What is Limit: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In mathematics, the limit inferior and limit superior of a sequence can be thought of as limiting (i.e., eventual and extreme) bounds on the sequence. They can be thought of in a similar fashion for a function (see limit of a function). For a set, they are the infimum and supremum of the set's limit points, respectively. In general, when there are multiple objects around which a sequence, function, or set accumulates, the inferior and superior limits extract the smallest and largest of them; the type of object and the measure of size is context-dependent, but the notion of extreme limits is invariant.
Limit inferior is also called infimum limit, limit infimum, liminf, inferior limit, lower limit, or inner limit; limit superior is also known as supremum limit, limit supremum, limsup, superior limit, upper limit, or outer limit.

The limit inferior of a sequence




x

n




{\displaystyle x_{n}}
is denoted by





lim inf

n





x

n




or





lim
_



n






x

n


.


{\displaystyle \liminf _{n\to \infty }x_{n}\quad {\text{or}}\quad \varliminf _{n\to \infty }x_{n}.}
The limit superior of a sequence




x

n




{\displaystyle x_{n}}
is denoted by





lim sup

n





x

n




or





lim
¯



n






x

n


.


{\displaystyle \limsup _{n\to \infty }x_{n}\quad {\text{or}}\quad \varlimsup _{n\to \infty }x_{n}.}

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. S

    Finding derivative of x^x using limit definition

    I am trying to find the derivative of x^x using the limit definition and am unable to follow what I have read. Can someone help me understand why lim [(x+h)^h -1]/h as h ---> 0 = ln(x). This part of the derivatio
  2. C

    Evaluating a limit of a function of two variables

    I want to evaluate \displaystyle\lim_{(x,y)\to(-1,0)}\frac{y^4(x+1)}{|x+1|^3+2|y|^3} With some help, I was able to prove that the limit is 0, using Hölder's inequality. Like this: \left(|x+1|^3\right)^{1/5}\left(\frac{1}{2}|y|^3\right)^{4/5}\leq\frac{1}{5}|x+1|^3+\frac{4}{5}\frac{1}{2}|y|^3...
  3. Y

    Quick Limit Question (Pictures Included)

    Hey all! I'm just going back through an old calculus book I have, and while attempting one of the odd numbered problems (because I can check my answers, obviously) I came across a problem and I'm not entirely sure if I've made a serious mistake and completely goofed, or if my book is incorrect...
  4. WannabeNewton

    Computing Entanglement Entropy of CFTs in the Large-c Limit

    Consider the problem of computing the entanglement entropy of two CFTs in the thermofield double state on identical finite intervals in 1+1 dimensions. The Euclidean path integral is then equivalent to computing the 2-point twist correlator on a torus. Given a central charge ##c##, does anyone...
  5. C

    Precise definition of the limit (epsilon-delta)

    Sorry, I am really struggling with the precise definition of the limit. I have a specific question I'm trying to work out lim(x->2) (4x2+2)=18 skipping the introduction part any advice? I am just not sure how to get rid of the 2 value to re-arrange |(4x2+2)-18| to look like |x-2| |x-2|<delta...
  6. C

    Using the precise definition of a limit (epsilon & delta)

    I'm trying to practise, precise definition of a limit (epsilon & delta) Just to check I'm along the right lines here's a previous question to the one I'm stuck on If epsilon > 0 then there is delta >0 ... All that introduction stuff, then Lim x-> 2 (3x-1) =5 Hence |x-2| < delta then |3x - 6|...
  7. O

    MHB Limit of upper semicontinuous function

    for any upper semi continuous how we can take limit ? limit or limsup ? which one is true ?
  8. funlord

    Limit does not exist but function exist

    Homework Statement there are four cases on limits given to us, and one of them I didnt really understand. This case was: Limit f(x) as x approaches a does not exist but f(a) exist. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution My answer here that the limit in this piecewise defined function...
  9. C

    How can I find the limit 0/0 when using direct substitution?

    I am really struggling with limits at the moment. Any help would be great! Thanks to anyone in advance if they take the time to read the rest of this. Basically i am struggling with finding the limit when using direct substitution provides 0/0 I (think) am fine with limits that involve quadratic...
  10. H

    Speed of Light Limit: Factors & Vacuum Conditions

    Under Ideal conditions (a vacuum and no gravity) what is the limiting factor or factors for the speed of light ? Thank you, Pat Hagar
  11. Md. Abde Mannaf

    What is limit below this?

    We know, 1/0.1=10; 1/0.01=100; 1/0.001=1000; 1/0.0001=10000; . . . 1/0.00000000001=100000000000 . . . 1/0=infinity Why is it not correct?
  12. C

    Understanding a Step in Finding a Limit: Lim(x->0) x.sqrt(x+2) / sin(x)

    Apologies if this is in the wrong place. I'm struggling to understand a step in finding a limit Lim(x->0) x.sqrt(x+2) / sin(x) Following the given solution I get to the point where it's all divided through by x to give Sqrt(x+2) / sin x/x Which as approaching 0 gives Sqrt(2) / 1 = sqrt(2)...
  13. Andrea M.

    Non-relativistic limit of Dirac bilinear

    Hi, I'm studying direct detection techniques for dark matter and in almost all the articles I read (e.g. Gondolo, P. (1996, May 13). Phenomenological Introduction to Direct Dark Matter Detection. arXiv.org.) the authors say that in the non-relativistic limit the vector and axial currents take...
  14. L

    Convergence of improper integrals

    What is the difference between \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{x}{1+x^2}dx and \lim_{R\rightarrow \infty}\int_{-R}^{R} \frac{x}{1+x^2}dx ? And why does the first expression diverge, whilst the second converges and is equal to zero?
  15. B

    MHB Can the limit of (x,y) at (1,0) be found using l'hopital's rule?

    I am trying to find the limit of the following: lim(x,y)--> (1,0) ((x-y-1)2/(x+y-1)2) I have had a few attempts trying to use l'hopital's rule but i don't seem to be getting anywhere...
  16. S

    Limit problem simplify the root

    Homework Statement [/B] I feel like I'm missing some theorem which is preventing me from finalizing this problem! It's been driving me nuts I feel like I'm missing something super basic! Ultimately they've given the solution, g/8, so I know this is how I should try to get the equation to look...
  17. B

    MHB Problem evaluating the limit to find the radius of convergence

    Hi everyone, I am trying to evaluate the radius of convergence for the following power series: (k!(x-1)k)/((2k)(kk)) I have begun by trying to compute L = lim k-->inf (an+1/an). To then be able to say R = 1/L. So far i have L = lim k--> inf (kk(k+1)!)/(2(k+1)k+1k!) From here i am having...
  18. B

    MHB What is the connection between the natural logarithm and the limit of a series?

    I am attempting to solve the limit for the following series: -1 + 1/2 - 1/3 + 1/4 ... (-1)^n/(n+1) I am able to determine that the series converges by applying the ratio test however i am having trouble evaluating the limit itself :/
  19. Vitor Pimenta

    Limit of Series: $\frac{1}{n}$

    What should be the limit of the following series (if any ...) \frac{{1 + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} + ... + \frac{1}{n}}}{n}
  20. A

    Why c Speed Limit Doesn't Prove Space is Continuous?

    Hi everyone, First of all thank you for all the amazing amounts of information on this forum! I have a very stupid question, which is probably due to a deep misunderstanding about space quantization. I was wandering why the fact that no mass could move at the speed of light is not per se a...
  21. T

    MHB Limit as x approaches negative infinity.

    For this function: $$\lim_{{x}\to{-\infty}}\frac {x} {\sqrt{x^2}} = -1$$ Why is this correct? If x is equal to -1, for example, -1 square is 1. And the square root of 1 is 1. So should the answer be 1?
  22. N

    Why doesn't the limit exist for this function at (0,0)?

    Homework Statement I have to show that the following function does not have a limit as (x,y) approaches (0,0) The Attempt at a Solution I tried taking different paths for example y=x or y=0 and switching to polar coordinates, but I don't get anywhere.
  23. evinda

    MHB How could we calculate the limit?

    Hello! (Wave)Let the (linear) differential equation $y'+ay=b(x)$ where $a>0, b$ continuous on $[0,+\infty)$ and $\lim_{x \to +\infty} b(x)=l \in \mathbb{R}$. Show that each solution of the differential equation goes to $\frac{l}{a}$ while $x \to +\infty$, i.e. if $\phi$ is any solution of...
  24. N

    Could someone please explain what a limit is?

    I've been searching around trying to understand them. About to take calculus and I want to be prepared. Could someone explain what they are and give a few typical limit problems and solve them Thank you
  25. W

    Understanding the Epsilon Delta Definition of a Limit

    Hi I'm new to limits and calculus in general. Our professor told us there existed some rigorous proof for a limit, but it was "beyond the scope of the course". All we needed to know about a limit was that (1)$$\lim_{x\to a} f(x)$$ is true iff when x approaches a from both directions p(x)...
  26. genxium

    Angular distribution of radiation in relativistic limit

    While linear accelerating an electron, with direction of acceleration being the ##z+## axis of the spherical coordinates, its radiation in angular distribution form is(according to this tutorial: http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/em/lectures/node132.html) ##\frac{dP(t')}{d\Omega} =...
  27. A

    Show that the limit diverges

    Homework Statement Show that lim n->inf sin(n*alpha), 0 < alpha < pi, diverges. Homework Equations lim n-> inf sin(n) diverges The Attempt at a Solution I know how to solve this for a constant value of alpha (i.e pi/3), but am unaware of solving this one, where alpha may vary. I know that...
  28. U

    Period of Limit Cycle: Find B for Hopf Bifurcation

    Homework Statement I'm given this system: \dot x = Ax^2 y + 1 - (B+1)x \dot y = Bx - Ax^2 y (a) Find the value of B when hopf bifurcation occurs. (b) Estimate the period of the limit cycle in terms of ##A## and ##B##.Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I have found fixed point to be...
  29. B

    VSCPT and recoil limit on temperature

    I have read that it is possible to go under recoil temperature limit using VSCPT (Velocity Selective Coherent Population Trapping) and that this method is based on atoms trapping in quantum state in which they can't absorb light. I have found same papers but they are too detailed for my...
  30. B

    What is the relationship between reabsorption and heating in laser cooling?

    Homework Statement I have to study laser cooling. I'm actually trying to understand the Doppler limit on temperature. On the net I have found "at a certain point the cooling mechanism is foiled by heating due to the random absorption and reemission of photons...
  31. T

    Why Does the Limit of (n! / n^2) Approach Infinity?

    Homework Statement So, I'm doing a series problem, and after applying the root test I end up with the following limit: Lim as n--> inf of (n! / n^2) = infinity according to the solution manual. I can't seem to understand this because the way I look at it, each term in the numerator is...
  32. ognik

    MHB What are limit tests and how do they establish convergence of a series?

    I've just studied integral tests for convergence, 1st timer, but some detail is escaping me. The text reads: 1. Show that if $ \lim_{{n}\to{\infty}} {n}^{p}\: {U}_{n}\implies A \lt \infty\: (p \gt 1) $ Then $ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} {U}_{n}\: $ converges 2. Show that if $ \lim_{{n}\to{\infty}} n...
  33. Noctisdark

    Propability of finding a particle outside the classical limit

    Homework Statement I'm asked to calculate the propability of finding a particle outside the classical limit for a quantum harmonic oscillator in it's ground state Homework Equations Ψ0(x) = a*emωx2/2hbar When a = (mω/πhbar)1/4 The ground state energy E0 =hbar*ω2/2 The Attempt at a Solution I...
  34. P

    Limit as n->infinity of (n^n)/n

    Homework Statement Evaluate the limit ##\lim_{n\to\infty} \dfrac{n^n}{n!}## Homework Equations Ratio test: ##a_{n+1}*\dfrac{1}{a_n}## The Attempt at a Solution I was having trouble evaluating this so I tried to use the ratio test which unfortunately leads to ##\lim_{n\to\infty}...
  35. DaveC426913

    "Speed limit of light" analogy

    Thought of this while driving home from the lofters. As if we need one more analogy for relativistic speed limits, but here goes... Q: How is c a speed limit? Why can't we just go a little faster and exceed it? A: Behold an analogy as to how geometry can limit movement, no matter how fast you...
  36. P

    Solve Limit at Infinity: $(-1)^n \sqrt{n+1}/n$

    Homework Statement $$\lim_{x\to\infty} \dfrac{(-1)^n\sqrt{n+1}}{n}$$ Homework Equations 3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] This is what I managed to do but I just wanted to verify that this is the correct way of solving it, I'm mainly concerned about the fact that I took the absolute value...
  37. W

    Find the limit of the given sequence

    Homework Statement Find the limit of the given sequence as n →∞ Homework Equations (1+n^2)^(1/ln(n)) The Attempt at a Solution Wolfram said the answer was e^2, though i cannot figure out why. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  38. R

    Evaluating limit of floor function

    Homework Statement How $$ \lim_{x\to\infty} \frac{nlogx}{[x]} = 0 $$ ? Here n∈ ℕ Here [x] is greatest integer or floor function of x. Homework Equations [x] = x - {x} where {x} is fractional part of x. The Attempt at a Solution I know floor function is not differentiable. We are getting here...
  39. J

    Now you can take the limit as ##z## approaches ##-1##.

    Homework Statement Calculate the following limit if it exists ## \lim_{z\to -1}\frac{\sqrt{z}-i+\sqrt{z+1}}{\sqrt{z^2-1}} ## the branch of root is chosen so that ## \sqrt{-1}=i## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I tried most of the same things that I tried earlier today (...
  40. J

    Calculate Limit: \lim_{z\to i} \frac{z^3+i}{z-i}

    Homework Statement Calculate the following limit if it exists: ##\lim_{z\to i} = \frac{z^3+i}{z-i}## Homework Equations Possibly relevant: ## \lim_{z\to\infty} f(z) = \omega_0 \hspace{5mm} \text{if} \hspace{5mm} \lim_{z\to 0} f\left(\frac{1}{z}\right) = \omega_0## The Attempt at a Solution...
  41. S

    MHB Solving Limit of Question with Given Solution -3/2

    Hi, I need help with the following limit, the solution is apparently -3/2 but I don't get it. Question: limit as n approaches infinity of [ sqrt(n^2 +3n - 4) - sqrt(n^2 + 6n +5) ] Attempt: So I was just thinking to factor out n like: (n^2)^(1/2) (1 + 3/n - 4/n^2)^1/2 - n (n^2)^(1/2)...
  42. R

    Evaluating a limit as x tends to ## \infty##

    Homework Statement $$ \lim_{x\to\infty} (\sqrt{a^2x^2 +bx + x} -ax) = $$ b/2a b/a 0 2b/a Homework Equations Lim x tends to infinity 1/x = 0 The Attempt at a Solution Taking a2x2 common from square root, we get $$ \lim_{x\to\infty} (ax \sqrt{1+\frac{b}{a^2x}+ \frac{1}{a^2x}} -ax) = $$...
  43. S

    Limit of (3/4)^(n+1) as n approaches infinity

    Hello, I was just wondering how to solve this limit: Limit of (3/4)^(n+1) as n approaches infinity My attempt: (3/4)^(n+1) = (3^ (n+1) ) / (4 ^ (n+1)) Top goes to infinity and bottom goes to infinity to use l'hopital rule. lim = ( ln(3) * 1 * 3^(n+1) ) / ( ln(4) * 1 * 4^(n+1) ) But the...
  44. S

    MHB Limit of (3/4)^(n+1) as n approaches infinity

    Hello, I was just wondering how to solve this limit: Limit of (3/4)^(n+1) as n approaches infinity My attempt: (3/4)^(n+1) = (3^ (n+1) ) / (4 ^ (n+1)) Top goes to infinity and bottom goes to infinity to use l'hopital rule. lim = ( ln(3) * 1 * 3^(n+1) ) / ( ln(4) * 1 * 4^(n+1) ) But the...
  45. O

    Limit on Faraday's cage (rearranging charges)

    Having a question regarding Faraday's cage,Applying a magnetic field over the cage, will cause the charges in the conducting cage to rearrange, thus causing another field which opposes the first field. This will give a net field inside the cage of zero (this is why we are safe in a car during a...
  46. R

    Converting a limit to integral form or vice-versa

    What is the proof for this $$ \int_a^b f(x) dx = 1/n\lim_{n\to\infty} (f(a) + f(a+h) + f(a+2h) +...+ f( a+ (n-1)h)) $$ h = (b-a)/n Also I think there is some summation form which can be converted to integral form how?
  47. Y

    What is the Limit of a Floor Function at an Arbitrary Point?

    Homework Statement The function f is defined f(x)=floor(x^2)/x^2 I need to find the limit of the function at an arbitrary point. For the continuous parts it was fine, and also for right sided limit at positive points of discontinuity (and left sided for negatives, for all of which the lim is...
  48. terryds

    Trigonometric Limit Problem

    Homework Statement [/B] ##\lim x\rightarrow \frac{\pi }{4} (\frac{1-\tan x}{\sin x - \cos x})## The Attempt at a Solution [/B] By assuming y = x-π/4 , the limit become : ## \lim y\rightarrow 0 (\frac{1- \tan (y+\frac{\pi}{4})}{\sin (y+\frac{\pi}{4}) - \cos (y+\frac{\pi}{4})}) = \lim...
  49. terryds

    What is the Limit at Infinity for (2^x-5^x) / (3^x+5^x)?

    Homework Statement lim x->∞ (2^x-5^x) / (3^x+5^x) Choices : a. -1 b. -2/3 c. 1 d. 6 e. 25 2. The attempt at a solution Hmmm.. I really have no idea about this.. This is an unusual problem.. Please tell me...
  50. Dethrone

    MHB Limit of (n)^(1/n)/n as n approaches infinity

    Determine $$\lim_{{n}\to{\infty}}\frac{(n!)^{1/n}}{n}$$
Back
Top