# Limits that exist

Simple question, I just cannot find something that explains it right out and to the point without giving a huge confusing explanation. The question that I am struggling with is to determine a limit of a function if it exists.

Find: $$\lim_{x\to2}{f(x)},$$

If

$$f(x)=\begin{cases}x^{2} & \text{if } x<2 \\ 3 & \text{if } x=2 \\ 3x-2 & \text{if } x>2\end{cases}$$

Now i worked out the limits from both sides and they both equal 4. But it does say that the limit at that point equals 3. Does this mean that the limit doesn't exist? Or does this just mean that the double sided limit exists at 4, but is discontinuous and equals 3 at that point?

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Thanks for the edit @Shaktal, not sure how you did that but it looks a lot better! –  nickcorin Oct 30 '12 at 14:59
Double-check the definition for continuity in your book and make sure you aren't getting too confused about when the limit exists and when the function is continuous. In other words, does the function have to be continuous for the limit to exist? Does the limit have to exist for it to be continuous? –  Todd Wilcox Oct 30 '12 at 14:59

The answer is $4$. The limit asks for the value of a function as it approaches some $x$ value, not the exact value. There can be a hole at $x=2$ and your answer would still be valid.

For a more technical answer, take the following definition of a limit: $$\forall \varepsilon \gt 0 \: \exists \delta\gt 0:\forall x(0\lt|x-c|\lt\delta \Rightarrow|f(x)-L|\lt\varepsilon)$$

Then notice how the difference between any $x$ value you choose and the $c$ you are approaching must always be greater than $0$.

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Okay thank you :D I really appreciate it! –  nickcorin Oct 30 '12 at 15:01
@Shaktal Very much appreciated =) –  mathguy Oct 30 '12 at 15:23

The limit from either side as $x\to2$ exists and equals $4$, so the overall limit as $x\to2$ exists and equals $4$.

Limits completely ignore the value of the function at the given point, as the definition of a limit only cares about what happens in a punctured neighborhood of that point.

There is a different notion, which is of continuity, which considers both the limit of the point and the value of the point: If the limit exists and equals the value, the function is said to be continuous there. However, if the limit doesn't exist or doesn't equal the value (as we have), the function is incontinuous at the point.

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Thanks you! That really cleared up my confusion between the two :) –  nickcorin Oct 30 '12 at 15:03