Chapter 1: Problem 110
Prove that if \(\lim _{x \rightarrow c} f(x)=0\), then \(\lim _{x \rightarrow}|f(x)|=0\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
When the limit of a function \(f(x)\) as \(x\) approaches 'c' is 0, by applying the limit laws and the squeeze theorem, we can deduce that the limit of \(|f(x)|\) as \(x\) approaches 'c' is also 0.
Step by step solution
01
Start with Given Limit
We start with the given limit which is \(\lim _{x \rightarrow c} f(x) = 0\). This means that as \(x\) approaches the value 'c', the function \(f(x)\) approaches 0.
02
Apply definition of absolute value
Recall that absolute value of a number is always positive or zero, but never negative. In other words, the absolute value of a number is its distance from zero. Therefore, |\(f(x)\)| can be either \(f(x)\) or \(-f(x)\). When \(f(x)\) is positive or zero, |\(f(x)\)| is \(f(x)\), and when \(f(x)\) is negative, |\(f(x)\)| is \(-f(x)\).
03
Apply limit laws
The limit laws state that the limit of a function as \(x\) approaches a point 'c' is the same as the limit of the absolute value of that function as \(x\) approaches 'c'. Therefore, it follows that \(\lim_{x→c}|f(x)| = 0\).
04
Apply the Squeeze theorem
The function |\(f(x)\)| will always be greater than or equal to 0, because the absolute value of any real number cannot be negative. But if \(\lim _{x \rightarrow c} f(x) = 0\), then |\(f(x)\)| is squeezed to zero from above by \(f(x)\) and from below by 0. By the Squeeze theorem, this implies \(\lim _{x \rightarrow c} |f(x)| = 0\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Absolute Value
The absolute value of a number essentially measures its distance from zero on the real number line. It is always non-negative, meaning it can be zero or positive but never negative. For a function \( f(x) \), the absolute value, denoted \( |f(x)| \), reflects how far the value of \( f(x) \) is from zero, disregarding any direction on the number line.
To break it down further:
To break it down further:
- If \( f(x) \) is positive or zero, then \( |f(x)| = f(x) \).
- If \( f(x) \) is negative, then \( |f(x)| = -f(x) \), which makes it positive.
Squeeze Theorem
The Squeeze theorem is a powerful tool in calculus, useful when the limit of a function is difficult to directly determine. It comes into play especially when you can identify two simpler functions that 'squeeze' a more complex function from above and below as \( x \) approaches a certain point.
For the Squeeze theorem to apply, you'll need:
In our exercise, \( |f(x)| \) is squeezed by 0 (below) and \( f(x) \) (above), because \( f(x) \to 0 \) as \( x \to c \). This ensures that \( \lim_{x \to c} |f(x)| = 0 \) using the Squeeze theorem. The theorem simplifies such proofs significantly by focusing on bounding behaviors.
For the Squeeze theorem to apply, you'll need:
- A function \( g(x) \) such that \( g(x) \leq f(x) \leq h(x) \) for all \( x \) near \( c \) (except possibly at \( c \) itself).
- Both \( \lim_{x \to c} g(x) = L \) and \( \lim_{x \to c} h(x) = L \).
In our exercise, \( |f(x)| \) is squeezed by 0 (below) and \( f(x) \) (above), because \( f(x) \to 0 \) as \( x \to c \). This ensures that \( \lim_{x \to c} |f(x)| = 0 \) using the Squeeze theorem. The theorem simplifies such proofs significantly by focusing on bounding behaviors.
Limit Laws
Limit laws provide a set of rules that govern the behavior of limits of functions. They establish a foundation on which more complex limit problems can be solved, enabling us to handle a wide array of functions dreamily as they approach a particular point.
Here are some basic limit laws:
In this particular exercise, we leverage the continuity-related aspect of limit laws. Specifically, the rule that the limit of the absolute value \( |f(x)| \) as \( x \to c \) is the same as the limit of \( f(x) \) as \( x \to c \), provided that limit exists. This foundational law helps conclude that since \( \lim_{x \to c} f(x) = 0 \), consequently, \( \lim_{x \to c} |f(x)| = 0 \) too, ensuring a seamless understanding of limit transitions.
Here are some basic limit laws:
- Sum Law: \( \lim_{x \to c} (f(x) + g(x)) = \lim_{x \to c} f(x) + \lim_{x \to c} g(x) \)
- Product Law: \( \lim_{x \to c} (f(x) \cdot g(x)) = \lim_{x \to c} f(x) \cdot \lim_{x \to c} g(x) \)
- Constant Law: \( \lim_{x \to c} k \cdot f(x) = k \cdot \lim_{x \to c} f(x) \)
In this particular exercise, we leverage the continuity-related aspect of limit laws. Specifically, the rule that the limit of the absolute value \( |f(x)| \) as \( x \to c \) is the same as the limit of \( f(x) \) as \( x \to c \), provided that limit exists. This foundational law helps conclude that since \( \lim_{x \to c} f(x) = 0 \), consequently, \( \lim_{x \to c} |f(x)| = 0 \) too, ensuring a seamless understanding of limit transitions.