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In mathematics, a limit is the value that a function (or sequence) approaches as the argument (or index) approaches some value. [1] Limits of functions are essential to calculus and mathematical analysis , and are used to define continuity , derivatives , and integrals .
In general, any infinite series is the limit of its partial sums. For example, an analytic function is the limit of its Taylor series, within its radius of convergence. = =. This is known as the harmonic series. [6]
The definition of limit given here does not depend on how (or whether) f is defined at p. Bartle [9] refers to this as a deleted limit, because it excludes the value of f at p. The corresponding non-deleted limit does depend on the value of f at p, if p is in the domain of f. Let : be a real-valued function.
If the terms in the sequence are real numbers, the limit superior and limit inferior always exist, as the real numbers together with ±∞ (i.e. the extended real number line) are complete. More generally, these definitions make sense in any partially ordered set, provided the suprema and infima exist, such as in a complete lattice.
In the context of limits, these terms refer to some (unspecified, even unknown) point at which a phenomenon prevails as the limit is approached. A statement such as that predicate P holds for sufficiently large values, can be expressed in more formal notation by ∃x : ∀y ≥ x : P(y). See also eventually. upstairs, downstairs
The existence theorem for limits states that if a category C has equalizers and all products indexed by the classes Ob(J) and Hom(J), then C has all limits of shape J. [ 1 ] : §V.2 Thm.1 In this case, the limit of a diagram F : J → C can be constructed as the equalizer of the two morphisms [ 1 ] : §V.2 Thm.2
A limit of a sequence of points () in a topological space is a special case of a limit of a function: the domain is in the space {+}, with the induced topology of the affinely extended real number system, the range is , and the function argument tends to +, which in this space is a limit point of .
Limit of a function (ε,_δ)-definition of limit, formal definition of the mathematical notion of limit; Limit of a sequence; One-sided limit, either of the two limits of a function as a specified point is approached from below or from above; Limit inferior and limit superior; Limit of a net; Limit point, in topological spaces; Limit (category ...