What is the limit of a function under a square root?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of the function \( f(x) = \sqrt{4 - x^2} \) as \( x \) approaches 2 from the right. Participants are exploring the behavior of the function near this point and questioning whether the limit exists.

Discussion Character

  • Assumption checking, Problem interpretation, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt to evaluate the limit directly and express conflicting results, with one suggesting that the limit does not exist while others assert it is 0. Questions arise about the steps leading to these conclusions and the implications of the function's definition at \( x > 2 \).

Discussion Status

There is ongoing debate regarding the existence of the limit, with some participants providing reasoning based on the function's behavior in the real and complex planes. Clarifications are sought about the original poster's statements and the interpretation of their question.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the function is undefined for \( x > 2 \), which complicates the evaluation of the limit. There is also mention of confusion stemming from the original post's phrasing and punctuation.

houssamxd
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Homework Statement



lim x-> 2+ f(x)=sqrt(4-x^2)whats the value of the following function??

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



i tried and got the answer as does not exist
but some people got it as 0

which is the correct answer
 
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Can you explain the steps that lead to your result?
 
houssamxd said:

Homework Statement



lim x-> 2+ f(x)=sqrt(4-x^2)


whats the value of the following function??

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



i tried and got the answer as does not exist
but some people got it as 0

which is the correct answer

f(2) = 0, but if x > 2, then the function is undefined. This means that the limit you showed does not exist.

This limit does exist, however, and is equal to 0.
$$\lim{x \to 2^-}\sqrt{4 - x^2}$$
 
fzero said:
Can you explain the steps that lead to your result?

i assumed that x=2.1
as we approach 2 from the right side

the when i put it under the when we put it under the sqaure and subtract we get
sprt(-0.1)

which is undefined
 
Mark44 said:
f(2) = 0, but if x > 2, then the function is undefined. This means that the limit you showed does not exist.

This limit does exist, however, and is equal to 0.
$$\lim{x \to 2^-}\sqrt{4 - x^2}$$

but which is correct
is my answer when x->2+ correct
 
houssamxd said:
but which is correct
is my answer when x->2+ correct
No. The limit as you wrote it doesn't exist.
 
Mark44 said:
No. The limit as you wrote it doesn't exist.

so I am right
it doesn't exist
 
Yes. The limit doesn't exist.

Your first post in this thread was confusing to me.
houssamxd said:
i tried and got the answer as does not exist
but some people got it as 0

which is the correct answer
I didn't understand that you were asking a question since you didn't end it with a question mark (?). I interpreted what you wrote as saying that 0 was the correct answer.
 
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Mark44 said:
Yes. The limit doesn't exist.

Your first post in this thread was confusing to me.

I didn't understand that you were asking a question since you didn't end it with a question mark (?). I interpreted what you wrote as saying that 0 was the correct answer.

sorry about that
but anyway thanks for your ttime and help
i owe you one
 
  • #10
houssamxd said:
sorry about that
but anyway thanks for your ttime and help
You're welcome!
houssamxd said:
i owe you one
That's OK. It's what we do here, and we enjoy doing it, as long as you make a reasonable effort when you post a question.
 
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  • #11
houssamxd said:
so I am right
it doesn't exist

In the real plane the limit does not exist because the function itself does not exist when x > 2. However, in the complex plane the function does exist, and the limit is 0. This is because for x > 2 we have
[tex]4 - x^2 = -(x^2 - 4) = (x^2 - 4) e^{\pm i \pi} \, \Longrightarrow<br /> \sqrt{4 - x^2} = \sqrt{x^2 - 4}\: e^{\pm i \pi/2} = \pm\, i \sqrt{x^2 - 4}.[/tex]
The principal square root uses "+i", but the other is also a solution of z^2 = 4 - x^2. Anyway, no matter which square root you choose, it goes to zero along the imaginary axis in the complex plane, so the limit is zero.
 

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