# Homework Help: Basic limit involving absolute value

1. Sep 1, 2011

### wvcaudill2

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
lim as x$\rightarrow$-1 = $\frac{|x^{2}-1|}{x^{2}+x}$

2. Relevant equations
N/a

3. The attempt at a solution
Tried to write this as a piecewise function, but I got lost.

2. Sep 1, 2011

### micromass

Hi wvcaudill2!

Calculate the right-sided and the left-sided limits separately. That way, you could get rid of those nasty absolute value signs!

3. Sep 1, 2011

### wvcaudill2

Ok, from the left-hand side of the limit, I got -2, and from the right-hand side I got 2, and when x-1=0 I got "does not exist." Is this right?

4. Sep 1, 2011

### micromass

The correct solution should be those two switched. From the left side, you should get 2. From the right side, you should get -2. Check your signs.

What in earth do you mean with this??

5. Sep 1, 2011

### wvcaudill2

I do not see how they should be switched. Can you explain your process in more detail?

6. Sep 1, 2011

### micromass

Well, show your work, and I'll show you what went wrong...

7. Sep 1, 2011

8. Sep 1, 2011

### micromass

You can't just eliminate the x+1 in your first line. Why not? Because it sits inside an absolute value sign. This will cause sign errors.

The absolute first thing you should do is eliminate the absolute value signs around $x^2-1$. If x comes from the left, then this expression is positive, so you can drop the absolute valuie signs. If x comes from the right, then it is negative, so you'll have to write a minus sign in front.

9. Sep 1, 2011

### wvcaudill2

Im still not sure how it is you are coming to the statement that "if x comes from the left, then this expression is positive." Can you explain how you are getting this?

Here is what I have now:

10. Sep 1, 2011

### micromass

Well, if $x\leq -1$, then $x^2-1\geq 0$. This is easily seen by drawing the parabola for $x^2-1$.

11. Sep 1, 2011

### wvcaudill2

Ok, I see what you are saying now, but when I graphed the parabola, I also saw that coming from the right-hand side, the values of x were also positive up until x=1.

12. Sep 1, 2011

### micromass

The parabola is negative between -1 and 1: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=y%3Dx^2-1

13. Sep 1, 2011

### wvcaudill2

Im still not seeing the big picture here. Can you write out exactly what this problem should look like with all the steps at least partially worked out?