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Week IX

The document provides an introduction to the concept of limits in calculus, defining key terms such as one-sided limits and the conditions for the existence of a limit. It outlines several theorems regarding the properties of limits and their application to polynomial and rational functions, along with examples to illustrate these concepts. Additionally, it discusses indeterminate forms and the significance of the limit of a difference quotient.

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Ma Rie
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2 views

Week IX

The document provides an introduction to the concept of limits in calculus, defining key terms such as one-sided limits and the conditions for the existence of a limit. It outlines several theorems regarding the properties of limits and their application to polynomial and rational functions, along with examples to illustrate these concepts. Additionally, it discusses indeterminate forms and the significance of the limit of a difference quotient.

Uploaded by

Ma Rie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Limits

Basic to the study of calculus is the concept of a limit. This concept helps us to describe, in a
precise way, the behavior of f(x) when x is close, but not equal, to a particular value c.

Definition 1 (Limit). We write


or
if the functional value f(x) is close to the single real number L whenever x is close, but not equal,
to c (on either side of c).

Note: The existence of a limit at c has nothing to do with the value of the function at c. In fact, c
may not even be in the domain of f. However, the function must be defined on both sides of c.

Definition 2 (One-Sided Limits). We write

and call K the limit from the left or the left-hand limit if f(x) is close to K whenever x is close
to, but to the left of, c on the real number line. We write

and call L the limit from the right or the right-hand limit if f(x) is close to L whenever x is
close to, but to the right of, c on the real number line.
( is read “x approaches c from the left” and means and ; is
read “x approaches c from the right” and means and ).

If no direction is specified in a limit statement, we will always assume that the limit is
two-sided or unrestricted.

Theorem 1 (On the Existence of a Limit). For a (two-sided) limit to exist, the limit from the
left and the limit from the right must exist and be equal. That is,
if and only if .

Example 1. For the function , we have

and .

Since the left- and right-hand limits are not the same, does not exist.

1
Theorem 2 (Properties of Limits). Let f and g be two functions, and assume that
, ,
where L and M are real numbers (both limits exist). Then:

1) for any constant k.


2) .
3) .
4) .
5) for any constant k.
6) .

7) if .

8) , L > 0 for n even.

Each property is also valid if is replaced everywhere by or by .

Example 2. Using the limit properties, find .

Solution.
.

Theorem 3 (Limits of Polynomial and Rational Functions).

1) for f any polynomial function.


2) for r any rational function with a nonzero denominator at x = c.

Example 3. .

Example 4. Let

Find: (A) ; (B) ; (C) ; (D) .

2
Solution.
(A) ;
(B) ;
(C) Since the one-sided limits are not equal, does not exist;
(D) Because the definition of f does not assign a value to f for x = 2, only for x < 2 and x > 2,
does not exist.

Algebraic simplification is often useful when the numerator and denominator are both
approaching 0.

Example 5.

One-sided limits are helpful for limits involving the absolute value function.

Example 6. Find .

Solution.

(if x > -1, then ).

(if x < -1, then ).

Since the limit from the left and the limit from the right are not the same, we conclude that
does not exist.

Definition 3 (Indeterminate Form). If and , then is said


to be indeterminate, or, more specifically, a 0/0 indeterminate form.

If a limit is a 0/0 indeterminate form, further investigation is always required to determine


whether the limit exists and to find its value if it does exist.

Theorem 4 (Limit of a Quotient). If , and , then


does not exist.

3
Limits of Difference Quotients

Let the function f be defined in an open interval containing the number a. One of the most
important limits in calculus is the limit of the difference quotient,

Example 7. Find the following limit for :

Solution.

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