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Continuity and differentiability, rigorously

ε–δ continuity, the intermediate and extreme value theorems, the mean value theorem.

f is continuous at a when the limit equals the value; on a closed interval that buys the intermediate value theorem and a maximum. The mean value theorem says some tangent is parallel to the chord — the fact behind every "if f′ > 0 then f increases". Picture it: the chord and the parallel tangent. Think it: these theorems are where compactness and connectedness of [a, b] do their work.

דוגמה עובדת: limit of sin(x)/x as x -> 0

Calculus · Limits

Limit of sin(x)/x as x → 0

\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin{\left(x \right)}}{x}

צעד אחר צעד

  1. \lim_{x \to 0^+-} \frac{\sin{\left(x \right)}}{x}

    Try direct substitution first.

  2. \frac{0}{0}

    Substitution gives 0/0 — an indeterminate form.

  3. \lim \frac{\cos{\left(x \right)}}{1}

    L'Hôpital's rule: differentiate numerator and denominator separately.

  4. = 1

    Substitute.

גלה את התשובה
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Symbols used here

\lim_{x \to a} f(x)
limit
The value f(x) approaches as x approaches a.
\sin,\ \cos,\ \tan
sine, cosine, tangent
Ratios of sides in a right triangle; coordinates on the unit circle.
\leq,\ \geq
less/greater than or equal
Inequalities that allow equality; < and > exclude it.
|x|
absolute value / modulus
Distance from zero: |−3| = 3. For a complex number, distance from the origin.
e
Euler's number
2.71828…, the base whose exponential is its own derivative.
\infty
infinity
Not a number: "grows without bound" in limits and intervals.
\sum_{k=1}^{n} a_k
summation
Add a_k for k = 1 up to n.
\prod_{k=1}^{n} a_k
product
Multiply a_k for k = 1 up to n.
\int f(x)\,dx,\ \int_a^b
integral
Antiderivative (indefinite) or signed area from a to b (definite).
\mathbb{N},\ \mathbb{Z},\ \mathbb{Q},\ \mathbb{R},\ \mathbb{C}
number sets
Naturals, integers, rationals, reals, complex numbers.
\forall,\ \exists
for all, there exists
Quantifiers: every x; at least one x.
\blacksquare\ \text{or}\ \square
end of proof (halmos)
Marks the point where the statement has been established.
\varepsilon,\ \delta
epsilon, delta
Small positive tolerances in the definition of a limit.
\sup,\ \inf
supremum, infimum
Least upper bound, greatest lower bound.
B(x, r),\ \overline{A},\ \partial A
open ball, closure, boundary
Points within r of x; A plus its limit points; the edge of A.

How to: Continuity and differentiability, rigorously

  1. Try direct substitution first.
  2. Substitution gives 0/0 — an indeterminate form.
  3. L'Hôpital's rule: differentiate numerator and denominator separately.
  4. Substitute.

Questions people ask

What is the ε–δ definition actually saying?

That you can make the output as close to the limit as anyone demands (within ε) by keeping the input close enough (within δ). It replaces "approaches" with a challenge-and-response that can be checked.

Why does the harmonic series diverge when its terms go to zero?

Because the terms shrink too slowly: group them as 1/3 + 1/4 > 1/2, 1/5 + … + 1/8 > 1/2, and so on — infinitely many halves.

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יותר בפנים. Real Analysis

Sequences and their limitsConvergence of seriesImproper integralsTaylor approximation and errorFunctions of a complex variableSequences of functions and uniform convergence