# Prove Lim of x^2 as x approaches 3 = 9 with Epsilon/ Delta Definition

1. Feb 18, 2014

### TitoSmooth

Prove Lim x^2=9. With the epsilon/delta definition of a limit.
x->3

My work so far. For every ε>0 there is a δ>0 such that

if 0<|x-3|<δ , Then |x^2-9|<ε

so, |(x-3)(x+3)|<ε

|x-3|* |x+3|∠ε

what do I do from here? My book is not very clear (Stewart Calculus 7ed) on how to do episolon/delta tolerance proofs on not so nice functions.

2. Feb 18, 2014

### TitoSmooth

and i also know that |x-3| is smaller then delta. I think this is a clue.

3. Feb 18, 2014

### wakefield

Try writing $|x-3||x+3|<\epsilon$ as $|x-3|<\frac{\epsilon}{|x+3|}$ and then substituting that for $\delta$.

4. Feb 18, 2014

### TitoSmooth

so when sub everything back in I should get back the original? Therefore that last step was the answer? Or is there something more to it?

5. Feb 18, 2014

### Staff: Mentor

No, that's not how it works. If x is close to -3, then |x + 3| is close to zero, and you can't divide by zero. On the other hand, if x is close to 3, then |x + 3| is close to 6.

You have to make some assumptions on $\delta$ so that x is not too far away from 3.

6. Feb 18, 2014

### wakefield

Sure it is.
Say that $|x-3|<1$, then $5<x+3<7$. Then we know that $$|x-3|<\frac{\epsilon}{|x+3|}<\frac{\epsilon}{7}.$$Now we have a case where $|x-3|<1$ and a case where $|x-3|<\frac{\epsilon}{7}$. So let $\delta=min\{1,\frac{\epsilon}{7}\}$.
It's not like a direct substitution but it's the right idea.

7. Feb 18, 2014

### TitoSmooth

how do we create the assumptions? Can I have an explanation in layman terms lol. This looks like the example in my book.

how did we restrict the values?

8. Feb 18, 2014

### Staff: Mentor

This is basically what I was talking about.