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Evaluating Limits Algebraically

This document discusses techniques for evaluating limits algebraically, including direct substitution, factoring, and the conjugate method. It provides examples of using each technique to evaluate specific limits. Key points are that evaluating a limit means finding a numerical answer, and substitution may not work if it produces a zero in the denominator, in which case factoring or the conjugate method should be tried instead.

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161 views13 pages

Evaluating Limits Algebraically

This document discusses techniques for evaluating limits algebraically, including direct substitution, factoring, and the conjugate method. It provides examples of using each technique to evaluate specific limits. Key points are that evaluating a limit means finding a numerical answer, and substitution may not work if it produces a zero in the denominator, in which case factoring or the conjugate method should be tried instead.

Uploaded by

ann urbina
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Limits

Algebraically
Objective

 To evaluate limits using algebra.

TS: Explicitly assess information and


draw conclusions.
How do you find (evaluate)
a limit?
 Key Point: Evaluate means you
should give a numerical answer.

 Techniques for Evaluating Limits


1) Substitution
2) Factoring
3) Conjugate Method
4) Table of Values
5) Graphing
When will direct substitution
not work?

 Substitution will not work if it


produces zero in the denominator
of a fraction.

 In this case, try factoring or the


conjugate method.
What is a conjugate?

 The first terms are the same and the


second terms are opposites.
expression: x −4
its conjugate: x +4
Direct Substitution

lim x + 2 x − 3
x →2
2
= (2) + 2(2) − 3
2

= 4+ 4−3
=5
Factoring
x −1
3
( x − 1)( x + x + 1)
2
lim
x→1 x − 1
= lim
x→1 x −1
= lim x 2 + x + 1
x→1

= (1) + (1) + 1
2

=3 Re member :
a 3 − b3 = ( a − b ) ( a 2 + ab + b 2 )
a 3 + b3 = ( a + b ) ( a 2 − ab + b 2 )
Factoring
x + x−6
2
( x + 3)( x − 2)
lim = lim
x→−3 x+3 x→−3 x+3
= lim x − 2
x→−3

= (−3) − 2

= −5
Conjugate Method
7+ x − 7 7+ x + 7
lim  =
x→0 x 7+ x + 7
7+0 − 7 0 7+ x−7
= = lim
0 0 x→0
(
x 7+ x + 7 )
x
= lim
x→0
x ( 7+ x + 7 )
1 1 1
= lim =
x→0 7+ x + 7 7+ 7 2 7
Limits Algebraically
( x + x) 2 − 3( x + x) + 2 − ( x 2 − 3x + 2)
lim =
x→0 x
x + 2 xx + (x) − 3x − 3x + 2 − x + 3x − 2
2 2 2
lim =
x→0 x
2 xx + (x) 2 − 3x
lim =
x→0 2x + 0 
− x3
x(2 x + x − 3)
lim =
x →0 x
This
means Δx
lim 2 x + x − 3 =
x→0
NOT x is
going to 0
2x − 3
Important Ideas About
Limits
1) If a function approaches the same
value from both the left and right sides,
then that value is the limit of the
function at that point.

If a function approaches different


values, then the limit does not exist
(DNE).
Important Ideas About
Limits
2) The value of a function at a
specific x has no bearing on the
existence or nonexistence of the
limit of the function.
Important Ideas About
Limits
3) Rather than saying that a limit
equals infinity we should say that
the limit does not exist (DNE),
because a limit should be a real
number.

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