Oh my god I forgot how to do limits

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of limits in calculus, specifically addressing the scenario of limits approaching a constant over zero, such as 3/0 as x approaches 0. Participants emphasize that when the numerator approaches a non-zero constant while the denominator approaches zero, the limit does not exist. They highlight the importance of understanding limits as foundational to calculus, engineering, and physics, and mention L'Hospital's rule as a useful theorem for resolving indeterminate forms like 0/0.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts, particularly limits
  • Familiarity with L'Hospital's rule for evaluating indeterminate forms
  • Algebra skills for manipulating functions and fractions
  • Knowledge of the implications of limits in engineering and physics contexts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of L'Hospital's rule in various limit scenarios
  • Explore the concept of one-sided limits and their significance
  • Learn about the epsilon-delta definition of limits for a deeper understanding
  • Investigate the role of limits in calculus applications within engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students of calculus, particularly those struggling with limits, as well as educators and professionals in engineering and physics who require a solid grasp of foundational calculus concepts.

Pengwuino
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So here I am doing vector calculus homework and BOOM, 1st semester calculus limits slap me in the face. Now I re-read up on L'Hospitals rule for when you have 0/0 but I can't remember what you are suppose to do when you have say, 3/0 as the limit x-->0

What is the procedure for that.
 
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Whats the function? Usually if you get constant over constant then you can filter out a multiplicative factor from the equation before taking the limit
 
If the numerator of a fraction goes to a non-zero constant while the denominator goes to zero- there is NO limit!
 
instead of relearning "how to do them", why not learn for once and all what they mean?
 
mathwonk said:
instead of relearning "how to do them", why not learn for once and all what they mean?

yeah, this is true. Limits are a topic where if you understand them (and if you don't understand limits then you don't really understand anything in calculus, but you might THINK you do, and if you don't understand anything in calculus then you don't understand most things in engineering and physics.) then you will probably know how to find them forever. If you understnad limits then all you need to find them are some algebra skills and maybe a very short list of theorems under your belt, such as L'Hospital's rule.
 
Don't go too hard on him, he's a nice penguin.
 
arildno said:
Don't go too hard on him, he's a nice penguin.


lol indeed so
 

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