Limits and Continuity in Calculus
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markfangrfcLimits and Continuity in Calculus
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Powered by AITo find \(\lim_{x \to 0}(1 - x)^{1/x}\), use the identity \((1 - x)^{1/x} = [(1 - x)^{-1/x}]^{-1}\) and recognize it as related to \(e^{\ln ((1- x)^{-1/x})}\). As \(x \rightarrow 0\), the inside mirrors the form defining \(e\), \((1 + h)^{1/h}\), where \(h = -x\), thus simplifying to \(e^{-1}\).
The function \(f(x)=\cos x/x\) at \(x=0\) is discontinuous because the form \(\cos x/x\) leads to an undefined expression at \(x=0\) (division by zero). However, using the limit \(\lim_{x \to 0} \cos x = 1\), the limit of \(1\) implies a removable discontinuity, suggestive of the function's value approaching a specific point. This acts as a foundation for evaluating trigonometric functions at limits around singularities, impacting numerical approximations and engineering applications .
The limit \(\lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{\sin x}{x}\) approaches 0, demonstrating that despite \(\sin x\) continuing to oscillate between -1 and 1, \(x\) growing unbounded causes the fraction's magnitude to diminish towards 0. This illustrates how an oscillatory function, under division by an unbounded term, exhibits a damping effect where the oscillation effect asymptotically vanishes .
The limit \(\lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{\sqrt{2x+1}}{x+4}\) involves dividing the numerator and denominator by \(x\): \(\frac{\sqrt{2x+1}}{x+4} = \frac{\sqrt{2x+1}/x}{1 + 4/x}\). Simplifying gives \(\frac{\sqrt{2 + 1/x}}{1 + 4/x}\), which approaches \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{1} = \sqrt{2}\) as \(x\) tends to infinity, because the terms with \(1/x\) vanish .
The limit \(\lim_{x \to a} f(x)g(x)\) does not exist when \(f(x)g(x)=1\) and \(\lim_{x \to a} g(x)=0\) because it suggests that \(f(x)\) must become unbounded to satisfy the equation \(f(x)g(x)=1\). As \(g(x)\) approaches zero, unless \(f(x)\) becomes infinite, the product cannot remain equal to 1, highlighting the discontinuity or undefined nature of \(f(x)\) near \(a\).
The limit \(\lim_{x \to 2^-} \frac{x^2-x-2}{|x-2|}\) exists and equals 1. The expression \(x^2-x-2\) factors to \((x-2)(x+1)\), and as \(x \to 2^-\), \(|x-2| = -(x-2)\) (since \(x-2\) is negative). This simplifies to \(-\frac{(x-2)(x+1)}{(x-2)} = -(x+1)\). Evaluating as \(x\) approaches 2 gives \(-3 + 2 = -1\), indicating the behavior of the function from the left .
The limit as \(h\) approaches 0 of \(((x+h)^2-x^2)/h\) is calculated as follows: Expand \((x+h)^2\) to get \(x^2 + 2xh + h^2\). Then, the expression becomes \((x^2 + 2xh + h^2 - x^2)/h = (2xh + h^2)/h\). Simplifying, we get \(2x + h\). As \(h\) approaches 0, the term \(h\) vanishes, and the limit is \(2x\). This uses the technique of algebraic simplification to find the limit .
For \(f(x) = ax + b\) to be continuous at \(x = 1\) where the piecewise definition changes, the values from the left (\(x < 1\)) must equal the value from the right (just after \(x = 1\)). Use \(f(x) = x + 1\) for \(x < 1\); this gives \(2\) at \(x = 1\). For continuity, \(ax + b\) must also yield \(2\) at \(x = 1\). Thus, \(a(1) + b = 2\), resulting in one equation: \(a + b = 2\).
The limit as \(x\) approaches 2 from the right for the function \(g(x)\) defined by its piecewise rules is \(-4\). For \(x \geq 2\), \(g(x) = -x^2\). Approaching from the right suggests evaluating \(g(x)\) with values slightly more than 2, thus using \(-x^2\) and substituting \(x = 2\) yields \(-4\).
The Intermediate Value Theorem states that for a continuous function which changes sign over an interval, there exists at least one root in that interval. By evaluating \(f(t) = (\cos t)t^3 + 6\sin^5 t - 3\), check values at the endpoints: \(f(0) = -3\) and \(f(\pi) = \cos\pi(\pi)^3 + 6\sin^5\pi - 3 = -(\pi)^3 - 3\) which can change sign when evaluated across \(t = 0\) to \(2\pi\). Since \(f(t)\) is continuous on \([0, 2\pi]\) and values vary from negative to possibly beyond zero, a root must exist .
