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MATH_141__Adelphi_University__Portfolio_Problem_Template_Example

The document discusses the function g(x) = -|x + 3| / (x + 3) and analyzes its domain, limits, and discontinuities. It concludes that the limit as x approaches -3 does not exist due to differing values from either side of -3, and that g(-3) is undefined. A graph is included to illustrate these findings.

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3 views

MATH_141__Adelphi_University__Portfolio_Problem_Template_Example

The document discusses the function g(x) = -|x + 3| / (x + 3) and analyzes its domain, limits, and discontinuities. It concludes that the limit as x approaches -3 does not exist due to differing values from either side of -3, and that g(-3) is undefined. A graph is included to illustrate these findings.

Uploaded by

mycocth16
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Calculus I Portfolio

Professor Sarah
March 31, 2025

Problem #1 - Section 1.2 - Exercise 2


Collaborators: Include the (first and last) names of your group members for projects

|x + 3|
Let g(x) = − .
x+3
(a) What is the domain of g?
Solution: The domain of g is all real numbers except x = −3, or equivalently (−∞, −3)∪
(−3, ∞). If we wanted to compute g(−3) the denominator of the fraction would evaluate
to 0. Outputs for any other real number input can be computed, and therefore those
numbers are elements of the domain.

(b) Use a sequence of values near a = −3 to estimate the value of limx→−3 g(x), if you think
the limit exists. If you think the limit doesn’t exist, explain why.

We can use a computer or calculator gener-


x g(x) ate the table, or make the computations by
−3.1 1 hand. It appears from the table that the
−3.01 1 limit does not exist. Using inputs smaller
−3.001 1 than -3, we can make g as close to 1 (actu-
−3.0001 1 ally, exactly 1) that we wish. Similarly, by
−2.9999 −1 using inputs larger than -3, we can make g
−2.999 −1 as close to -1 as we wish. Since the func-
−2.99 −1 tion g cannot have two different limits at
−2.9 −1 x = −3, we say the limit does not exist.

1
(c) Use algebra to simplify the expression |x+3|
x+3
and hence work to evaluate limx→−3 g(x)
exactly, if it exists, or to explain how your work shows the limit fails to exist. Discuss
how your findings compare to your results in (b).
Solution: Since the absolute value function is defined piece-wise, we will perform two
different sets of calculations.
If x > −3, then x + 3 > 0 and

|x + 3| x+3
=
x+3 x+3
= 1.

If x < −3, then x + 3 < 0 and

|x + 3| −(x + 3)
=
x+3 x+3
= −1.

These computations algebraically show that our chart from part (b) is not misleading.
For x < −3, g(x) = 1 and for x > −3, g(x) = −1. Since these are distinct values, the
limit of g as x approaches -3 does not exist.

(d) True or false: g(−3) = −1. Why?

Solution: This statement is false. Since -3 is not in the domain of g, the left
side of the equation does not make sense. If we did evaluate g at x = −3, we
would arrive at 00 , an indeterminate form.

(e) True or false: − |x+3|


x+3
= −1. Why? How is this equality connected to your work above
with the function g?

This statement is also false. The equation holds only when x > −3. The
expression on the left hand side is that of the function g, when it makes sense.
Since the statement is false, this implies that the function g has a discontinuity
at x = −3.

2
(f) Based on all of your work above, construct an accurate, labeled graph of y = g(x) on
the interval [−4, −2], and write a sentence that explains what you now know about
lim g(x).
x→−3

Solution: The following graph shows the attributes of g determined above. Namely, that
-3 is not in the domain, g is discontinuous at x = −3, and lim g(x) does not exist.
x→−3

Notice that the y-axis crosses at x = −2, only so that it will appear in the picture.

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