AbstractAsymptotes are known to be useful, but their potential in interpreting and correlating chemical and physical behaviour is seldom exploited fully. The derivation and selection of asymptotes for particular as well as limiting cases is described. The evaluation of the range of validity and applicability, if any, of asymptotes is also considered. Asymptotes are shown to be uniquely useful in the identification of groupings of variables which minimize parameteric variations, as upper and lower bounds, as trial functions in the method of weighted residuals, and most especially as components of correlating equations.