Finding One-Sided Limits: The Simplest Way

  • Thread starter mooneh
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In summary, the right hand limit of \sqrt{1-x} is undefined because, if x=1+h, then the root of negative 1 does not exist but the left hand limit does exist and is 0.
  • #1
mooneh
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heey, i know how to find limits but i can't find limits from the left and from the right
can someone pleasezzzz show me the simplist way to do it
thx
 
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  • #2
suppose
you want to find limit when x tends to a
substitute x with a+h
now find the directive limit for h tends to 0
you see that only difference in both limits is the sign of h,value remain same
so take underconsideration the sign and substitute 0 in function if it is defined for both sides
 
  • #3
can u give me an example ?
 
  • #4
If you can find "limits", then "one-sided limits" should be easy!

Here's one easy example:
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 1^+} x^2[/tex]
Since [itex]x^2[/itex] has a (regular) limit, 1, the two one-sided limits (from the left and right) must be the same:
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 1^+} x^2= \lim_{x\rightarrow 1^-} x^2= 1[/tex]

Here's a slightly harder example:
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 1^+} f(x)[/tex]
where f(x)= [itex]x^2[/itex] if x< 1 and if f(x)= x+ 4 if x> 1.
Of course, [itex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 1^+} f(x)[/itex] depends only on the value of the function for x> 1, this is exactly the same as
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 1} x+ 4[/itex]
which is 5.
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 1^+} f(x)= 5[/tex]
Similarly
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 1^-} f(x)= \lim_{x\rightarrow 1} x^2= 1[/tex]
In this case, since the two "one-sided" limits are different, the "limit" itself does not exist. Typically, you find one-sided limits in order to determine whether the "limit" itself exist and, if so, find the value of the limit. Also, typically, you find the one-sided limit by determining the "limit" for the function giving the value on that side of the point at which you are taking the limit.
 
  • #5
[tex]lim[/tex][tex]\sqrt{1-x}[/tex]
[tex]x\rightarrow 1[/tex]find right hand limit ,it is undefined because , if you by making x=1+h
then you see that root of negative no does not exist but left hand limit does exist and is 0
 
Last edited:

1. What is a one-sided limit?

A one-sided limit is a mathematical concept that describes the behavior of a function as it approaches a specific value from either the left or the right side of that value. It is used to determine the value that a function is approaching at a particular point, even if the function itself is undefined at that point.

2. How is a one-sided limit different from a regular limit?

A regular limit, also known as a two-sided limit, considers the behavior of a function as it approaches a value from both the left and right sides. A one-sided limit, on the other hand, only considers the behavior of a function from either the left or right side. This is because the function may behave differently depending on which side it is approaching from.

3. What is the simplest way to find a one-sided limit?

The simplest way to find a one-sided limit is to use the direct substitution method. This involves plugging in the value that the function is approaching into the function itself. If the resulting value is a finite number, then that is the one-sided limit. If the resulting value is undefined or infinite, then the one-sided limit does not exist.

4. Can a function have different one-sided limits at the same point?

Yes, it is possible for a function to have different one-sided limits at the same point. This can occur when the function approaches the point from different directions and behaves differently on each side. In this case, the overall limit of the function at that point does not exist.

5. How are one-sided limits used in real-life applications?

One-sided limits are commonly used in physics and engineering to model real-world situations. For example, a car's speed as it approaches a stop sign can be represented by a one-sided limit, as the car cannot travel backwards. They are also used in economics, finance, and statistics to analyze trends and make predictions based on past data.

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