Thomas' Calculus 13th Edition

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32187-896-5
ISBN 13: 978-0-32187-896-0

Chapter 2: Limits and Continuity - Additional and Advanced Exercises - Page 103: 12

Answer

See explanations.

Work Step by Step

Step 1. Assume $\lim_{x\to c}f(x)=L$. Letting $g(x)=kf(x)$, we can rewrite the limit to be proved as $\lim_{x\to c}g(x)= k\lim_{x\to c}f(x)=kL$. We will consider the case that $k\gt0$. Step 2. To prove the limit, for any small value $\epsilon\gt0$, we need to find a corresponding $\delta\gt0$ so that for all $x$ in the interval of $|x-c|\lt\delta$, we have $|g(x)-kL|\lt\epsilon$, Step 3. The last inequality can be rewritten as $-\epsilon\lt g(x)-kL\lt \epsilon$ or $kL-\epsilon\lt kf(x)\lt \epsilon+kL$ which gives $L-\epsilon/k\lt f(x)\lt \epsilon/k+L$ or $-\epsilon/k\lt f(x)-L\lt \epsilon/k$ Step 4. We can choose $\delta=\epsilon/k$ and work the steps backwards to reach the conclusion that for all $x$ in the interval of $|x-c|\lt\delta$, we have $|g(x)-kL|\lt\epsilon$, which proves the limit statement for the Constant Multiple Rule. Step 5. For the case that $k\lt0$, we can prove the limit in a similar way.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.