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
x
) x ( f ) x x ( f
lim m
0 x tan
A
A +
= =
A
Instantaneous rate of change
(Slope at a point)
x
) x ( f ) x x ( f
slope m change of rate . Avg
sec
A
A +
= = =
(Slope between 2 points)
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 lim
xc
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:
lim
xc+
f(x) =L
1
Height of the curve approach x = c
from the right
lim
xc-
f(x) =L
2
Height of the curve approach x = c
from the left

Definition of Limit:
If lim
xc+
f(x) = lim
xc-
f(x) = L then,
lim
xc
f(x)=L (Again, L must be a fixed, finite number.)
f(2) =
f(2) =
lim ( )
x
f x

+
=
2
lim ( )
x
f x

+
=
4
lim ( )
x
f x

=
2
lim ( )
x
f x

=
2
lim ( )
x
f x
+
=
lim ( )
x
f x

=
4
lim ( )
x
f x

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

=
Examples:
=
+

) x ( f lim
0 x
lim ( )
x
f x

+
=
4
=

) x ( f lim
0 x
=

) x ( f lim
0 x
lim ( )
x
f x
+
=
lim ( )
x
f x

=
4
lim ( )
x
f x

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

=
f(0) =
=
+

) x ( f lim
3 x
=
+

) x ( f lim
6 x
=

) x ( f lim
3 x
=

) x ( f lim
3 x
lim ( )
x
f x
+
=
=

) x ( f lim
6 x
=

) x ( f lim
6 x
f(6) =
lim ( )
x
f x

=
f(3) =
Basic Limits (for the book part)
lim
x4
2x 5 =

lim
x-3
x
2
=

lim
xt
cos x =

lim
x1
sin =

( )
2
x
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:
(see proof page 63 )
Limits fail to exist: (ask for pictures)
1. Unbounded behavior not finite
2. Oscillating behavior not fixed
3. - fails def of limit
=

x
x sin
lim
0 x
) x ( f lim ) x ( f lim
c x c x +
=
Do you understand how to graphically find a limit?
Assign: WS and bookwork for 1.2