| | General Types of Functions |
 | | In addition to their geometric and arithmetic properties, these transcendental functions are all solutions to "differential equations" -- equations relating the values of a function to its rate of change, the rate of change of the rate of change, and so on. |
 | | In the discussion of asymptotes of rational functions we pointed out indirectly that every rational function is asymptotic to a polynomial - the one obtained by dividing through by the larges power of the variable in the denominator and setting all resulting negative powers to zero. |
 | | Transcendental functions, on the other hand, can grow much faster (as in exponential functions) or much slower (as in logarithmic functions) than any power function, can be periodic (as in trigonometric functions), and can in general exhibit behavior beyond the algebraic realm. |
| oregonstate.edu /instruct/mth251/cq/FieldGuide/general/lesson.html (0 words) |