Limits of Functions and Related Concepts
This page provides a comprehensive overview of limits, asymptotes, and function composition in calculus. It covers several key theorems and concepts essential for understanding the behavior of functions.
Definition: A limite d'une fonction composée (limit of a composite function) is the limit of a function f(x) = v(u(x)), where v and u are two functions composed together.
The page begins by explaining the relationship between limits and asymptotes:
Highlight: When the limit of a function f(x) as x approaches a is L, it indicates a horizontal asymptote with the equation y = L. When the limit of f(x) approaches infinity as x approaches a, it signifies a vertical asymptote with the equation x = a.
The text introduces the notation for one-sided limits, distinguishing between limits from the right and left sides of a point.
Vocabulary: Forme indéterminée (indeterminate form) refers to limit expressions that cannot be directly evaluated, such as ∞ - ∞.
The document then presents the Théorème de comparaison (comparison theorem), which is crucial for evaluating limits by comparing functions.
Example: The fonction composée f o g (composite function) is defined as f(g(x)), where f and g are two functions. The limit of a composite function can be found by applying limits to each function separately under certain conditions.
The page concludes with a discussion on croissance comparée (comparative growth), which is essential for understanding the relative rates at which different types of functions grow.
Highlight: In comparative growth analysis, exponential functions generally "dominate" polynomial functions, while logarithmic functions grow more slowly than polynomial functions as x approaches infinity.
This comprehensive overview provides students with a solid foundation in the key concepts of limits, function composition, and asymptotic behavior, which are fundamental to more advanced calculus topics.
