5x3, then 0 <|x— 1) <5 uarantees that |7l) ~2| <« (Example 3). 11.19 For the function #(0) =x, we find that 0< x~ 9] <2 will guarantee Jf) —¥| << whenever 5:<¢ (example 42), Hab ty wee 1.20 For the function #0) =, we find that [fl — k| <« for any positive 5 (Gxarple Ab), 1.3. Target Values and Formal Definitions of Limits 71 EXAMPLE 3 Show that lim... (5x —3) Solution Set xy = 1, f(x) = Sx ~3, and L = 2 in the definition of limit. For any stiven € > O we have to find a suitable § = 0 so that ifx # 1 and xis within distance 5 of up = 1, thats, if 2 O 0 be given. We must find 4 > 0 such that for all x O<[r—al<8 implies ke-xl 0 be given. We must find 3 > O such that for all O<\r—x) <3 implies k-2) O such that forall x O<[r-5)<8 => WeaT-2/<1. find a 8 > 0 that works for72 Chapter 1: Limits and Continuity 7 se 121 An open interval of radius 3 about 2% = 5 will ie Inside the epen interval 210), 122 The function and intervals in Example 5. Solution We organize the search into two steps. Fist we solve the inequality [v= —2| <1 to find an interval (a, 6) about xy = 5 on which the inequality holds for all x +f xy. Then we find a value of 5 > 0 thar places the interval S— 3 < x <54+5 (centered at xy = 5) inside the interval (a, 5). ‘Step 1: Solve the inequality |= =T— 2) < 1 to find an interval about x which the inequality holds forall x #4 Je=1-2) <1 pastel leveoT<3 lex-1<9 dexr 0 that places the centered interval §~§ 0 Algebraically The process of finding a 6 > O such that forall x O L7Q)-L 0 that places the open interval (xy ~ 5, xo +3) centered at xy inside the interval (a, ). The inequality f(x) ~ Z| <€ will bold forall «7 in this Seintrval EXAMPLE 6 — Prove that lim. f(x) =4if aya [2 242 son [2 Solution Our task is to show that given > 0 there exists a 8 > 0 such that for all x Oxpr-3 [fay-alce Step 1: Solve the inequality | (x) —4\ < € 10 find an open interval about xy fon which the inequality holds for all x # x.123 The function in Example 6. 1.3. Target Values and Formal Definitions of Limits 73. Fors y= 2,wehave f(x) = 2, andthe inequaliy to solve is? 4) < 4) 0 that places the centered interval (2 ~ 8, 2+ 8) inside the interval (V¥=€, WEF). Take 5 to be the distance from xy =2 to the nearer endpoint of (V4, V9). In other words, take 8 = min [2 v4—e, V4 €~ 2), the minimum he smaller) of the two numbers 2 — v= and VAT € ~ 2. 18 has this or any smaller postive value, the inequality 0 < [x — 2] <8 wll automatically place x between V¥—€ and VAF€ to make | f(x) ~4) [fale ‘This completes the proof. ‘Why was it allright to assume ¢ < 4? Because, in finding @§ such that forall x 0.< |x 2} <5 implied | f(x) ~ 4] < © <4, we found a 5 that would work for any larger € as well Finally, notice the freedom we gained in letting 5= min (2—V=e, FFE —2}, We did not have to spend time deciding which, if ether, number was the smaller ofthe two, We just let 8 represent the smaller and went on to finish the argument a Using the Definition to Prove Theorems We do not usually rey on the formal definition of limit to verity specific limits such as those in the preceding examples. Rather we appeal to general theocems about Timits, in particular the theorems of Section 1.2. The definition is used to prove these theorems. As an example, we prove part 1 of Theorem 1, the Sum Rule. EXAMPLE 7 — Proving the rule for the limit of a sum Given that Hines f(4) = L and lim,se g(a) = M, prove that Tim F) + 9) = b+ Mt. Solution Let ¢ > 0 be given, We want io find « positive mumber & such that for all: Oxbmcd 0 such that forall x M, there exists a number 8; > Osuch that forall x This shows that lim..c (f(4) + g(a) = L +B. a Exercises 1.3 Centering Intervals About a Point 4m Exercises 1-6, sketch the interval (a, om the axis withthe f= point inside. Then finda value of & > 0 such that forall x 0-< fe-ml<8—sacx O such that forall x Ocb—mi <8 => [fas)-Li (1/2) does nor exist because 1x becomes arblirarly large and positive asx +0" ‘Asx O°, the values of f(x) = 1/x become arbitrarily large and negative. Given any negative real number ~B, the values of f eventually ie below ~B. (See Fig, 129.) We write im £2) ‘Again, we ave not saying thatthe limit exists and equals the number ~oe. There is ‘no real number ~co. We are describing the behavior of a function whose limit as +0" does not exist because its values become arbitrary large and negative.1.30. Neat x= 1, the function y= Vir 1) behaves the way the function y = Wx behaves near x = 0. Its ‘raph isthe graph of y = Vx shifted 1 Unit co the right, 1.31 The graphs of the functions in Bample 5, 1.4. Extensions of the Limit Concept 81 EXAMPLE 4 One-sided infinite limits Find im, 5 and fim 1 Geometric Solution The graph of y Lu /x — 1) is the graph of y = 1/x shifted 10 the right (Fig, 1.30). Therefore, y = 1/(x ~ 1) behaves near 1 exactly the way y= 1/x behaves near 0: 1 co and tim Analytic Solution Think about the number x ~ 1 and we have (x ~1) + O* and 1/(°—1) > 09. As x 1 and 1/( = 1) + —00. reciprocal. Asx > I*, we have (x — 1) 0 EXAMPLE 5 Two-sided infinite limits Discuss the behavior of 1 a) fla) = 5 nears = 0, 1 b) 60) = ay marx Solution 2) As x approaches zero from become side, the values of 1/22 ate positive and itraily large (Fig. 1.31a) fg re) bb). "The graph of g(x) = 1/(x +3)? is the graph of f(x) = 1/x* shifted 3 units to the left (Fig. 131b). Therefore, g behaves near ~3 exactly the way f behaves near 0, 1 li eee a The function y= I/x shows no comsistent behavior as x —+ 0, We have 1x coi > 0! bat jx > —coif'e + 0°. All wecan say aboutlim,p (1/x) is that it does not exist. The function y= 1/1? is different. Iss values approach in- finity s x approaches zero from either side, so we ean say that lity .g (1/22) = 00. lim, x EXAMPLE 6 — Rational functions can behave in various ways near zeros of their denominators. a b) tim 22 = tim —A—? > I era GaGa 2 im, li a, The sls ae mane Me pa ~ ME G—Datd Torys 2 nr?82 Chapter 1: Limits and Continuity % Pee 1.32 Diagram for the definition of right hand limi 8) ws % 1.33, Diagram for the definition of Ief-hane! limit Te wes ate pove fend roe) @-Da+D x3 2 G=DerD 0-2) _ ig = Ga WIS GH In pas (a) and (b) the effect ofthe zero in the denominator a x = 2s canceled because the numerator is zero there also. Thus a finite limit exists, This is not true in part ¢f), where cancellation stil leaves a zero in the denominator. a does not exist. See (¢)and Precise Definitions of One-sided Limits ‘The formal definition of two-sided limit in Section 1.3 is readily modified for one-sided limits. Definitions Right-hand Limit ‘We say that Gx} has right-hand limit L at xo, and write lim, FO) =L (See Fig. 1.32) if for overy number ¢ > 0 there exists 2 corresponding number 8 > 0 such that for all x we 0 there exists @ corresponding number 8 > 0 such that for all x wob Ife)-L 0 sock hat forall x O<\s-mi 0 such that for all x Oe—mles > fay <—B. ‘The precise definitions of one-sided infinite limits at xp are similar and are stated in the exercises. Exercises 1.4 Finding Limits Graphically 1, Which of te fotlowing sazments abou dhe function » gaphed here are te and which are false? 2 um sores ») tin se © lim fos lim fe) = fim Fo © tm f(s exis 5 tim fey =0 a) lig fa) = hy tie £00 1) lip fa)=0 D tim fo) =2 4 tim_ (2) doesnot exist, 1) fim. f(a) =0