When $a\to \infty$, $\sqrt{a^2+4}$ behaves as $a+\frac{2}{a}$? What does it mean that $\,\,f(a)=\sqrt{a^2+4}\,\,$ behaves as $\,a+\dfrac{2}{a},\,$
as $a\to \infty$? 
How can this be justified? 
Thanks.

This goes back to Newton: The binomial theorem doesn't only work for natural number exponents!  If $a > 2$, the following formula holds:
$$\sqrt{a^2+ 4} = (a^2 + 4)^{1/2} = \sum_{k=0}^\infty {{1/2}\choose k}(a^2)^{1/2-k}4^k$$ $$= a + (1/2)\frac{4}{a} + \frac{(1/2)(-1/2)}{2!} \frac{4^2}{a^3} + \cdots$$ $$= a + \frac{2}{a} - \frac{2}{a^3} + \cdots$$
Notice that when $a$ is very large, the later terms become less and less significant.  
