DEFINITION 2.2. The limit of a function.

We say that a function f(x) approaches a limit L as x approaches c if the sequence of values of x, both from the left and from the right, causes the sequence of values of f(x) to satisfy the definition of "approaches a limit L" If that is the case, then we write:

"The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L."

Thus for the limit of a function to exist as the independent variable approaches c , the left-hand and right-hand limits must be equal.

if and only if

When we say, then, that a function approaches a limit, we mean that Definition 2.2 has been satisfied. The theorems on limits imply that. The most important limit -- the limit that differential calculus is about -- is called the derivative. All the other limits studied in Calculus I are logical fun and games, never to be heard from again. Now here is an example of a function that does not approach a limit:

As x approaches 2 from the left, f(x) approaches 1. As x approaches 2 from the right, f(x) approaches 3. The left- and right-hand limits are not equal. Therefore, f(x) does not approach any limit as x approaches 2.