MA1001D

Mathematics I

Limits:ε-δ definition
Geometric interpretation

National Institute of Technology Calicut

Prepared by Dr. Aswathy R K
 Limits

Here we can see that as x

approaches c, f(x) approaches L.

Mathematically, we write:
L
lim f ( x)  L.
x c

HOW TO EXPLAIN
x “approaches” c
OR
f(x) “approaches” L
c IN MATHEMATICAL
TERMS?
 Consider an ε neighborhood
L+ε (ε –nbd*) of L. (ε > 0)

L
*All points which are at an ε distance
from L.
L-ε
In other words,
{y | | y – L | < ε }.
Or in much simpler terms,
(L - ε, L + ε ).
c
 Then corresponding to this
ε > 0, we can find a +ve real
number δ > 0, such that
L+ε whenever x is in the deleted

L δ-nbd of c*, f(x) lies within

the ε - nbd of L.
L-ε *All points which are at a δ distance
from c, excluding c.
In other words,
{x | 0 < | x – c | < δ }.

c-δ c c+δ Or in much simpler terms,

(c - δ, c + δ ) – {c}.
Prepared by Dr. Aswathy R K
L + ε1
L
Consider another nbd of L.
L – ε1 ε1 > 0.

c
 Then corresponding to this ε1 > 0,
we can find another +ve real
L + ε1 number δ1 > 0, such that whenever
L x is in the deleted δ1-nbd of c, f(x)

L – ε1 lies within the ε1 - nbd of L.

Mathematically,
0 < | x – c | < δ1 ⇒ | f(x) – L | < ε1.
c – δ1 c c + δ1
 Repeat for another smaller value of

L + ε2 ε . Here ε2 > 0.
L
L – ε2 Then corresponding to this ε2 > 0,
we can find another +ve real
number δ2 > 0, such that
0 < | x – c | < δ2 ⇒ | f(x) – L | < ε2.

c – δ2c c + δ2
 Thus in general, for all ε > 0, there
exist δ >0 such that when ever
L+ε
L
L-ε 0 < | x – c | < δ, | f (x) - L | < ε.
Then we say,

lim f ( x)  L.
x c

c - δc c + δ
 Limit at Infinity

Here we can see that as x

approaches ∞, f(x) approaches L.

Mathematically, we write:

L
lim f ( x)  L.
x 
L+ε

Consider an ε neighborhood of L. (ε > 0)

L

L-ε
 Then corresponding to this ε > 0, we can
find a +ve real number M > 0, such that
L+ε
whenever x > M, f(x) lies within the ε - nbd of
L L.
Mathematically,
L-ε
x > M ⇒ | f(x) – L | < ε.

M
 Repeat for a smaller value of ε .
Here ε1 > 0.
L + ε1
Then corresponding to this ε1 > 0, we can
L
find another +ve real number M1 > 0, such
L – ε1
that,
x > M1 ⇒ | f(x) – L | < ε1.

M1
 Repeat for another smaller value of ε .
Here ε2 > 0.
L + ε2 Then corresponding to this ε2 > 0, we can
L
L – ε2 find yet another +ve real number M2 > 0,
such that,
x > M2 ⇒ | f(x) – L | < ε2.

M2
 Thus in general, for all ε > 0, there exist M >0
such that when ever x > M , | f (x) - L | < ε.
Then we say,
L+ε lim f ( x)  L.
L x 
L-ε

 x approaching –∞ can also be interpreted

similarly.

M
 Infinite Limit

Here we can see that as x

approaches c, f(x) approaches ∞.

Mathematically, we write:

lim f ( x)  .
x c

c
B Consider a +ve real number B.

c
 Then corresponding to this B > 0, we can find a +ve
real number δ > 0, 0 < | x – c | < δ, | f (x) - L | < ε such
that whenever 0 < | x – c | < δ , f(x) > B.

B Mathematically,
0 < | x – c | < δ ⇒ f(x) > B.

c - δc c + δ
 Repeat for a bigger value of B.
Here B1 > 0.
B1
Then corresponding to this B1 > 0, we can
find another +ve real number δ1 > 0, such
that,
0 < | x – c | < δ1 ⇒ f(x) > B1.

c – δ1 c c + δ1
B2 Repeat for an even bigger value, B2 > 0.
Then corresponding to this B2 > 0, we can
find yet another +ve real number δ2 > 0, such
that,
0 < | x – c | < δ2 ⇒ f(x) > B2.

c – δ2 c c + δ2
 In general, for all B > 0, there exist δ >0 such that
when ever 0 < | x – c | < δ, f (x) > B.
B Then we say,
lim f ( x)  .
x c

 f(x) approaching –∞ can also be interpreted

similarly.

c - δc c + δ
Thank you…