Epsilon Delta Limit Definition

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SUMMARY

The limit of the function 1/(sqrt(x^2 + 1)) as x approaches -1 is proven to be (sqrt(2))/2 using the epsilon-delta definition of limits. The proof requires finding a delta (δ) such that if 0 < |x + 1| < δ, then |1/(sqrt(x^2 + 1)) - (sqrt(2))/2| < ε for any ε > 0. The discussion highlights the need to rationalize the numerator and manage the denominator effectively to simplify the expression.

PREREQUISITES
  • Epsilon-delta definition of limits
  • Basic algebraic manipulation techniques
  • Understanding of square roots and their properties
  • Knowledge of rationalizing expressions
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  • Study the epsilon-delta definition of limits in detail
  • Learn techniques for rationalizing numerators and denominators
  • Practice proving limits using the epsilon-delta method with various functions
  • Explore the implications of limits in calculus, particularly in continuity and differentiability
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Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on limits and proofs, as well as educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods in limit concepts.

MathSquareRoo
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Homework Statement



Prove lim x--> -1

1/(sqrt((x^2)+1)

using epsilon, delta definition of a limit

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I know that the limit =(sqrt(2))/2

And my proof is like this so far. Let epsilon >0 be given. We need to find delta>0 s.t. if 0<lx+1l<delta, then l[1/(sqrt((x^2)+1)]-(sqrt(2))/2l < epsilon. So we need to pick delta= ?

I'm not sure how to arrive at the delta. I know I have to work out what's inside the absolute values, but I'm getting stuck.
 
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MathSquareRoo said:

Homework Statement



Prove lim x--> -1

1/(sqrt((x^2)+1)

using epsilon, delta definition of a limit

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



I know that the limit =(sqrt(2))/2

And my proof is like this so far. Let epsilon >0 be given. We need to find delta>0 s.t. if 0<lx+1l<delta, then l[1/(sqrt((x^2)+1)]-(sqrt(2))/2l < epsilon. So we need to pick delta= ?

I'm not sure how to arrive at the delta. I know I have to work out what's inside the absolute values, but I'm getting stuck.
What have you tried?

Where are you stuck?
 
I don't know how to simplify it at all. My thought was to maybe to get common denominator or and then multiply by the conjugate, but I don't know if this is correct. I got l[2-(2)^(1/2) *((x^2)+1)^(1/2)]/(2((x^2)+1)^(1/2)l. I'm sorry, it's hard to type it here, does any of that make sense?
 
MathSquareRoo said:
I don't know how to simplify it at all. My thought was to maybe to get common denominator or and then multiply by the conjugate, but I don't know if this is correct. I got l[2-(2)^(1/2) *((x^2)+1)^(1/2)]/(2((x^2)+1)^(1/2)l. I'm sorry, it's hard to type it here, does any of that make sense?
Yes, that makes some sense.

What you have is: \displaystyle \left|\frac{2-\sqrt{2}\sqrt{1+x^2}}{2\,\sqrt{1+x^2}}\right| which is equivalent to: \displaystyle \left|\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+x^2}}-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right|. That's a start.

Rationalize the numerator. One factor of the result will be (x + 1) .

Restrict δ to put a bound on the rest of the expression.
 
When I try to rationalize, I get l(-2x^2)/[4((x^2)+1)^(1/2)+2(2)^(1/2)*((x^2)+1)]l

What did I do wrong?
 
MathSquareRoo said:
When I try to rationalize, I get l(-2x^2)/[4((x^2)+1)^(1/2)+2(2)^(1/2)*((x^2)+1)]l

What did I do wrong?
The numerator should be 2(1-x2) which is 1(1-x)(1+x).

The denominator is a mess.
 

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