Chapter 2: Problem 53
Use the definitions of right-hand and left-hand limits to prove the limit statements. \begin{equation}\lim _{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{x}{|x|}=-1\end{equation}
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit \( \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{|x|} \) does not exist because the left-hand limit is -1, and the right-hand limit is 1, which are unequal.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Limit Problem
We need to prove the limit \( \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{|x|} = -1 \) specifically using the definitions of right-hand and left-hand limits. We will analyze the behavior of \( \frac{x}{|x|} \) as \( x \to 0^+ \) and \( x \to 0^- \).
02
Evaluating the Right-Hand Limit
For the right-hand limit, consider what happens as \( x \to 0^+ \). For \( x > 0 \), we have \( |x| = x \), thus \( \frac{x}{|x|} = 1 \). Therefore, the right-hand limit is \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{x}{|x|} = 1 \). This does not match the given limit of -1.
03
Evaluating the Left-Hand Limit
For the left-hand limit, consider the behavior as \( x \to 0^- \). For \( x < 0 \), we have \( |x| = -x \), hence \( \frac{x}{|x|} = -1 \). Therefore, the left-hand limit is \( \lim_{x \to 0^-} \frac{x}{|x|} = -1 \).
04
Combining The Limit Results
To conclude the behavior of the overall limit \( \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{|x|} \), we combine the results of the left-hand and right-hand limits. The right-hand limit is \( 1 \), and the left-hand limit is \( -1 \). Since these are not equal, the two-sided limit does not exist, as the function \( \frac{x}{|x|} \) is discontinuous at \( x = 0 \).
05
Conclusion: Correct Understanding of the Problem Statement
The statement \( \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{|x|} = -1 \) reflects only the left-hand limit and does not represent the actual two-sided limit which does not exist. Thus, proven incorrect under the provided criteria.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Right-Hand Limit
When investigating the right-hand limit, we look at the behavior of a function as our input value, \( x \), approaches a particular point from the positive side, which is often denoted as \( x \to c^+ \). This means that \( x \) is getting closer to \( c \) from values greater than \( c \).
For the problem \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{x}{|x|} \), when \( x \) is positive, \( |x| = x \), so
\[ \frac{x}{|x|} = \frac{x}{x} = 1. \]
Thus, we find that the right-hand limit of the function \( \frac{x}{|x|} \) as \( x \) approaches \( 0 \) from the right is 1, not -1. This is crucial because it shows that the right-hand limit differs from the statement's limit.
For the problem \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{x}{|x|} \), when \( x \) is positive, \( |x| = x \), so
\[ \frac{x}{|x|} = \frac{x}{x} = 1. \]
Thus, we find that the right-hand limit of the function \( \frac{x}{|x|} \) as \( x \) approaches \( 0 \) from the right is 1, not -1. This is crucial because it shows that the right-hand limit differs from the statement's limit.
Left-Hand Limit
The left-hand limit examines how a function behaves as it approaches a specific point from the negative side, expressed as \( x \to c^- \). This indicates that \( x \) is nearing \( c \) from values less than \( c \).
In our problem, when \( x \to 0^- \), \( x \) is negative. Therefore, \( |x| = -x \) and
\[ \frac{x}{|x|} = \frac{x}{-x} = -1. \]
Thus, we see that as \( x \) approaches 0 from the left, the function \( \frac{x}{|x|} \) indeed approaches -1. This supports the left-hand limit part of the limit statement \( \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{|x|} = -1 \). However, this does not confirm a two-sided limit.
In our problem, when \( x \to 0^- \), \( x \) is negative. Therefore, \( |x| = -x \) and
\[ \frac{x}{|x|} = \frac{x}{-x} = -1. \]
Thus, we see that as \( x \) approaches 0 from the left, the function \( \frac{x}{|x|} \) indeed approaches -1. This supports the left-hand limit part of the limit statement \( \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{|x|} = -1 \). However, this does not confirm a two-sided limit.
Discontinuity
Discontinuity in a function occurs when there is a jump, gap, or point at which the function is not continuous. This usually happens when the left-hand and right-hand limits do not coincide.
In the case of \( f(x) = \frac{x}{|x|} \), at \( x = 0 \) the function is not defined, and the right-hand limit, which is 1, does not match the left-hand limit, which is -1. This difference indicates a discontinuity at \( x = 0 \).
Such discontinuities are important to note because they tell us that although limits might exist from one side, a harmonious overall limit does not, leading to a break in the function's graph.
In the case of \( f(x) = \frac{x}{|x|} \), at \( x = 0 \) the function is not defined, and the right-hand limit, which is 1, does not match the left-hand limit, which is -1. This difference indicates a discontinuity at \( x = 0 \).
Such discontinuities are important to note because they tell us that although limits might exist from one side, a harmonious overall limit does not, leading to a break in the function's graph.
Two-Sided Limit
A two-sided limit investigates the behavior of a function from both directions as it approaches a specific value. A two-sided limit \( \lim_{x \to c} f(x) \) exists if and only if both the left-hand and right-hand limits are identical, meaning \( \lim_{x \to c^-} f(x) = \lim_{x \to c^+} f(x) \).
For \( \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{|x|} \), we see:
Since these are not the same, the overall two-sided limit does not exist.
Understanding this concept is vital as it illustrates that even if one-side limits exist, without them matching, a unified two-sided limit cannot be concluded.
For \( \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{|x|} \), we see:
- The right-hand limit is 1.
- The left-hand limit is -1.
Since these are not the same, the overall two-sided limit does not exist.
Understanding this concept is vital as it illustrates that even if one-side limits exist, without them matching, a unified two-sided limit cannot be concluded.