MAT 137

Tutorial #3– The definition of limit/limit proofs

Learning outcomes of this Tutorial:
You should be able to

• write down a formal definition of limit

• prove or disprove two statements are equivalent

• write a formal ε − δ proof of a limit

• understand that if any piece in the definition of limit is changed then the whole statement will be
changed and may not be the definition of limit. For example, Q1b) and Q1c)

1. Let f be a function. Let a, L ∈ R. Assume that f is defined on some open interval around a, except
maybe at a. As you know, the definition of the statement lim f (x) = L is
x→a

(1) For every ε > 0, there exists δ > 0 such that 0 < |x − a| < δ =⇒ |f (x) − L| < ε.

Below is a list of three other statements. Write formal, rigorous proofs for these statements:

(a) For every ε > 0, there exists δ > 0 such that 0 < |x − a| < δ =⇒ |f (x) − L| ≤ ε.
Prove or disprove that this statement is equivalent to (1).
Hints: what’s the difference between (1) and (a)? can we say statement (1) implies this statement (a)?
How about the (a) =⇒ (1)? are the epsilons in this statement and in the definition of lim f (x) = L
x→a
necessary to be the same?
(b) Suppose f is defined on some open interval around a and at a.
Prove that if ∀ε > 0, |f (a) − L| < ε, then f (a) = L.
Hint: what is the equivalent statement of “If p, then q.”?

(c) For every δ > 0, there exists ε > 0 such that 0 < |x − a| < δ =⇒ |f (x) − L| < ε.
What does this statement mean? Hint: let a = 0, L = 1 and f (x) = x. For every δ > 0, can you find
the corresponding ε?
2. Use the formal ε-δ definition of the limit to prove
3x + 2
lim =1
x→1 2x + 3

Do not use any limit laws or any other theorems.