Which statement is true regarding horizontal asymptotes?

Exponential functions don't always have a horizontal asymptote.

A horizontal asymptote cannot be crossed.

Two of these are correct.

None of these are correct.

1 answer

To evaluate the statements regarding horizontal asymptotes:

  1. Exponential functions don't always have a horizontal asymptote. - This statement is true. For example, the exponential function \( f(x) = e^x \) does not have a horizontal asymptote as \( x \) approaches infinity; it increases without bound. However, the function \( g(x) = e^{-x} \) has a horizontal asymptote at \( y = 0 \) as \( x \) approaches infinity.

  2. A horizontal asymptote cannot be crossed. - This statement is false. A horizontal asymptote describes the behavior of a function as \( x \) approaches infinity (or negative infinity). A function can cross its horizontal asymptote at some finite points.

Considering these evaluations:

  • The first statement is true.
  • The second statement is false.

Thus, the correct answer is "Exponential functions don't always have a horizontal asymptote." So the option "Two of these are correct." and "None of these are correct." are not accurate.

Therefore, the answer is "Exponential functions don't always have a horizontal asymptote."