Solutions 70: Finding Limits: Numerical and Graphical Approaches

Solutions to Odd-Numbered Exercises

1. The value of the function, the output, at [latex]x=a[/latex] is [latex]f\left(a\right)[/latex]. When the [latex]\underset{x\to a}{\mathrm{lim}}f\left(x\right)[/latex] is taken, the values of [latex]x[/latex] get infinitely close to [latex]a[/latex] but never equal [latex]a[/latex]. As the values of [latex]x[/latex] approach [latex]a[/latex] from the left and right, the limit is the value that the function is approaching.

3. –4

5. –4

7. 2

9. does not exist

11. 4

13. does not exist

15. Answers will vary.

17. Answers will vary.

19. Answers will vary.

21. Answers will vary.

23. 7.38906

25. 54.59815

27. [latex]{e}^{6}\approx 403.428794[/latex], [latex]{e}^{7}\approx 1096.633158[/latex], [latex]{e}^{n}[/latex]

29. [latex]\underset{x\to -2}{\mathrm{lim}}f\left(x\right)=1[/latex]

31. [latex]\underset{x\to 3}{\mathrm{lim}}\left(\frac{{x}^{2}-x - 6}{{x}^{2}-9}\right)=\frac{5}{6}\approx 0.83[/latex]

33. [latex]\underset{x\to 1}{\mathrm{lim}}\left(\frac{{x}^{2}-1}{{x}^{2}-3x+2}\right)=-2.00[/latex]

35. [latex]\underset{x\to 1}{\mathrm{lim}}\left(\frac{10 - 10{x}^{2}}{{x}^{2}-3x+2}\right)=20.00[/latex]

37. [latex]\underset{x\to \frac{-1}{2}}{\mathrm{lim}}\left(\frac{x}{4{x}^{2}+4x+1}\right)[/latex] does not exist. Function values decrease without bound as [latex]x[/latex] approaches –0.5 from either left or right.

39. [latex]\underset{x\to 0}{\mathrm{lim}}\frac{7\tan x}{3x}=\frac{7}{3}[/latex]
Table shows as the function approaches 0, the value is 7 over 3 but the function is undefined at 0.

41. [latex]\underset{x\to 0}{\mathrm{lim}}\frac{2\sin x}{4\tan x}=\frac{1}{2}[/latex]
Table shows as the function approaches 0, the value is 1 over 2, but the function is undefined at 0.

43. [latex]\underset{x\to 0}{\mathrm{lim}}{e}^{{e}^{-\text{ }\frac{1}{{x}^{2}}}}=1.0[/latex]

45. [latex]\underset{x\to -{1}^{-}}{\mathrm{lim}}\frac{|x+1|}{x+1}=\frac{-\left(x+1\right)}{\left(x+1\right)}=-1[/latex] and [latex]\underset{x\to -{1}^{+}}{\mathrm{lim}}\frac{|x+1|}{x+1}=\frac{\left(x+1\right)}{\left(x+1\right)}=1[/latex]; since the right-hand limit does not equal the left-hand limit, [latex]\underset{x\to -1}{\mathrm{lim}}\frac{|x+1|}{x+1}[/latex] does not exist.

47. [latex]\underset{x\to -1}{\mathrm{lim}}\frac{1}{{\left(x+1\right)}^{2}}[/latex] does not exist. The function increases without bound as [latex]x[/latex] approaches [latex]-1[/latex] from either side.

49. [latex]\underset{x\to 0}{\mathrm{lim}}\frac{5}{1-{e}^{\frac{2}{x}}}[/latex] does not exist. Function values approach 5 from the left and approach 0 from the right.

51. Through examination of the postulates and an understanding of relativistic physics, as [latex]v\to c[/latex], [latex]m\to \infty[/latex]. Take this one step further to the solution,

[latex]\underset{v\to {c}^{-}}{\mathrm{lim}}m=\underset{v\to {c}^{-}}{\mathrm{lim}}\frac{{m}_{o}}{\sqrt{1-\left({v}^{2}/{c}^{2}\right)}}=\infty[/latex]