Formal definition of a limit

Let a 2 R and f : R ! R be a function defined on an open interval

containing a, but possibly not at a. For L 2 R we say that the limit of
f (x) as x approaches a is equal to L and write

lim f (x) = L
x!a
if for every " > 0, there exists a > 0 such that

if 0 < |x a| < , then |f (x) L| < ".

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Example a =\ (=3
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Let f : R ! R be defined by f (x) = 2x + 1. Show that lim f (x) = 3.

x!1

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arbitrary we a

For an

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/ fact -3 / =

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in

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tote Cf

we want 2S=E .
So

will do the
choosing f- §
job !
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For all E> 0 exists
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if 0C
.

that ,

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Pref E >o . .

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that 0C be -11<8
Assume
.

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/ fact 3
-

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definition of
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Non existence of a limit
When lim f (x) 6= L for all L 2 R, we say that
x!a

lim f (x)
x!a

does not exist.

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6m fact ? x-10
K-10

x
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x

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up
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or

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from the left
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fact =
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oscillations around 0 !
One-sided limits
✗ 70

/
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fact =

0
✗< 0
y
,

x
•

him fact does not exist

x -30

from the left fact → 0

as K -30 ,

right Fox) → 1
as K -30 from the ,
Definition of a left-hand limit
Let a 2 R and let f : R ! R be a function defined for x < a near a, and
L 2 R.
We write
lim f (x) = L
x!a
and say that the left-hand limit of f (x) as x approaches a (or the limit of
f (x) as x approaches a from the left) is equal to L if the value of f (x)
can be made arbitrarily close to L by taking x sufficiently close to a with
x < a.

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Definition of a right-hand limit
Let a 2 R and let f : R ! R be a function defined for x > a near a, and
L 2 R.
We write
lim f (x) = L
x!a+
and say that the right-hand limit of f (x) as x approaches a (or the limit
of f (x) as x approaches a from the right) is equal to L if the value of
f (x) can be made arbitrarily close to L by taking x sufficiently close to a
with x > a.
y

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Theorem. Let a 2 R and let f : R ! R be a function defined on an open
interval containing a, but possibly not at a, and L 2 R. Then,

lim f (x) = L if and only if lim f (x) = L and lim f (x) = L

x!a x!a x!a+

fact . - - - - - -

↓ I

ii.
,

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Example
Determine lim f (x) and lim f (x), if they exist.
x!1 x!2
y

4 • him
for] =3
- - - - -

'

,
✗→ I
3 -

;:
- - - - -

'
2 - I
1
, lion f- csc ) does not exist
2C-72
i

l i x
I 2
Infinite limits
y

him f- c)c)
g. = ¥ •
✗→ 0

as a real
does not exist

number

x
• fact gets really big
we make ✗→0
as

him
fed =D
ze -30
Definition of an infinite limit
Let a 2 R and let f : R ! R be a function defined on an open interval
containing a, but possibly not at a.
We write
lim f (x) = 1
x!a
to mean that the value of f (x) can be made as large as we like by taking
x close enough to a, but not equal to a.

y fact >M

'
i
i
'
M> O
H ' x
I × near a
Formal definition of an infinite limit
Let a 2 R and let f : R ! R be a function defined on an open interval
containing a, but possibly not at a.
Then,
lim f (x) = 1
x!a
if for every number M > 0, there exists > 0 such that
if 0 < |x a| < then f (x) > M.

y
fact >M

'
i
i
'
M> O
H '
x

I × near a
Other infinite limits
""

y
y

y=f C)c)

Lim fcx) = -
A
✗ →a
Other infinite limits
y y

A
Lim fac)=b him
2C -3A
- fact =D
✗→ at

x x

"a

t
y y

"" "" ""

"" °
"

" " °
v. → at
a.

x x
•

y=fc>c)
 lim f (x) = ±1 vs lim f (x) does not exist
x!a x!a
y

*
x

x
I x