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Limits Introduction

The document provides an introduction to limits in calculus. It defines what a limit is and how it describes the behavior of a function as the input value approaches a particular number. Several examples are provided to demonstrate finding limits graphically and numerically for different types of functions, including: - Determining if a limit exists when the left and right-hand limits are not equal - Simplifying limits of rational functions using algebraic properties - Analyzing indeterminate forms by factoring and simplifying Worked examples are included to illustrate evaluating one-sided limits and using quotient rules to find limits of functions with an indeterminate form in the denominator.

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Juan Lappay
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
158 views

Limits Introduction

The document provides an introduction to limits in calculus. It defines what a limit is and how it describes the behavior of a function as the input value approaches a particular number. Several examples are provided to demonstrate finding limits graphically and numerically for different types of functions, including: - Determining if a limit exists when the left and right-hand limits are not equal - Simplifying limits of rational functions using algebraic properties - Analyzing indeterminate forms by factoring and simplifying Worked examples are included to illustrate evaluating one-sided limits and using quotient rules to find limits of functions with an indeterminate form in the denominator.

Uploaded by

Juan Lappay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is “calculus”?

What do you learn in a calculus class?


How do algebra and calculus differ?

 You will be able to answer all of these


questions after you finish the course.
Introduction to
Limits
One of the basic concepts to the study of
calculus is the concept of limit.

This concept will help to describe the behavior of


f(x) when x is approaching a particular value c.

In this section, we will review and learn more


about functions, graphs, and limits
Example 1a: f(x) = 2x - 1
Discuss the behavior of of f(x) when x gets closer to 2
using graph

Graph f(x) = 2x - 1
When x is closer and
closer to 2,
f(x) is closer to 3

Therefore:
The limit of f(x) as x
approaches 2 is 3
lim(2x-1) = 3 = f(2)
X2
Example 1b: f(x) = 2x - 1
Discuss the behavior of the values of f(x) when x gets
closer to 2 using table
Find: lim (x+2) and lim (3x+1)
X0 X -1

Do you get 2 and -2? If not, try again


x2  4
Example 2: f ( x) 
x2
Discuss the behavior of f(x) when x gets closer to 2

If x = 2, f(x) is undefined. If you graph, you will see a hole


there.

x 1.5 1.9 1.99 1.999 2 2.001 2.01 2.1 2.5

f (x) 3.5 3.9 3.99 3.999 ? 4.001 4.01 4.1 4.5

Therefore, when x is closer and closer to 2, f(x) is closer to 4


lim f(x) = 4 = f(2) or
X2
x2
f ( x) 
Example 2: x2
Discuss the behavior of the values of f(x) when x is closer to 2.
Does the limit exist?

x 0 1 1.9 1.99 2 2.001 2.01 2.1 2.5

f (x) -1 -1 -1 -1 ? 1 1 1 1

* This function is not defined when x = 2.


* The limit does not exist because the limit on
the left and the limit on the right are not the
same.
Lim f(x) = -1 represents the limit on the left of 2
X2 -

Lim f(x) = 1 represents the limit on the right of 2


X2 +
■We write
and call K the limit from the left (or left-hand
limit) if
f (x) is close to K whenever x is close to c, but to
the left
of c on the real number line.

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

■In order for a limit to exist, the limit from the left
and the limit from the right must exist and be equal.
Example 3
(A) Discuss the behavior of
f(x) for x near 0

Lim f(x) = 0
X0 -

Lim f(x) = 0
X 0 +

Lim f(x) = 0
X0

f(0) = 0
Example 3 - continue
(B) Discuss the behavior of
f(x) for x near 1

Lim f(x) = 1
X1 -

Lim f(x) = 2
X 1 +

Lim f(x) = does not exist


X1

F(1) = not defined


Example 3 - continue
(C) Discuss the behavior of
f(x) for x near 3

Lim f(x) = 3
X3 -

Lim f(x) = 3
X 3 +

Lim f(x) = 3
X3

F(3) = not defined


Example 4
Lim (x2 + 5x)
X-2
= lim x2 + lim 5x Property 1
X-2 X-2

= (lim x) (lim x) + 5 (lim x) Property 4 and 3


X-2 X-2 X-2

= (-2) (-2) + 5 (-2)

= 4 – 10 = -6

Try lim (x4 + 3x – 2)


X-1 If you don’t get -4, try again
Example 5
Lim 3x 2  6
X2
Property 8
= lim( 3x  6)
2

X2

= 3(2)( 2)  6  12  6  6

Try lim 2x  2
2
If you don’t get 2, try again
X-1
Example 6
Note that this is a
2
x rational function with a
lim nonzero denominator at
x 2 x 1
2 x = -2

2
lim x (2)( 2) 4
= x  2 = 
lim ( x  1)2
(2)( 2)  1 5
x  2

x
Try lim 4
x 1 x  2 If you don’t get 1/3, try again
2 x  3 If x < 5
Example 7 f ( x)  
 x  12 If x > 5

A) Lim f(x) =
X5-
lim (2x+3) = 2(5)+ 3 = 13
X5-
B) Lim f(x) =
X5+
lim (-x+12)=-5+12=7
X5+

C) Lim f(x) =
X5
Does not exist because the left hand the right hand limits are not equal
D) F(5) =
is not defined
Example 8: Use algebraic and/or graphical
techniques to analyze each of the following
indeterminate forms
A) x 1
lim
x 1 x2 1

( x  1) 2
B) lim
x 1 x2 1

x2 1
lim
C)
x 1 ( x  1) 2

See next page for step by


step instruction
Example 8 - Solutions

Note: when you find the limits of the above


problems, you must factor first and then simplify
before you substitute the number for x
Different Quotient (pre-cal)

f ( x  h)  f ( x )
h Indeterminate form
Examples:
Find the following limit for the following functions
f ( 4  h )  f ( 4)
9) f ( x)  7  2 x; lim
h 0 h

f (1  h)  f (1)
10) f ( x)  x  1 ; lim
h 0 h

11) f (3  h)  f (3)
f ( x)  x ; lim
h 0 h

See the next pages for step by step instruction


Because the limit on the left and the litmit
on the right are not the same.
Therefore, this limit does not exist
Rationalize the numerator

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