Finite Math and Applied Calculus (6th Edition)

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1133607705
ISBN 13: 978-1-13360-770-0

Chapter 10 - Review - Review Exercises - Page 771: 8

Answer

$\lim\limits_{x \to \ 3}\frac{x^2-9}{2x-6}=\frac{x+3}{2}=\frac{3+3}{2}=3$

Work Step by Step

If we want to calculate the value of $\lim\limits_{x \to \ 3}\frac{x^2-9}{2x-6}$, Here, we cannot use the formula of: $\lim \limits_{x\to a}f(x)=f(a)$, because it would mean that: $\lim\limits_{x \to \ 3}\frac{x^2-9}{2x-6}=\frac{(3)^2-9}{2(3)-6}=\frac{0}{0}$ which cannot be a limit. Therefore, we have to simplify the fraction: $\frac{x^2-9}{2x-6}=\frac{(x-3)(x+3)}{2(x-3)}=\frac{x+3}{2}$ If we substitute this function into the limit, we get: $\lim\limits_{x \to \ 3}\frac{x^2-9}{2x-6}=\frac{x+3}{2}=\frac{3+3}{2}=3$
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