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
1. Limits and Continuity
Finding Limits Algebraically
Problem 2.63
Textbook Question
a. Analyze x→∞limf(x) andx→−∞limf(x) for each function.
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1
Identify the highest degree term in both the numerator and the denominator. In the given function \( f(x) = \frac{1 + x - 2x^2 - x^3}{x^2 + 1} \), the highest degree term in the numerator is \(-x^3\) and in the denominator is \(x^2\).
Divide every term in the numerator and the denominator by \(x^2\), the highest degree term in the denominator, to simplify the expression. This gives \( f(x) = \frac{\frac{1}{x^2} + \frac{x}{x^2} - \frac{2x^2}{x^2} - \frac{x^3}{x^2}}{\frac{x^2}{x^2} + \frac{1}{x^2}} \).
Simplify the expression: \( f(x) = \frac{\frac{1}{x^2} + \frac{1}{x} - 2 - x}{1 + \frac{1}{x^2}} \).
Evaluate the limit as \( x \to \infty \). As \( x \to \infty \), the terms \( \frac{1}{x^2} \) and \( \frac{1}{x} \) approach 0. Thus, the expression simplifies to \( \frac{0 + 0 - 2 - x}{1 + 0} = -x - 2 \). Therefore, \( \lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = -\infty \).
Evaluate the limit as \( x \to -\infty \). Similarly, as \( x \to -\infty \), the terms \( \frac{1}{x^2} \) and \( \frac{1}{x} \) approach 0. The expression simplifies to \( \frac{0 + 0 - 2 - x}{1 + 0} = -x - 2 \). Therefore, \( \lim_{x \to -\infty} f(x) = \infty \).
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