What is the Limit of a Floor Function at an Arbitrary Point?

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SUMMARY

The limit of the function f(x) = floor(x^2)/x^2 at an arbitrary point, particularly at points of discontinuity, is determined using the properties of limits and continuity. For positive points of discontinuity, the left-sided limit can be evaluated by considering the behavior of the function as x approaches the square root of a positive integer n. The limit simplifies to 1 as x approaches these points, confirming that the limit exists and is consistent across the defined intervals.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the floor function and its properties
  • Knowledge of limits and continuity in calculus
  • Familiarity with delta-epsilon definitions of limits
  • Basic algebraic manipulation of functions
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  • Study the properties of the floor function in detail
  • Learn about limits involving piecewise functions
  • Explore the concept of continuity at points of discontinuity
  • Review the arithmetic of limits and how to apply it in proofs
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Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on limits and continuity, as well as educators looking for examples of limit proofs involving the floor function.

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Homework Statement


The function f is defined f(x)=floor(x^2)/x^2 I need to find the limit of the function at an arbitrary point.

For the continuous parts it was fine, and also for right sided limit at positive points of discontinuity (and left sided for negatives, for all of which the lim is 1), and now I'm left with left sided limit of the function at positive points of discontinuity (and vice versa for the negative part).

I know the answer from intuition: (x2-1)/x2, but I can't find the key to the proof.

Homework Equations


---

The Attempt at a Solution


Letting the point of discontinuity be x0>0)

First, I restrict δ such that f(x)=(x02-1)/x2

Then, if x0=1 then f(x)-L=0<ε

Otherwise, I restrict my neighborhood again to 1<x<x0

x<x0 ... ->1/x2 - 1/x02>0

and therefore f(x)-L=...=(x02-1)(1/x2 - 1/x02)

And now I'm stuck... I can't seem to find the right combo to make the delta-epsilon magic to work.

Thanks for any help!
 
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Yoni V said:

Homework Statement


The function f is defined f(x)=floor(x^2)/x^2 I need to find the limit of the function at an arbitrary point.

For the continuous parts it was fine, and also for right sided limit at positive points of discontinuity (and left sided for negatives, for all of which the lim is 1), and now I'm left with left sided limit of the function at positive points of discontinuity (and vice versa for the negative part).

I know the answer from intuition: (x2-1)/x2, but I can't find the key to the proof.

Homework Equations


---

The Attempt at a Solution


Letting the point of discontinuity be x0>0)

Or, more meaningfully, let the point of discontinuity be \sqrt{n} for strictly positive integer n.

First, I restrict δ such that f(x)=(x02-1)/x2

Don't use epsilons and deltas unless you have to. Here you do not: it is much easier to use the result that the limit of a product is the product of the limits where the limits exist.

Let n be a strictly positive integer. Then \lfloor x^2 \rfloor is constant on the interval [\sqrt{n-1},\sqrt{n}), and 1/x^2 is continuous at \sqrt{n}. What then is \lim_{x \to \sqrt{n}^{-}} \frac{\lfloor x^2 \rfloor}{x^2}?
 
Oh my god... It's so simple... Thanks!
I don't know why it didn't come to mind to use simple arithmetic of limits...
Thanks again
 

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