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Limit at infinity involving an exponential term

Consider the function g(x)=5+3−x2−3−xg(x) = \dfrac{5 + 3^{-x}}{2 - 3^{-x}}.

Evaluate lim⁡x→+∞5+3−x2−3−x.\lim_{x \to +\infty} \frac{5 + 3^{-x}}{2 - 3^{-x}}. What is the value of this limit, and what horizontal asymptote (if any) does this tell you g(x)g(x) has as x→+∞x \to +\infty?

Hint

Think about what happens to 3−x3^{-x} as xx grows without bound. Rewrite 3−x3^{-x} as (13)x\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)^x and consider its behavior for large xx, then substitute that behavior into the numerator and denominator.

Step-by-step solution

As x→+∞x \to +\infty, the term 3−x=(13)x3^{-x} = \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)^x approaches 00, since raising a number between 00 and 11 to larger and larger powers drives it toward zero. So both the numerator 5+3−x5 + 3^{-x} and the denominator 2−3−x2 - 3^{-x} approach finite, well-defined values as xx grows.

Substituting this limiting behavior gives 5+02−0=52\frac{5 + 0}{2 - 0} = \frac{5}{2}. Since the limit exists and equals a finite number, g(x)g(x) has a horizontal asymptote at y=52y = \frac{5}{2} as x→+∞x \to +\infty.

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