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An Introduction To Limits

This document provides an introduction to limits in calculus. It defines what a limit is as the height of a curve as x approaches some value c from both sides. For a limit to exist, the left and right limits must be equal to the same fixed, finite number L. Examples are provided of evaluating one-sided limits and determining whether a limit exists based on the definition. Important things to note about limits include that the limit does not depend on the function value at c, both left and right limits must be equal to a fixed number, and common limits like the limit of sin x as x approaches 0. The document concludes by asking if the reader understands how to graphically find a limit and assigning worksheet and book problems to

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Prabath Suranaga Morawakage
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437 views10 pages

An Introduction To Limits

This document provides an introduction to limits in calculus. It defines what a limit is as the height of a curve as x approaches some value c from both sides. For a limit to exist, the left and right limits must be equal to the same fixed, finite number L. Examples are provided of evaluating one-sided limits and determining whether a limit exists based on the definition. Important things to note about limits include that the limit does not depend on the function value at c, both left and right limits must be equal to a fixed number, and common limits like the limit of sin x as x approaches 0. The document concludes by asking if the reader understands how to graphically find a limit and assigning worksheet and book problems to

Uploaded by

Prabath Suranaga Morawakage
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

An Introduction to Limits

Objective: To understand the concept of a limit and To determine the limit from a graph

Calculus centers around 2 fundamental problems 1) The tangent line- differential calculus
P Q

Avg. rate of change = msec = slope = (Slope between 2 points)

f(x + x) f(x) x

f(x + x) f(x) Instantaneous rate of change = mtan = limx0 x (Slope at a point)

2) The area problem- integral calculus


Uses rectangles to approximate the area under a curve.

Limits:

Yes finally some calculus!

Objective: To understand the definition of a limit and to graphically determine the left and right limits and to algebraically determine the value of a limit.

If the function f(x) becomes arbitrarily close to a single number L (a y-value) as x approaches c from either side, then limxc f(x) = L.
*A limit is looking for the height of a curve at some x = c. *L must be a fixed, finite number. One-Sided Limits: limxc+ f(x) =L1 Height of the curve approach x = c from the right limxc- f(x) =L2 Height of the curve approach x = c from the left

Definition of Limit:
If limxc+f(x) = limxc-f(x) = L then,

limxcf(x)=L (Again, L must be a fixed, finite number.)


Examples:
f(2) =

lim

x 2+
x 2

f( x) =
f(x) =

lim

x 4 +
x 4

f(x) =
f( x) =

lim

lim

lim

x 2

f(x) =

limx4 f( x) =
f(4) =
limx f(x) =

f(2) =

limx + f( x) =

lim

f(x) = x 0 +
x 0

lim

x 4 +
x 4

f(x) =
f( x) =

lim

lim

f(x) =

lim

x 3+

f(x) =

lim

x 6 +
x 6

f(x) =
f(x) =

lim

lim

x 0

f(x) =

f(x) = x 3
x 3

lim

lim x4 f( x) =
f(4) =
lim x f(x) =

lim

f(x) =

limx6 f(x) = f(6) =


lim x f(x) =

f(0) =

f(3) =

lim x + f( x) =

limx + f( x) =

Basic Limits (for the book part)


limx4 2x 5 = limx-3 x2 = limxcos x = limx1sin

( 2x= )

Important things to note:


The limit of a function at x = c does not depend on the value of f(c). The limit only exists when the limit from the right equals the limit from the left and the value is a FIXED, FINITE #! A common limit you need to memorize: limx 0 sin x =
(see proof page 63 )

Limits fail to exist: (ask for pictures) 1. Unbounded behavior not finite 2. Oscillating behavior not fixed 3. limx c + f(x) limx c f(x) - fails def of limit Do you understand how to graphically find a limit? Assign: WS and bookwork for 1.2

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