How do you prove the statement lim as x approaches 4 for (x^2) = 4 using the epsilon and delta definition?

1 Answer
Oct 15, 2015

Note that the limit as x approaches 4 is 16, and the limit as x approaches 2 is 4.
I will prove the latter case for you.

Explanation:

By definition, lim_(x->x_0)f(x)=Liff AA epsilon>0, EE delta >0 such that |x-x_0| < delta =>|f(x)-L| < epsilon

Let epsilon > 0 and select k in RR^+ such that |x-2|< k

therefore -k < x-2 < k

therefore 4-k < x+2 < k+4

Hence |x+2| < k+4

Now select delta=min{epsilon/(k+4); k}

Clearly delta>0

Let |x-2| < delta

Now : |f(x)-4|=|x^2-4|
=|x-2|*|x+2|

< delta*epsilon/delta

=epsilon

This then proves that lim_(x->2)x^2=4