Infinite Limits — Question 1

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Question 1

Evaluate the following limit and describe the behavior of the function near the point of discontinuity: limx→1−3(x−1)2\lim_{x \to 1^-} \frac{3}{(x - 1)^2}

Original worksheet page 1: question and worked solution for 2-6-001
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Question 1 - Solution

We are asked to evaluate: limx→1−3(x−1)2\lim_{x \to 1^-} \frac{3}{(x - 1)^2}

Step 1: Observe the behavior of the denominator

As x→1−x \to 1^-, the value of x−1x - 1 becomes a small negative number. Squaring it makes it a small positive number: (x−1)2>0but very small(x - 1)^2 > 0 \quad \text{but very small}

So the expression becomes: 3small positive number→+∞\frac{3}{\text{small positive number}} \to +\infty

Conclusion:

The function grows without bound as xx approaches 1 from the left.

limx→1−3(x−1)2=∞\boxed{\lim_{x \to 1^-} \frac{3}{(x - 1)^2} = \infty}

Original worksheet page 2: question and worked solution for 2-6-001

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