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Before you start with limits, you should know that they are quite similar to finding the instantaneous rate of change. The limit of any given point (a) on the graph of a function would be the value the graph converges to at that point. The limit, in other words, is the slope of the tangent at a certain point on the graph.
For example, take the graph of y = x [Which is the same as f(x) = x] Now, when you graph that function you get a perfectly diagonal line. You can just start at the point (0,0) on the graph and then for each point, go up 1, right 1. Do the same for the left part of the graph, going down 1 and left 1.
Now that you got the graph, take ANY value of x.
Say you take 5. Now what point is your FUNCTION approaching from EACH side. So its clear that your function is approaching a value of 5 on the y-axis when x=5, from each side i.e. the graph approaches 5 on the y-axis from the left and the right when x =5. Remember that for a limit to exist, the graph should always approach a certain point from BOTH directions, left and right.
Consider the graph of y=x2. At x =5, y = 25. Now since the graph approaches the point 25, when x = 5 from both left and right sides, the limit as the graph approaches x=5 is 25!! Remember that it does NOT matter if the graph is defined at the point at which you are finding if the limit exists, what only matters is if the graph is approaching the point from both sides. So to say, you can have a hole at (5,25) and still have the limit as 25.
Now there's a specific way of writing limits.
Have a look at this image:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/e/8/7/e879d1b2b7a9e19d16438c24fb8a7990.png
Okay, I'll describe what the image states. All its saying is that as x approaches point 'p' on the function f(x), the limit is L.
So, to say for the example I just did above, you have have '5' instead of 'p', and 'L' would be replaced by '25'. Now, say the limit at x=2, for the function f(x) is 10, but you actually have a hole at the point (2,10). And you have a DEFINED point at (2,12). IF your graph is still approaching the hole at (2,10) from both sides, then your limit will still exist. Moving on, suppose a point is x = 3 on a certain graph. So, in 'calculus terms', when the graph is approaching 3 from the left side it would be written like 3- while approaching from the right would be 3+.
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Calculus is a branch of mathematics that studies what?
Calculus is the branch of mathematics that studies continuously changing quantities. The calculus is characterized by the use of infinite processes, involving passage to a limit, that is, the notion of tending toward, or approaching, an ultimate value.
What is calculus about?
Calculus is about applying the idea of limits to functions in various ways. For example, the limit of the slope of a curve as the length of the curve approaches zero, or the limit of the area of rectangle as its length goes to zero. Limits are also used in the study of infinite series as in the limit of a function of xas x approaches infinity.
Define The LIMIT as in Calculus?
The term "limit" in calculus describes what is occurring as a line approaches a specific point from either the left or right hand side. Some limits approach infinity while some approach specific points depending on the function given. If the function is a piece-wise function, the limit may not reach a specific value depending on the function given. For a more in-depth definition here is a good link to use: * http://www.math.hmc.edu/calculus/tutorials/limits/
What is calculus in mathematics?
Calculus involves the exploration of limits in mathematics. For example, if you consider a polygon and keep adding a side to it, eventually it will begin to look like a circle but it will never truly be a circle. This is an example of a limit.
What is an example of a calculus limit?
the limit [as x-->5] of the function f(x)=2x is 5 the limit [as x-->infinity] of the function f(x) = 2x is infinity the limit [as x-->infinity] of the function f(x) = 1/x is 0 the limit [as x-->infinity] of the function f(x) = -x is -infinity
What is the history of limits in calculus?
newton and Leibniz were first introduced the concept of limit independently
Calculus is a branch of mathematics that studies what?
Calculus is the branch of mathematics that studies continuously changing quantities. The calculus is characterized by the use of infinite processes, involving passage to a limit, that is, the notion of tending toward, or approaching, an ultimate value.
What is calculus about?
Calculus is about applying the idea of limits to functions in various ways. For example, the limit of the slope of a curve as the length of the curve approaches zero, or the limit of the area of rectangle as its length goes to zero. Limits are also used in the study of infinite series as in the limit of a function of xas x approaches infinity.
Define The LIMIT as in Calculus?
The term "limit" in calculus describes what is occurring as a line approaches a specific point from either the left or right hand side. Some limits approach infinity while some approach specific points depending on the function given. If the function is a piece-wise function, the limit may not reach a specific value depending on the function given. For a more in-depth definition here is a good link to use: * http://www.math.hmc.edu/calculus/tutorials/limits/
What is the definition of fatigue endurance limit and stress ratio?
B.Sc PCM- 1 year (APPLIED CALCULUS) 18.09.2012
What is calculus in mathematics?
Calculus involves the exploration of limits in mathematics. For example, if you consider a polygon and keep adding a side to it, eventually it will begin to look like a circle but it will never truly be a circle. This is an example of a limit.
What is limits in calculus?
In calculus, a limit is a value that a function or sequence approaches as the input values get closer and closer to a particular point or as the sequence progresses to infinity. It is used to define continuity, derivatives, and integrals, among other concepts in calculus. Calculus would not be possible without the concept of limits.
What is Calculus AB?
Calculus AB is a Calculus course taught in high schools based on an AP curriculum. The class is supposed to ultimately prepare a student to take the AP Calculus AB exam in May. While the specifics might vary from school to school, the core of the curriculum are limit definitions, differentiations, integrations, and applications of all of the above.
What is an example of a calculus limit?
the limit [as x-->5] of the function f(x)=2x is 5 the limit [as x-->infinity] of the function f(x) = 2x is infinity the limit [as x-->infinity] of the function f(x) = 1/x is 0 the limit [as x-->infinity] of the function f(x) = -x is -infinity
What does the limit in calculus do?
Calculus often deals with a sum or a mathematical function which increases toward a certain limit but never actually reaches it, although it can get arbitrarily close (this is also known as an asymptotic curve). The simplest example is one over x. As x increases, one over x approaches zero, but it never quite reaches zero.
Limits in calculus?
A limit in calculus is a value which a function, f(x), approaches at particular value of x. They can be used to find asymptotes, or boundaries, of a function or to find where a graph is going in ambiguous areas such as asymptotes, discontinuities, or at infinity. There are many different ways to find a limit, all depending on the particular function. If the function exists and is continuous at the value of x, then the corresponding y value, or f (x), is the limit at that value of x. However, if the function does not exist at that value of x, as happens in some trigonometric and rational functions, a number of calculus "tricks" can be applied: such as L'Hopital's Rule or cancelling out a common factor.
Does infinity have a limit?
No. That is why it is called "infinity". Infinity is actually not an accepted numerical value in calculus. It is rather a concept. For instance, (infinity) - 1 googleplex = infinity
