How do you evaluate the limit (x^2-x-6)/(x+2) as x approaches -2?

2 Answers
Oct 29, 2016

You may do the division or use L'Hopital's Rule both tell you that it goes to -5.

Explanation:

lim_(xto-2)(x^2 - x - 6)/(x + 2) =

Do the division:

lim_(xto-2)x - 3 = -5

Or use L'Hopital's rule:

lim_(xto-2)(2x - 1)/1 = -5

Oct 29, 2016

First of all...

(x^2-x-6)/(x+2)

=((x+2)(x-3))/(x+2)

=x-3

Now, in the limit as x approaches minus 2, x-3 will approach -5.

So your answer is -5 .