Definition of a Limit - Maple Help
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Definition of Limit

Main Concept

The precise definition of a limit states that:

 

Let   be a function defined on an open interval containing  (except possibly at ) and let  be a real number.

 

Define the limit of   at  to be , or write

 

 

if the following statement is true:


For any e > 0  there is a d > 0 such that whenever

   

then also

  .

 

Suppose you want to prove that a certain function has a limit. What exactly needs to be determined?

An input range in which there is a corresponding output. (A positive d so that .)

Example 1

Prove:

Note: .

Remember you are trying to prove that:

For all , there exists a such that:

if then .

Step1: Determine what to choose for

Substitute all values into .

 

The relation has been simplified to the form , if you choose .

 

Step 2: Assume  , and use that relation to prove that .

Substitute values for  and .

Follow the instructions, using different functions  , values of , e and d to observe graphically why the proof works.

 

1. Choose a function:

2. Choose a value for :

c  =

3. Ask for an :

=

4. Try to choose  small enough so that  implies .T. If the blue strip is a river, and the purple strip is a bridge, then the function (green) must only cross the river where the bridge is!

 

 =

5. If it's not possible to choose such a , the function  does not have a limit at the point  !

 

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