# Introduction Every mathematical function can be thought of as a set of ordered pairs, or an input value and an output value. - Examples include $f(x) = x^2 + 2x + 1$, and $\{(1, 3), (2, 5), (4, 7)\}$. **A limit describes how a function behaves *near* a point, rather than *at* that point.*** - As an example, given a *well behaved function* $f(x)$ and the fact that: - $f(1.9) = 8.41$ - $f(1.999) = 8.99401$ - $f(2.1) = 9.61$ - $f(2.01) = 9.061$ - $f(2.0001) = 9.0006$ We can note that the smaller the distance of the input value $x$ to $2$, the smaller the distance of the output to $9$. This is most commonly described in the terms "As $x$ approaches $2$, $f(x)$ approaches $9$. $ \rarrow$" # Definitions | Term | Definition | | --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Well behaved function | A function that is continuous, has a single value, and is defined everywhere. | | | |