How do you prove that the limit # ((x/4)+3) = 9/2# as x approaches 6 using the formal definition of a limit?

1 Answer
Sep 24, 2017

Kindly refer to the Explanation.

Explanation:

Let us recall the Formal Defn. :

# lim_(x to a) f(x)=l," if and only if, "AA epsilon > 0, EE" a "delta > 0#

such that, # AA x, 0 lt |x-a| lt delta rArr |f(x)-l| lt epsilon.#

In our Problem,

#a=6, f(x)=x/4+3, and, l=9/2.#

So, we have to show that,

#AA epsilon gt 0, EE" a "delta gt 0,#

#"s.t., "AA x, 0 lt |x-6| lt delta rArr |(x/4+3)-9/2| lt epsilon.#

Let #epsilon gt 0# be given. Then,

# |f(x)-l| lt epsilon iff |(x/4+3)-9/2|=|x/4-3/2|=|(x-6)/4| lt epsilon,#

# iff 1/4|x-6| lt epsilon iff |x-6| lt 4epsilon................(star).#

Define the #delta" by, "0 lt delta le 4epsilon.#

Therefore, from #(star),# we see that,

given any #epsilon gt o,# we have a #delta, 0 lt delta le 4epsilon,# such that,

# AA x, 0 lt |x-6| lt delta (le 4epsilon) rArr |(x/4+3)-9/2|ltepsilon.#

Therefore, #lim_(x to 6) (x/4+3)=9/2.#

Hence the Proof.

Enjoy Maths.!