Limit does not exist but function exist

  • Thread starter Thread starter funlord
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Function Limit
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of limits in calculus, specifically the scenario where the limit of a function as x approaches a certain value does not exist, while the function value at that point does exist. Participants analyze a piecewise function defined as f(x) = x + 3 for x approaching -5 from the left and f(x) = √(25 - x^2) for x approaching -5 from the right. The conclusions drawn indicate that the left-hand limit approaches -2 and the right-hand limit approaches 0, confirming that the overall limit does not exist at x = -5.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of limits in calculus
  • Familiarity with piecewise functions
  • Knowledge of left-hand and right-hand limits
  • Basic algebraic manipulation and function evaluation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the formal definition of limits in calculus
  • Explore piecewise function examples and their limits
  • Learn about continuity and discontinuity in functions
  • Investigate the epsilon-delta definition of limits
USEFUL FOR

Students of calculus, mathematics educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of limits and piecewise functions in mathematical analysis.

funlord
Messages
15
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


there are four cases on limits given to us, and one of them I didnt really understand.
This case was: Limit f(x) as x approaches a does not exist but f(a) exist.

Homework Equations


upload_2015-6-20_8-32-29.png

The Attempt at a Solution


My answer here that the limit in this piecewise defined function exist,
As x approaches -5 from the left, it uses the function x+3;
And as x approaches -5 from the right, it uses the function √(25-x^2)please give me a great explanation with this case

Thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
funlord said:

Homework Statement


there are four cases on limits given to us, and one of them I didnt really understand.
This case was: Limit f(x) as x approaches a does not exist but f(a) exist.

Homework Equations


View attachment 85012

The Attempt at a Solution


My answer here that the limit in this piecewise defined function exist,
As x approaches -5 from the left, it uses the function x+3;
And as x approaches -5 from the right, it uses the function √(25-x^2)please give me a great explanation with this case

Thank you

Do you really think that 0 = -2? That would need to be true in order that f(x) have a limit as x → -5.
 
funlord said:
As x approaches -5 from the left, it uses the function x+3;
This suggests that the limit should be -2.

funlord said:
And as x approaches -5 from the right, it uses the function √(25-x^2)
This suggests that the limit should be 0.

A limit of f at 5 is a number L such that for all ##\varepsilon>0## there's a ##\delta>0## such that the following implication holds for all real numbers ##x##.
$$0<|x-5|<\delta\ \Rightarrow\ |f(x)-L|<\varepsilon.$$ The implication is saying that f maps the interval ##(5-\delta,5+\delta)## into the interval ##(L+\varepsilon,L-\varepsilon)##.

Now let's see if there a ##\delta>0## with the property above, in the special case when ##\varepsilon=1##. No matter how small we choose ##\delta##, there's an x in the interval ##(5-\delta,5+\delta)## such that f(x) is not in the interval (-2-1,-2+1)=(-3,-1). (Choose x slightly greater than 5, so that f(x) is very close to 0). This implies that -2 can't be a limit. And there's also a y in the interval ##(5-\delta,5+\delta)## such that f(y) is not in the interval (0-1,0+1)=(-1,1). (Choose y slightly less than 5, so that f(y) is very slose to -2). This implies that 0 can't be a limit.
 
Last edited:
funlord said:

Homework Statement


there are four cases on limits given to us, and one of them I didnt really understand.
This case was: Limit f(x) as x approaches a does not exist but f(a) exist.

Homework Equations


View attachment 85012

The Attempt at a Solution


My answer here that the limit in this piecewise defined function exist,
As x approaches -5 from the left, it uses the function x+3;
Yes, and so as x gets closer and closer to -5 (from the left), f(x) gets closer and closer to -5+ 3= -2.

And as x approaches -5 from the right, it uses the function √(25-x^2)
Yes, and so as x gets closer and closer to -5 (from the right), f(x) gets closer and closer to √(25-(-5)^2)= 0.
But we can't say that f(x) gets closer and closer to anyone number as x gets closer and closer to -5.

please give me a great explanation with this case

Thank you
 
thank you for the great explanation
 
There is a typo on that page the image is taken from:

upload_2015-6-23_12-0-36.png


It seems this should have said:

##\displaystyle\ \lim_{x\to -5}\, f(x) \ \text{ does not exist. [why?]} \ ##​

As it's stated in your image, the limit does exist. It's simply the same as the constant ƒ(-5) , which is zero .
 
funlord said:

Homework Statement


there are four cases on limits given to us, and one of them I didnt really understand.
This case was: Limit f(x) as x approaches a does not exist but f(a) exist.

Does the problem say "there exists an a such that..." or "for all a.."

Also, are you required to give an equation as the representation of a function? A function can be represented in 4 different ways: in words, as an equation, in a table, and as a graph. Perhaps reasoning with one of these other representations may be helpful.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K