Proof of Various Limit Properties — Question 6

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Question 6

Assume that lim⁡x→af(x)=L\lim_{x\to a} f(x)=L. Prove that limx→a(f(x)−c)=L−c,\lim_{x\to a} \bigl(f(x)-c\bigr)=L-c, where cc is a constant.

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Question 6 - Solution

Let ε>0\varepsilon>0 be given. We must show that there exists δ>0\delta>0 such that if 0<|x−a|<δ,0<|x-a|<\delta, then |(f(x)−c)−(L−c)|<ε.|(f(x)-c)-(L-c)|<\varepsilon.

Simplify the expression: |(f(x)−c)−(L−c)|=|f(x)−L|.|(f(x)-c)-(L-c)| = |f(x)-L|.

Since lim⁡x→af(x)=L\lim_{x\to a} f(x)=L, by the definition of the limit there exists δ>0\delta>0 such that whenever 0<|x−a|<δ,0<|x-a|<\delta, we have |f(x)−L|<ε.|f(x)-L|<\varepsilon.

Thus, for this same choice of δ\delta, |(f(x)−c)−(L−c)|<ε.|(f(x)-c)-(L-c)|<\varepsilon.

Therefore, limx→a(f(x)−c)=L−c.\lim_{x\to a} \bigl(f(x)-c\bigr)=L-c.

Original worksheet page 2: question and worked solution for 7-1-006

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