One–Sided Limits — Question 4

PDF ↗

Question 4

Let the function f(x)f(x) be defined as: f(x)={x2−4,x<12x+1,x≥1f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 - 4, & x < 1 \\ 2x + 1, & x \geq 1 \end{cases}

(a) Find lim⁡x→1−f(x)\lim_{x \to 1^-} f(x)

(b) Find lim⁡x→1+f(x)\lim_{x \to 1^+} f(x)

(c) Does lim⁡x→1f(x)\lim_{x \to 1} f(x) exist? Explain.

Original worksheet page 1: question and worked solution for 2-3-004
Show solutionHide solution

Question 4 - Solution

We are given: f(x)={x2−4,x<12x+1,x≥1f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 - 4, & x < 1 \\ 2x + 1, & x \geq 1 \end{cases}

(a) Left-hand limit:

For x<1x < 1, we use f(x)=x2−4f(x) = x^2 - 4: limx→1−f(x)=12−4=−3\lim_{x \to 1^-} f(x) = 1^2 - 4 = -3 limx→1−f(x)=−3\boxed{\lim_{x \to 1^-} f(x) = -3}

(b) Right-hand limit:

For x≥1x \geq 1, we use f(x)=2x+1f(x) = 2x + 1: limx→1+f(x)=2(1)+1=3\lim_{x \to 1^+} f(x) = 2(1) + 1 = 3 limx→1+f(x)=3\boxed{\lim_{x \to 1^+} f(x) = 3}

(c) Two-sided limit:

limx→1−f(x)=−3andlimx→1+f(x)=3\lim_{x \to 1^-} f(x) = -3 \quad \text{and} \quad \lim_{x \to 1^+} f(x) = 3 Since the one-sided limits are not equal, the overall limit does not exist: limx→1f(x) does not exist\boxed{\lim_{x \to 1} f(x) \text{ does not exist}}

Original worksheet page 2: question and worked solution for 2-3-004

Original worksheet layout. Use Enlarge or open the PDF for a closer view.