1 Absolute Values & Inequations &

MAT137

1.1
Example 4.1.1

a) Solve the inequality |x − 1| − |x − 3| ≥ 5.

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1+ex
b) Solve the inequality 1−ex
< 2 for x ∈ R.

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1.2 |x − a| < r
• |x − a| < r

• |x − a| ≤ r

• 0 < |x − a| < r

• r1 < |x − a| < r2

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Example 4.2.1
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Construct an inequality with solutions a, b ∈ R, 0 < a < b.

a) x ∈ (a − b, a) ∪ (a, a + b)
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b) x ∈ (a − b, a) ∩ (a, a + b)

{ a+b }
c) x ∈ [a, b] \ 2

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1.3
• Triangle Inequality
||a| − |b|| ≤ |a ± b| ≤ |a| + |b|

|x − y| ≤ |x − z| + |z − y|

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• Cosine Inequality
2|xy| ≤ x2 + y 2

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1.4
Example 4.4.1
Which intervals are wholly contained in the solution to |x + 1| < 1?

a) [−4, 1]

b) [−2, 0)

c) [−1, 1]

d) (−1, 0]

e) None of the above

Example 4.4.2
If |x + 3| < 1, then:

a) |x − 3| < 7

b) |x − 3| < 5

c) −7 < x − 3 < −5
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d) |x − 3| > 7
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e) None of the above

Example 4.4.3
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What values of x will satisfy the inequality |x + 1| < 1?

a) [1, 2]

b) [−3, −2]

c) (−2, 0)

d) (−5, −3]

e) None of the above

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Example 4.4.4
Determine whether the following statements are True or False:

a) Given x < a, then x < b for all b ≤ a.

b) Given x < a ⇒ f (x) < b, then x < a ⇒ f (x) < c for c ≥ b.

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c) Given x < a ⇒ f (x) < b, then x < c ⇒ f (x) < b for c ≤ a.

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2 Introducing Limits
Limit

1.

2.

3. x

2.1 Definition of Limits

Motivation: Let L be a real number (constant). We interpret

x→a 03
lim f (x) = L

as: as x approaches a, f (x) approaches L. It means the limit of f (x) is L as x approaches a.

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 • Step 1: x approches a

• Step 2: points move along the curve

• Step 3: y approches L

notice

• If f (x) approaches ±∞, we say the limit does not exist (DNE).

• For the limit, we do not care what f (x) is exactly when x = a.

2.2 One-sided Limit & Two-sided Limit

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One-sided Limit :
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• lim+ f (x) = L
x→a

• lim− f (x) = L
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x→a

Two-sided Limit :

• lim f (x) = L
x→a

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2.3 Uniqueness of Limits
Theorem: If lim f (x) exists, it must be unique. In other words,
x→a

lim f (x) = L if and only if lim+ f (x) = L = lim− f (x).

x→a x→a x→a

x→a f (x) a

two-sided limit DNE

• one of one-sided limit DNE

• one-sided limits are not equal

Graph:

• Graph1 a 03 a
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• Graph2 a a
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• Graph3

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2.4 Classification of Limits
• x→a

• x →?

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• f (x) →?

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Example 2.4.1
Given the graph of function f (x). Compute the following limits or say they do not exist. Justify
your answer.

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(a) limx→0 f (f (x)) (b) limx→1 f (f (x))

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(c) limx→2 f (f (x)) (d) limx→3 f (f (x))

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3 Precise Definition of Limits
&

1. ( )

2.

3.

Chapter MAT137
1 2 3

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3.1 ϵ − δ definition ϵ−δ
Definition: Precise Definition of Two-sided Limit

We say lim f (x) = L if for every ϵ > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that:
x→a

∀x ∈ R, 0 < |x − a| < δ ⇒ |f (x) − L| < ϵ.

• 1 No matter how close I want f to get to L, I can find an x that is sufficiently close
to a such that f (x) is closer.

• 2 0 ϵ δ>0

0 < |x − a| < δ , |f (x) − L| < ϵ.

• 3 0 ϵ

0 < |x − a| < δ
03, L − ϵ < f (x) < L + ϵ.
δ>0
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• 4 The definition tells us that if for any ϵ, we can find a δ such that the function values
within the interval (a − δ, a + δ) \ {a} are within (L − ϵ, L + ϵ), then L is the limit we are
looking for. Therefore, the key point of the definition is finding δ.
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3.2 Case examples in limit proofs
Now, we want to prove whether the given constant is the value of the limit or not; that is

lim f (x) = L or not.

x→a

• Case1: Show lim f (x) exists as given L. That is: given L, lim f (x) = L.
x→a x→a

• Case2
x→a 03
Show lim f (x) exists, but not as given L. That is: given L, lim f (x) ̸= L
x→a
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• Case3: Show lim f (x) DNE. That is: ∀L ∈ R . lim f (x) ̸= L

x→a x→a

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