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The following problems involve the PRECISE tex2html_wrap_inline79 DEFINITION OF LIMITS OF FUNCTIONS AS X APPROACHES A CONSTANT. Most problems are average. A few are somewhat challenging. We will begin with the precise tex2html_wrap_inline79 definition of the limit of a function as x approaches a constant.

DEFINITION: The statement tex2html_wrap_inline83 has the following precise definition. Given any real number tex2html_wrap_inline85 , there exists another real number tex2html_wrap_inline87 so that if tex2html_wrap_inline89 , then tex2html_wrap_inline91 .

In general, the value of tex2html_wrap_inline93 will depend on the value of tex2html_wrap_inline95 . That is, we will always begin with tex2html_wrap_inline85 and then determine an appropriate corresponding value for tex2html_wrap_inline87. There are many values of tex2html_wrap_inline93 which work. Once you find a value that works, all smaller values of tex2html_wrap_inline93 also work.

To try and understand the meaning behind this abstract definition, see the given diagram (to appear later). We first pick an tex2html_wrap_inline95 band around the number L on the y-axis . We then determine a tex2html_wrap_inline93 band around the number a on the x-axis so that for all x-values (excluding x=a ) inside the tex2html_wrap_inline93 band, the corresponding y-values lie inside the tex2html_wrap_inline95 band. In other words, we first pick a prescribed closeness (tex2html_wrap_inline95) to L . Then we get close enough (tex2html_wrap_inline93) to a so that all the corresponding y-values fall inside the tex2html_wrap_inline95 band. If a tex2html_wrap_inline87 can be found for each value of tex2html_wrap_inline85, then we have proven that L is the correct limit. If there is a single tex2html_wrap_inline85 for which this process fails, then the limit L has been incorrectly computed, or the limit does not exist.

In the problems that follow, we will use this precise definition to mathematically PROVE that the limits we compute algebraically are correct. When using this definition, begin each proof by letting tex2html_wrap_inline85 be given. Then take the expression tex2html_wrap_inline91 and, from this, attempt to algebraically ``solve for" | x - a | . At that point, an appropriate value for tex2html_wrap_inline87 can easily be determined.

The expression `` iff " will be used often in the solutions to the following problems. It means `` if and only if " or `` is equivalent to ''. The expression `` min{A, B }" will also be used in many of the solutions. It means `` the minimum value of A and B." For example, min{ 3, 7 } = 3.

PROBLEM 1: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline157 .

PROBLEM 2: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline159 .

PROBLEM 3: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline161 .

PROBLEM 4: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline163 .

PROBLEM 5: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline165 .

PROBLEM 6: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline167 .

PROBLEM 7: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline169.

PROBLEM 8: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline171 .

PROBLEM 9: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline173 .

PROBLEM 10: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline175 .

PROBLEM 11: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline177 .

PROBLEM 12: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline179 .

The following two problems require some knowledge and understanding of the Mean Value Theorem.

PROBLEM 13: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline181, where a is any real number .

PROBLEM 14: Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline185 , where a is any positive real number .

The following problem uses the triangle inequality. The triangle inequality states that tex2html_wrap_inline189 for any two real numbers A and B .

PROBLEM 15: Let tex2html_wrap_inline195 . Prove that tex2html_wrap_inline197 does not exist .




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Duane Kouba
Wed Apr 30 16:21:53 PDT 1997