Science:Math Exam Resources/Courses/MATH110/December 2012/Question 02 (a)

MATH110 December 2012

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Question 02 (a)
Determine whether the following statement is true or false. If it is true, provide justification. If it is false, provide a counterexample. If $\displaystyle \lim _{x\rightarrow 0}f(x)$ does not exist and $\displaystyle \lim _{x\rightarrow 0}g(x)$ does not exist, then $\displaystyle \lim _{x\rightarrow 0}\left(f(x)+g(x)\right)$ does not exist.

Make sure you understand the problem fully: What is the question asking you to do? Are there specific conditions or constraints that you should take note of? How will you know if your answer is correct from your work only? Can you rephrase the question in your own words in a way that makes sense to you?

If you are stuck, check the hints below. Read the first one and consider it for a while. Does it give you a new idea on how to approach the problem? If so, try it! If after a while you are still stuck, go for the next hint.

Hint 1
One way in which limits fail to exist are at vertical asymptotes (where the function blows up). What would a function with a vertical asymptote look like? Can you think of other ways in which limits don't exist? What would an example function look like for these new behaviours?

Hint 2
Is there a way to create a g such that the problems you made in f get removed?

Checking a solution serves two purposes: helping you if, after having used all the hints, you still are stuck on the problem; or if you have solved the problem and would like to check your work. If you are stuck on a problem: Read the solution slowly and as soon as you feel you could finish the problem on your own, hide it and work on the problem. Come back later to the solution if you are stuck or if you want to check your work. If you want to check your work: Don't only focus on the answer, problems are mostly marked for the work you do, make sure you understand all the steps that were required to complete the problem and see if you made mistakes or forgot some aspects. Your goal is to check that your mental process was correct, not only the result.

Solution

Found a typo? Is this solution unclear? Let us know here. Please rate my easiness! It's quick and helps everyone guide their studies. One common function where $\lim _{x\to 0}f(x)$ doesn't exist is the rational function $f(x)={\frac {1}{x}}$. The same is true for its negative, $g(x)=-{\frac {1}{x}}$. Both have a limit of $\infty$ or $-\infty$ at 0. However, when these two functions are added together, we get: $\lim _{x\to 0}{\frac {1}{x}}+(-{\frac {1}{x}})=\lim _{x\to 0}0=0$ Which is a perfectly satisfactory limit. Thus, these two functions are a counterexample to this statement, proving it false. To see an interactive illustration of this solution, see this page.

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