f (x) L L 1 10

f (x) lies in here

small, by holding x close

Definition of Limit
for all x x0 in here x x0 x0 x

How to Prove Limits using the Formal Denition

x0

(aka how to do delta-epsilon proofs) d 7 0 so that keeping x within the

FIGURE 2.13 How should we define

The formal denition of limit states that

xx0

interval s x0 - d, x0 + d d will keep (x) 1 1 within the interval aL ,L + b? 10 10

y

lim f (x) = L

if for any given > 0, there is a corresponding > 0 such that for all values of x, 0 < |x x0 | < = |f (x) L| < .

L L L f (x) lies in here

Suppose we are watching the value of x0 itself). Ce a unit of L as soon as x st not enough, because as x tering about within the in We can be told that Each time, we find a new the new error tolerance. A some stage. The figures on the n between a skeptic and a does not exist or, more every challenge with a dHow do we stop this ing that for every error to or conjure a matching dis tolerance of L (Figure 2.1

f (x)

How to nd delta ( ) given epsilon ( ) to prove that lim f (x) = L.

xx0

DEFINITION Lim Let (x) be defined say that the limit of

for all x x 0 in here x 0 x0 x0 x x0

1. Identify x0 , f (x), L, . 2. Begin with the f -interval |f (x) L| < . 3. Solve the inequality to nd the corresponding x-interval. 4. Position x0 near the center of the x-interval. 5. Let equal the distance from x0 to the closer endpoint.

if, for every number for all x, 0 6

FIGURE 2.14 The relation of d and P in the definition of limit.

Problem 1 Use the formal denition of limit to show that lim 3x 1 = 5. Find given = 0.3.
x2

One way to think a shaft to a close tolerance be satisfied with a diam measure of how accurate racy in the diameter of th may have to adjust d . Th pends on the value of P ,

Examples: Testing the

Solution 1 1. Identify x0 , f (x), L, . x0 = 2, f (x) = 3x 1, L = 5, = 0.3. 2. Begin with the f -interval |f (x) L| < . |3x 1 5| < 0.3

The formal definition of ables us to verify that a s

Copyright 2005 Pearson Education, I

3. Solve the inequality to nd the corresponding x-interval. |3x 1 5| < 0.3 0.3 < 3x 6 < 0.3 5.7 < 3x < 6.3 1.9 < x < 2.1 4. Position x0 near the center of the x-interval.
1.9 2 2.1

5. Let equal the distance from x0 to the closer endpoint. The distance from x0 = 2 to the left endpoint is 2 1.9 = 0.1. The distance from x0 = 2 to the right endpoint is 2.1 2 = 0.1. Since the two distances are equal, let = 0.1 . Then 0 < |x 2| < 0.1 = |3x 1 5| < 0.3.

Problem 2 Use the formal denition of limit to show that lim Solution 2 1. Identify x0 , f (x), L, . x0 = 1, f (x) = x + 3, L = 2, = 0.1. 2. Begin with the f -interval |f (x) L| < . | x + 3 2| < 0.1 3. Solve the inequality to nd the corresponding x-interval. | x + 3 2| < 0.1 0.1 < x + 3 2 < 0.1 1.9 < x + 3 < 2.1 3.61 < x + 3 < 4.41 0.61 < x < 1.41 4. Position x0 near the center of the x-interval.
0.61 1 1.41

x 1

x + 3 = 2. Find given = 0.1.

5. Let equal the distance from x0 to the closer endpoint. The distance from x0 = 1 to the left endpoint is 1 0.61 = 0.39. The distance from x0 = 1 to the right endpoint is 1.41 1 = 0.41. Let = 0.39 , the shorter distance. Then 0 < |x 1| < 0.39 = | x + 3 2| < 0.1.

Problem 3 Use the formal denition of limit to show that lim 3x 1 = 5. Find given any > 0.
x2

Solution 3 1. Identify x0 , f (x), L. x0 = 2, f (x) = 3x 1, L = 5. 2. Begin with the f -interval |f (x) L| < . |3x 1 5| < 3. Solve the inequality to nd the corresponding x-interval. |3x 1 5| < < 3x 6 < 6 < 3x < 6 + 2 4. Position x0 near the center of the x-interval.
2 3 2 2 3

<x<2+

5. Let equal the distance from x0 to the closer endpoint. The distance from x0 = 2 to the left endpoint is 2 (2 3 ) = 3 . The distance from x0 = 2 to the right endpoint is 2 + 3 2 = 3 . Since the two distances are equal, let = Then 0 < |x 2| <
3

= |3x 1 5| < .

S. Chang

CU-Boulder Department of Applied Mathematics