2.3 Limits of Functions

 

Summary

The concept of the limit of a function at a point is formally introduced. Rules for computing limits are also given, and some situations are described where the limit does not exist.

By the end of your studying, you should know:

On-screen applet instructions: Use the slider to let h -> 0 and investigate the limiting behavior of f(2 + h) as h -> 0. Compare approaching h = 0 from the right, and from the left. Why does, or doesn't, the limit exist at h = 0?

Examples

Let

and

What is

Evaluate the limit

Let


Find conditions on coefficients a and e so that

Applets

Limits of Functions

Videos

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Quiz

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Exercises

See Exercises for 2.3 Limits of Functions (PDF).

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2.2 The Legacy of Galileo, Newton, and Leibniz Table of Contents 2.4 Limits at Infinity


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Copyright © 2005 Donald L. Kreider, C. Dwight Lahr, Susan J. Diesel