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Ch. 2 - Limits and Continuity
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksHass 15th EditionCh. 2 - Limits and ContinuityProblem 2.6.37
Chapter 2, Problem 2.6.37

Infinite Limits


Find the limits in Exercises 37–48. Write ∞ or −∞ where appropriate.


lim x→0⁺ 1 / 3x

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of infinite limits. An infinite limit occurs when the value of a function increases or decreases without bound as the input approaches a certain point.
Step 2: Analyze the given function, which is \( \frac{1}{3x} \). As \( x \) approaches 0 from the right (denoted by \( x \to 0^+ \)), the value of \( 3x \) becomes a very small positive number.
Step 3: Consider the behavior of the function \( \frac{1}{3x} \) as \( x \to 0^+ \). Since \( 3x \) is a small positive number, \( \frac{1}{3x} \) becomes a large positive number.
Step 4: Conclude that as \( x \to 0^+ \), \( \frac{1}{3x} \) tends towards positive infinity. Therefore, the limit is \( \infty \).
Step 5: Write the final expression for the limit: \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{1}{3x} = \infty \).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Limits

A limit is a fundamental concept in calculus that describes the behavior of a function as its input approaches a certain value. It helps in understanding how functions behave near points of interest, including points where they may not be defined. In this case, we are interested in the limit of the function as x approaches 0 from the positive side.
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One-Sided Limits

Infinite Limits

Infinite limits occur when the value of a function increases or decreases without bound as the input approaches a certain point. This can happen when the function approaches a vertical asymptote. In the given limit, we need to determine whether the function approaches positive or negative infinity as x approaches 0 from the right.
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One-Sided Limits

One-sided limits refer to the limits of a function as the input approaches a specific value from one side only, either the left (−) or the right (+). In this problem, we are specifically looking at the right-hand limit (x→0⁺), which means we only consider values of x that are greater than 0. This is crucial for determining the behavior of the function near the point of interest.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Using the Formal Definition


Prove the limit statements in Exercises 37–50.


limx → √3 1/x² = 1/3

Textbook Question

Using the Formal Definition


Prove the limit statements in Exercises 37–50.


limx→1 f(x) = 1 if f(x) = {x², x ≠ 1

2, x = 1

Textbook Question

Using the Formal Definition


Prove the limit statements in Exercises 37–50.


lim x→0 √(4 − x) = 2

Textbook Question

Limits and Infinity


Find the limits in Exercises 37–46.


x²/³ + x⁻¹

lim --------------------

x→∞ x²/³ + cos²x

Textbook Question

Finding Limits


In Exercises 3–8, find the limit of each function (a) as x → ∞ and (b) as x → −∞. (You may wish to visualize your answer with a graphing calculator or computer.)


f(x) = 2/x − 3

Textbook Question

At what points are the functions in Exercises 13–30 continuous?

f(x) = { (x³ − 8)/(x² − 4), x ≠ 2, x ≠ −2

3, x = 2

4, x = −2