Can limits equal $\infty$ or should I say that the limit doesn’t exist

calculuslimits

So I've seen various questions with the limit 'equal' to $\infty$ or that the limit doesn't exist in a case where the function tends to $\infty$.

For example, the limit of $\sqrt{x}$ as $x$ tends to $\infty$. Is the answer $\infty$ or that the limit doesn't exist?

Obviously the function tends to $\infty$ as $x$ tends to $\infty$ but I don't know what to give as an answer.

I've seen similar questions where the function tends to $\infty$ as $x$ tends to a certain value where the answer has been that the limit doesn't exist. I've also seen where, in a similar situation, the limit has been 'equal' to $\infty$.

So which is the one to use? What's the difference? Thanks!

Best Answer

Depends on the context in which you're working.

If it's with the reals, for example, then such limits simply fail to exist. However, we do sometimes work with the extended reals $[-\infty,+\infty],$ and clearly in that case we can say something like $\lim_{x\to+\infty}x=+\infty.$

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