asymptote
2
9.9
- noun
- /ˈæsɪmptoʊt/
- Specialized
- An asymptote can provide useful information about the behavior of a curve near its extremes.
Examples
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So in calculus we define vertical asymptotes using limits.
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The graph of the function approaches the asymptote but never actually touches it.
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Let's shift this graph or the asymptote to the right one unit.
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What's where should I draw the low frequency asymptote for that function?
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Well, they look like that and they approach asymptotes, which are straight lines.
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Both polynomials are second degree, so the asymptote is at y = 5.
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In calculus, we often learn about horizontal asymptotes as the limits of functions at infinity.
Surface Forms
Morphology
asymptote = a + symptote
The word is built from Greek combining forms (a- + symptote) that are not productive standalone English words, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from the visible parts.
Etymology
The word asymptote comes from a Greek phrase meaning 'not meeting': a- means 'not' and sym- means 'together', as in symmetry. So an asymptote is a line that a curve gets closer and closer to but never meets.