Prove continuity by first principle

[chocolatefrog]

Homework Statement

Prove that f(x) = x^2 is continuous at x = 2 using the ε - ∂ definition of continuity.

2. The attempt at a solution

Using the definition of continuity, I've reached thus far in the question:

|x - 2||x + 2| < ε whenever |x - 2| < ∂

3. Relevant equations

I have no clue how to move forward from here. I know while solving this type of questions, we try to solve the first inequality so that ∂ can be written in terms of ε, but I can't seem to figure out what to do with |x + 2|.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Okay, $|x-2||x+2|< \epsilon$ and so $|x-2|< \epsilon/|x+ 2|$. That is almost what you want- you just need to replace that |x+2| with a constant. To do that, take some reasonable restriction on |x- 2|.

We want to take the limit as x goes to 2 so we really are only interested, say, in |x- 2|< 1 ("1" was chosen pretty much arbitrarily). That is the same as saying that -1<x- 2< 1 and so 3< x+ 2< 5. Since 3 itself is larger than 0, that is 3< |x+2|< 5. 1/5< 1/|x+2|< 1/3 so $\epsilon/5< \epsilon/|x+2|<\epsilon/3$. Now, what must your $\delta$ be to guarantee that "if $|x- 2|< \delta$, then [itex]|x- 2|< \epsilon/|x+2|$"?$[/itex]

 

[chocolatefrog]

Then $\delta$ = $\epsilon$/5.

 

[chocolatefrog]

Oh, and I totally forgot, thanks a lot for your help! :)