9 Precise definition of limit

In 5.1, the limit limx→a f (x) was informally defined to be the value (if any)
the height of the graph of f approaches as x gets ever closer to a. While this
definition conveys an intuitive idea of what is meant by the limit, its use of vague
terms such as “approaches” and “closer” keeps it from being rigorous enough
to make solid statements about properties of the limit. In this section, we give
the precise definition.

9.1 Graph version of definition

The definition is a prescription for deciding when a given number L is to be

called the limit limx→a f (x). In terms of the graph of f it goes like this:

Precise definition of limit (graph version). We write

limx→a f (x) = L and say that L is the limit of the function f
as x approaches a if the following condition is satisfied:

Given any altitude band centered at L, there exists an

interval centered at a such that the part of the graph
corresponding to the deleted interval stays within the
altitude band. (By “deleted interval” we mean the in-
terval with a removed.)

As indicated in the diagram, an altitude band centered at L is determined by

specifying a positive number ε (epsilon) and similarly, an interval centered at a
is determined by specifying a positive number δ (delta). So, the condition can
be expressed succinctly by saying: Given any positive number ε, there exists a
positive number δ that “works.”

9.1.1 Example For the function f with graph as pictured and the values

1
9 PRECISE DEFINITION OF LIMIT 2

a = 4 and L = 3, find a δ that works for the choice ε = 2, and also a δ that
works for the choice ε = 1.

Solution If ε = 2, then δ = 1 works (graph on left). If ε = 1, then δ = 0.5

works (graph on right).

(Incidentally, δ = 0.5 works for both ε = 2 and ε = 1, as does any smaller δ.)

In order for L to be called the limit, it must be the case that for every ε,
there is a δ that works. In the example, we found δ’s that worked for two
particular ε’s, but it is evident that no matter what ε is chosen to be there
will be a corresponding δ that works. Therefore, limx→4 f (x) = 3 according
to the definition. In this case, anyway, we see that a limit given by the precise
definition coincides with our informal idea of the limit as a value that the height
of the graph above x approaches as x gets ever closer to 4.
It is sometimes easiest to understand how the precise definition relates to our
informal understanding of a limit by looking at a value L that fails to satisfy
the definition.

9.1.2 Example For the function f with graph as pictured and the values
a = 4 and L = 5, find an ε for which no δ works.
9 PRECISE DEFINITION OF LIMIT 3

Solution If ε = 1, then, no matter what δ is, the portion of the graph above
the deleted interval will not lie inside the altitude band:

The example shows that limx→4 f (x) 6= 5 according to the definition, and this
agrees with our informal idea that the height of the hole should be the limit
instead of 5.

9.1.3 Example Let f be the function with graph as pictured and let a = 4
and L = 5:

(a) Find a δ that works for the choice ε = 2. Does this imply that limx→4 f (x) =
5?
(b) Find an ε for which no δ works. Does this imply that limx→4 f (x) 6= 5?
Does this imply that limx→4 f (x) does not exist?
9 PRECISE DEFINITION OF LIMIT 4

(c) Using the precise definition of the limit, argue that limx→4 f (x) does not
exist.

Solution

(a) If δ = 1, then the part of the graph above the corresponding deleted
interval stays within the altitude band determined by ε = 2, so this δ
works:

This does not imply, however, that limx→4 f (x) = 5 since, in order to say
this one has to show that for every ε, there exists a δ that works.
(b) No matter what δ is, the portion of the graph above the corresponding
deleted interval and to the left of 4 will lie outside the altitude band
determined by ε = 1, so this is such an ε:

This implies that limx→4 f (x) 6= 5 according to the definition. However,

it does not imply that limx→4 f (x) does not exist, since, for all we know,
there might be another choice for L that does satisfy the definition.
(c) For any L greater than or equal to 5, there is no δ that works for the
choice ε = 1 (same reason as that given in part (b)). For any L less than
or equal to 4, there is no δ that works for the choice ε = 1 (again, same
reason as that given in part (a), except that the portion of the graph to
the right of x = 4 will lie outside the altitude band). Finally, for any L
between 4 and 5, an altitude band can be drawn that stays within the gap
9 PRECISE DEFINITION OF LIMIT 5

and no δ can work for such an altitude band (this time, the portions of
the graph to either side of x = 4 will lie outside the band).
We have considered all possibilities for L and have found that none satisfies
the definition. Therefore, we conclude that limx→4 f (x) does not exist.

9.2 Two limit laws

We can use the precise definition of the limit (graph version) to establish two
useful limit laws:

For any real numbers a and c,

(i) lim c = c,
x→a

(ii) lim x = a.
x→a

Verifications:

(i) Here, f (x) = c and L = c in the definition of the limit. The graph of f
is a horizontal line at height c. Given any ε, the corresponding altitude
band includes the entire graph, so δ = 1 will work (or, in fact, so will any
δ).

(ii) Here, f (x) = x and L = a in the definition of the limit. The graph of f is
the 45◦ line y = x. If ε is given, then δ = ε works.
9 PRECISE DEFINITION OF LIMIT 6

9.3 Analytical version of definition

The precise definition of the limit can be stated analytically (i.e., without ap-
pealing to a graph):

Precise definition of limit. We write limx→a f (x) = L and

say that L is the limit of the function f as x approaches a if
the following condition is satisfied:

For any ε > 0, there exists δ > 0 such that, for every x
satisfying 0 < |x − a| < δ, f (x) satisfies |f (x) − L| < ε.

This is the same as the definition given earlier since saying that x satisfies
0 < |x−a| < δ is the same as saying that x lies in the deleted interval determined
by δ and saying f (x) satisfies |f (x) − L| < ε is the same as saying that the point
(x, f (x)) on the graph corresponding to x lies in the altitude band determined
by ε.

9 – Exercises
 9 PRECISE DEFINITION OF LIMIT 7

9–1 For the function f with graph as pictured and the values a = 3 and L = 4, find
a δ that works for the choice ε = 2, and also a δ that works for the choice ε = 1.

9–2 For the function f with graph as pictured, use the precise definition of limit
(graph version) to show that limx→5 f (x) 6= 4.