Calculus Task 1

The epsilon delta definition is considered the formal definition of a limit.

When teaching this topic to high school students, I would first make sure the
students are already familiar with what a limit is and how to solve them. I would
also review all of the symbols that are going to be used in the definition; L- limit,
x, f(x), and c- the number that x is approaching. To begin the lesson, I explain that
“the formal definition [of a limit] is concerned with why limits exist and why they
are what they are” (Fernandez, 2004, p.43), and the definition is used to prove that
limits exist and to verify the limits that are found. I would then write the definition
on the board: “The limit of f(x) as x approaches L, limx→af(x) =L, if and only if,
given ε >0, there exists δ >0 such that 0<|x-a|< δ implies that |f(x)-L|< ε” (Husch,
2001). (The following is an example of the dialogue I would use to explain the
epsilon delta definition.) I know that this seems like a lot to take in at one time,
but we are going to break the parts down and go through an example to help clarify
what this definition means and how to use it. Just remember that for every epsilon
greater than zero, there is a corresponding delta that is greater than zero. Epsilon,
ε, is how close you want to make f(x) to L and delta, δ, is how close you want to
make x to c. When the distance from x to c is < δ, but not zero, the distance from
f(x) to L is < ε. Now, let’s try all of that out with an example. The first thing we
will need to do is find the limit of the function. We always try direct substitution
first, so use limx→2 (3x+1) as our initial function and substitute 2 for x, to get limx→2
[3(2) +1] =7. Next we need to find the values for the variables used in the epsilon
delta definition: f(x) = (3x+1), L=7, and c=2. To find the relationship between ε
and δ, we need to replace those variables with the values we found; which gives us
(3x +1-7) = (3x-6) and (x-2) using |f(x)-L| and |x-a|. We then write them so they
are equivalent by factoring one of the equations to get |3x-6| =3|x-2|. If we divide
this function by three, the two are equal which means that the ε is equal to three
times the δ. We can now plug the values in to the epsilon delta definition to
find/prove the limit. We will plug all of the values in except for the value for L,
since that is what we are trying to prove. This will give us [(3x-1)-L] and (x-2). We
then need to set these equal to each other again using the relationship we found
earlier. To do this, we will multiply the second equation by three. So, 3x+1-L =
3(x-2), which becomes 3x+1-L = 3x-6 and at this point we will solve for L. Start
by subtracting one from both sides to get 3x-L =3x-7, then subtract 3x from both
sides to get –L =-7. Lastly, divide both sides by -1 to get L=7. Now all we have to
do is compare the direct substitution answer with the epsilon delta definition
answer to find that our original, direct substitution answer is correct.

With the knowledge of the delta epsilon definition, these students will be
able to prove any answer they get to a limit problem. It will show them the way to
prove is and give them some insight into the way mathematical proofs and limits
work.

Works Cited
Fernandez, E. 2004. The Students’ Take on the Epsilon-Delta Definition of a Limit.

Primus: Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate

Studies; ProQuest Educational Journals. Pg. 43.

Husch, L. 2001. Definition of Limits. Retrieved January 2, 2011 from

https://archives.math.utk.edu/visual.calculus/1/definition.6/index.html