# Limit of (sqrt(x + 2) - 3)/(x - 7) as x approaches 7

1. Feb 7, 2014

### Victor II

Hello,

Given the exercise:

limit of (sqrt(x + 2) - 3)/(x - 7) as x approaches 7,

The solution I write is L = doesn't exist. I think this is the case because the function is undefined at x = 7.

Last edited: Feb 7, 2014
2. Feb 7, 2014

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Have you not actually taken a course in limits? You should have learned that the whole point of "limits" is that they give us more subtle information than just plugging the values into the function. The fact that both numerator and denominator are 0 at at x= 7 tells us nothing about the limit. That depends on exactly how the numerator and denominator go to 0.

Here what you need to do is multiply both numerator and denominator by $\sqrt{x+ 2}+ 3$, then take the limit as x goes to 7.

3. Feb 7, 2014

### Staff: Mentor

Thread moved. Homework-type problems need to be posted in the Homework & Coursework sections.

4. Feb 7, 2014

### Victor II

I multiplied both numerator and denominator by sqrt(x+ 2) + 3, then took the limit as x goes to 7. The numerator is equal to 0 in this case. Therefore, because the answer provided in the book is another value and because I assume the value in the book is right, the method you used to find the limit is wrong.

Last edited: Feb 7, 2014
5. Feb 7, 2014

### Staff: Mentor

But so is the denominator, which you neglected to mention.
No. HallsOfIvy's approach is correct. You just didn't follow through correctly.

6. Feb 7, 2014

### jackarms

I find it easiest for these problems (when the function isn't too crazy) to just reason through it. (x-7) points to a vertical asymptote, so keep that it mind. Try doing left and right limits. If you put in a number just a little bit less than 7, what does that evaluate to? Remeber that this number minus 7 gives you a very small, negative number.

7. Feb 7, 2014

### Victor II

With reference to the method, what does user HallOfIvy mean explicitly?

8. Feb 7, 2014

### scurty

In these types of problems a simplification step (cancellation) usually occurs after rationalizing the numerator or denominator.

9. Feb 7, 2014

### Victor II

I attempted to rationalize the numerator with the given cancellation factor and the numerator was equal to zero as a result. What is the right method?

10. Feb 7, 2014

### scurty

I think at this point you should show us what the fraction looks like at each step. We can only guess what you are doing incorrectly without seeing your actual work. This method is correct, and is the usual method when limits, fractions, and square roots are involved.

11. Feb 7, 2014

### Victor II

{(sqrt(x + 2) - 3)/(x - 7)}{(sqrt(x + 2)} + 3}/ (sqrt (x + 2) + 3) =

((7 + 2) -9)/ ((x - 7)(sqrt (x + 2) + 3)) =

(9 - 9)/ (x - 7)(sqrt (x + 2) + 3) =

0 / (x - 7)(sqrt (x + 2) + 3) =

Therefore, the denominator is irrelevant. I am aware of "end behaviors."

12. Feb 7, 2014

### vela

Staff Emeritus
$$\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{x} = 0$$ because the numerator goes to 0 as x goes to 0, but the limit in this case is obviously 1.

13. Feb 7, 2014

### jackarms

You're just plugging in the value for x too quickly, so things aren't canceling. Once you have (x + 2) - 9, simplify further before plugging in 7.

14. Feb 8, 2014

### Victor II

The denominator is zero here as well. User vela, by my logic, the limit doesn't exist for that function because it is undefined due to both denominator and numerator being equal to zero.

15. Feb 8, 2014

### Curious3141

Then your logic is wrong. You need to review the theory of limits.

Others have already told you what needs to be done. Full algebraic simplification, cancel as much of the $x$ terms as you can. Then take the limit by letting $x$ equal the value you're supposed to be taking the limit to. If the expression you're left with after cancellation is just a number without an $x$ term, that IS the limit.

16. Feb 8, 2014

### Victor II

That is not the case. Please complete the exercise for me step by step, because I have made other attempts to solve this. I have solved other limits easily, with the use of graphs and tables. However this type of limit seems difficult.

17. Feb 8, 2014

### jackarms

Victor, when you simplify, you get (x - 7) / ((x - 7) (sqrt(x + 2) + 3)). What does that simplify down to?

18. Feb 8, 2014

### Staff: Mentor

The line above is wrong because you substituted for x too soon in places and not at all in others.

In more readable form, this is
$$\frac{\sqrt{x + 2} - 3}{x - 7}\cdot\frac{\sqrt{x + 2} + 3}{\sqrt{x + 2} + 3}$$
Carry out the multiplications above, and simplify, and then take the limit, making sure to replace all occurrences of x.
Absolutely not. The rules of this forum (https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=414380) do not permit this. See Homework Help Guidelines in the rules.

19. Feb 8, 2014

### Victor II

I graphed the function on a calculator and the limit value seemed approximately the same. Therefore, the answer in the book is correct. However, how can the limit value be found algebraically? I've attempted the process presented by user HallsOfIvy more than three times. The exercise in the original post is not really a homework problem, by the way.

20. Feb 8, 2014

### Staff: Mentor

The same as what?
Do what I said in my last post.
Show us what you get when you do the multiplications.
Doesn't matter. If it's a textbook-type problem, the rules apply.