What is being Done in This proof of Limits?

In summary, the person is looking for help understanding how to prove limits in calculus and is asking for resources. Another person provides a link and explains the process of proving a limit through a challenge-response method. The goal is to convince someone that a limit is accurate by getting the function value within a certain range (epsilon).
  • #1
adelin
32
0
I have been trying to learn calculus by my own, but when it comes to proving limits I get very confuse.

Could somebody explain me what is being done here?

eq0054MP.gif


eq0060MP.gif


eq0061MP.gif


If you know any resources that could help me with this task let me know.

here is the source:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/DefnOfLimit.aspx
 
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  • #2
The first line is the statement you want to show.
The second line is a clever guess for delta (as function of epsilon), and the remaining steps are just simplifications, showing that |(5x-4)-6| is indeed < epsilon if |x-2|<delta.
 
  • #3
adelin said:
I have been trying to learn calculus by my own, but when it comes to proving limits I get very confuse.

Could somebody explain me what is being done here?

eq0054MP.gif


eq0060MP.gif


eq0061MP.gif


If you know any resources that could help me with this task let me know.

here is the source:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/DefnOfLimit.aspx

They're starting with this inequality:
##|(5x - 4) - 6| < \epsilon##
In a few algebra operations, they arrive at this:
##5|x - 2| < \epsilon ##
or
##|x - 2| < \epsilon/5 ##
If you let ##\delta = \epsilon/5##, then by reversing the steps above, you'll get back to the first inequality.

The whole idea is sort of a challenge-response. If you're trying to convince someone that ##\lim_{x \to 2}5x -4 = 6##, they might ask you get a function value within 0.1 (that's the ##\epsilon##). You say, take any x within 0.1/5 = 0.02 of 2.

If the challenger isn't satisfied, he might ask if you can get the function value within 0.001. You tell him to take any x within 0.0002 of 2 (i.e., between 1.9998 and 2.0002).

And so on. Eventually, he'll give up and accept that the limit is indeed 2.
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Mark44 said:
They're starting with this inequality:
##|(5x - 4) - 6| < \epsilon##
In a few algebra operations, they arrive at this:
##5|x - 2| < \epsilon ##
or
##|x - 2| < \epsilon/5 ##
If you let ##\delta = \epsilon/5##, then by reversing the steps above, you'll get back to the first inequality.

The whole idea is sort of a challenge-response. If you're trying to convince someone that ##\lim_{x \to 2}5x -4 = 6##, they might ask you get a function value within 0.1 (that's the ##\epsilon##). You say, take any x within 0.1/5 = 0.02 of 2.

If the challenger isn't satisfied, he might ask if you can get the function value within 0.001. You tell him to take any x within 0.0002 of 2 (i.e., between 1.9998 and 2.0002).

And so on. Eventually, he'll give up and accept that the limit is indeed 2.
thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:

FAQ: What is being Done in This proof of Limits?

What is a limit in mathematics?

A limit in mathematics is a fundamental concept used to describe the behavior of a function as its input approaches a specific value. It is the value that a function "approaches" as the input gets closer and closer to a certain value.

What is the purpose of a limit in a proof?

The purpose of a limit in a proof is to establish the value that a function approaches as its input approaches a specific value. It helps in determining the behavior of a function and can also be used to prove the existence of a limit.

How is a limit defined in a proof?

A limit is defined in a proof as the value that a function approaches as its input approaches a specific value. It is denoted by the symbol "lim" and is written as lim f(x) = L, where L is the limit of the function f(x) as x approaches a specific value.

What are the different types of limits in a proof?

There are three types of limits in a proof: one-sided limits, two-sided limits, and infinite limits. One-sided limits are used when the function approaches a specific value from only one side, while two-sided limits are used when the function approaches a specific value from both sides. Infinite limits occur when the function approaches positive or negative infinity as its input approaches a specific value.

How are limits used in real-life applications?

Limits are used in many real-life applications, such as physics, engineering, and economics, to model and analyze the behavior of various systems. They are also used in calculus to find the maximum and minimum values of a function and to determine the rate of change of a function at a specific point.

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