Asymptotes of Plane Curves - Revisited

Abstract

In this paper we present a review of the basic ideas and results concerning asymptotic lines of plane curves. We discuss their different definitions, namely that of a limiting position of tangent lines, of the tangent line at infinity, and finally the one that requires that the distance between points of a curve and asymptotic line tends to 0 as the point moves along an infinite branch of the curve. We also recall the method of determining asymptotes of algebraic curves from the leading coefficients in their equation and provide examples.