1 Functions, Limits and Continuity
1 Functions, Limits and Continuity
2. Variable – a quantity whose value may change in the problem Example: Area of a circle
Ac =π r 2
3. Functions A = _________________
π = _________________
- Set of ordered pairs on numbers (x,y) in which no two distinct ordered pairs r = _________________
have the same first number. The set of all possible values of x is called the
domain of the function, and the collection of resulting values of y is called The function concept may be extended to relations between more than two variables.
the range of the function. The numbers x and y variables. A function like |x| z = f(x,y)
is said to be defined in pieces. Example:
- maybe single-valued or multi-valued depending on how many variables will 1. The volume of a cylinder
have for a given value of the independent variables. The first variable is said 2. Evaluate the values of the functions given
to be the function of the second variable when the first depends on the a. f ( x )=x 3 +2 x−1
value on the second variable. Required: a) f(-1)
General notation b) f(2)
If y and x are variables 2
b. f ( y ) = y + 5 y −4
Then, y=f(x) Required: a) f(t+1)
- A function determines a correspondence between the domain and the 3. The area of a rectangle is six in2. Express the perimeter P of the rectangle as a
range. For each number x in the domain, there corresponds one and only function of the length x of one side.
one number in y in the range.
Seatwork:
Example: Identify whether the equation is a function and give the domain or if 1. If f ( x )=x 2−4 x , find ( a ) f (−5 ) , ( b ) f ( y 2+ 1 ) , ( c ) f ( x+ Δ x ) , ( d ) f ( x +1 )−f ( x −1 )
not give the reason.
1. 2. If y=tan ( x−π ), find x as a function of y
x 2+ 3
2. 3. If y= , find x as a function of y
y
4. A right circular cylinder, a radius of base x, height y, in inscribed in a right
circular cone, radius of base r and height h. Express y as a function of x (r and
h are constants).
OPERATIONS ON FUNCTIONS
Given two functions f and g:
i. Their sum, denoted by f+g, is the function defined by Table 1
( f + g )( x )=f ( x )+ g ( x)
ii. Their difference, denoted by f-g, is the function defined by
( f −g ) ( x )=f ( x )−g(x )
iii. Their product, denoted by f ∙ g, is the function defined by
( f ∙ g ) ( x ) =f ( x ) ∙ g(x)
iv. Their difference, denoted by f/g, is the function defined by
( fg ) ( x )= gf (x)
(x)
where g(x) ≠ 0 Table 2
The table 1 shows that when x is near 3, whether a little less or little greater than 3,
COMPOSITE FUNCTION
Given two functions f and g, the composite function, denoted by f ° g and read as f of g, is f ( x )=x 2 is nearer 9. In other words, “x2 approaches the number 9 as a limit when x
defined by ( f ° g ) ( x ) =f (g ( x)) and the domain of f ° g is the set of all numbers x in the approaches 3”. The abbreviated symbolic form for this statement is
domain of g such that g(c) is in the domain of f. x 2 → 9 as x →3
The composite function is associative. We may also say that “the limit of x2 as x approaches 3 is 9.” In symbol, we write this as
lim x 2=9
x →3
Objectives:
Use the definition of limit to estimate the limits.
From the discussion above, we may formulate the following definition of limit of a function.
Determine whether limits of function exist.
Use properties of limits and direct substitution to evaluate limits. Definition
Concept:
Let f(x) be any function and let a and L be numbers. If we can make f(x) as close to L
The notion of a limit is a fundamental concept of calculus.
as we please by choosing x sufficiently close to a then we say that the limit of f(x) as
In this chapter, you will learn how to evaluate limits and how to use them in the two basic x approaches a is L or symbolically
problems of calculus: The Tangent line and the area problem lim f ( x )=L
x→ a
This means that no matter how close x gets to 0, there will be both positive and negative x-
8. Limit of a power function
values that yield f (x) = 1 and f (x) = –1.
lim ¿ ¿
x→ a This implies that the limit does not exist.
We assume that f(x) and g(x) are defined for all values in some interval containing “a”, Assignment: (Functions and Limits)
except possibly as “a” itself. Feliciano and Uy. Differential & Integral Calculus
Page 3 (numbers 4,6 & 9)
Note: Page 8 (numbers 3, 4 & 5)
lim ¿ : right side of “a”
+¿
x→ a f (x)¿
Read:
lim ¿ : left side of “a” 1. One-sided limits
−¿
x→ a f (x)¿
2. Limits and infinity
Example: Evaluate the limit of the following functions and simplify 3. Infinite limits
4. Continuity of functions/limits
Graph