Why does the limit of 1/x² not exist as x approaches zero?

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In summary, the limit of 1/x^2 as x approaches 0 does not exist because the limit would approach infinity, which is not a real number. This can be proven by showing that for any large, positive number, there is an interval around 0 where 1/x^2 is greater than that number.
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Hwng10
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Homework Statement


Show limit 1/x^2 when x approaches zero does not exist.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


What I do is suppose the limit exists,say L.Then I show that for all real number L, the limit does not approaches L. In this case, I separate L into different cases. Can anyone help me to check is this a valid prove.
 
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Yes, that is a valid approach.
 
  • #3
[tex]\lim_{x \to 0}\frac{1}{x^2} = \infty[/tex]

Since ∞ is not a real number the limit above is said not to exist. This limit means that for any large, positive number M, there is some interval around 0 such that if x is in that interval, 1/x2 > M.
 

FAQ: Why does the limit of 1/x² not exist as x approaches zero?

What does it mean when a limit does not exist?

When a limit does not exist, it means that the function being evaluated does not approach a single, finite value as the independent variable gets closer and closer to the specified point.

Can a limit not exist at a specific point?

Yes, a limit can fail to exist at a specific point. This can happen if the function has a vertical asymptote, a jump, or an oscillation at that point.

How do you prove that a limit does not exist?

The most common method to prove that a limit does not exist is to show that the right-hand limit and the left-hand limit are not equal. This could also be demonstrated by showing that the function has an infinite value at the point in question.

What is the difference between a limit not existing and a limit being undefined?

A limit not existing means that the function does not approach a finite value at the specified point, while a limit being undefined means that the function is not defined at that point. In other words, a limit not existing indicates a problem with the behavior of the function, while a limit being undefined indicates a problem with the function itself.

What are some common reasons for a limit to not exist?

Some common reasons for a limit to not exist include having a vertical asymptote or a jump in the function, the function oscillating at the point, or the function approaching different values from the left and right sides of the point.

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