Proving Simple Limit Statement: f(x) & f(a+h)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a limit statement involving the functions f(x) and f(a+h) as x approaches a and h approaches 0, respectively. The focus is on understanding the definitions and implications of limits in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definitions of limits and attempt to relate the two expressions through reasoning about their closeness to a limit L. There is a suggestion to use a change of variables to connect the two limits.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the relationship between the two limits, while others suggest revisiting the formal \epsilon,\delta definition of limits. There is an acknowledgment of the exercise's intent to deepen understanding rather than strictly prove a theorem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the exercise is framed as an understanding of terms rather than a rigorous proof, which may influence the depth of the discussion and the approaches taken.

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Homework Statement


Prove:
"lim f(x) as x-->a is equal to lim f(a+h) as h-->0 (this is really just an exercise in understanding what the terms are)"


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Now the easiest way would just to pop in the values and boom, lim f(a) = lim f(a). But I think he is looking for a different reasoning. My attempt was to kind of define the statements like so:

_______

LHS: f can be made to be as close to a limit L as desired by making x sufficiently close to a.

RHS: f can be made to be as close to a limit L as desired by making h sufficiently close to zero.

And in this example, it just so happens when h is made to go to zero we are left with the respective equations L's equal to each other.
______

I don't think I've really "proved" anything though, have I?

Thanks!
 
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x + a - a = x correct? Let's h = x - a. that means:

x = h + a
h = x - a

also you should know this fact, lim x-->a is the smae as x+b-->a+b
For example the limit as x tends to 2, is the same as the limit as x+2 tends to 4.
so x->a is the same as x-a->a-a.

Sub these into: f(x) as x-->a
and you get f(h+a) as x-a -> a-a
which is equivlent to f(h+a) as h-> 0
 
You're probably expected to go back to the [tex]\epsilon,\delta[/tex] definition of the limit and use those techniques.
 
figured he didn't have to do that since he said
this is really just an exercise in understanding what the terms are

but a change of variables is rigorous and I'm pretty sure if you went back to δ ε you'd just do the same idea there.
 

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