LIMITS
LIMITS
LIMITS
Values close to 2 from the left As 𝑥 gets closer and closer to 2 from
𝑥 1 1.5 1.9 1.99 1.999 the left, the values of 𝑓 𝑥 get closer
and closer to 5.
𝑓(𝑥) 4 4.5 4.9 4.99 4.999
Values close to 2 from the right As 𝑥 gets closer and closer to 2 from
𝑥 2.001 2.01 2.1 2.5 3 the right, the values of 𝑓 𝑥 get closer
and closer to 5.
𝑓(𝑥) 5.001 5.01 5.1 5.5 6
Investigate 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 3 at 𝑥 = 3
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿,
𝑥→𝑐
if for any 𝜖 > 0 , however small, there exists a 𝛿 > 0 such that
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝐿 < 𝜖 whenever 0 < 𝑥 − 𝑐 < 𝛿.
Remark: lim 𝑓 𝑥 exists and is equal to 𝐿 if and only if lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿 and lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
Illustration 1
Investigate lim 1 + 2𝑥 .
𝑥→1
Values close to 1 from the left
𝑥 0 0.5 0.9 0.99 0.999 As 𝑥 gets closer and closer to 1 from
the left, the values of 𝑓 𝑥 get closer
𝑓(𝑥) 1 2 2.8 2.98 2.998 and closer to 3. Thus,
lim 1 + 2𝑥 = 3.
Values close to 1 from the right 𝑥→1−
−3
−1
5
VERSUS
𝑓 𝑥 = 1 + 2𝑥 1
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥−2
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−3 3
𝑥 + 1, 𝑥<4
𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ 4
𝑥 − 4 2 + 3, 𝑥≥4
lim 𝑓 𝑥 Equal or
𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
𝑓 𝑐
Unequal
−3