Chapter 1: Problem 66
Explain what is wrong with the statement. $$\lim _{x \rightarrow 1} \frac{x-1}{|x-1|}=1$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The statement is wrong because the limit doesn't exist; one-sided limits differ as \(x\) approaches 1.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Expression
The expression given is \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 1} \frac{x-1}{|x-1|} \). We aim to evaluate this limit as \( x \) approaches 1. The numerator \( x-1 \) indicates the distance from 1, and the denominator \( |x-1| \) is the absolute value of this distance, which deals with the direction depending on whether \( x \) is greater than or less than 1.
02
Consider the Limit from the Right
Let's consider the case where \( x \rightarrow 1^+ \) (from values greater than 1), meaning \( x > 1 \). In this case, \( |x-1| = x-1 \), so our expression becomes \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 1^+} \frac{x-1}{x-1} = \lim _{x \rightarrow 1^+} 1 = 1 \).
03
Consider the Limit from the Left
Now consider the case where \( x \rightarrow 1^- \) (from values less than 1), meaning \( x < 1 \). In this situation, \( |x-1| = -(x-1) \), so our expression becomes \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 1^-} \frac{x-1}{-(x-1)} = \lim _{x \rightarrow 1^-} -1 = -1 \).
04
Conclude About the Limit Existence
Since the limit from the right is 1 and the limit from the left is -1, these one-sided limits are not equal. Therefore, the overall limit \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 1} \frac{x-1}{|x-1|} \) does not exist due to the discrepancy between these two values.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
One-sided limits
One-sided limits are an important concept in calculus. They allow us to understand the behavior of a function as it approaches a certain point, but only from one direction. There are two types of one-sided limits:
In the given example, we need to separately evaluate the expression as \( x \) approaches 1 from both directions. By comparing these one-sided limits, we can determine whether the overall limit exists.
- Right-hand limit: This is denoted by approaching a point from the right (larger values). For example, when we say \( x \rightarrow 1^+ \), it means we are approaching 1 from values greater than 1.
- Left-hand limit: This is denoted by approaching a point from the left (smaller values). For instance, \( x \rightarrow 1^- \) means approaching 1 from values less than 1.
In the given example, we need to separately evaluate the expression as \( x \) approaches 1 from both directions. By comparing these one-sided limits, we can determine whether the overall limit exists.
Absolute value
The absolute value function plays a crucial role in determining the behavior of expressions near certain points. The absolute value of a number \( x \) is written as \( |x| \), and it signifies the distance of \( x \) from zero on a number line, irrespective of direction. Here are some simple facts about absolute values:
In our problem, as \( x \) approaches 1, the use of \(|x-1|\) indicates a shift around the point 1. When \( x < 1 \), \(|x-1| = -(x-1)\), due to the reversal of sign from the absolute value. Conversely, for \( x > 1 \), \(|x-1| = x-1\). Understanding this distinction is key to evaluating the limits properly.
- If \( x \) is positive or zero, \( |x| = x \).
- If \( x \) is negative, \( |x| = -x \).
In our problem, as \( x \) approaches 1, the use of \(|x-1|\) indicates a shift around the point 1. When \( x < 1 \), \(|x-1| = -(x-1)\), due to the reversal of sign from the absolute value. Conversely, for \( x > 1 \), \(|x-1| = x-1\). Understanding this distinction is key to evaluating the limits properly.
Limit does not exist
A limit does not exist when the behavior of a function at a particular point does not converge to a single value. To verify if a limit exists, we often compare the one-sided limits. For the limit to exist at a point \( x = a \), the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit must be equal. Consider:
In the original exercise, the limit from the right as \( x \rightarrow 1^+ \) was found to be 1, and the limit from the left as \( x \rightarrow 1^- \) was -1. Since these values do not match, \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 1} \frac{x-1}{|x-1|} \) does not exist.
- If \( \lim _{x \rightarrow a^-} f(x) = \lim _{x \rightarrow a^+} f(x) = L \), then \( \lim _{x \rightarrow a} f(x) = L \).
- If the left-hand limit differs from the right-hand limit, the overall limit at that point does not exist.
In the original exercise, the limit from the right as \( x \rightarrow 1^+ \) was found to be 1, and the limit from the left as \( x \rightarrow 1^- \) was -1. Since these values do not match, \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 1} \frac{x-1}{|x-1|} \) does not exist.