# 2 Problems

1. Dec 3, 2006

### PistonsMVP

Find the Limits

1. lim 312
x->11+

2. lim (x^2 +9)/(x^2 -1)
x->1

for #2 i got 10 as the answer, but i'm not sure if its right. Thanks

edit: Sorry, wrong forum

Last edited: Dec 3, 2006
2. Dec 3, 2006

### phreak

1) do you know what a limit is? if so, looking at the behavior of the function should hint you as to what the answer is.

2) 10 isn't the correct answer. many people confuse the answers of 0/0 and x/0 or 0/x. The former gives odd results, whereas the latter two produce the same result, no matter what x is.

3. Dec 3, 2006

phreak what do you mean by "the former gives odd results?"

PistonsMVP, the limit of a contant function is what?

4. Dec 3, 2006

### PistonsMVP

nm i figured it out. #1 is 312
and #2 DNE because 10/0

5. Dec 4, 2006

### Gib Z

excuse me...isnt the point of a limit to find what value it approaches and not complain that its undefined?

btw the 2nd limit is -infinity

Last edited: Dec 4, 2006
6. Dec 4, 2006

### d_leet

How is it -5?

7. Dec 4, 2006

It is not -5. And there is a big difference between 10/0, which is undefined, and the limit of the function as x -> 1.

8. Dec 4, 2006

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Saying that the limit is -infinity is just a way of saying that it is not defined. Saying that a limit is undefine is not "complaining", it is stating a fact.

9. Dec 4, 2006

### dontdisturbmycircles

$$\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = +\infty$$ or $$\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = -\infty$$

Just describes HOW a limit is not defined (whether it can be made arbitrarily large positive/large negative as x->a), but it definitely is not defined!