Scribd
Upload
176 views5 pages

Limits - Techniques 1 - Finite Fixed Point (X), Finite Limit (Y)

1) The document provides examples of calculating limits using algebraic techniques such as cancelling linear factors, factoring polynomials, combining terms in the numerator and denominator, and making substitutions. 2) Key techniques discussed include factoring expressions, applying algebra formulas, and determining if a limit exists or equals infinity based on the behavior of the numerator and denominator as the variable approaches the limit value. 3) The examples illustrate how to simplify expressions algebraically before directly substituting the limit value to avoid undefined expressions, and that the limit symbol is removed once the limit is taken.

Uploaded by

murpmurpmurp
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
176 views5 pages

Limits - Techniques 1 - Finite Fixed Point (X), Finite Limit (Y)

1) The document provides examples of calculating limits using algebraic techniques such as cancelling linear factors, factoring polynomials, combining terms in the numerator and denominator, and making substitutions. 2) Key techniques discussed include factoring expressions, applying algebra formulas, and determining if a limit exists or equals infinity based on the behavior of the numerator and denominator as the variable approaches the limit value. 3) The examples illustrate how to simplify expressions algebraically before directly substituting the limit value to avoid undefined expressions, and that the limit symbol is removed once the limit is taken.

Uploaded by

murpmurpmurp
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Limits - Techniques 1 - Finite fixed point (x0), finite limit (y0)

Cancelling a linear factor Limit does not exist Difference of two squares Combining the numerator Applying an algebra formula with an unknown number of terms Multiplying by a unity factor Factoring cubic polynomials Substitution Recommended Books
Here we are less interested in the definition of the limit than in how to calculate them. We proceed by examples, using the following terminology

f(x) is the function, with all possible x values the domain of the function, all possible y values the range of the function x0 is our fixed point, can be finite or infinite, but must be in the domain of the function y0 is the limit, can be finite, infinite, or non-existent, if it exists, it must be in the range of the function

Example 1 - Cancelling a linear factor


Find the limit

Solution Clearly we'll have problems just substituting x = 1, since that will make the denominator zero, and the entire expression undefined. Instead, we'll do some algebra first to see if we can trim off any fat. Since (see algebra formulae)

We can write

And so

back to top

Example 2 - Limit does not exist


Find the limit

Solution Again, straight substitution won't work. In fact, regardless of how we play with this limit, we will still have a factor in the denominator which is zero, while the numerator is not. This limit does not exist. We cannot even assign it either +/- infinity, since the answer will be different depending on whether x approaches 4 from below (negative infinity) or above (positive infinity).
back to top

Example 3 - Difference of two squares


Find the limit

Solution Apply the same algebra technique as the first example above, twice:

So,

back to top

Example 4 - Combining the numerator


Find the limit

Solution A little algebra reveals that this limit is also not what it seems

And so

Since 2 is not a function of x, it doesn't matter what the fixed point is, the answer is still 2!
back to top

Example 5 - Applying an algebra formula with an unknown number of terms


Find the limit

For the three cases: m > n, m = n, m < n. Solution The m = n case is trivial

In the case where m < n or m > n, from the algebra formulae

So,

Notice that this agrees with the trivial result when m = n.


back to top

Example 6 - Multiplying by a unity factor


Find the limit

Solution Multiply by 1 in the form of the numerator with a "+" sign substituted for a "-" sign:

Therefore,

Please note in the above examples that, once the limit has been taken, the limit symbol is removed and the fixed point is substituted for x. Prior to that, the limit symbol is needed. When we are doing pure algebra, we leave off the limit symbol to avoid cluttering the math.
back to top

Example 7 - Factoring cubic polynomials


Find the limit

Solution Inspection of the denominator shows it becomes zero at x = 1, which means (x - 1) is a factor of the polynomial in the denominator. Performing a division (you can do the subtraction under the divisor if you like - you will need to be able to factor cubic polynomials like this),

Since x = 1 is an interesting point for the denominator, we can try it with the numerator

The quadratic term on the right is irreducible, since

So, out limit becomes

The numerator becomes finite while the denominator goes to zero, there is no more algebra which can reduce the expression, so this limit does not exist.
back to top

Example 8 - Substitution
Find the limit

Solution Here it helps to do a substitution

so that we can now write the limit expression as

This technique will prove very useful for calculus problems later.

You might also like