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AP Calc AB · Mathematics
Limits and Continuity · Revision

Real Numbers, Inequalities, and Neighborhoods

Before you start, make sure you know: Radicals (Precalculus)
Before you start, make sure you know: Approximation and errors (Precalculus)

A size 5 soccer ball must weigh between 14 and 16 oz. How do you say "close enough to 15 oz" with no wiggle room, and how do you measure how far off a reading is? Limits are built on exactly this idea of "as close as you want." This review gives you the tools: sets of numbers, intervals, absolute value as distance, neighborhoods, and error.

Number sets

Every number you meet in calculus lives on the real number line. The sets nest inside each other, and you should always classify a number in the smallest set that contains it.

Nested diagram of number sets: natural numbers inside integers inside rational numbers, with irrational numbers next to the rationals, all inside the real numbers. Real numbers ℝ Rational ℚ 3/4, 2.5, 0.75 Integers ℤ −3, −2, 0 Natural ℕ 1, 2, 3, … Irrational π, √2, e
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Classify the following real numbers, indicating which of the numerical sets they belong to: natural numbers ($\mathbb{N}$), integers ($\mathbb{Z}$), rational numbers…

Classify the following real numbers, indicating which of the numerical sets they belong to: natural numbers ($\mathbb{N}$), integers ($\mathbb{Z}$), rational numbers ($\mathbb{Q}$) or irrational numbers ($\mathbb{I}$). Briefly reason your answer for the decimals and roots:

  • $a) \ - \sqrt{16}$

  • $b) \ \frac{15}{3}$

  • $c) \ 2,131313...$

  • $d) \ \sqrt{7}$

  • $e) \ \frac{\pi}{2}$

  • $f) \ -4,25$

Solve

Intervals and inequalities

Rays like $[0, \infty)$ are sometimes called half-lines in other books. The set-builder form of $(-3, 2]$ is $\{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid -3 < x \le 2\}$.

Two sets combine in two ways. The union $A \cup B$ keeps everything in either set. The intersection $A \cap B$ keeps only what is in both.

Quadratic inequalities

To solve a polynomial inequality, find where the polynomial equals zero, then test the sign on each piece of the number line.

Sign chart for x squared minus 2x minus 8: positive left of negative 2, negative between negative 2 and 4, positive right of 4. + − + −2 4 x = −3 → 7 x = 0 → −8 x = 5 → 7
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Represent the following intervals and half-lines on the real line, and express them using set notation (using inequalities): $I_1 = (-3, 2]$ $I_2 = [0, +\infty)$…

Represent the following intervals and half-lines on the real line, and express them using set notation (using inequalities):

  • $I_1 = (-3, 2]$

  • $I_2 = [0, +\infty)$

  • $I_3 = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid -1 < x < 4\}$

−4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 I₁ = (−3, 2] I₂ = [0, +∞) I₃ = {x ∈ ℝ | −1 < x < 4}
Solve
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To determine the domain of a future function, we need to solve the following quadratic inequality: $$-x^2 + 5x - 4 > 0$$ a) Find the roots of the associated polynomial.…

To determine the domain of a future function, we need to solve the following quadratic inequality:

$$-x^2 + 5x - 4 > 0$$

a) Find the roots of the associated polynomial.

b) Determine the solution set in interval form.

c) Justify the result by analyzing the sign of the polynomial in each section of the real line.

X Y 1 2 3 4 5 0 ? ? ? x₁=? x₂=? -x² + 5x - 4 > 0 Solution: x ∈ ( ?, ? )
Solve
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Given the following subsets of the real line: $A = \{ x \in \mathbb{R} : |x - 2| < 3 \}$ $B = [ -1, 4 ]$ a) Express the set $A$ as an interval. b) Calculate and express…

Given the following subsets of the real line:

$A = \{ x \in \mathbb{R} : |x - 2| < 3 \}$

$B = [ -1, 4 ]$

a) Express the set $A$ as an interval.

b) Calculate and express as intervals the set resulting from the intersection $A \cap B$.

c) Calculate and express as intervals the set resulting from the union $A \cup B$.

Solve

Powers and radicals

Calculus runs on powers: you cannot differentiate $\sqrt[3]{x^2}$ until you rewrite it as $x^{2/3}$. Turning every radical into a rational exponent makes all the rules into one rule.

Why does it work? A square root is the power that, applied twice, gives back $a$: $(a^{1/2})^2 = a^1$. The other rules follow from counting how many copies of $a$ you multiply.

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Simplify the following expressions using the properties of powers and roots, leaving the result as a power with a fractional exponent:…

Simplify the following expressions using the properties of powers and roots, leaving the result as a power with a fractional exponent:

  • $a) \ \sqrt[3]{x^2} \cdot \sqrt{x}$

  • $b) \ \frac{x^3}{\sqrt[4]{x}}$

  • $c) \ (\sqrt[5]{x^2})^3$

Solve
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Simplify the following expression with radicals and powers, expressing the final result as a single power of base $a$ with a rational exponent: $$\frac{\sqrt[3]{a^2}…

Simplify the following expression with radicals and powers, expressing the final result as a single power of base $a$ with a rational exponent:

$$\frac{\sqrt[3]{a^2} \cdot a^{-1/2}}{\sqrt{a \cdot \sqrt[3]{a}}}$$

Given: Assume that $a > 0$.

Solve
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The design of a triangular metal part requires its sides to measure $\sqrt{18}$ in, $\sqrt{50}$ in and $\sqrt{98}$ in. a) Simplify each of the radicals by extracting…

The design of a triangular metal part requires its sides to measure $\sqrt{18}$ in, $\sqrt{50}$ in and $\sqrt{98}$ in.

a) Simplify each of the radicals by extracting factors.

b) Calculate the exact perimeter of the part, expressing it as a single radical.

c) If the material used costs $\$2,5$ for each inch of perimeter, calculate the total cost, rounding to two decimal places.

√18 in √50 in √98 in
Solve

Logarithms

A logarithm answers the question "what exponent do I need?" In calculus, $\log x$ means base 10 and $\ln x$ means base $e$. Both follow the same rules.

A logarithm is an exponent: 10 cubed equals 1000 means the log of 1000 is 3. 10³ = 1000 log 1000 = 3 the log is the exponent

Why? The log is an exponent, and multiplying powers of the same base adds exponents: $10^u \cdot 10^v = 10^{u+v}$. So the log of a product is a sum.

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Using the properties of logarithms, expand the following expression in terms of $\log x$, $\log y$ and $\log z$: $$L = \log \left( \frac{100 \cdot x^3 \cdot…

Using the properties of logarithms, expand the following expression in terms of $\log x$, $\log y$ and $\log z$:

$$L = \log \left( \frac{100 \cdot x^3 \cdot \sqrt{y}}{z^2} \right)$$

Next, if we know that $\log x = 0,5$, $\log y = 1,2$ and $\log z = 0,8$, calculate the numerical value of $L$.

Solve

Absolute value and distance

Number line showing the distance between negative 1 and 4 as the absolute value of their difference, equal to 5. −1 4 0 distance = |4 − (−1)| = 5

Distance never depends on order: $|x - y| = |y - x|$, and it is never negative.

Why? "$|x - a| < k$" says $x$ is less than $k$ units away from $a$, so $x$ sits in the stretch from $a - k$ to $a + k$.

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Calculate the distance between the following pairs of points on the real line using the concept of modulus: $a)$ $x = 5$ and $y = -2$ $b)$ $x = -8$ and $y = -3$ $c)$…

Calculate the distance between the following pairs of points on the real line using the concept of modulus:

  • $a)$ $x = 5$ and $y = -2$

  • $b)$ $x = -8$ and $y = -3$

  • $c)$ $x = \frac{1}{2}$ and $y = \frac{3}{4}$

Solve
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Find the values of $x$ that satisfy the following equalities and inequalities with a modulus. Express the result as an interval: $a) \ |x| = 7$ $b) \ |x - 2| = 5$…

Find the values of $x$ that satisfy the following equalities and inequalities with a modulus. Express the result as an interval:

  • $a) \ |x| = 7$

  • $b) \ |x - 2| = 5$

  • $c) \ |x| < 3$

  • $d) \ |x + 1| \leq 2$

Solve
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In the manufacturing process of microchips for satellites, the length of a copper track must be $12,5$ microns. For thermal reasons, a margin of error (tolerance) is…

In the manufacturing process of microchips for satellites, the length of a copper track must be $12,5$ microns. For thermal reasons, a margin of error (tolerance) is allowed so that the difference between the actual length $x$ and the theoretical length is, at most, $0,05$ microns.

a) Express this condition using an inequality with a modulus.

b) Determine the interval of acceptable values for the length of the track using interval notation.

c) Represent this interval graphically on the real line.

x (µm) 0,05 0,05 12,5 12,45 12,55 |x - 12,5| ≤ 0,05 x ∈ [12,45; 12,55]
Solve

Absolute value inequalities in practice

When the inside is not just $x - a$, isolate the absolute value first, then use the table.

Two absolute values

With two absolute values, find the critical points where each inside is $0$. They split the line into pieces, and on each piece you can remove the bars (inside positive: keep; inside negative: flip the sign).

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A biotechnology laboratory keeps an enzyme sample in a climatic chamber. To prevent the enzymes from denaturing, the temperature $T$ (in degrees Fahrenheit) must satisfy…

A biotechnology laboratory keeps an enzyme sample in a climatic chamber. To prevent the enzymes from denaturing, the temperature $T$ (in degrees Fahrenheit) must satisfy the following condition:

$$|2T - 15| \le 25$$

Solve the inequality and determine the temperature range (interval) in which the researchers can work without damaging the sample.

Solve
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In an electronic components store, the price of a racing drone model fluctuates according to market supply. It is known that the price $p$ in dollars satisfies the…

In an electronic components store, the price of a racing drone model fluctuates according to market supply. It is known that the price $p$ in dollars satisfies the condition $|p - 150| \leq 20$.

  • $a)$ Determine the interval of possible prices for this drone.

  • $b)$ What is the minimum price and the maximum price a user could pay?

|p - 150| ≤ 20 Price p ($) +20 −20 150 130 170 MINIMUM MAXIMUM
Solve
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Find the set of real values that satisfy the following inequality with a double modulus: $$|x - 2| + |x + 3| < 7$$ Represent the solution on the real line and express it…

Find the set of real values that satisfy the following inequality with a double modulus:

$$|x - 2| + |x + 3| < 7$$

Represent the solution on the real line and express it as a single open interval.

Solve

Rational inequalities with absolute value

A quotient inequality such as $\dfrac{|x - 1|}{x + 2} \ge 1$ needs extra care. First exclude values that make the denominator $0$ ($x \neq -2$). Then do not multiply both sides by $x + 2$ until you know its sign: if it is negative, the inequality flips.

Number line with the solution interval from negative 2, open, to negative one half, closed, and the points where each part of the expression changes behavior. −2 −1/2 1 x + 2 = 0 |x − 1| flips solution: (−2, −1/2]
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Determine with reasoning the set of values of $x \in \mathbb{R}$ that satisfy the following simultaneous inequality, expressing the final result as a union of intervals:…

Determine with reasoning the set of values of $x \in \mathbb{R}$ that satisfy the following simultaneous inequality, expressing the final result as a union of intervals:

$$\frac{|2x - 5|}{x + 1} \leq 1$$

Take into account the domain restrictions and analyze the different cases according to the sign of the contents of the modulus.

Region f(x) ≤ 1 x y 0 x = −1 x≠-1 y = 1 f(x) x=? x=? |2x - 5| x + 1 ≤ 1 Solution: x ∈ ?
Solve

Neighborhoods: the doorway to limits

Number line showing a deleted neighborhood of center a and radius r, with a hollow point at the center. a − r a a + r r r a is excluded in E* E*(a, r) = (a−r, a) ∪ (a, a+r)

Back to the soccer ball: "$|w - 15| < 1$" says $w$ is in the neighborhood $E(15, 1) = (14, 16)$.

The $\varepsilon$–$\delta$ idea

Saying $\displaystyle\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = L$ means: for every $\varepsilon > 0$ (a target neighborhood $E(L, \varepsilon)$ on the $y$-axis), there is a $\delta > 0$ such that

$$x \in E^*(a, \delta) \implies f(x) \in E(L, \varepsilon).$$

In words: "to get $f(x)$ within $\varepsilon$ of $L$, it is enough to keep $x$ within $\delta$ of $a$ (but $x \neq a$)." The neighborhood on the $x$-axis is deleted because a limit describes what happens near $a$, not at $a$.

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Express the following neighborhoods as open intervals and represent them graphically: $a) \ E(2, 3)$ (Neighborhood with center 2 and radius 3) $b) \ E(-1, 0.5)$…

Express the following neighborhoods as open intervals and represent them graphically:

  • $a) \ E(2, 3)$ (Neighborhood with center 2 and radius 3)

  • $b) \ E(-1, 0.5)$

  • $c) \ E^*(0, 4)$ (Deleted neighborhood with center 0 and radius 4)

a) E(2, 3) = (−1, 5) −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 r=3 r=3 b) E(−1, 0.5) = (−1.5, −0.5) −2 −1.5 −1 −0.5 0 r=0.5 r=0.5 c) E*(0, 4) = (−4, 0) ∪ (0, 4) −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 r=4 r=4
Solve
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In the design of a high-precision part for an aerospace engine, the radius of a cylinder, denoted by $x$, must be such that its difference from the nominal radius of…

In the design of a high-precision part for an aerospace engine, the radius of a cylinder, denoted by $x$, must be such that its difference from the nominal radius of $5\text{ cm}$ is so small that the error in its cross-sectional area, $A(x) = \pi x^2$, does not exceed $0,01\text{ cm}^2$.

Using the formal definition of a deleted neighborhood $E^*(a, \delta)$, find the maximum value of the tolerance $\delta$ that the radius $x$ can have to ensure that the area remains in the neighborhood $E(25\pi, 0,01)$. Express the result of $\delta$ in terms of $\pi$ exactly.

Solve
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Prove, using exclusively the metric definition of a limit ($\varepsilon - \delta$), that: $$\lim_{x \to 3} (x^2 - 2x) = 3$$ To do this, given an $\varepsilon > 0$, find…

Prove, using exclusively the metric definition of a limit ($\varepsilon - \delta$), that:

$$\lim_{x \to 3} (x^2 - 2x) = 3$$

To do this, given an $\varepsilon > 0$, find an expression for $\delta$ in terms of $\varepsilon$ (you may assume an initial bound for $\delta$, for example $\delta \leq 1$).

Solve

Absolute and relative error

When you measure or approximate a quantity, there are two ways to say how far off you are.

Why both? Being off by $1$ foot is huge when measuring a desk and tiny when measuring a football field. The relative error compares the mistake to the size of the thing measured.

When numbers use scientific notation, factor out the power of ten. For $V_r = 4.562 \times 10^8$ and $V_a = 4.56 \times 10^8$, the difference is $(4.562 - 4.56) \times 10^8 = 0.002 \times 10^8$, and the power of ten cancels in $E_r$.

How small must the error be? That depends on context: under about $1\%$ is fine for everyday use, but science and engineering often demand far smaller.

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A temperature sensor in a data server indicates that the CPU is at $42,6^{\circ}C$. If the actual value measured with a precision thermometer is $42,45^{\circ}C$,…

A temperature sensor in a data server indicates that the CPU is at $42,6^{\circ}C$. If the actual value measured with a precision thermometer is $42,45^{\circ}C$, calculate:

  • $a)$ The absolute error of the sensor's measurement.

  • $b)$ The relative error made, expressed as a percentage.

Solve
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In astrophysics, the distance between two celestial bodies is often measured in astronomical units (AU). Suppose two measurements of the distance to an exoplanet have…

In astrophysics, the distance between two celestial bodies is often measured in astronomical units (AU). Suppose two measurements of the distance to an exoplanet have been made: $d_1 = 4,56 \cdot 10^8$ miles and $d_2 = 4,562 \cdot 10^8$ miles.

a) Calculate the absolute error and the relative error made if we take the first measurement as an approximation of the second.

b) Express the result of the relative error as a percentage and comment on whether the approximation is acceptable for a scientific environment.

Solve

Domains of functions

Before taking any limit you must know where the function lives. Check three things:

Number line showing the domain of ln of absolute value of x minus 1 minus 2: all numbers less than negative 1 and all numbers greater than 3. −1 1 (center) 3 domain: (−∞, −1) ∪ (3, ∞)

A parameter in the domain

For $f(x) = \sqrt{x^2 + kx + 4}$ to be defined for all real $x$, you need $x^2 + kx + 4 \ge 0$ for every $x$. The parabola opens up, so it never dips below the $x$-axis exactly when it has at most one root: discriminant $\le 0$.

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Given the function $f(x) = \ln(|x^2 - 4| - 5)$, determine its domain of definition exactly. Express the result as a union of intervals, paying special attention to the…

Given the function $f(x) = \ln(|x^2 - 4| - 5)$, determine its domain of definition exactly. Express the result as a union of intervals, paying special attention to the values where the argument of the logarithm is zero or negative. Analyze the symmetry of this domain.

Solve

A first look at limits at infinity

You will study limits properly in the next pages. Here are the two facts the practice problems need: how to see where a sequence or function settles down for large inputs, and how to make "gets close to $L$" precise.

Sequences: how far out must we go?

Functions: long-term value and asymptotes

Square roots and oblique asymptotes

If a function grows like a line, $y = mx + b$ is an oblique (slant) asymptote as $x \to +\infty$, where

$$m = \lim_{x \to \infty}\frac{f(x)}{x}, \qquad b = \lim_{x \to \infty}\bigl(f(x) - mx\bigr).$$
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Consider the sequence defined by the general term $a_n = \frac{3n^2 - 1}{n^2 + 2n}$. a) Calculate the limit $L$ of the sequence as $n \to \infty$. b) Determine from…

Consider the sequence defined by the general term $a_n = \frac{3n^2 - 1}{n^2 + 2n}$.

  1. a) Calculate the limit $L$ of the sequence as $n \to \infty$.
  2. b) Determine from which value of the index $n_0 \in \mathbb{N}$ all terms of the sequence are at a distance from $L$ of less than one thousandth ($\varepsilon = 10^{-3}$).
n aₙ L L+ε L-ε ε ε n₀ |aₙ - L| < ε Qualitative sketch (not to scale)
Solve
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The function $f(x) = \sqrt{x^2 - kx + 9}$ is defined. Determine the set of values of the real parameter $k$ for which the domain of the function is the entire real line…

The function $f(x) = \sqrt{x^2 - kx + 9}$ is defined. Determine the set of values of the real parameter $k$ for which the domain of the function is the entire real line $\mathbb{R}$.

For the largest value in this set, determine if there is any horizontal or oblique asymptote as $x \to +\infty$.

Solve
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An investor analyzes the growth of a financial asset whose value in thousands of dollars is given by the function $V(t) = \frac{4t^2 + k}{t^2 + 1}$, where $t \geq 0$ is…

An investor analyzes the growth of a financial asset whose value in thousands of dollars is given by the function $V(t) = \frac{4t^2 + k}{t^2 + 1}$, where $t \geq 0$ is the time in years.

  1. a) If it is known that the initial value of the asset was $1000$ dollars, determine the value of the constant $k$.
  2. b) What will be the value of the asset in the "very long term"? Justify your answer using the concept of a limit at infinity.
  3. c) Will the value of the asset ever exceed $4000$ dollars? Prove this analytically using an inequality.
Time t (years) Value V(t) (thousands $) 2 4 6 8 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 V(0) = 1 y = 4
Solve

Summary

Back to the soccer ball: a ball of weight $w$ is acceptable when $|w - 15| \le 1$, that is, $w \in [14, 16]$. In a limit proof, $\varepsilon$ is the tolerance you must meet and $\delta$ is how closely you must control the input to meet it.

See all the exercises in this section