Can the existence of a limit at x = 0 for sqrt(x) be debated?

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SUMMARY

The limit of the function sqrt(x) as x approaches 0 from the positive side, denoted as lim x->0+, is definitively 0. However, the limit as x approaches 0 from the negative side, lim x->0-, does not exist when considering real-valued functions, as the square root of negative numbers is not defined in this context. Therefore, the overall limit lim x->0 sqrt(x) does not exist unless sqrt(x) is restricted to non-negative numbers, in which case the limit exists and equals 0.

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Caesar_Rahil
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can someone please convince me that lim x->0 sqrt(x) = 0
Who of you say it doesn't exist?
 
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If you mean

<br /> \lim_{x \to 0^+} \sqrt{x}<br />

(limit as x approaches 0 through the positives), then the limit is zero. Notice that this is a one-sided limit.

This

<br /> \lim_{x \to 0^-} \sqrt x<br />

means you are trying to approach 0 from the left - through negative numbers. I feel confident in saying this limit does not exist. Why might that be?

Finally, remember that the ordinary limit exists as a real number if, and only if, the two one-sided limits exist as real numbers and are equal. The comment and observation I made earlier combine to say (fill in the blank yourself) about

<br /> \lim_{x \to 0} \sqrt x<br />
 
Caesar_Rahil said:
can someone please convince me that lim x->0 sqrt(x) = 0
Who of you say it doesn't exist?

HI Caesar_Rahil! :smile:

lim x -> 0+ sqrt(x) = 0, but lim x->0- sqrt(x) depends on you define sqrt(x) for negative x …

how are you defining it?

Do you define it as not existing, or do you define it as an imaginary number?
 
I'm confining myself to real valued functions
since left hand limit does not exit, that means sqrt(x) does not have a limit there
so it does not exist
is this interpretation correct?
 
Caesar_Rahil said:
I'm confining myself to real valued functions
since left hand limit does not exit, that means sqrt(x) does not have a limit there
so it does not exist
is this interpretation correct?

Yes … if you define sqrt(x) for negative x as not existing, then automatically there cannot be a limit at x = 0.

(On the other hand, if you define sqrt as a function whose domain is the non-negative numbers only, then the limit does exist. :wink:)
 

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