Chapter 2: Problem 53
Find the limits. \(\lim \frac{1}{x^{2}-4}\) as a. \(x \rightarrow 2^{+}\) b. \(x \rightarrow 2^{-}\) c. \(x \rightarrow-2^{+}\) d. \(x \rightarrow-2^{-}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
a. \( +\infty \); b. \( -\infty \); c. \( -\infty \); d. \( +\infty \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Problem
We need to find the limit of \( \frac{1}{x^2-4} \) as \( x \) approaches 2 from the right (\( x \to 2^+ \)), 2 from the left (\( x \to 2^- \)), -2 from the right (\( x \to -2^+ \)), and -2 from the left (\( x \to -2^- \)).
02
Rewriting the Function
The function \( \frac{1}{x^2 - 4} \) can be rewritten as \( \frac{1}{(x-2)(x+2)} \). This will help in evaluating the behavior as \( x \) approaches ±2.
03
Analyzing Limit as \( x \to 2^+ \)
As \( x \to 2^+ \), \( x - 2 \to 0^+ \) and \( x + 2 \to 4 \). Therefore, \( \frac{1}{(x-2)(x+2)} \) becomes \( \frac{1}{0^+ \cdot 4} \), which tends to \( +\infty \).
04
Analyzing Limit as \( x \to 2^- \)
As \( x \to 2^- \), \( x - 2 \to 0^- \) and \( x + 2 \to 4 \). Therefore, \( \frac{1}{(x-2)(x+2)} \) becomes \( \frac{1}{0^- \cdot 4} \), which tends to \( -\infty \).
05
Analyzing Limit as \( x \to -2^+ \)
As \( x \to -2^+ \), \( x + 2 \to 0^+ \) and \( x - 2 \to -4 \). Therefore, \( \frac{1}{(x-2)(x+2)} \) becomes \( \frac{1}{-4 \cdot 0^+} \), which tends to \( -\infty \).
06
Analyzing Limit as \( x \to -2^- \)
As \( x \to -2^- \), \( x + 2 \to 0^- \) and \( x - 2 \to -4 \). Therefore, \( \frac{1}{(x-2)(x+2)} \) becomes \( \frac{1}{-4 \cdot 0^-} \), which tends to \( +\infty \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Continuity
When we talk about continuity in mathematics, we are referring to how smoothly a function behaves over its domain. A function is continuous at a point if its graph doesn't have any breaks, holes, or gaps at that point.
To check for continuity at a point, we need to ensure the following:
Since the limits are infinite and don't match the function's value (as it doesn't exist), the function is discontinuous at these points.
To check for continuity at a point, we need to ensure the following:
- The function is defined at the point.
- The limit exists as it approaches the point from both sides.
- The function's value equals the limit.
Since the limits are infinite and don't match the function's value (as it doesn't exist), the function is discontinuous at these points.
One-sided Limits
One-sided limits help us understand the behavior of a function as it approaches a particular point from one side only, either the left or the right.
For a limit \( \lim_{x \to c^+} f(x) \), we consider the values of \( f(x) \) as \( x \) gets closer to \( c \) from the right.
For a limit \( \lim_{x \to c^-} f(x) \), we consider the values as \( x \) gets closer from the left.
For a limit \( \lim_{x \to c^+} f(x) \), we consider the values of \( f(x) \) as \( x \) gets closer to \( c \) from the right.
For a limit \( \lim_{x \to c^-} f(x) \), we consider the values as \( x \) gets closer from the left.
- In the exercise for \( x \to 2^+ \), \( \lim \frac{1}{x^2 - 4} = +\infty \).
- For \( x \to 2^- \), the limit is \( -\infty \).
- For \( x \to -2^+ \), it approaches \( -\infty \).
- And for \( x \to -2^- \), the limit is \( +\infty \).
Infinite Limits
In mathematics, infinite limits occur when the values of a function increase or decrease without bound as \( x \) approaches a specific point. In the context of this exercise, as \( x \to 2 \) or \( x \to -2 \), the function \( \frac{1}{x^2 - 4} \) results in an infinite limit because the denominator of the fraction approaches zero.
Here’s why infinite limits are crucial:
Here’s why infinite limits are crucial:
- They indicate vertical asymptotes at points where the function heads to infinity.
- They help identify behavior trends that reveal discontinuities.