First, we note that since both the numerator and denominator of R are quadratic, the limit as x→∞ can be found by taking the quotient of the leading coefficients. In particular,
x→∞limR(x)=53
and thus the horizontal asymptote of R is y=53.
Next, since b and c are distinct, we see that the numerator of R is zero (and the denominator is not) when x=b, and thus R(b)=0. In addition, the denominator is zero (and the numerator is not) when x=c, and this results in there being a vertical asymptote at x=c.
Finally, we observe that x=a makes both the numerator and denominator zero. Since R(a) is thus not defined, the graph of R has either a hole or a vertical asymptote at x=a. To determine which, we evaluate the limit and see that
x→alim5(x−a)(x−c)3(x−a)(x−b)=x→alim5(x−c)3(x−b)=5(a−c)3(a−b). This tells us that R has a hole at the point (a,5(a−c)3(a−b)). Moreover, R is not continuous at x=a and x=c.
A possible graph of R is shown in the following figure.
