906 CHAPTER3 » Limits:A Preview of Calculus nto Gree eso ‘34, DISCUSS: Graphing Calculator Pitfalls 3h fe) = eet (@) Evaluate (b) lim. f(x) (©) im f(x) Ha) = 25> fxs -2 for = 1, 0.5, 01, 005, 001, and 0.005 are a2 tan (tim 2) ) im) im J) (0) Guess the vale of im (o) Evaluate h(x) for successively smaller values of DISCUSS DISCovER PROVE © WRITE atl yon Sally Be a wala of O fr Hea) Are ge sul confident that your guess in part () i ort? 43, DISCUSS: AFunction with Specified Limits Sketch the Explain why you eventually gota vale of 0 fr (x) ftp ofan example of a fancton f tht sasais al ofthe (Baap the faction hin the viewing rectangle [= following conditions by [0,1]. Then zoom in toward the pont where the _ - raph crosses the ynans lo estimate the limit of his) ax fim f(a) =2 lim f(x) = 0 Spproaches 0, Continue to zoom in unl you observe dis- lin 0) 0)-2 #12) tenn ght Comp ih orn How many such functions are there? SEY FINDING LIMITS ALGEBRAICALLY Limit Laws HI Applying the Limit Laws ll Finding Limits Using Algebra and the Limit Laws Using Left- and Right-Hand Limits In Section 13.1 we used calculators and graphs to guess the values of limits, but we saw ‘that such methods don’t always lead to the correct answer. In this section we use alge- braic methods to find limits exactly. Limit Laws ‘We use the following properties of limits, called the Limit Laws, to calculate limits LIMIT Laws: Suppose that cs constant and thatthe following limits exist: Jim f(x) and Kim o(x) Then tim [f(2) + o(2)] = tim f(x) + im a(x) Limiof «Sm O lim (F(x) ~ 9(x)] = lim f(x) ~ tim g(x) Limi of a Disference im fef(x)] = « tim f(s) Limit ofa Constant Mukiple im [ F(x)a(x)] “im fs): im (x) Limit ofa Prodvet f(x) lin ay i iftim g(x) #0 Limi ofa QuotientLimit of « Sum. Limit of « Disterence Lint of « Constant Multiple Limit ofa Product, Limit of « Quotient Limit of « Power Limit of a Root SECTION 13.2 « Finding Limits Algebraicaly 907 ‘These five laws can be stated verbally as follows: 1. The limit of a sum is the sum ofthe limits 2. The limit of a difference is the difference of the limits 3. The limit of a constant times a function is the constant times the limit of the function 4. The limit of a product is the product ofthe Limits, 5. The limit of a quotient is the quotient of the limits (provided thatthe limit of the denominator is not 0), It's easy to believe that these properties are true. For instance, if f(x) is close to and g(x) is close to M, itis reasonable to conclude that f(x) + g(x) is close to L + M. ‘This gives us an intuitive basis for believing that Law 1 is tru. Ie we use Law 4 (Limit of a Product) repeatedly with g(x) = f(x), we obtain the following Law 6 forthe limit of a power. A similar law holds for roots. LIMIT LAWS 6. lim [4(2))" = [lim fa) 7 where isa postive integer Limi ot aPower 7. lim VFR) = Vim FTE) where mis a positive integer Lim of « Root [iF mis even, we assume that lim, ,, f(x) > 0.1 In words, these laws say the following: 6. The limit of a power is the power of the limit 7. The limit of a root is the root of the limit EXAMPLE 1 © Using the Limit Laws ‘Use the Limit Laws and the graphs of f and g in Figure 1 to evaluate the following. limits if they exist (2) (9s) + So(8)] 6) im 4629] f(x) © lm (9) tim (f(2)] » s 4 7 7 al AI FIGURE SOLUTION (a) From the graphs of f and g we see that lim f(x) = 1 and908 CHAPTER 13 Limits: Preview of Calculus ‘Therefore we have itn [ f(a) + Sols] = im, f(2) + lim [Sg(4)] Limi of « Sum im, f(x) + Slim, g(x) Lint of Constant Mule 1-1) () We se that lm. f(8) = 2. But lim, 9(8) doesnot exist because the left and right-hand Limits are differen lim ols) = -2 i ols) = —1 So we can't use Law 4 (Limit of a Product). The given limit docs not exist, since the left-hand limit is not equal to the right-hand limit. (©) The graphs show that lim f(x) 14 and limg(x) = 0 Because the limit of the denominator is 0, we can’t use Law 5 (Limit of a Quotient). The given limit does not exist because the denominator approaches 0 while the numerator approaches a nonzero number. (@) Since tim, f(x) = 2, we use Law 6 t0 get fim [4(4) ? = [lim f(a)}? Limit ofa Power 8 Ss Now Try Exercise 3 . Applying the Limit Laws In applying the Limit Laws, we need to use four special limits. ‘SOME SPECIAL LIMITS 1. lime = ¢ where n is a positive integer 2 3. lim" 4 lim Wa = Wa where n is a positive integer and a > 0 Special Limits 1 and 2 are intuitively obvious—looking at the graphs of y = ¢ and y = x will convince you oftheir validity. Limits 3 and 4 are special cases of Limit Laws ‘6 and 7 (Limits of a Power and of a Root) EXAMPLE 2 © Using the Limit Laws Evaluate the following limits, and justify each step. esas © lime = 3+ 4)SECTION 13.2 « Finding Limits Algebraicaly 909 SOLUTION (@) Him (247 — 3x + 4) = tim (22°) — tim (34) + tims Lom of Ditton = 2limx? = 3imx + tim Limit of« matt Constant Multiple = 45") - 35) +4 Special Limits 3,2, and 1 =9 (b) We start by using Law 5, but its use is fully justified only at the final stage when we see that the lunits of the numerator and denominator exist and the limit of the denominator is not 0 lim (x? + 2x? = 1) = Limit of a Quotient lim (5 Limits of Sums, Ditferences, and ‘Constant Multiples ‘Special Limits 4,2, and 1 ‘Now Try Exercises and 11 7. AE we let f(x) = 2x* — 3x + 4, then /(5) = 39. In Example 2(a) we found that lim,.s f(x) ~ 39. In other words, we would have gotten the correct answer by substi- tuting 5 for x. Similarly, direct substitution provides the correct answer in part (b). The functions in Example 2 are a polynomial and a rational function, respectively, and similar use of the Limit Laws proves that direct substitution always works for such, functions. We state this fact as follows. LIMITS BY DIRECT SUBSTITUTION If fis a polynomial or a rational function and a is in the domain of f, then li (0) = Ja) Functions with this direct substitution property are called continuous at a. You will learn mote about continuous functions when you study calculus. EXAMPLE3 © Finding Limits by Direct Substitution Evaluate the following limits. (@) lim (22° = 10x ~ 8) Pause © Mea?910 CHAPTER 13 « Limits:A Preview of Calculus SOLUTION (a) The function f(x) = 2x — 10x ~ 12 is a polynomial, so we can find the limit by direct substitution: lim (2x? — 10y ~ 12) = 2(3)' - 10(3) - 8 = 16 (b) The function f(x) = (x + 5x)/(x* + 2) is a rational function, and x = —1 is in its domain (because the denominator is not zero for x = —1), Thus we ean find the limit by direct substation (21 + (-1) “ener Now Try Exercise 13 . Finding Limits Using Algebra and the Limit Laws As we saw in Example 3, evaluating limits by direct substitution is easy. But not alll limits can be evaluated this way. In fact, most of the situations in which limits are use- ful require us to work harder (o evaluate the limit, The next three examples illustrate how we can use algebra to find limits EXAMPLE 4 © Finding a Limit by Canceling a Common Factor lim SOLUTION Let f(x) = (x — 1)/(x" — 1). We can't find the limit by substituting 1 because (1) isn't defined. Nor ean we apply Law 5 (Limit of a Quotient) because the limit of the denominator is 0, Instead, we need to do some preliminary algebra, We factor the denominator asa difference of squares: © &= DEED The numerator and denominator have a common factor of x — 1, When we take the limit as x approaches 1, we have x # 1, and sox ~ 1 # 0. Therefore we can cancel the common factor and compute the limit as follows. tim <= Factor ayo ny Cancel Lou se Lert ‘This calculation confirms algebraically the answer we got numerically and graphi- cally in Example 1 in Section 13.1 Ss Now Try Exercise 19 . EXAMPLES © Finding a Limit by Simplifying Gaay-9 Evaluate tim ©“ =" a)SIR ISAAC NEWTON (1682-1727) is une vesally regarded as one ofthe giants of physics and mathematic, He's well known fo dlcovering the laws of motion and gravity and for inventing calls ‘bathe also prove the Binomial Theorem and the laws of optics, and he developed methods fr sling polynomial que ‘onsto any desired accuracy He was bon on Christmas Day, afew months after the dexth of his father Aer an Uushappy childhood, be enteres Car bridge Univesity where he learned ‘mathematics by studying the wring of uci and Descares uring the plague years of 1655 and 1.666, when the unversiy wa lzed, Newton thought and wrote about ideas ‘hat once published, instantly evei- ‘ionized the sciences, nbued wth a pathological fear of icism he pub- lished these wtings only afer many years of encouragement from Edmund Halley (ho covered the now-famous comet) and other calleagues. Newton's works brought him enor ‘mous fame an prestige. Even poets were ‘moved o praise; Alexander Pope wrote: Nature and Nature’ Laws lay in Night. od sa “Let Newton be andl wae Light Nein was fa more modest about hisaccomplshments He sid, "seem to have bee only ikea boy plying onthe seashore. while the geat ocean of ‘wath yall unscovered before me” Newton was knighted by Queen Ane in 1705 and was bured wth great honor in Westminster Abbe. SECTION 13.2 = Finding Limits Algebraically 911 SOLUTION We can’t use direct substitution to evaluate ths limit, because the Limit of the denominator is 0. So we first simplify the limit algebraically tim GAMA 9 yi OF OHI 2 ns oh io 7 tim H+ Simphty moh Jim (6 + h) Cancel h 6 Lathoo Now Try Exercise 25 7 EXAMPLE 6 Find lim ve SOLUTION We ean’ apply Law S (Limit of « Quotient) immediately, since the limit of the denominator is 0. Hete the preliminary algebra consists of rationalizing the numerator: lim ests nalize numerator 1 6 ‘This calculation confirms the guess that we made in Example 2 in Section 13.1 ‘Ss Now Try Exercise 27 7 Using Left- and Right-Hand Some limits are best caleulated by first finding the Tet and right-hand limits. The fol Towing theorem is a reminder of what we discovered in Section 131. says that @ two-sided limit exists f and only if both ofthe one-sided limits exist and are equal imits lim f(x) = L —fandonly flim f(x) = L = im f(x) ‘When computing one-sided limits, we use the fact that the Limit Laws also hold for ‘one-sided limits EXAMPLE7 © Comparing Right and Left Limits Show that im |x| = 0912 CHAPTER 3 « Limits:A Preview of Calculus SOLUTION Recall that ‘The result of Example 7 looks plausible ftom Figure 2 Since | x| = x for x> 0, we have Jim |x| = tim x = 0 For x <0 weave |x| = —x,s0 tim, x] = tim (x) = 0 Therefore lim |x| = 0 icuRe2 ‘Now Ty Exercise 37 . EXAMPLES © Comparing Right and Left Limits Prove that lim “+ does not exist SOLUTION Since |x] = x for x > Oand |x| = —x for x <0, we have , tim 1 Ll a yl, fm > Since th right-hand and lefthand limits exist and are diferent, it follows that limo | x |x does not exist The graph ofthe function f(x) =” | /xis shown in FIGURE 3 Figure 3 and supports th limits that we found. Now Try Exercise 39 . EXAMPLE 9 © The Limit of a Piecewise Defined Function Let ‘, VER fra y= Determine whether lim f(x) exists. SOLUTION Since f(x) = VE=4 forx> 4, we have lim (3) = Since f(x) = 8 ~ 2x forx <4, we have BRIO = Bens = 28) ‘The right- and left-hand limits are equal. Thus the limit exists, and lim f(x) = 0 FIGURE 4 ‘The graph of fis shown in Figure 4 Now Try Exercise 43 .SECTION 132 « Finding Limits Algebraicaly 913 13.2 EXERCISES ‘CONCEPTS, 1. Suppose the following limits exis: . - lims(a) and tim (2) ~ Tuen Lim f(x) + 99) and Aedes SAB. tim (a? + 2)(04 = Sx) (eae 1) lim (f(s) ‘These formulas can be tated verbally as follows: The limit fof a sum is the of the limits, and the limit of prox is ofthe limits 16. tis 17, lim (VE 4B - VR) 8. im Va —<— 2, If Fis a polynomial or a rational function and ais inthe im f(x) = domain off, then 19-32 m Finding Limits Evaluate the limit i it exists SKILLS ‘S53, Limits froma Graph The graphs of f and gare given. Use them to evaluate each limit if it exists. Irth limit does not exist, explain why. seid ) im[s(a) © ols)] Ob) Him[ fla) + ofa) © limi s(no() @ I (© time's) © linV3F TO) y y TRAIL 60 \ ai mG WPT gg a a ese 4, Using Limit Laws Suppose tha 33.36 m Finding Limits Find the limit, and use a graphing lim f(x) = =3 im g(x) ~ 0 Ws) ~ 8 3 ‘Therefore an equation of the tangent line at the pat (3,1) is yoda ieo 3) hich simples to xt3y-0=0 ‘The hyperbola and its tangent are shown in Figure 6, : Now Try Exercises 3 and 11 . ‘There is mother expression for the slope of a tangent line that is sometimes easier tose, Let h = x= a. Then x = a +h, so the slope of the secant line PQ is Ma +h) = Ha) mpg = See Figure 7, in which the case h > 0 is illustrated and Q is to the right of P. If it hap- pened that h < 0, however, Q would be to the left of P. la fla +h) ~ fal A Slat hi) Pia. fa) FIGURE918 CHAPTER3 « Limits:A Preview of Calculus Notice that as x approaches a, approaches 0 (because h ~ x ~ a), so the expression Newton and Limits for the slope of the tangent line becomes In 1687 sae Neon se pag8 511) abled his masterpece Pinca aera In ths wor, the getet scientific treatise ever writen, Newton f(a + k) ~ fla) rare ean Esse a m= tim itt vestigate mechanics fd aya ic and wave mation and epi te ration of planets and comets The bepeings ofeach ae fund Inthecaleubtnsofaeasanévolumes EXAMPLE 2 © Finding a Tangent Line ty ancient Gree chlor sch as ' Cscaad achiates hoi FFind an equation of the tangent line to the curve y aepects of heen of it re moi inthermethod of etauston” Eason 2x +3 at the point (1, 2) SOLUTION. If f(x) = x — 2x + 3, then the slope of the tangent line where a = 1 is Sa eireee ese ea bi) at) Ia the concept of lint ew m= ji OD FO) Definition of m ‘mathematicians such as Cavalieri, Fermat, — h ee (eat 4a) 43] (8 = 20) 43 fea ieee create ce og MBA eer eared i meena howe (ei ogurelnanenaniee in sumer bind lis that quant approach fs Bsns ee : [Newton stated that the limit was the ht 3h ec oaeae REE et tig Simplify Sees faonua ect ten in stin() + ces 1 Lanvo So an eatin ofthe agen tine a (1.2) 2-1-1) we yaad S. Now Try Exercise 13, . Derivatives We have seen that the slope of the tangent line o the curve y = f(x) at the point (a. f(a) can be written as tim £04) = a) Fac) h 1 curns out that this expression arises in many other contexts as well, such as finding Velocities and other rates of change. Because this type of limit occurs so widely, itis ‘iven a special name and notation. DEFINITION OF A DERIVATIVE The derivative ofa function f at a number a, denoted by {"(a) is, ; fla + h) = fa) £(a) = im -——— if this limit exist.SECTION 133, EXAMPLE 3 © Finding a Derivative at a Point Find the derivative of the function f(x) ~ Sx Tangent Lines and Derivatives 919 3x — 1 at the number 2 SOLUTION According to the definition of a derivative, with a ~ 2, we have A(2 +h) = £2) i (2) = ti i 20 + 20h + Sh? + 6 + 3h— 1-25 ne i ln 2h : 3h ~ lim (23 + Sh) 2B Cancel ‘SsNow Try Exercise 19 5(2 + hy? + 3(2 + h) — 1] — [5(2)' = 3(2) — Deion of (2) 1 ay fx) = St Be 1 Expand Sissplity Lah>o ‘We see ftom the definition of a derivative that the number f'(a) is the same as the slope of the tangent line to the curve y Example 3 shows that the slope of the tangent line to the parabola y the point (2,25) is #"(2) = 23. EXAMPLE4 © Finding a Derivative Let s(x) = VE (a) Find f'(a). (b) Find f'(1). #"(4), and '(9). sowurion (a) We use the definition of the derivative at a (a +h) ~ fla) he Vath va (a+h)-a Jim Mia h + Va) tim ———* ion Vath + Va) 1 Varht Va 1 1 Vat Va 2Va ‘(4 atthe point (a, f(a)). So the result of Sxt 4 Sy— Lat Desiniion of desivaive Hs) = VE Ratioualize numerator Disterence of squares Sinplify sumerator Cancel k Lah—>o920 CHAPTER 13 « Limits:A Preview of Calculus (b) Substituting a = 1, = 4, and 9 into the result of part (a), we get "| +. "| su} “gy--t POone 2 MOONE a SOs These values ofthe derivative are he slopes ofthe tangent ines shown in Figure 8 FIGURES ‘Ss Now Try Exercises 25 and 27, . Instantaneous Rates of Change In Section 2.4 we defined the average rate of change of a function f between the mum- bers a and x as _ change iny _ f(a) = sla) average rate of change = TOE ‘Suppose we consider the average rate of change over smaller and smaller intervals by letting x approach a. The limit of these average rates of change is called the instanta- neous rate of change, INSTANTANEOUS RATE OF CHANGE Ify = f(x), the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x at. is the limit of the average rates of change as x approaches a: fe) = f(@) instantaneous rate of change = lim" = f'(a) Notice that we now have two ways of interpreting the derivative: = §'(a) is he slope of the tangent line to y = f(x) atx = a * f'(q) isthe instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x at x — a In the special case in which x me and s = f(?) = displacement (directed distance) at time of an object traveling in a straight line, the instantaneous rate of change is called the instantaneous velocity EXAMPLES © Instantaneous Velocity of a Falling Object {fan object is dropped from a height of 3000 ft, its distance above the ground (in feet) aftr 1 seconds is given by h(t) ~ 3000 ~ 161°, Find the object's instantaneous velocity after 4 seconds. DISCOVERY PROJECT Designing a Roller Coaster ‘To ensure an exhilarating ride, a roller coaster ought to consist of steep rises and drops joined by thrilling curves, For a safe ride, these curves must {it together “smoothly.” In designing a roller coaster, you can choose where to locate the ascents and drops. We'll explore how the derivative can help us join these ascents and drops smoothly. You can find the project at ‘www.stewartmath.com,SECTION 133 » TangentLines and Derivatives 921 a SOLUTION After 4s have elapsed, the height x M4) = 2744 ft, The instantaneous velocity _— he) =m (4) = tim MO MOD Definition of (4) t ers tiny S000 NEF = FT 65) — 3000 - 1004 wy a 256 — 160° ee pa vapaty 16(4 — N+) actor numerator me aa4 lim — 16(4 + t) Cancel = 4 164-44) = -128 vs Let 4 ‘The negative sign indicates thatthe height is decreasing at arate of 128 fs, Now Try Exercise 37 . US. Population 1 PO) EXAMPLE6 © Estimating an Instantaneous Rate of Change aooe | 292.805.2098 Let P(t) be the population of the United States at time f The first table inthe margin 2006 | 298,379,912 {ives approximate values of this function by providing midyear population estimates 2008 | 304,093,966 from 2004 to 2012. Interpret and estimate the value of P'(2008) 2010 | 309,389,689 ror | sisviaowo SOLUTION The derivative P’(2008) means the rate of change of P with respect to ¢ ‘when = 2008, tha is the rate of increase of the population in 2008, Seuce US, Cees Bases ‘According to the definition of a derivative, we have P(@) — P(2008) . P(t) = P(2008) palsies PY(2008) = tim 2 ‘ 1 2008 (2008) = = 2008 2008 | 2.822.167 So we compute and tabulate values of the difference quotient (the average rates of 2006 2.887.027 change) as shown in the second table in the margin. We sce that P'(2008) lies 2010 216271862 somewhere between 2,857,027 and 2,627,862. (Here we are making the reasonable 2012 2.455.019 assumption thatthe population didn’t luctuate wildly between 2004 and 2012.) We estimate thatthe rate of increase of the U.S. population in 2008 was the average of ‘eve, we have estimated the devivauve these two numbers, namely, by averaging the slopes of two secant tines. Another method is to plat the pop- P'(2008) = 2.74 million people/year lation fonction and estimate the slope, Now Try Exercise 43 . fof the tangent line when = 2008 13.3 EXERCISES CONCEPTS: 4, The derivative of a function fata number a is (x) the average rate of change of f bewween the num tes and is I re tii of te average rte of a change as x approaches ais the sate of change of y it the tink exists, Te derivative (tothe with respect tos at x = a this is also the derivative #"(_). tangent line tothe curve y = f(x) at the point (|).922 CHAPTER 3 « Limits:A Preview of Calculus SKILLS 3-10 m Slope of aTangent Line Find the slope of the tangent line to the graph of fat the given point <3 fy) = 344, 20,7) 4. fla) = 5 = 28, at(-3.11) 5. f(x) = 40? 3x, at(-1,.7) 6 fla) = 1+ 2x Be, at (1,0) 7. fx) = 284, 16) fa) = 1 ate.) 9. #8) (3,1) 10. f(s) 11-18 m Equation of aTangent Line Find an equation of th tangent line tothe curve athe given point. Graph the curve and ‘the tangent line “aL ft) 12, f(s) = 40° = 5, atl 1,1) matt, 8(2,=7) “By st a(-1.0) Wy-2r= x att) 15.» (2,2) 16 a(-1.1) 17. y=VEFH, 0.2) 18. y= VIF, at(4,3) 19-26 w The Derivative ats Number Find the derivative ofthe Tunction a the given nu S19. fl) 13 at 2. fy=2- seb a BL fa) =e, at ms)=xte atl a f= a2 24. 10) +25, Fx) 26, Gx) 27-30 w Evaluating Derivatives Find the following fo sven function f(a) f"(a), where ais inthe domain of f, nd (b) #°(3) and #"(4). SI. ffs) Evaluate 5x > aT SOLUTION To evaluate the limit at infinity of a rational function, we first divide both the numerator and denominator by the highest power of x that occurs in theSECTION 13.4 = Limits atinfrity; Limits of Sequences 927 denominator. (We may assume that x ¥ 0, since we are interested only in large values of.) In this case the highest power of x in the denominator is x*, so we have Divide numerator and {denominator by x Limit of a Quotient Limits of Sums, Differences, and Constant Multiples aot? Lense AA similar calculation shows that the limit as x» ~ is also §, Figure 6 illustrates the results of these calculations by showing how the graph of the given rational function FIGURE approaches the horizontal asymptote y ~ $ ‘Ss Now Ty Exercise 9 . EXAMPLE3 © ALLimit at Negative Infinity ‘Use numerical and graphical methods to find lim SOLUTION From the graph of the natural exponential function y ~ e* in Figure 7 and the corresponding table of values we see that lim e=0 IC follows that the line y ~ 0 (the x-axis) is a horizontal asymptote, © | 1.00000 -1 | 036788 -2 | o1sss 3 | 008979 -5 | coor 8 | o.000% =10 | 0.00005 FIGURE 7, ‘Ss Now Try Exercise 19 . EXAMPLE4 © A Function with No Limit at Infinity Evaluate lim sin x928 CHAPTER13 FIGURES 0 T FIGURES FIGURE 10 Limits: Preview of Calculus SOLUTION. From the graph in Figure 8 and the periodic nature of the sine function we see that as x increases, the values of sin x oscillate between I and —1 infinitely often, so they don’t approach any definite number. Therefore lim... sin x does not exist ‘Now Ty Exercise 17 . Limits of Sequences In Section 12.1 we introduced the idea of a sequence of numbers a, a3, dy... Here ‘we ate interested in their behavior as n becomes large. For instance, the sequence defined by nt is pictured in Figure 9 by plotting its terms on a number line and in Figure 10 by plotting its graph. From Figure 9 or 10 it appears that the terms of the sequence 4, = n/(n + 1) are approaching I as n becomes large, We indicate this by writing lim DEFINITION OF THE LIMIT OF A SEQUENCE haas the limit L and we write lima, =L or A sequence ay, da, as, a, > Lasn >= if the mth term «, of the sequence can be made arbitrarily close to L by taking n sulficiently large. Iflim,.» a, exists, we say the sequence converges (or is con= vergent). Otherwise, we say the sequence diverges (or is divergent) ‘This definition is illustrated by Figure 11 123 FIGURE 11 Graphs of two sequences with lim a, IC we compare the definitions of lim, ,..a, ~ L and lim, f(x) ~ L, we see that the only difference is that n is requited to be an integer. Thus the following is tue. If tim f(x) = L and f(n) = a, when n is an integer, then lim a, = L. In particular, since we know that lim,..(1/4) have 0 when k is a positive integer, we tim 4, = 0 it is a positive integ ‘Note that the Limit Laws given in Section 13.2 also hold for limits of sequences:SECTION 13.4 = Limits atlnfrity; Limits of Sequences 929 EXAMPLE 5 Find lim 1g the Limit of a Sequence SOLUTION The method is similar to the one we used in Example 2: Divide the ‘numerator and denominator by the highest power of n, and then use the Limit Laws, lim Divide numerator and wee denominator by lim 1 so Limits of a Quotient lim 1 + tim > oa Sum “This result shows thatthe guest we made earlier from Figures 9 and 1 bane 10 was correct. T+ “Therefore the sequence a, = n/(n + 1) is convergent Ss Now Try Exercise 23 7 EXAMPLE6 © A Sequence That Diverges Determine whether the sequence a, = (—1)" is convergent or divergent SOLUTION If we write out the terms of the sequence, we obtain yh, ‘The graph of this sequence is shown in Figure 12, Since the terms oscillate between 1 and —1 infinitely often, a, does not approach any number. Thus lim, ,.(—1)" does FIGURE 12 ‘not exist tha is, the sequence a, = (—1)" is divergent Ss Now Try Exercise 29 . EXAMPLE 7 © Finding the Limit of a Sequence Find the limit of the sequence given by As n(n 1)2n 4 1) 6 SOLUTION Before calculating the limit, lets Sirst simplify the expression for a, Because n’ = nnn, we place a factor of n beneath each factor in the numerator that Hoe) Definition of a, =Sin(1+2)in(2=2) —sausanos Sune - vane Now Try Exercise 31 .930 CHAPTER 13 Limits: Preview of Calculus FERNS cess) CONCEPTS, 1 Let bea function defined on some interval (a, 2). Taen ‘means thatthe values of f(x) can be made abiteaily close to by taking sufficiently large. Tn this case We line y = Lis called a ‘of the fonction = J(2), For example, tim + = and the line isa horizontal asymptote dha the limit Zif che mtb term a, of the sequence can be made arbitrarily close to by (aking nto be suliciently the limit exists, we say thatthe sequence otherwise, the A sequence 4,43 4 sequence. SKILLS 3-4 Limits froma Graph (a) Use the eraph off to find the following limits @ Him fo) Gi im f(a) (State the equations of the horizontal asymptote. 3 4 5-18 m Limits at infinity Find the limit, nL. 43. 15, wor "2G yee 19-22 m Estimating Limits Numerically and Graphically Use a lable of values to estimate the limit. Then use a graphing device to conftm your result graphically sain ETE an tin (VOFFE =) 2 in! na g(s +2) 24.34 w Limits of Sequences If the sequence with the given nth term is convergent, find its limit, Ii is divergent, explain why. sang etn __n 28,0 wa 25. = 26. 9, 2b OT ET 1 cy aad 28. a, = 29, a, = singnn/2) 30. a, = cos na ala + sag SY) m2 wea He gf22)) sae nfstnee) sae Ey SKILLS Plus 35-36 1 AFunction froma Description Find a formula froma function fthat satisfies the following conditions 38, Vertical asymptotes x = 1 and 36. ©. im fe) di. fx) = =. "him f(s) = 31. Asymptote Behavior How close to ~3 do we have to take x so that Tap? 10900 38. Equivalent Limits Show that and tim so) = im s(2) if these Limits exist,