Final answer:
To locate a vertical asymptote in a rational function, set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x. The resulting x-values represent the vertical asymptotes.
Step-by-step explanation:
To locate a vertical asymptote, you need to determine the x-values where the function approaches positive or negative infinity. It occurs when the denominator of a rational function is equal to zero, but the numerator is not. To find the vertical asymptote, set the denominator of the function equal to zero and solve for x. The resulting x-values represent the vertical asymptotes.
For example, let's consider the function y = 1/x. To find the vertical asymptote, we set the denominator x equal to zero. Solving for x, we get x = 0. Therefore, the line x = 0 is the vertical asymptote for this function.