Question

find the limit if it exists:
lim x-> -1, (2x^2-x-3)/(x+1)

Answer 1

perhaps an explanation on how to do this would be great. we can take it one step at a time!

Answer 2

have you tried dividing everything by x first?

Answer 3

Well you can just plug in the values of 0,and -2

Answer 4

i wasn't sure what he -1 meant.

Answer 5

-3/1 would be 0

Answer 6

for input of x

Answer 7

oh, actually simplier method

just factor the numerator

Answer 8

-2 x input would get you 1/-1 is -1

Answer 9

factor the numerator and cancel the denom?

Answer 10

yea then find the limit

Answer 11

so i would assume the limit as x approaches -1 would be in between

Answer 12

ok, one sec! gonna factor the numerator out

Answer 13

That's how i normally do it if there is x^2/x because it's practically a linear function.

Answer 14

@Freyes your answer is incorrect

Answer 15

so for the numerator i got (2x-3)(x+1)

Answer 16

so the (x+1)'s cancel now.

Answer 17

now i'm left with 2x-3

Answer 18

Oh whoops. Fail math right here. xD

Answer 19

now the limit as x-> -1

basically just substitute -1 for x

2(-1)-3

Answer 20

ah i see where the -1 comes in now. thanks!

Answer 21

and your answer isssssss

Answer 22

0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 23

so what does that mean? there is no limit?

Answer 24

how did you get 0? .....

Answer 25

please show work

Answer 26

i was told to plug in the -1 into the x

Answer 27

o wait i used the wrong problem, lol

Answer 28

\[\lim_{x \rightarrow -1}2x-3 =?\]

Answer 29

-5, lols

Answer 30

you cant use the original equation, because you cant divide by 0

Answer 31

which is why we had to factor the stupid thing, cancel out the denominator, then find the limit

but yes the limit of the original equation is equal to -5

Answer 32

ok thank you! much appreciated.