Definition of the limit

IDEA OF THE LIMIT

1. The table below shows some values of a function g(x). What does the
table show for the value of lim g(x)?
x→4

x g(x)
3.9 1.9748
3.99 1.9975
3.999 1.9997
4.001 2.0002
4.01 2.0025
4.1 2.0248

Solution:

We see that when x approaches 4 both from the left and right sides, g(x)
approaches 2. Then lim g(x) = 2.
x→4

2. How would we express, mathematically, the limit of the function

f (x) = x 2 − x + 2 as x approaches 3?

Solution:

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When a is the value that x approaches, and f (x) is the given function, the
limit is written as

lim f (x)
x→a

In this case x approaches 3 so a = 3, and the function is f (x) = x 2 − x + 2. So

we’d write the limit as

lim(x 2 − x + 2)
x→3

3. How would you write the limit of g(x) as x approaches ∞, using correct
mathematical notation?

5x 2 − 7
g(x) = 2
3x + 8

Solution:

When a is the value that x approaches, and g(x) is the given function, the
limit is written as

lim g(x)
x→a

In this case x approaches ∞ so a = ∞, and the function is

5x 2 − 7
g(x) = 2
3x + 8

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So we’d write the limit as

5x 2 − 7
lim
x→∞ 3x 2 + 8

4. Explain what is meant by the equation.

lim (x 3 + 2) = − 6
x→−2

Solution:

Break down the given limit into its component parts.

• x approaches −2

• the function is f (x) = x 3 + 2

• the value of the limit is −6

Putting these pieces together gives a full statement about the limit:

“The limit as x approaches −2 of the function f (x) = x 3 + 2 is equal to

−6.”

5. Evaluate the limit.

−x 2 + 3x − 1
lim
x→−1 5

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Solution:

To evaluate the limit,

−x 2 + 3x − 1
lim
x→−1 5

plug the value that’s being approached into the function, then simplify the
result.

−(−1)2 + 3(−1) − 1
5

−1 − 3 − 1
5

5
−
5

−1

6. Evaluate the limit.

x2 − 5
lim
x→0 2

Solution:

To evaluate the limit,

4
 x2 − 5
lim
x→0 2

plug the value that’s being approached into the function, then simplify the
answer.

02 − 5
2

−5
2

5
−
2

5
ONE-SIDED LIMITS

1. Find the limit.

lim + x 2 x + 7
x→−7

Solution:

The value of the limit is 0.

x -6.09 -6.9 -6.99 -6.999 -6.9999 -7

Value 35.38 15.056 4.886 1.5481 0.48999 0

We see that as x approaches −7 from the right, the value of the function
approaches 0. Then lim + x 2 x + 7 = 0. We could also graph the function to
x→−7

visually analyze its limit.

2. What does the graph of f (x) say about the value of lim + f (x)?
x→−1

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Solution:

The positive sign after the −1 indicates that we’re talking about the limit as
we approach −1 from the positive, or right side of −1. From the graph, we
see that the limit is

lim f (x) = − 2
x→−1+

3. The table shows values of k(x). What is lim − k(x)?

x→−5

x -5.1 -5.01 -5.0001 -5 -4.999 -4.99 -4.9

k(x) -392.1 -3,812 -38,012 ? 37,988 3,788 368.1

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Solution:

The negative sign after the −5 indicates that we’re talking about the limit
as we approach −5 from the negative, or left side. From the table, we see
that as we get very close to x = − 5 on the left side, the function’s value is
trending toward −∞, but as we get very close to x = − 5 on the right side,
the function’s value is trending toward ∞. So the left-hand limit is

lim − k(x) = − ∞
x→−5

4. What is lim − h(x)?

x→−2

−2x − 1 x<−2
h(x) = x −2 ≤ x < 2
2x − 3 x≥2

Solution:

The graph of h(x) is

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Based on the graph, the limit is 3. Or we could plug into the first piece of
the function, which is the piece that approaches x = − 2 from the left side.

lim − h(x) = [−2(−2) − 1] = 3

x→−2

5. What is lim+ g(x)?

x→6

x 2 + x − 42
g(x) =
x−6

Solution:

We could tell that the limit is 13 by making a table,

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 x 6 6.001 6.01 6.1
g(x) ? 13.001 13.01 13.1

Alternatively, we could have factored the numerator, canceled like terms,

and then evaluated at the limit.

x 2 + x − 42
g(x) =
x−6

(x + 7)(x − 6)
g(x) =
x−6

g(x) = x + 7

Then the limit is

lim+ x + 7
x→6

6+7

13

6. Find the left- and right-hand limits of the function at x = 3.

|x − 3|
f (x) =
x−3

Solution:

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This function includes | x − 3 | , which is the absolute value of x − 3. When
x < 3, | x − 3 | = − (x − 3), so the left-hand limit is

−(x − 3)
lim
x→3− x − 3

−1
1

−1

When x > 3, | x − 3 | = x − 3, so the right-hand limit is

x−3
lim+
x→3 x−3

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PROVING THAT THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST

1. Prove that the limit does not exist.

−2 | 3x |
lim
x→0 3x

Solution:

The left-hand limit is

−2 | 3x | −2(−3x) 6x
lim− = lim− = =2
x→0 3x x→0 3x 3x

The right-hand limit is

−2 | 3x | −2(3x) −6x
lim+ = lim+ = =−2
x→0 3x x→0 3x 3x

Since the left- and right-hand limits aren’t equal, the limit does not exist.
The graph of the function would also prove that the limit doesn’t exist.

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 2. Prove that the limit does not exist.

x 2 + 7x + 9
lim
x→−5 x 2 − 25

Solution:

The left-hand limit is

x 2 + 7x + 9 (−5.001)2 + 7(−5.001) + 9
lim = = − 99.69
x→−5.001 x − 25
2 (−5.001) − 25
2

x 2 + 7x + 9
lim =−∞
x→−5− x 2 − 25

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The right-hand limit is

x 2 + 7x + 9 (−4.999)2 + 7(−4.999) + 9
lim = = 100.31
x→−4.999 x 2 − 25 (−4.999)2 − 25

x 2 + 7x + 9
lim =∞
x→−5+ x 2 − 25

Since the left- and right-hand limits aren’t equal, the limit does not exist.
The graph of the function would also prove that the limit doesn’t exist.

3. Prove that lim f (x) does not exist.

x→1

{3x − 2
−3x + 2 x<1
f (x) =
x≥1

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Solution:

The left-hand limit is

lim− f (x) = lim− (−3x + 2) = [−3(1) + 2] = − 1

x→1 x→1

The right-hand limit is

lim+ f (x) = lim+ (3x − 2) = [3(1) − 2] = 1

x→1 x→1

Because the left- and right-hand limits aren’t equal, the limit does not
exist.

lim− f (x) ≠ lim+ f (x)

x→1 x→1

4. Use the graph to determine whether or not the limit exists at x = 0.

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Solution:

At x = 0, the function is approaching 5 from the left side and approaching 5

from the right side. So if we say that the graph represents the function f (x),
then the one-sided limits are

lim− f (x) = 5
x→0

lim+ f (x) = 5
x→0

Because the left- and right-hand limits are equal, we’ve proven that the
general limit of the function exists at x = 0 and is equal to 5.

lim f (x) = 5
x→0

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 5. Suppose we know that lim f (x) = 12. If possible, determine the values of
x→5

the one-sided limits.

lim− f (x)
x→5

lim f (x)
x→5+

Solution:

If the general limit exists at a point x = c, then the left- and right-hand limits
exist at x = c and are equal to one another. Because the general limit
exists, we know that the one-sided limits also exist, and they must both be
equal to the value of the general limit. Therefore,

lim− f (x) = lim+ f (x) = 12

x→5 x→5

6. Prove that the limit does not exist.

x2 − 4
lim
x→−2 (x + 2)2

Solution:

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The left-hand limit is

x2 − 4 (−2.001)2 − 4
lim = = 4,001
x→−2.001 (x + 2)2 (−2.001 + 2)2

x2 − 4
lim =∞
x→−2− (x + 2)2

The right-hand limit is

x2 − 4 (−1.999)2 − 4
lim = = − 3,999
x→−1.999 (x + 2) 2 (−1.999 + 2) 2

x2 − 4
lim + =−∞
x→−2 (x + 2) 2

Since the left- and right-hand limits aren’t equal, the limit does not exist.
Graphing the function shows the unequal one-sided limits.

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PRECISE DEFINITION OF THE LIMIT

1. Use the precise definition of the limit to prove the value of the limit.

lim(5x − 16) = 4
x→4

Solution:

If 0 < | x − 4 | < δ, then | (5x − 16) − 4 | < ϵ. So,

| 5x − 20 | < ϵ

| 5(x − 4) | < ϵ

|5| ⋅ |x − 4| < ϵ

5 ⋅ |x − 4| < ϵ
ϵ
|x − 4| <
5

Now if | x − 4 | < ϵ/5 and 0 < | x − 4 | < δ, then if ϵ > 0 then δ = ϵ/5. Therefore,
the limit equation is true.

2. Use the precise definition of the limit to prove the value of the limit.

lim (−2x + 15) = 29

x→−7

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Solution:

If 0 < | x − (−7) | < δ then | − 2x + 15 − 29 | < ϵ. Or we could rewrite this as

0 < | x + 7 | < δ and | − 2x − 14 | < ϵ. So,

| (−2)(x + 7) | < ϵ

| − 2| ⋅ |x + 7| < ϵ

2 ⋅ |x + 7| < ϵ
ϵ
|x + 7| <
2

Now if | x + 7 | < ϵ/2 and 0 < | x + 7 | < δ, then if ϵ > 0 then δ = ϵ/2. Therefore,
the limit equation is true.

3. Use the precise definition of the limit to prove the value of the limit.

( )
2 17
lim x− =3
x→16 5 5

Solution:

If 0 < | x − 16 | < δ then ((2/5)x − (17/5)) − 3 < ϵ. Or we could rewrite this as

0 < | x − 16 | < δ and

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 (5 5) 5
2 17 15
x− − <ϵ

2 32
x− <ϵ
5 5

2
(x − 16) < ϵ
5

2
| x − 16 | < ϵ
5

5
| x − 16 | < ϵ
2

Now if | x − 16 | < (5/2)ϵ and 0 < | x − 16 | < δ, then if ϵ > 0, then δ = (5/2)ϵ.
Therefore, the limit equation is true.

4. Use the precise definition of the limit to prove the value of the limit.

x 2 − 15x + 56
lim =−1
x→7 x−7

Solution:

We’ll apply the precise definition to the given limit.

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 ( )
x 2 − 15x + 56
If 0 < | x − 7 | < δ, then − (−1) < ϵ.
x−7

( )
x 2 − 15x + 56 −1(x − 7)
If 0 < | x − 7 | < δ, then − < ϵ.
x−7 x−7

So,

( ) x−7
x 2 − 15x + 56 x−7
+ <ϵ
x−7

x 2 − 14x + 49
<ϵ
x−7

(x − 7)(x − 7)
<ϵ
x−7

|x − 7| < ε

Now, if | x − 7 | < ϵ and 0 < | x − 7 | < δ, then if ϵ > 0 and δ = ϵ. Therefore, the
limit equation is true.

5. Find δ when f (x) = 2x − 5, such that if 0 < | x − 1 | < δ then | f (x) + 3 | < 0.1.

Solution:

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We want to use the value for ϵ to determine the δ value by remembering
from the precise definition of the limit that

if 0 < | x − a | < δ then | f (x) − L | < ϵ

If 0 < | x − 1 | < δ then | 2x − 5 + 3 | < ϵ = 0.1, and we can rewrite this second
inequality as

| 2x − 2 | < 0.1

| 2 | ⋅ | x − 1 | < 0.1

2 ⋅ | x − 1 | < 0.1

0.1
|x − 1| <
2

| x − 1 | < 0.05

So,

δ = 0.05

6. Find a value of δ given ϵ = 0.04.

lim(x − 2)2 = 0
x→2

Solution:

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We want to use the value for ϵ to determine the δ value by remembering
from the precise definition of the limit that

if 0 < | x − a | < δ then | f (x) − L | < ϵ

If 0 < | x − 2 | < δ, then | (x − 2)2 − 0 | < ϵ, and we can rewrite this second
inequality as

| (x − 2)2 | < ϵ

|x − 2| < ϵ

So,

δ= ϵ= 0.04 = 0.2

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