Using the Formal Definition


Prove the limit statements in Exercises 37–50.


limx→9 √(x − 5) = 2

Finding Limits

In Exercises 3–8, find the limit of each function (a) as x → ∞ and (b) as x → −∞. (You may wish to visualize your answer with a graphing calculator or computer.)

h(x) = (−5 + (7/x))/(3 – (1/x²))

Using the Formal Definitions

Use the formal definitions of limits as x → ±∞ to establish the limits in Exercises 91 and 92.

If f has the constant value f(x) = k, then lim x → ∞ f(x) = k.

Define h(2) in a way that extends h(t) = (t² + 3t − 10)/(t − 2) to be continuous at t = 2.

Using Limit Rules

Suppose lim x→0 f(x) = 1 and lim x→0 g(x) = −5. Name the rules in Theorem 1 that are used to accomplish steps (a), (b), and (c) of the following calculation.

limx→0 (2f(x) − g(x)) / (f(x) + 7)² = limx→0 (2f(x) − g(x)) / limx→0 (f(x) + 7)² (a)

(We assume the denominator is nonzero.)

(lim x→0 2f(x) − lim x→0 g(x)) / (lim x→0 (f(x) + 7))² (b)

= (2 lim x→0 f(x) − lim x→0 g(x)) / (lim x→0 f(x) + lim x→0 7)² (c)

= ((2)(1) − (−5)) / (1 + 7)² = 7/64

For what values of a and b is

g(x) = { ax + 2b, x ≤ 0

x² + 3a – b, 0 < x ≤ 2

3x – 5, x > 2

continuous at every x?

Limits as x → ∞ or x → −∞

The process by which we determine limits of rational functions applies equally well to ratios containing noninteger or negative powers of x. Divide numerator and denominator by the highest power of x in the denominator and proceed from there. Find the limits in Exercises 23–36. Write ∞ or −∞ where appropriate.

lim x → ⁻∞ ((1 − x³) / (x² + 7x))⁵