Finding Limits

Graphically and Numerically

Lesson 2.2

Average Velocity
Average velocity is the distance traveled

divided by an elapsed time.

A boy rolls down a hill on a skateboard.

At time = 4 seconds, the boy has rolled 6
meters from the top of the hill. At
time = 7 seconds, the boy has rolled to a
distance of 30 meters. What is his
average velocity?

Average Velocity =
d d1 d 2

t
t1 t2

Distance Traveled by an Object

Given distance s(t) = 16t2
We seek the velocity
2 t
or the rate of change of distance
The average velocity between 2 and t
change in distance s(t ) s(2) feet

change in time
t 2
sec

Average Velocity
Use calculator

Graph with window 0 < x < 5, 0 < y < 100

Trace for x =

1, 3, 1.5, 1.9, 2.1,

and then x = 2
What happened?

This is the average

velocity function

Limit of the Function

Try entering in the expression

limit(y1(x),x,2)
Expression

variable to
get close

value to get
close to

The function did not exist at x = 2

but it approaches 64 as a limit

Limit of the Function

Note: we can approach a limit from
left right both sides
Function may or may not exist at that point
At a
right hand limit, no left
function not defined
At b
left handed limit, no right
a
function defined

Observing a Limit
Can be observed on a graph.

View
Demo

Observing a Limit
Can be observed on a graph.

Observing a Limit
Can be observed in a table

The limit is observed to be 64

Non Existent Limits

Limits may not exist at a specific point for

a function
1
y1( x)
Set
2x
Consider the function as it approaches
x=0
Try the tables with start at 0.03, dt = 0.01
What results do you note?

Non Existent Limits

Note that f(x) does NOT get closer to a

particular value
it grows without bound

There is NO LIMIT
Try command on

calculator

Non Existent Limits

f(x) grows without bound

View
Demo3

Non Existent Limits

View
Demo 4

Formal Definition of a Limit

The

lim f ( x) L
x c

For any (as close as

you want to get to L)

There exists a (we can get as close as
necessary to c )
View
View Geogebra
Geogebra
demo
demo

Formal Definition of a Limit

For any (as close as you want to get to

L)
There exists a (we can get as close as
necessary to c
Such that

f ( x) L when x c

Specified Epsilon, Required

Delta

Finding the Required

Consider showing

lim(2 x 7) 1
x 4

|f(x) L| = |2x 7 1| = |2x 8| <

We seek a such that when |x 4| <

|2x 8|< for any we choose

It can be seen that the we need is

Assignment
Lesson 2.2
Page 76
Exercises: 1 35 odd