asymptote of an arctangent


Given the functionMathworldPlanetmath y=tan-1(x),

we see that it has two asymptotes, namely π2 and -(π2). This specific example of an asymptote was mentioned in an episode of the comedy TV show The Big Bang Theory, in which the mathematician Sheldon Eppes tries to explain his inability to reach the top of a rock wall, getting stuck at the same height each time. According to the Mathematica manual, the results of ArcTan for real z ”are always in the range -π/2 to π/2.

References

  • 1 Chuck Lorre, http://chucklorre.com/index.php?p=237Chuck Lorre Productions Vanity Card #237
Title asymptote of an arctangent
Canonical name AsymptoteOfAnArctangent
Date of creation 2013-03-22 18:51:01
Last modified on 2013-03-22 18:51:01
Owner PrimeFan (13766)
Last modified by PrimeFan (13766)
Numerical id 4
Author PrimeFan (13766)
Entry type Example
Classification msc 51N99
Synonym asymptote of an inverse tangent