Limit does not exist but function exist

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around 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 itself is defined at that point. Participants are exploring a piecewise defined function and its behavior as x approaches -5.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the behavior of the function from both the left and right of -5, noting different values suggested by each approach. Questions arise regarding the conditions under which a limit can be said to exist or not, and the implications of the function's definition at that point.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the definitions and implications of limits, with some participants questioning the assumptions made about the function's behavior. Guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the limit and the function's value at the point of interest, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the possibility of different representations of functions and whether the problem statement requires a specific form. There is also mention of a potential typo in the problem description that may affect the interpretation of the limit's existence.

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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
 
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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.
 

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