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