Physics Forums (http://www.physicsforums.com/index.php)
-   Calculus & Beyond Homework (http://www.physicsforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=156)
-   -   Class example: limit of a function using definition (http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=550205)

 PirateFan308 Nov13-11 06:12 PM

Class example: limit of a function using definition

I am having trouble understanding how to find the limit of a function (using the definition of a limit). I have a class example, and was wondering if anyone could walk me through the steps.

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Using the definition of the limit to show that limx→2(x2)=4
f(x) = x2
c=2
L=4

Given an arbitrary ε>0, take δ=min{1,ε/5}
If x≠2 and |x-2|<δ then |x-2|<1 and |x-2|< ε/5
|f(x)-L| = |x2-4| = |(x-2)(x+2)| = |x-2||x+2|
|x-2|<1 => 1<x<3 => 3<x+2<5 => |x+2|<5
|x-2||x+2| < (ε/5)(5) = ε so |f(x)-L|<ε

2. Relevant equations
We say that lim f(x)x→c=L if:
$\forall$ε>0 $\exists$δ>0 $\forall$x$\in$dom f if x≠c and |x-c|<δ then |f(x)-ε|<L

3. The attempt at a solution
The biggest thing I am confused about is how the professor got δ? Did he have to do the later work first and then went back and plugged in the answer he got?

Also, in the definition, it says that then |f(x)-ε|<L but we ended up getting |f(x)-L|<ε. Why is this? I understand that we can rearrange the equation, but then doesn't this mess up the absolute value signs?

 SammyS Nov13-11 07:11 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Quote:
 Quote by PirateFan308 (Post 3614308) I am having trouble understanding how to find the limit of a function (using the definition of a limit). I have a class example, and was wondering if anyone could walk me through the steps. 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data Using the definition of the limit to show that limx→2(x2)=4 f(x) = x2 c=2 L=4 Given an arbitrary ε>0, take δ=min{1,ε/5} If x≠2 and |x-2|<δ then |x-2|<1 and |x-2|< ε/5 |f(x)-L| = |x2-4| = |(x-2)(x+2)| = |x-2||x+2| |x-2|<1 => 1 3 |x+2|<5 |x-2||x+2| < (ε/5)(5) = ε so |f(x)-L|<ε 2. Relevant equations We say that lim f(x)x→c=L if: $\forall$ε>0 $\exists$δ>0 $\forall$x$\in$dom f if x≠c and |x-c|<δ then |f(x)-ε|
"The biggest thing I am confused about is how the professor got δ? Did he have to do the later work first and then went back and plugged in the answer he got?"
Your professor likely did some scratch work, starting with |x2-4|<ε, and then getting his result for δ.
"in the definition, it says that then |f(x)-ε|<L but we ended up getting |f(x)-L|<ε"

It should be |f(x)-L|<ε in the definition.

 Dick Nov13-11 07:15 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

|f(x)-epsilon|<L is a typo. |f(x)-L|<epsilon is the correct form. And yes, the professor figured out a delta using the later work and then went back and plugged it in.

 PirateFan308 Nov13-11 07:19 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Another question, is there more than one δ that will prove this?
Say, Given an arbitrary ε>0, take δ=min{2,ε/6}
If x≠2 and |x-2|<δ, then |x-2|<2 and |x-2|<ε/6
|f(x)-L| = |x2-4| = |(x+2)(x-2)| = |x+2||x-2|
|x-2|<2 => -2<x-2<2 => 0<x<4 => 2<x+2<6 => |x+2|<6
|x-2||x+2| < (6)(ε/6) = ε so |f(x)-L|<ε

 Dick Nov13-11 07:27 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Quote:
 Quote by PirateFan308 (Post 3614399) Another question, is there more than one δ that will prove this? Say, Given an arbitrary ε>0, take δ=min{2,ε/6} If x≠2 and |x-2|<δ, then |x-2|<2 and |x-2|<ε/6 |f(x)-L| = |x2-4| = |(x+2)(x-2)| = |x+2||x-2| |x-2|<2 => -2 0 2 |x+2|<6 |x-2||x+2| < (6)(ε/6) = ε so |f(x)-L|<ε
Sure, that choice works just as well.

 SammyS Nov13-11 07:27 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Yes, there are many ways to come up with δ .

 PirateFan308 Nov13-11 07:33 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Why is it that I must say d=min{1,ε/5}? Would it also work if I said that δ=1,ε/5. I'm a bit fuzzy on how the "min" makes this true, or the absence of "min" makes it false.

 Harrisonized Nov13-11 07:39 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Maybe this will help? It has the definition you're looking for and many examples with solutions. Look at problems 4 and 5.

http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~kouba/C...ciseLimit.html

 SammyS Nov13-11 07:40 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Quote:
 Quote by PirateFan308 (Post 3614417) Why is it that I must say d=min{1,ε/5}? Would it also work if I said that δ=1,ε/5. I'm a bit fuzzy on how the "min" makes this true, or the absence of "min" makes it false.
If ε > 5, then if you say that δ > ε/5, the proof won't work.

Let's say ε = 10.

Then the claim would be that δ = 2 will satisfy the definition.
But if x=3.9, then f(3.99)=15.21, so |f(3.99)-2| = 13.21 > 10

 PirateFan308 Nov13-11 07:48 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Quote:
 Quote by SammyS (Post 3614427) If ε > 5, then if you say that δ > ε/5, the proof won't work.
So is it standard procedure to always take δ=min if there is more than one condition? Will it ever be wrong for me to make δ=min ?

 Dick Nov13-11 07:50 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Quote:
 Quote by PirateFan308 (Post 3614417) Why is it that I must say d=min{1,ε/5}? Would it also work if I said that δ=1,ε/5. I'm a bit fuzzy on how the "min" makes this true, or the absence of "min" makes it false.
In the proof you used that d<=1 AND d<=epsilon/5. min(1,epsilon/5) is less than or equal to both of them. d=1 doesn't work if you pick a small epsilon. d=epsilon/5 doesn't work if you pick a large epsilon. Try it.

 PirateFan308 Nov14-11 05:37 PM

Re: Class example: limit of a function using definition

Thank you! This makes so much more sense now!

 All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:06 PM.