Limits IntroGraphical REV
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smtm06Limits IntroGraphical REV
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smtm06LIMITS: AN INTUITIVE MOTIVATION
2 1
Consider the function given by ( ) =
1
Note that for the given function , the value of can never be
equal to 1. But can approach the value 1 from the left and
from the right.
As approaches 1 from the left, the function also approaches
a certain value. We call this value the limit of as approaches
1 from the left, denoted
lim ()
1
In this case,
lim () = 2
1
Similarly, the limit of as approaches 1 from the right,
denoted
lim+ () = 2
1
Remark:
()
exists and is equal to L if and only if
() = + () =
2 1
The limit of the function ( ) = as approaches 1 is 2
1
that is,
lim () = 2
1
Definition of a Limit of a Function (laymans POV)
The limit of the function f as x approaches a value, say a,
denoted by
lim ()
is the value that the function f approaches as gets closer to
the value a from the left and from the right.
lim f ( x) - limit of the function as approaches from
x a
the left
lim f ( x) - limit of the function as approaches from
x a
the right
y=f(x)
x
a
Determining Limits of a function through Graphs
1.
y
y=f(x)
2.
y
x x
y=g(x) y=h(x)
y y
x
a a
Note:
the limit of a function as approaches does not have to
be the value of the function at =
That is, it is not always the case that
() = ()
3.
y
y=F(x)
4.
y
y=m(x)
5.
y
y=g(x)
6. Given the graph of the function below, determine
the following: (Note: the line x=1 is not part of the function f)
y
lim + () = _____ (0) = ______
4
lim () = _____ lim+ () = _____
1
4
lim () = _____ lim () = _____
1
4
lim + () = _____ lim () = _____
1
2
lim () = _____ (1) = ____
1
lim+ () = _____
(1) = _____ 2
lim () = _____ lim () = _____
2
0
lim+ () = _____ lim () = _____
2
0
lim () = _____ (2) = ______
0