Back to homeMathematics · AP Calculus AB · Change subject
Start for free
AP Calc AB · Mathematics
Limits and Continuity · Revision

Intervals, Inequalities, and Neighborhoods

Before you start, make sure you know: Intervals, half-lines and neighborhoods (Algebra 1)
Before you start, make sure you know: Inequalities (Algebra 2)

Suppose a league says a basketball is legal if its circumference $c$ is within $0.5$ inches of $29.5$ inches. How do you write "all legal circumferences" in one short, exact piece of notation? And how would you say "close to $2$, but not equal to $2$"? Limits are built from exactly this kind of language, so this section makes it automatic.

Interval Notation

An interval is a set of real numbers with no gaps. Instead of listing inequalities, we write the two endpoints. A square bracket means the endpoint is included, and a parenthesis means it is excluded.

On a number line, a closed (filled) dot means "included" and an open dot means "excluded".

The interval [-3, 4.5) on a number line: a closed dot at -3, an open dot at 4.5, and a thick segment between them. -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 [−3, 4.5)

You can go the other way too. To read a graph, look at each dot: a filled dot gives a bracket and an open dot gives a parenthesis. A ray that runs off the edge of the graph gives $\infty$ or $-\infty$. In set notation, $[-3, 4.5)$ is $\{x \in \mathbb{R} : -3 \le x < 4.5\}$.

Practice★☆☆Not started
In the design of electronic components, the voltage tolerance of a sensor is defined by the set of real values $x$ that satisfy the following inequality condition:…

In the design of electronic components, the voltage tolerance of a sensor is defined by the set of real values $x$ that satisfy the following inequality condition:

$-3 \leq x < 4,5$

Express this set of values using interval notation and indicate what type of interval it is (open, closed or half-open).

Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
Given the following graphical representation on the real line, write the highlighted set in interval notation and in set notation (using inequalities).

Given the following graphical representation on the real line, write the highlighted set in interval notation and in set notation (using inequalities).

−4 −3 −1 1 2 3 4 6 7 0 −2 5 x
Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
A data server of a technology company maintains its optimum operating temperature in the interval given by $I = (-10, 35]$. Represent this interval on the real line and…

A data server of a technology company maintains its optimum operating temperature in the interval given by $I = (-10, 35]$. Represent this interval on the real line and determine whether the following temperature values belong to the set:

  • $a = -10$

  • $b = 0$

  • $c = 35$

  • $d = 35,1$

Solve

Absolute Value and Neighborhoods

The absolute value $|x - a|$ is the distance between $x$ and $a$ on the number line. So $|x - a| < r$ says "$x$ is less than $r$ units from $a$". That is an interval centered at $a$. Some problems call the absolute value the modulus; it is the same thing.

The open interval $(a - r, a + r)$ is called the neighborhood of $a$ with radius $r$: all points closer to $a$ than $r$. (Some problems write $E(a, r)$ for a neighborhood and $E^*(a, r)$ for the deleted neighborhood defined in the next section.) By this definition a neighborhood is open. So $[a - r, a + r]$ has the same center and radius but is not a neighborhood.

A neighborhood of a with radius r: the open interval from a minus r to a plus r, centered at a. a − r a a + r r r
Practice★☆☆Not started
Match each modulus with its corresponding interval: 1. $|x| \leq 3$ 2. $|x| < 5$ 3. $|x - 2| \leq 1$ Available intervals: $A = ( -5, 5)$ $B = [ -3, 3]$ $C = [ 1, 3]$

Match each modulus with its corresponding interval:

  1. $|x| \leq 3$

  2. $|x| < 5$

  3. $|x - 2| \leq 1$

Available intervals:

  • $A = ( -5, 5)$

  • $B = [ -3, 3]$

  • $C = [ 1, 3]$

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
In the physics laboratory, a precision sensor measures the diameter of a metal part. The control system accepts parts whose diameter $x$ (in inches) satisfies the…

In the physics laboratory, a precision sensor measures the diameter of a metal part. The control system accepts parts whose diameter $x$ (in inches) satisfies the following tolerance condition expressed using a modulus:

$$|x - 12| < 0,05$$

Represent this situation graphically on the real line and express the set of accepted values as an interval and as a neighborhood $E(a, r)$.

|x - 12| < 0,05 E(12; 0,05) x r = 0,05 r = 0,05 11,95 12 12,05 x ∈ (11,95; 12,05)
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Calculate the intersection and the union of the following sets of real numbers. Express the final result using interval notation:…

Calculate the intersection and the union of the following sets of real numbers. Express the final result using interval notation:

$A = \{x \in \mathbb{R} : -2 \leq x < 5\}$

$B = \{x \in \mathbb{R} : |x - 3| \leq 4\}$

Solve

Deleted Neighborhoods

In limits we ask what a function does near $a$, but we do not care what happens at $a$. So we remove the center from the neighborhood.

Why this works: $|x - a| < r$ gives the neighborhood, and $|x - a| > 0$ just says $x \ne a$ (the distance to $a$ is not zero).

A deleted neighborhood of a: two open intervals on either side of a, with an open dot at the center a. a − r a a + r
Practice★☆☆Not started
In the study of limits, the concept of a deleted neighborhood is fundamental. If we have the neighborhood $E(3, 0.5)$, which represents all real numbers whose distance…

In the study of limits, the concept of a deleted neighborhood is fundamental. If we have the neighborhood $E(3, 0.5)$, which represents all real numbers whose distance to the center $3$ is less than $0,5$:

  1. a) Write this set in interval form.
  2. b) Write the deleted neighborhood $E^*(3, 0.5)$, that is, the same set but excluding the central point.
r = 0.5 r = 0.5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 Excluded center
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
To study the continuity of a function at the point $x = 3$, we need to work in a deleted neighborhood of this point with a radius of $0,1$ units. a) Write the definition…

To study the continuity of a function at the point $x = 3$, we need to work in a deleted neighborhood of this point with a radius of $0,1$ units.

  1. a) Write the definition of this set using the notation $E^*(a, r)$.
  2. b) Express it using an inequality that includes a modulus.
  3. c) Represent it as the union of two open intervals.
E*(3, 0.1) r = 0.1 r = 0.1 2.9 3 3.1 a - r a a + r
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
A surveillance drone must maintain a flight altitude $h$ (in feet) so that its distance from the safety height of $100$ feet is always less than $5$ feet, but due to…

A surveillance drone must maintain a flight altitude $h$ (in feet) so that its distance from the safety height of $100$ feet is always less than $5$ feet, but due to turbulence, it cannot fly at exactly $100$ feet.

Express the condition for the height $h$ using:

  1. a) A deleted neighborhood.
  2. b) An inequality with a modulus.
  3. c) A union of intervals.
Solve

Solving Inequalities

Most interval answers come from solving an inequality. For quadratic and rational inequalities the reliable tool is a sign chart.

Here is the sign chart for $\dfrac{x - 1}{x + 2}$. The critical points are $-2$ and $1$.

Sign chart for (x - 1)/(x + 2): positive for x less than -2, negative between -2 and 1, positive for x greater than 1. + − + x = −2 x = 1

When a problem gives two conditions joined by "and", solve each separately and then intersect the answers (next section).

Practice★★☆Not started
Find the set of values of $x$ that satisfy the following quadratic inequality, expressing the result as an interval or union of intervals: $$x^2 - 5x + 4 \leq 0$$ Is…

Find the set of values of $x$ that satisfy the following quadratic inequality, expressing the result as an interval or union of intervals:

$$x^2 - 5x + 4 \leq 0$$

Is this set a neighborhood of any real number? Justify your answer by calculating the center and the radius if possible.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
A thermal control sensor in a biomass processing plant operates correctly as long as the temperature $T$ (in $^\circ\text{C}$) satisfies the condition $T \in [90, 150]$.…

A thermal control sensor in a biomass processing plant operates correctly as long as the temperature $T$ (in $^\circ\text{C}$) satisfies the condition $T \in [90, 150]$. If the process temperature evolves over time according to the function $T(t) = t^2 - 20t + 175$, where $t$ is the time in minutes ($t \geq 0$), determine the time intervals during which the sensor detects a temperature outside its operating range.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Determine the set of real values $x$ that simultaneously satisfy the following rational inequality and the interval defined by the modulus. Express the final result as…

Determine the set of real values $x$ that simultaneously satisfy the following rational inequality and the interval defined by the modulus. Express the final result as an interval or a union of intervals:

$$\frac{x^2 - 5x + 6}{x + 1} \leq x - 3 \quad \text{and} \quad |2x - 5| > 7$$ x² - 5x + 6 x + 1 ≤ x - 3 y |2x - 5| > 7 S1 S2 S1 ∩S 2 x=? x=? x=? x=? x=? x=? ? ? ? -∞ +∞ -∞ +∞ -∞ +∞ Solution: x ∈ ( ?, ? )
Solve

Union, Intersection, and Complement

Once you have intervals, you can combine them. In the figure, a filled dot means the endpoint is included and an open dot means it is excluded. Here $I$ includes $-2$ but not $4$, and $J$ includes $7$ but not $0$.

Number lines for I = [-2, 4) and J = (0, 7], and their intersection (0, 4). I = [−2, 4) J = (0, 7] I ∩ J = (0, 4)

When the sets are given by inequalities, solve each one first, as in the last section, and then combine.

Practice★☆☆Not started
Express the result of the following union of sets as a single interval: $A = (- \infty, 2) \cup [0, 6]$ Use a graphical representation to help you if you consider it…

Express the result of the following union of sets as a single interval:

$A = (- \infty, 2) \cup [0, 6]$

Use a graphical representation to help you if you consider it necessary.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Given the intervals $I = (-\infty, 4]$ and $J = (-2, +\infty)$, perform the following operations and express the result in interval notation and graphically: a)…

Given the intervals $I = (-\infty, 4]$ and $J = (-2, +\infty)$, perform the following operations and express the result in interval notation and graphically:

  1. a) $I \cap J$
  2. b) $I \cup J$
  3. c) $\mathbb{R} - (I \cap J)$
Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Let the sets $S_1$ and $S_2$ be defined by the following conditions. Calculate exactly the set resulting from the operation $(S_1 \cup S_2)^c$ (complement of the union):…

Let the sets $S_1$ and $S_2$ be defined by the following conditions. Calculate exactly the set resulting from the operation $(S_1 \cup S_2)^c$ (complement of the union):

$$S_1 = \{x \in \mathbb{R} : x^2 - x - 2 < 0\}$$ $$S_2 = \{x \in \mathbb{R} : \frac{1}{x} \geq 1\}$$
Solve

Intervals as the Domain of a Function

The domain of a function is the set of inputs for which the formula makes sense. Three situations restrict it.

For $f(x) = \dfrac{1}{x^2 - 16}$, the denominator is $0$ at $x = \pm 4$, so those two points are the only ones removed.

So the domain is $\mathbb{R} \setminus \{-4, 4\} = (-\infty, -4) \cup (-4, 4) \cup (4, \infty)$. Notice that removing one point splits an interval in two. The numbers from $0$ (not included) up to $50$, excluding $10$, are $(0, 10) \cup (10, 50]$.

Practice★☆☆Not started
Write in interval form the domain of definition of a function that only accepts positive values of $x$ less than or equal to $100$, but excluding the exact value…

Write in interval form the domain of definition of a function that only accepts positive values of $x$ less than or equal to $100$, but excluding the exact value $x = 25$ due to a technical singularity. Express the result as a difference of sets or as a union of two intervals.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Given the rational function $f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2 - 9}$, determine its domain of definition and express it as a union of intervals. Subsequently, indicate if the value…

Given the rational function $f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2 - 9}$, determine its domain of definition and express it as a union of intervals. Subsequently, indicate if the value $x = 3,0001$ belongs to a neighborhood with center $3$ and radius $\delta = 0,001$.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
In the design of a precision part for a telescope, the radius of curvature $R$ must belong to the domain of the following function to ensure structural stability. Find…

In the design of a precision part for a telescope, the radius of curvature $R$ must belong to the domain of the following function to ensure structural stability. Find this domain and express it as a union of open intervals:

$$f(R) = \sqrt{\frac{\ln(R^2 - 8)}{R - 4}}$$
Solve

Bounded Sets: Supremum and Infimum

The supremum and infimum need not belong to the set. For $(1, 4)$ we have $\sup = 4$ and $\inf = 1$, but there is no maximum or minimum. The ray $[3, \infty)$ is bounded below with $\inf = \min = 3$, but it is not bounded above. The length of a bounded interval is $\sup - \inf$.

The set (-4, -2) union (2, 4) on a number line, with its infimum -4 and supremum 4 marked. 0 inf = −4 sup = 4
Practice★★★Not started
Find the solution set of the following inequality with nested moduli. Represent the solution on the real line and specify if it is a bounded set, indicating, if so, its…

Find the solution set of the following inequality with nested moduli. Represent the solution on the real line and specify if it is a bounded set, indicating, if so, its supremum and infimum:

$$\left| |x - 2| - 4 \right| \leq 3$$
Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Determine the value of the real parameter $k > 0$ so that the intersection of the sets $A$ and $B$ is an interval of length exactly equal to $3$ units, where: $$A = \{x…

Determine the value of the real parameter $k > 0$ so that the intersection of the sets $A$ and $B$ is an interval of length exactly equal to $3$ units, where:

$$A = \{x \in \mathbb{R} : |x - 1| < k\} \quad \text{and} \quad B = \{x \in \mathbb{R} : x^2 - 10x + 21 \leq 0\}$$ −4 0 1 3 6 7 k = 5 k = 5 Set A |x - 1| < k Set B x² - 10x + 21 ≤ 0 A ∩ B Length = 3
Solve

Preview: The Delta–Epsilon Idea

When we write $\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = L$ we mean: you can make $f(x)$ as close to $L$ as you like (within $\varepsilon$) by taking $x$ close enough to $a$ (within $\delta$, but $x \ne a$). In the language of this section, it is a statement about two neighborhoods.

A graph near x = a: a vertical band of half-width delta around a is sent by the function into a horizontal band of half-width epsilon around L. a − δ a a + δ L − ε L L + ε
Practice★★☆Not started
In the formal definition of a limit, when we say that $\lim_{x \to 2} f(x) = 5$, we state that for every $\varepsilon>0$ there exists a $\delta>0$ such that, if…

In the formal definition of a limit, when we say that $\lim_{x \to 2} f(x) = 5$, we state that for every $\varepsilon>0$ there exists a $\delta>0$ such that, if $0<|x-2|<\delta$, then $|f(x)-5|<\varepsilon$. We take $\varepsilon = 0,2$, which determines a neighborhood of $5$ on the $Y$-axis.

  1. a) Determine the interval corresponding to the neighborhood $E(5; 0,2)$.
  2. b) If we know that the function is $f(x) = 2x + 1$, find the interval of values of $x$ on the $X$-axis whose images fall within the interval obtained in the previous section.
X Y f(x)=2x+1 5.2 5 4.8 1.9 2 2.1 ε δ
Solve
Practice★★★Not started
A neighborhood of the point $a = 3$ is defined by the expression $|x - 3| < \delta$. Determine the maximum value of $\delta$ so that all points $x$ in this neighborhood…

A neighborhood of the point $a = 3$ is defined by the expression $|x - 3| < \delta$. Determine the maximum value of $\delta$ so that all points $x$ in this neighborhood satisfy that their squares, $x^2$, are at a distance of less than $0.5$ from the value $9$. That is, solve the implication:

$$|x - 3| < \delta \implies |x^2 - 9| < 0.5$$ ε = 0.5 ε = 0.5 9.5 9 8.5 y = x² |x² - 9| < 0.5 3 x₂ 3 + δ x₁ 3 - δ δ = ? δ = ? d₂ d₁
Solve

Summary

See all the exercises in this section