Some basic conceptual doubts about limits

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of the limits of (f+g)(x) and (fxg)(x) existing even if the individual limits of f(x) and g(x) do not exist, and the relationship between the existence of the limit of the sum (f+g)(x) and the existence of the limit of g(x) if the limits of f(x) and (f+g)(x) both exist. Examples are given to illustrate these concepts.
  • #1
ythamsten
16
0
(1)If the limit of f(x), as x approaches a point a doesn't exist, and the limit of g(x), as x approaches a point a doesn't exist either, the limit of (f+g)(x) and (fxg)(x), as x approaches a point a can possibly exist?

(2)
If the limit of f(x) as x approaches a and the limit of (f+g)(x), as x approaches a both exists, so the limit of g(x), as x approaches a, has to exist?

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
ythamsten said:
If the limit of f(x), as x approaches a point a doesn't exist, and the limit of g(x), as x approaches a point a doesn't exist either, the limit of (f+g)(x) and (fxg)(x), as x approaches a point a can possibly exist?
Try to come up with an example where the bad behavior of ##f## and ##g## is canceled out when you form the sum ##f+g##. Try to come up with another example that does the same for the product ##fg##. Can find an example which works for both ##f+g## and ##fg##?

If the limit of f(x) as x approaches a and the limit of (f+g)(x), as x approaches a both exists, so the limit of g(x), as x approaches a, has to exist?
##\lim_{x \rightarrow a} f(x)## and ##\lim_{x \rightarrow a}g(x)## exist, what can you say about ##\lim_{x \rightarrow a} (f+g)(x)##?
 
  • #3
ythamsten said:
(1)If the limit of f(x), as x approaches a point a doesn't exist, and the limit of g(x), as x approaches a point a doesn't exist either, the limit of (f+g)(x) and (fxg)(x), as x approaches a point a can possibly exist?

(2)
If the limit of f(x) as x approaches a and the limit of (f+g)(x), as x approaches a both exists, so the limit of g(x), as x approaches a, has to exist?

Thanks.

Sure. Can you give examples for (1) and maybe sketch a proof for (2)?
 
  • #4
Thank you very much guys, this returned questions were very clarifying and didatic.
I imagine for (1) two piecewise functions, f(x):= -1 if x<0; 1 if x≥0, and g(x):=1 if x< 0; -1 if x≥0. As x approaches 0, they are clearly not limited, but (f+g)(x) has a limit, and it is 0 (as seen by the side limits). And for the product (fg)(x) it works the same way, as x aproaches 0 from the left we have a -1, and from the right, -1, even though the functions don't have a limit.
For question (2), g(x) has to have a limit, because the limit of the sum could be seen as a translation (the limit of the sum is equal to the sum of limits), and if g(x) don't have a limit, but f(x) does, the sum wouldn't have a limit. Is that true? Again, thank you very much.
 
  • #5
ythamsten said:
Thank you very much guys, this returned questions were very clarifying and didatic.
I imagine for (1) two piecewise functions, f(x):= -1 if x<0; 1 if x≥0, and g(x):=1 if x< 0; -1 if x≥0. As x approaches 0, they are clearly not limited, but (f+g)(x) has a limit, and it is 0 (as seen by the side limits). And for the product (fg)(x) it works the same way, as x aproaches 0 from the left we have a -1, and from the right, -1, even though the functions don't have a limit.
For question (2), g(x) has to have a limit, because the limit of the sum could be seen as a translation (the limit of the sum is equal to the sum of limits), and if g(x) don't have a limit, but f(x) does, the sum wouldn't have a limit. Is that true? Again, thank you very much.

Close enuf. g=(f+g)-f. If (f+g) and f have limits then their difference does.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person

1. What are limits in calculus?

Limits in calculus refer to the value that a function or sequence approaches as the input or index approaches a certain value. It is used to describe the behavior of a function or sequence near a particular point.

2. What is the importance of limits in mathematics?

Limits play a crucial role in mathematics as they allow us to define and analyze the behavior of functions and sequences, even when they are undefined at a specific point. They also help in solving various problems in calculus, such as finding derivatives and integrals.

3. How do you find the limit of a function?

To find the limit of a function, you need to evaluate the function at various values that are approaching the given point. If the values approach a specific value, that value is considered as the limit of the function at that point. However, if the values approach different values from the left and right sides, then the limit does not exist.

4. What is the difference between one-sided and two-sided limits?

A one-sided limit only considers the behavior of a function from one side of a given point, either from the left side or the right side. On the other hand, a two-sided limit considers the behavior of a function from both sides of a given point. One-sided limits are useful when dealing with functions that have discontinuities.

5. Can limits be negative or complex numbers?

Yes, limits can be negative or complex numbers. The limit of a function is not limited to only real numbers, and it can take any value depending on the behavior of the function near a specific point. This includes negative numbers, complex numbers, and even infinity.

Similar threads

  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
651
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
820
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
20
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
902
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
859
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
136
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
769
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
264
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
733
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
828
Back
Top