All Flashcards
What is the notation for the left-hand limit as x approaches a?
What is the notation for the right-hand limit as x approaches a?
How do you estimate a limit from a graph?
- Visualize the point. 2. Trace along the graph from both sides. 3. Check if the one-sided limits match.
How do you determine if a limit DNE from a graph?
- Check for vertical asymptotes. 2. Check for jump discontinuities. 3. Check for wild oscillations.
Given a graph, how do you find the left-hand limit at x=a?
Trace the graph from the left side of x=a. Determine the y-value the function approaches as x gets closer to a from the left.
Given a graph, how do you find the right-hand limit at x=a?
Trace the graph from the right side of x=a. Determine the y-value the function approaches as x gets closer to a from the right.
How do you evaluate from a graph?
Determine and . If they are equal, that is the limit. Otherwise, the limit DNE.
How do you handle a graph with a hole at x=a when finding ?
The limit can still exist even with a hole. Focus on what y-value the function approaches as x approaches 'a' from both sides, not the value at x=a.
How do you determine if a function is continuous at x=a from its graph?
Check if the limit exists at x=a, if f(a) is defined, and if .
How do you identify a jump discontinuity on a graph?
Look for a point where the graph 'jumps' from one y-value to another. The left and right limits will be different at this point.
How do you identify a vertical asymptote on a graph?
Look for a vertical line where the function approaches infinity (or negative infinity) as x approaches that line.
How do you deal with oscillations when estimating limits from a graph?
If the function oscillates wildly near a point, the limit likely does not exist. The function does not approach a single, finite value.
What is a limit?
The value a function approaches as the input approaches a specific point.
Define a left-hand limit.
The value a function approaches as x approaches a value from the left.
Define a right-hand limit.
The value a function approaches as x approaches a value from the right.
What does DNE mean in the context of limits?
Does Not Exist. The limit does not approach a single, finite value.
What is a vertical asymptote?
A vertical line that a function approaches but never touches; often indicates a limit DNE.
What is a jump discontinuity?
A point where the left-hand limit and right-hand limit exist but are not equal.
What is an oscillating function?
A function that fluctuates rapidly between two values as x approaches a certain point.
What is an unbounded function?
A function whose values increase or decrease without limit as x approaches a certain point.
What is the notation for the limit of f(x) as x approaches 'a'?
What does it mean for a function to be continuous at a point?
The limit exists at that point, the function is defined at that point, and the limit equals the function value.