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Module3A WhatIsLimit Calculus

This document provides an introduction to the concept of limit in calculus. It defines a limit as the value that a function f(x) approaches as x approaches a certain value. It explains that the limit may or may not be equal to the value of f(x) at that point, and gives examples to illustrate this. It also discusses continuity and discontinuity, and how to evaluate simple limits by direct substitution. The purpose is to give students an initial overview before covering derivatives, where limits are used in the definition.

Uploaded by

Dhuanne Estrada
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
26 views

Module3A WhatIsLimit Calculus

This document provides an introduction to the concept of limit in calculus. It defines a limit as the value that a function f(x) approaches as x approaches a certain value. It explains that the limit may or may not be equal to the value of f(x) at that point, and gives examples to illustrate this. It also discusses continuity and discontinuity, and how to evaluate simple limits by direct substitution. The purpose is to give students an initial overview before covering derivatives, where limits are used in the definition.

Uploaded by

Dhuanne Estrada
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Limit

(A concept in Calculus)

By Dalos “Dale” D. Miguel

School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and


Information Studies

Saint Louis University

Baguio City

1
Differentiation

Module 3- Preliminary

CS 132 - Mathematics for Computer Science

2
Objective

• Explain the concept of LIMIT

3
Limit
(A concept in Calculus)

• A limit is associated to a function, f(x). The function f(x)


has a limit as x approaches a certain value.

Notation: Limitxa f(x)

• The limit of f(x) as x approaches the specified value, a, is


the value that is approached by f(x). The value of f(x) as x
approaches a MAY BE f(a).

4
Limit
(A concept in Calculus)

• Consider f(x) = (x-2)/(x-2).

• Notice that if x is equal to 2, f(x) is undefined.

• (x-2) =( 2-2) = 0

• Hence, (x-2)/(x-2) = 0/0

• 0/0 is undefined!

• A value for f(x) is defined for x=1.999999… and below as


well as for x=2.000001… and above. F(x) is NOT defined
for x=2.

5
Limit
(A concept in Calculus)

• Consider f(x) = (x-2)/(x-2).


• A value for f(x) is defined for x=1.999999… and below as well as for x=2.000001…
and above.
if x=1.9 , f(x)=f(1.9)= (1.9 - 2)/(1.9 -2) = -0.1/-0.1=1
…
If x=1.99, f(x)=f(1.99)=(1.99-2)/(1.99-2) = -0.01/-0.01=1
…
If x=2, f(x) = f(2) = (2-2)/(2-2) = 0/0 = undefined
…
If x=2.01, f(x)=f(2.01) =(2.01-2)/(2.01-2) = 0.01/0.01=1
…
If x=2.1, f(x)=f(2.1) = (2.1-2)/(2.1-2) = 0.1/0.1 = 1

• We cannot say f(x)=1 when x=2. We can only say the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2
from the left is 1.
Notation:
Limx2 f(x)

6
Limit and Continuity
• The curve corresponding to an f(x) can be discontinuous
for a certain value of x

• f(x) = (x-1)/(x-1) is discontinuous at x=1.

• For any point in the curve for f(x), x is abscissa and f(x)
is ordinate. [i.e. y=f(x)= (x-1)/(x-1)]

• f(x) is undefined when x = 1 [ The point (1, 0/0) does not


exist)

7
Limit and Continuity

• The curve corresponding to an f(x) can be discontinuous a


for a certain value of x

• f(x) = (x-1)/(x-1) is discontinuous at x=1.

Graph

8
Limit and Continuity

• Consider f(x) as follows

x2 if x  2
f(x) =
2 if x=2

• The f(x) is discontinuous

9
Limit and Continuity

• Consider y=f(x) as follows

x2 if x  2
y=f(x) =
2 if x=2

• The y=f(x) is discontinuous

10
Calculus is about
functions.
• In Calculus(i.e. Differential Calculus), inference is made
out of a given y=f(x)

• y=f(x) can be continuous, that is, f(x) is defined for every


possible value of x.

• y=f(x) can have a point of discontinuity, that is, a value for


f(x) can only be approached. Theoretically, the
approached value cannot be a value of f(x).

11
Evaluating limits

• Understanding limits entails understanding a lot of


concepts.

• For our introductory course, we look at the simple cases


where limits are computed.

• For simple cases, the limit of f(x) as x approaches a value,


say v, is derived by simply substituting v in f(x).

12
Evaluating limits

• For simple cases, the limit of f(x) as x approaches a value,


say v, is derived by simply substituting v in f(x).

Determine the limit of f(x)=x2+1 as x approaches 2.

Limx2 (x2+1) = (2)2 + 1 = 4 + 1 =5

Note, again, that 5 is an approached value

13
Evaluating limits
Limt1 ((t+1)2/2(t2+3)) = ?

Limt1 ((t+1)2/2(t2+3)) = ((1+1)2/2(12+3))

= (2)2/2(1+3)

=(4)/2(4)

=4/8

= 1/2

14
We will just have a “taste”
of Calculus!
• Calculus is a very lengthy course. In fact, Pre-Calculus used
to be studied by undergraduate students through two courses:

• Differential Calculus that was done in about one-hour per


day for 5 days in a week meeting for one school term (one
semester)

• Integral Calculus that was done in about one-hour per day


for 5 days in a week meeting for one school term(one
semester!)

• DO NOT BE PRESSURED THOUGH. The topics that we will


cover are the essential introductory concepts. (If you think it is
simple, it will be simple else it will not be.)

15
Why this Presentation?

• The concept of limit is used in the definition of the first


derivative.

• You can now look at the presentation on the FIRST


DERIVATIVE.

16

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