Scribd
Upload
25 views3 pages

Limit Activity

The document analyzes the behavior of the function f(x) = (x^2 - 1) / (x - 1) near x = 1 using four approaches: 1) A tabular approach shows the values of f(x) approaching 2 as x approaches 1 from the left and right. 2) Verbally, it states the same conclusion that f(x) approaches 2 as x approaches 1. 3) Using limit notation, it writes the limit of f(x) as x approaches 1 from the left, right, and in general is equal to 2. 4) An algebraic approach directly evaluates the limit of f(x) as x approaches 1 algebraically and determines the

Uploaded by

Petra Lariba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
25 views3 pages

Limit Activity

The document analyzes the behavior of the function f(x) = (x^2 - 1) / (x - 1) near x = 1 using four approaches: 1) A tabular approach shows the values of f(x) approaching 2 as x approaches 1 from the left and right. 2) Verbally, it states the same conclusion that f(x) approaches 2 as x approaches 1. 3) Using limit notation, it writes the limit of f(x) as x approaches 1 from the left, right, and in general is equal to 2. 4) An algebraic approach directly evaluates the limit of f(x) as x approaches 1 algebraically and determines the

Uploaded by

Petra Lariba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

NEIGHBOURHOOD ANALYSIS

𝑥 2 −1
Investigate the behaviour of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = ; near 𝑥 = 1.
𝑥−1
Tabular Approach
𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)

0 1 2 3

0.5 1.5 1.5 2.5

0.6 1.6 1.4 2.4

0.7 1.7 1.3 2.3

0.8 1.8 1.2 2.2

0.9 1.9 1.1 2.1

0.99 1.99 1.01 2.01

0.999 1.999 1.001 2.001

Verbal

As the x-values approach 1 from the left, the corresponding function values are approaching 2.

As the x-values approach 1 from the right, the corresponding function values are approaching 2.

Hence, as the x-values approach 1, the corresponding function values are approaching 2.

Using Arrows

𝐴𝑠 𝑥 → 1− , 𝑓(𝑥) → 2

𝐴𝑠 𝑥 → 1+ , 𝑓(𝑥) → 2

𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → 1, 𝑓(𝑥) → 2
Limit notation

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥→1−

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥→1+

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥→1

Graphical Approach
𝑥 2 −1
𝑓(𝑥) = ; near 𝑥 = 1.
𝑥−1

Make vertical trace from the x-values to the curve and project it horizontally to read the function
values.

x-values = vertical lines

y-values = horizontal lines

As the x-values approach 1 from the left, the corresponding function values are approaching 2.
As the x-values approach 1 from the right, the corresponding function values are approaching 2.

Hence, as the x-values approach 1, the corresponding function values are approaching 2.

Algebraic Approach
𝑥 2 −1
𝑓(𝑥) = ; near 𝑥 = 1.
𝑥−1

𝑥 2 −1
Evaluate lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1

Solution

𝑥2 − 1 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)
lim = lim
𝑥→1 𝑥 − 1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1
= lim (𝑥 + 1)
𝑥→1

=1+1

=2

Trial Questions

Investigate the behaviour of the following functions for values of 𝑥 near the indicated points. Use
the Graphical, Tabular and Algebraic approaches.

𝑥 2 −5
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = ; near 𝑥 = 3.
𝑥−2

√9+𝑥−3
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = ; near 𝑥 = 0.
𝑥

𝑥 2 + 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < −1
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = { near 𝑥 = −1
3𝑥 + 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ −1

You might also like