Prove that $\lim_{x \to 3} \frac{x-4}{x^2+2} = \frac{-1}{11}$ using the $\epsilon$ – $\delta$ definition of the limit.

calculusepsilon-deltalimitsproof-writing

We start with the definition of the limit:

$$\forall \epsilon , \exists \delta \text{ s.t.}$$

$$\left\vert f(x)-L \right\vert \lt\epsilon,$$
$$0\lt\left\vert x-a \right\vert \lt\delta$$

So we begin with some preliminary steps before writing out our proof:

$$\left\vert\frac{x-4}{x^2+2} + \frac{1}{11}\right\vert\lt\epsilon\Rightarrow$$

$$\frac{1}{11}\left\vert\frac{11x-44+x^2+2}{x^2+2}\right\vert\lt\epsilon\Rightarrow$$

$$\frac{1}{11}\left\vert x-3\right\vert\left\vert x+14\right\vert\left\vert\frac{1}{x^2+2}\right\vert\lt\epsilon\Rightarrow$$

Now I proceed to bound the $\left\vert x+14\right\vert$ and $\left\vert\frac{1}{x^2+2}\right\vert$ terms:

Say $\left\vert x-3\right\vert\lt2\Rightarrow$

$-2\lt x-3\lt 2$ $\space$ $\space$ which implies $\space$ $\space$ $15\lt x+14\lt19$

And here is where my problem arises. I don't know how to bound the $\left\vert\frac{1}{x^2+2}\right\vert$ term.

Any help would be appreciated, from hints to a well-established proof.

Best Answer

Why don't you try to use the fact that $$x^2\geqslant 0?$$

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