Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
1. Limits and Continuity
Finding Limits Algebraically
Problem 2.4.9b
Textbook Question
The graph of ℎ in the figure has vertical asymptotes at x=−2 and x=3. Analyze the following limits. <IMAGE>
lim x→−2^+ h(x)

1
Step 1: Understand the concept of a vertical asymptote. A vertical asymptote at x = a means that as x approaches a, the function h(x) tends to infinity or negative infinity.
Step 2: Identify the direction of approach. The limit x → -2^+ indicates that we are approaching x = -2 from the right side (values greater than -2).
Step 3: Analyze the behavior of h(x) as x approaches -2 from the right. Since there is a vertical asymptote at x = -2, observe whether h(x) increases towards positive infinity or decreases towards negative infinity.
Step 4: Use the graph to determine the behavior. Look at the graph of h(x) near x = -2 from the right side to see if the function is going upwards or downwards.
Step 5: Conclude the limit based on the observed behavior. If h(x) goes to positive infinity, the limit is positive infinity. If it goes to negative infinity, the limit is negative infinity.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Vertical Asymptotes
Vertical asymptotes occur in the graph of a function where the function approaches infinity or negative infinity as the input approaches a certain value. In this case, the function h has vertical asymptotes at x = -2 and x = 3, indicating that as x approaches these values, the function's output becomes unbounded.
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One-Sided Limits
One-sided limits evaluate the behavior of a function as the input approaches a specific value from one side only. The notation lim x→−2^+ h(x) indicates that we are interested in the limit of h(x) as x approaches -2 from the right (values greater than -2), which helps in understanding the function's behavior near the asymptote.
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Limit Behavior Near Asymptotes
The behavior of limits near vertical asymptotes is crucial for understanding how functions behave at points where they are undefined. As x approaches a vertical asymptote, the function typically tends to either positive or negative infinity, which can be determined by analyzing the function's values just before and after the asymptote.
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