Limit Existence: Finding a Function's Behavior

In summary, finding a limit involves understanding the behavior of a function near a specific value of x. If a limit does not exist, it cannot be converted to a continuous function like it can if the function is discontinuous but the limit exists. This does not apply to cases where the limit is infinity.
  • #1
Gurasees
50
1
Finding a limit entails understanding how a function behaves near a particular value of x. So what do we mean when we say that a limit doesn't exist (in context to the upper statement)? (From what i studied, i noticed that limit exists only for those functions which have a discontinuity in the form of a hole.)
 
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  • #2
I think your intuition is correct. If a function is discontinuous at a point but its limit exists at that point, it can be converted to a function that is continuous at that point by setting the value at that point equal to the limit. But if the limit does not exist, there is no simple fix like that which can convert it to a continuous function.

This excludes the terminology that is sometimes used where one says the limit of a function as it approaches a point is ##\infty##. That is not a proper limit. The intuition only works for proper (ie finite) limits.
 

Related to Limit Existence: Finding a Function's Behavior

1. What is the concept of limit existence in relation to a function's behavior?

The concept of limit existence refers to the behavior of a function as its input approaches a certain value. It determines whether the function approaches a specific output value or diverges as the input value gets closer to the given value.

2. How is limit existence different from the value of a function at a specific point?

The value of a function at a specific point refers to the output of the function at that exact input value. On the other hand, limit existence considers the behavior of the function as the input approaches a given value, regardless of the actual output at that value.

3. What does it mean when a function has a finite limit existence?

A finite limit existence means that the function approaches a specific output value as the input approaches a given value. In other words, the function is continuously approaching a single value without any abrupt changes.

4. Can a function have different limit existences at different points?

Yes, a function can have different limit existences at different points. This occurs when the function behaves differently as the input approaches different values. It is important to evaluate the limit existence at each point separately to fully understand the behavior of the function.

5. How do you determine the limit existence of a function?

The limit existence of a function can be determined by evaluating the function at different input values that approach the given value. If the outputs approach a single value, then the limit existence is finite. If the outputs approach different values or diverge, then the limit existence does not exist.

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