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This is a list of limits for common functions such as elementary functions. In this article, the terms a, b and c are constants with respect to x.
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.
Since e is an irrational number (see proof that e is irrational), it cannot be represented as the quotient of two integers, but it can be represented as a continued fraction. Using calculus, e may also be represented as an infinite series, infinite product, or other types of limit of a sequence.
This generalization includes as special cases limits on an interval, as well as left-handed limits of real-valued functions (e.g., by taking T to be an open interval of the form (–∞, a)), and right-handed limits (e.g., by taking T to be an open interval of the form (a, ∞)).
The function () = + (), where denotes the sign function, has a left limit of , a right limit of +, and a function value of at the point =. In calculus, a one-sided limit refers to either one of the two limits of a function of a real variable as approaches a specified point either from the left or from the right.
This limit can be shown to exist for any , and it defines a continuous increasing function () = with () = and () =, so the Intermediate value theorem guarantees the existence of such a value =. Equivalence of the characterizations
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 .
Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on limits, functions, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. This subject constitutes a major part of contemporary mathematics education . Calculus has widespread applications in science , economics , and engineering and can solve many problems for which algebra alone is insufficient.