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 26c
Textbook Question
Determine the following limits.
c. lim x→−2 (x − 4) / x(x + 2)
![](/channels/images/assetPage/verifiedSolution.png)
1
Step 1: Identify the limit expression: \( \lim_{{x \to -2}} \frac{{x - 4}}{{x(x + 2)}} \).
Step 2: Check if direct substitution of \( x = -2 \) into the expression results in an indeterminate form. Substitute \( x = -2 \) into the numerator and denominator.
Step 3: Notice that substituting \( x = -2 \) gives \( \frac{{-2 - 4}}{{-2(-2 + 2)}} = \frac{{-6}}{{0}} \), which is undefined. This suggests a potential vertical asymptote or a removable discontinuity.
Step 4: Factor the denominator if possible to simplify the expression. The denominator is already factored as \( x(x + 2) \).
Step 5: Since the expression is undefined at \( x = -2 \), analyze the behavior of the function as \( x \) approaches \(-2\) from the left and right to determine the limit, considering the sign of the numerator and denominator.
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