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Before you begin this unit, watch this video to find out why we learn calculus!
MAC 2311: Calculus
Section 2.2/2.4: The Limit of a Function (Graphically, Numerically)
x2 4
Section Introduction & Example 1: f ( x ) =
x2
b. What is f ( 2 ) = ?
i.e., x 2, f ( x ) ?
i. Graphing approach
Note: *Whether or not a is in the domain itself is irrelevant to the existence of the limit as x a.
Unit 1 p. 2
Thomas, 13e
x 4 2
; x2
Example 2: Sketch the graph of f ( x ) = x 2
0 ; x=2
a. Find f ( 2 ) .
b. Find lim f ( x )
x 2
lim f ( x )
-2
x 3 -3
-4
lim f ( x )
x 1
lim f ( x )
x4
4
f ( 1)
3
lim f ( x ) 1
x 1
X
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-1
lim f ( x )
x 0 -2
Unit 1 p. 3
Thomas, 13e
One Sided Limits
Unit 1 p. 4
Thomas, 13e
Example 4: Find the following values and limits graphically.
a. f ( 2)
Y
4
b. lim f ( x ) 3
x 2
2
1
X
c. lim+ f ( x )
x2 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-1
-2
d. lim f ( x ) -3
x2
-4
e. f (1)
f. lim f ( x )
x 1
g. lim f ( x )
x 1+
h. lim f ( x )
x 1
i. lim f ( x )
x 0+
j. lim f ( x )
x 0
x ; x0
Example 5: Sketch f ( x ) = . Use the graph to find lim f ( x ) , if it exists.
x 2
+ 1; x > 0 x 0
Unit 1 p. 5
Thomas, 13e
Example 6: Use a graphic and a numeric approach to make a conjecture about the following limits.
6a. lim x 3
x2
x 3
6b. lim
x9 x 9
Unit 1 p. 6
Thomas, 13e
6c. lim sin
x 0
x
1. f ( x ) is not defined on an the open interval surrounding a. (The existence of f(a) is irrelevant)
Unit 1 p. 7