A limit at an endpoint refers to the behavior of a function as it approaches a boundary of its interval.
For a function \( \phi(x) \) defined on \( [a, b] \), endpoints are the values \( a \) and \( b \).
There are specific terms to discuss limits at these points:
- \( \phi(a+) \) describes the limit of \( \phi \) as \( x \) approaches \( a \) from the right.
- \( \phi(b-) \) describes the limit as \( x \) approaches \( b \) from the left.
Monotone functions, whether increasing or decreasing, guarantee that these limits exist.
This is due to the function's consistent growth or reduction without any sudden jumps or oscillations.
Thus, as \( x \) approaches either \( a \) from the right or \( b \) from the left, the values of \( \phi(x) \) settle into a stable pattern, allowing these endpoint limits to be defined.