The Idea of Limits

The Idea of
2
x 4
Limits
Consider the function f ( x)
x
f(x)

1.9 1.99 1.999 1.9999

x2

2.0001 2.001 2.01 2.1

The Idea of
2
x 4
Limits
Consider the function f ( x)
x

1.9 1.99 1.999 1.9999

f(x) 3.9 3.99 3.999 3.9999

x2

2.0001 2.001 2.01 2.1

un4.0001 4.001 4.01 4.1

defined

The Idea of
Limits
Consider the function g ( x) x 2
x

1.9 1.99 1.999 1.9999

2.0001 2.001 2.01 2.1

g(x) 3.9 3.99 3.999 3.9999

4.0001 4.001 4.01 4.1

g ( x) x 2

2
x
O

If a function f(x) is a continuous at x0,

f ( x) f ( x0 ) .
then xlim
x
0

approaches to,
but not equal to

lim f ( x) 4

x2

lim g ( x) 4
x2

The Idea of
x
Limits
Consider the function h( x)
x
g(x)

-4

-3

-2

-1

The Idea of
x
Limits
Consider the function h( x)
x

-4

-3

-2

-1

h(x) -1

-1

-1

-1

undefined

lim h( x) 1

x 0

lim h( x)

x0

lim h( x) 1

x 0

does not
exist.

A function f(x) has limit l at x0 if f(x) c

an be made as close to l as we please b
y taking x sufficiently close to (but not
equal to) x0. We write

lim f ( x) l

x x0