[Math] Help with epsilon-delta proof of $\lim_{x \to -3} \frac{x^2 + x – 6}{x^2 – 9}$

calculuslimits

I'm having a bit of trouble with epsilon-delta proofs of limits. I have to prove the existence of the limit
$$\lim_{x \to -3} \frac{x^2 + x – 6}{x^2 – 9} = \frac{5}{6}.$$

I want to try to relate $\delta$ and $\varepsilon$ through
$$0 < |x + 3| < \delta$$
and
$$\left| \frac{x^2+x-6}{x^2-9} – 5/6 \right| < \varepsilon,$$
but that's where I'm stuck. Everything I've done up to this point has come out very cleanly when I try to relate $\delta$ and $\varepsilon$ (e.g. $\delta = \varepsilon/3$), but I don't see a way to do that this time.

Thanks.

Best Answer

Hint:

$$\frac{x^2+x-6}{x^2-9}=\frac{(x+3)(x-2)}{(x+3)(x-3)}=\frac{x-2}{x-3}\,\,,\,\,x\neq \pm\,3$$