# 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 $9$", or "As $x \to 2$, $f(x) \to 9$." Limits are valuable because they can be used to describe a point on a graph, even if that point is not present. # Standard Notation The standard notation for a limit is: $$ \lim_{x \to a} f(x) = L $$ - As $x$ approaches $a$, the output of $f(x)$ draws closer to $L$. In the above notation, $x$ and $a$ are not necessarily equal. - When plotted, the hole is located at $(a, L)$. # Indeterminate Limits If they have a limit of the form $lim_{x \to a} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)}$ where both $f(x) \to 0$ and $g(x) \to 0$ as $x \to a$ then this limit **may or may not** exist # Continuity A function is continuous if their graph can be traced with a pencil without lifting the pencil from the page. Formally, a function $f$ is continuous at a point $a$ if: - $f(a)$ is defined - $\lim_{x \to a} f(x)$ exists - $\lim_{x \to a} = f(a)$ - A function is continuous on the open interval $(a, b)$ if it is continuous at all points between $a$ and $b$ - A function is continuous on the closed interval $[a, b]$ if it is continuous at all points between $a$ and $b$ # Elementary Functions An elementary function is any function that is defined using: - Polynomial functions - Rational functions - Root functions - Trig functions - Inverse trig functions - Exponential functions - Logarithmic functions - Operations of: - Addition - Subtraction - Multiplication - Division - Composition A piece-wise function is *not* considered an elementary function - If $f$ and $g$ are continuous at a point $x = a$ and $c$ is a constant then the following functions are also continuous at $x = a$ - If $g$ is continuous at $a$ and $f$ is continuous at $g(a)$, then $f(g(a))$ is continuous at $a$ - If $f$ is an elementary function and if $a$ is in the domain of $f$, then $f$ is continuous at $a$ Together, the above theorems tell us that if $a$ is in the domain of an elementary function, then $\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = f(a)$. # Intermediate Value Theorem Let $f$ be a continuous function on the interval $[a, b]$ and let $N$ be any number strictly between $f(a)$ and $f(b)$. Then there exists a number $c$ in $(a, b)$ such that $f(c) = N$. # Definitions | Term | Definition | | --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Well behaved function | A function that is continuous, has a single value, and is defined everywhere. |