WTW 124: Selected Answers to Chapter 3

EXERCISE 3.3
√
1(a) Let f (x) = x2 sin( x) and L = 0. Now

√
|f (x) − L| = |x2 sin( x)|
≤ x2 (|x2 | = x2 and | sin(α)| ≤ 1 for all α ∈ R)

Note if 0 < x < 1 then x2 < x, so |f (x) − L| < x. Label this equation 1.

Fix  > 0. Chose δ = min{, 1}. Let 0 < x < 0 + δ. Then 0 < x < 1 because δ ≤ 1. Hence
by equation 1:

|f (x) − L| < x (Eq. 1)

< δ (x < δ)
≤  (δ ≤ )

This is true for all  > 0. So by definition lim f (x) = L.

x→0+

sin2 x + 1 1
1(b) Hint: Let f (x) = 2
, x 6= ±2. First show that f (x) > 2 if x > 2.
x −4 x −4
1/5 1
Now show that f (x) > if 2 < x < 3. For E > 0, let δ = min{1, 5E .
x−2

1
1(c) Hint: First show that f (x) > if x > 1.
x−1

1(d) Hint: First show that |x2 + x − 2| = |x − 1|.|x + 2| < 3(1 − x) if 0 < x < 1.

2. Hint: Use the definitions cleverly. Remember “A ⇐⇒ B” means you have to show given A
then B is true and, given B then A is true. So this proof will have two parts.
First assume that lim f (x) = L. Fix  > 0. Because lim f (x) = L, there exists a real number
x→a x→a
δ > 0 so that
if 0 < |x − a| < δ then |f (x) − L| < .
Now show that
if a < x < a+ < δ then |f (x) − L| < 
and
if a − δ < x < a then |f (x) − L| < .
Remember: a < x < a+ < δ ⇐⇒ 0 < x − a < δ and a − δ < x < a ⇐⇒ −δ < x − a < 0.

1
 Now assume that lim f (x) = L and lim f (x) = L. Fix  > 0. Then there exist real
x→a+ x→a−
numbers δ1 > 0 and δ2 > 0 so that
if a < x < a+ < δ1 then |f (x) − L| < 
and
if a − δ2 < x < a then |f (x) − L| < .
Let δ = min{δ1 , δ2 } (why?) and show that
if 0 < |x − a| < δ then |f (x) − L| < .

3. Hint: Adapt the proof of Theorem 3.2.3.

4(a) Hint: Adapt Theorem 3.2.1 (1).

4(b) Hint: Adapt Theorem 3.2.1 (3).

5(a) Hint: Apply the Definition 3.3.8 (1). Note that if E > 0, then 2E > E. Therefore, if
f (x) > E and g(x) > E, then f (x) + g(x) > 2E > E.
5(b) Hint: Apply the Definition 3.3.8 (1). Fix E > 0. Explain why there exist real numbersδ1 > 0
and δ2 > 0 so that
If a < x < a + δ1 then f (x) > E
and
If a < x < a + δ2 then g(x) > 1
Now find a δ > 0 so that
If a < x < a + δ then f (x)g(x) > E.

6(a) False. Can you provide a counter-example?

6(b) False. Can you provide a counter-example?

6(c) False. Can you provide a counter-example?

6(d) False. Can you provide a counter-example?

7. Adapt the proof of Theorem 3.3.10 (1) for the case of left-hand limits.
EXERCISE 3.4
4x2
1(a) Let f (x) = x2 +3
and L = 4. Now for x > 0,

12
|f (x) − L| =
x2 + 3

12 12
= [ > 0]
x2 +3 (x2 + 3)

12 1 1
< [0 < x2 < x2 + 3 ⇒ < 2] (1)
x2 x2 +3 x

2
 1 1
If x > 1, then x2 > x > 0 so 2
< . From (1) we have
x x
12
|f (x) − 4| < if x > 1 (2).
x

Fix  > 0. Chose M = max{ 12

 , 1}. Note that M ≥ 1 and M ≥
12
 .
Let x > M . Then
12 1 
x > 1 and x > > 0, so <
 x 12
12
because M ≥ 1 and M ≥  .
It now follows from (2) that
12 
if x > M then |f (x) − 4| < < 12 × .
x 12

This is true for all , so by the definition it follows that lim f (x) = L.
x→∞

1(b) Hint: Show that | 2x+1

x+3 − 2| <
5
x if x > 0.

cos x −1 −1
1(c) Hint: Show that | 3x+2 − 0| ≤ 3x+2 < 3x if x < − 23 .

1(d) Hint: Show that | x2x+3 − 0| < 1

x if x > 0.

x4 x
1(e) Hint: Show that x2 +1
> if x > 1.
2

x2
1(f) Hint: Show that x−1 > x if x > 1.

x
1(g) Hint: Start by showing lim = 1. Now use the continuity of ln: lim ln(t) = ln(1)
x→∞ x+1 t→1

1
1(h) Hint: Start by showing lim = 0. Now use the hint given with the question.
x→∞ x

2(a) This is the same question as 7.

(2b) The argument is similar to 2(a), see also 7.

3. Hint: Adapt the proof of Theorem 3.2.1 (1). Note: If M = max{M1 , M2 } then M ≥ M1 and
M ≥ M2 .

4. Assume that lim f (x) = 0. Fix E > 0. Explain why there exists an M > 0 so that
x→∞

1
If x > M then 0 < f (x) < .
E
Now show
1
If x > M then > E.
f (x)
1
For the converse: Assume that lim = ∞. Now prove that lim f (x) = 0.
x→∞ f (x) x→∞

3
5. Hint: How did you do 1(g)? Get some ideas by looking at the proof of Theorem 3.2.4.

6. Hint: Note that, because L > 0, the following is true: For any given E > 0,
2E L
if g(x) > and f (x) > then f (x)g(x) > E.
L 2
Use the correct definitions cleverly and remember if M = max{M1 , M2 } then M ≥ M1 and
M ≥ M2 .

7. Hint: Use the correct definitions cleverly. This proof is short, but you have to use the fact
g(x) ≥ f (x) somewhere in your argument.
Start as follows: Fix E > 0. Now apply the definition of lim f (x) = ∞ and the fact that
x→∞
f (x) ≤ g(x) for all x > a.

8. Adapt the proof of Theorem 3.4.11 (1).