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:LinearQuadraticCubicInverseStep
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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