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 2.4.9f
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→3 h(x)

1
Step 1: Identify the type of limit problem. Since the limit is approaching a point where there is a vertical asymptote (x = 3), this is a limit involving a vertical asymptote.
Step 2: Understand the behavior of the function near the asymptote. As x approaches 3, the function h(x) will tend to either positive infinity or negative infinity, depending on the direction from which x approaches 3.
Step 3: Consider the one-sided limits. Evaluate the limit from the left (x → 3⁻) and from the right (x → 3⁺) separately to determine the behavior of h(x) as it approaches the asymptote.
Step 4: Analyze the graph. Look at the graph of h(x) near x = 3 to see if the function approaches positive or negative infinity from either side.
Step 5: Conclude the limit. Based on the behavior observed in the graph, determine if the two one-sided limits are equal or if they differ, which will indicate whether the overall limit exists or not.

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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, h(x) will not approach a finite limit.
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Limits
A limit describes the behavior of a function as the input approaches a particular value. In the context of the question, evaluating the limit as x approaches 3 for h(x) involves determining how h(x) behaves near the vertical asymptote at x = 3, which typically results in the limit being either positive or negative infinity.
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One-Sided Limits
One-sided limits are used to analyze the behavior of a function as it approaches a specific point from one side only, either from the left (denoted as lim x→c-) or from the right (denoted as lim x→c+). For the limit as x approaches 3, it is essential to consider both one-sided limits to fully understand the behavior of h(x) near the vertical asymptote.
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