Epsilon-delta limit definition trouble

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the epsilon-delta definition of limits in calculus, specifically for the limit as \( x \) approaches 9 for the function \(\frac{x+1}{x^2+1}\). The original poster attempts to prove their guessed limit of \(\frac{5}{41}\) using this definition.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster outlines their approach to proving the limit using the epsilon-delta definition but expresses uncertainty about their calculations. They question where they might have made an error in their reasoning, particularly regarding the choice of values in their calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have pointed out potential errors in the original poster's calculations, specifically regarding the arithmetic involved in the denominator. The original poster acknowledges a mistake in their approach and attempts to clarify their reasoning, indicating an ongoing exploration of the problem.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is working under the constraints of the epsilon-delta definition and is trying to ensure their calculations hold true within a specified range around the limit point. There is a focus on verifying the correctness of their approach and calculations without arriving at a definitive conclusion.

rudders93
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Homework Statement


Guess the limit and use the [itex]\epsilon[/itex]-[itex]\delta[/itex] definition to prove that your guess is correct.

[itex]\lim_{x \to 9}\frac{x+1}{x^2+1}[/itex]2. The attempt at a solution

Guess limit to be [itex]\frac{10}{82}=\frac{5}{41}[/itex]

Therefore:

[itex]|\frac{x+1}{x^2+1}-\frac{5}{41}| = |\frac{(x-9)(5x+4)}{41(x^2+1)}|[/itex]

Restrict attention to [itex]|x-9|<1[/itex]

Therefore: [itex]|\frac{(x-9)(5x+4)}{41(x^2+1)}|<|\frac{54|x-9|}{4141}|<\epsilon[/itex]

By taking [itex]\delta=min(\frac{4141\epsilon}{54},1)[/itex] we get that:

[itex]|\frac{x+1}{x^2+1}-\frac{5}{41}| < \epsilon[/itex] whenever [itex]0<|x-9|<\delta[/itex]That's my working, but I think I've made a mistake, as when I check my work by using [itex]\epsilon=0.01[/itex] my [itex]\delta[/itex] does not satisfy. This is because I get [itex]0<|x-9|<0.76686 \Rightarrow 8.23314<x<9.76686[/itex]. But then I take say 9.76 and it doesn't hold as I get [itex]|\frac{9.76+1}{9.76^2+1}-\frac{5}{41}| = 0.010168[/itex] which is greater than my [itex]\epsilon[/itex] of 0.01.

Can anyone help me out with where I went wrong? Thanks!
 
Last edited:
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41(11)= 451, not 4141.
 
Hi, thanks for reply!

Sorry, but where is the calculation 41 * 11? I can only think of 41*(10^2+1) :(
 
Found my error. Was I subbed in the largest value of the restricted x range in the denominator, which makes the expression smaller, instead of subbing in the smallest value of the restricted x range (x = 8) into the denominator

So it becomes: [itex]|\frac{(x-9)(5x+4)}{41(x^2+1)}|<|\frac{54|x-9|}{2665}|<\epsilon[/itex]
 

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