at values that make the denominator zero, indicating that the function's value tends towards infinity, while the graph approaches the vertical line defined by that value without ever crossing it. Horizontal asymptotes demonstrate the behavior of the graph as the independent variable grows larger or smaller, typically indicating that the function approaches a specific constant value. Understanding asymptotes is crucial for graphing functions accurately and analyzing their end behavior. The other options do not capture the essence of what an asymptote represents in mathematics. Therefore, the definition provided aligns perfectly with the widely accepted understanding of asymptotes in the context of function analysis and graphing.