Content Contemplation: Chapters 3 & 4

Quinn Pear

Content Overview
Chapter 3 discussed limits. A limit is the value a function approaches as the functions
variable gets nearer to a specific value. Basically, a limit is the Y-value or the f(x) as a line
approaches an X-value. A limit is written as

lim f ( x ) . This is the limit of f(x) as x approaches

x n

n. The x is the axis along which the limit is being approached, n is the value on the axis being
approached, and f(x) is the function in which the limit is being found on. The value of n is either
a number or (infinity). There are both a left-hand limit and right-hand limit. The left-hand
limit is when the x is increasing the reach n. This is written as
negative side. The right-hand limit, written as

,
x approaches n from the
xn

+
x n , is when the x approaches n from the

positive side. If the limit asks for x approaches n it is asking for the limit as n is approached from
both the positive and negative sides. There are two possible answers for this. Either the limit
exists, in which case there is a value for the limit (a number or , or the limit does not
exist or DNE. When the limit does not exist it means that the limits for x approaching n from the
negative and positive side both had different values. When finding the limits of a line it is
possible to get . This answer is the result of the line continuing off the graph either
upward( ) or downward( )
Examples:

The limit exists in the example above on the left because the two lines meet together at the
same point. The limit does not exist on the right because both the lines have different y-value at
the same x-value where they would meet.

In the example on the left the limit does not exist because the left-hand limit for 0 would be
and the right-hand limit would be . In the example on the right the limit does exist
because both the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit would be .
Chapter 4 discussed continuity. Continuity is the constant existence of a line or function
and cannot contain any gaps. In order for a function to be continuous there are conditions that
must be fulfilled. They are:
1. f(c) exists
2.

lim f ( x ) exists
x c

3.

lim f ( x )=f (c)

x c

There are four types of discontinuity. These types are jump, point, essential, and
removable. This occurs when a function stops in one place and begins in another.

Mathematically written

x a f ( x)
x a f ( x) lim , the limit does not exist. In the function above the

lim

point where the jump discontinuity occurs would be when x= -2. In this example it would be

x 2+ f (x )
x 2 f ( x ) lim . Point discontinuity is when there is a gap in the line and the missing

lim

segment is found somewhere else on the y-axis. Mathematically written

the example above this occurs when x=4,

lim f (x ) f ( a) . In
x a

lim f ( x ) f (4) . Essential discontinuity is when the

x4

limits of the lines are either both , ,both . In the example above this occurs
when x=0. The last type of discontinuity is removable. Removable discontinuity is when there is
a gap in the line. This occurs when you have a rational expression with common factors in both
the numerator and the denominator. in the example above this occurs when x=2

Compare/Contrast
When learning about limits through the AP calculus book the problems I completed as
well as many of the strategies taught were similar. The difference I found was how x
approaching from the positive and negatives were explained. When x is approached from the
negative is the value grows but never reaches x. And when x approaches from the positive it
never goes down enough to reach x. Both go infinitely close to the x. this was an interesting
way to look at that.
When using the AP calculus book the way continuity
and discontinuity is explained is very different than how we
learned in class. In class we learned discontinuity using
bridges and in the book they explain discontinuity through
math, both ways helped strengthen my understanding. For
me learning discontinuity with very basic explanations, using
the bridges, helped my understanding at the beginning of the
topic and allowed my understanding to strengthen through
deeper math explanations. For example, in the image to the
left we were taught that the lines were roads and the closed
point was the bridge. The rods don't meet so this would be a jump discontinuity.
Something else that was different was finding the limits of trigonometric functions. I didnt
have very much previous experience working on problems like these with trigonometric
functions, so I really struggled on understanding them.

Reflection
While working on the limits section the first 20 or so problems were very straight forward
and I was able to complete them without a problem. The last few though involved trigonometric
functions. I really struggled on solving these. I could not grasp why somethings were the way

they were. To solve this problem I used external resources. the resources I used were online
sites to help me understand better as well as getting help from my father. By getting help
through these resources I was able to complete the section and I now have a better
understanding. I still do not fully understand. I plan on continuing to use these resources until I
fully understand. Some problem that came very easily for me were in the continuity section.
These were very easy for me because I had a very good understanding from work Id done in
class.
While working on these sections there were a few strategies I used. One strategy that
helped me a lot was using my prior knowledge and notes to help me solve problems. This
helped me because many times it helped me solve problems in a more familiar way. Also finding
online resources helped me understand the topics better and look at questions in a different
fashion. In addition, getting help from others really helped me understand the problems I was
stuck on. By getting help from others I was able to get a more in depth explanation for the
problems I was stuck on. I believe all of these strategies will be very helpful when I am in
college. They will all help me get a deeper understanding of the topics I am working on and the
problems I face.