Engineering Calculus Peer Led Session Limits Reference: Sections 1.3, 1.4, and 1.

5 Pre-Assignment 1) List three skills that you think your future employer would want to see in a prospective employee. Feel free to search the internet or use whatever source you would like to get ideas.

2) Print this document, read the "Why" section, and do questions 1 and 2 of the activity below. 3) Print the peer leading syllabus, which you can download from the assignments section of blackboard, read it, and bring it to class. 4) In order to be able to take the quiz, you will need to bring the peer leading syllabus and this document with the pre-assignment completed to class. No further preparation will be necessary for the quiz.

Why? Anyone who drives a car is familiar with a speed limitand what it means to exceed one. The word limit is also used in phrases such as a city limit or a weight limit. A limit implies a boundary or the minimum or maximum number of something allowed. The concept of a limit is also an intrinsic part of calculus. First, you will work with limits directly, usually by analyzing a function or graph. Later, you will learn how limits will work behind the scenes. In this activity you will learn about onesided limits and the definition of continuity as it relates to functions.

Activity Model 1: The cost for parking in a certain parking garage is $2 for the first hour or portion of an hour and $1 for each additional hour or portion of an hour. The graph of the cost function C(t) is shown below.

1) Determine the cost to park a car for: 4.1 hours, 4.6 hours, and 5 hours.

2) Describe the cost to park for t = 4 + h, where 0 < h 1.

3) Determine the cost to park a car for: 4 hours, 3.8 hours, and 3.3 hours.

4) Describe the cost to park for t = 4 h, where 0 h < 1.

5) What is the value of C(t) as t approaches 4, but t < 4? (This limit is called the limit from the left and is written lim C t .)
t 4

6) Describe in words what you think the expression lim C t means.

t4

Model 2: Graph 1 H(t)

Graph 2

H(t)

7) For each of the graphs in Model 2 determine the values H(3) and H(4).

8) For each of the graphs in Model 2 determine lim H t , lim H t , lim H t , and lim H t .
t3 t3

t4

t4

Notice that the graph in Model 1 jumps from one value to the next several times. If you trace the graph of C(t) with your pencil from left to right over the interval (0,6] , you must lift your pencil from the paper. A function whose graph possesses this property is said to have discontinuities. If you can trace the graph of a function over a specified domain without lifting your pencil from the paper, the function is called continuous on that domain. ( For the formal definition of continuity, see pages 46 and 48 of your textbook. ) 9) Refer to Model 2 and determine if the statement below is true or false for each of the graphs.
t 3

lim H t= lim H t
t 3

t4

lim H t =lim H t
t 4

10) Are the graphs in Model 2 continuous at t = 3? Are they continuous at t = 4? 11) Using questions 7, 9, and 10 and the informal definition of continuity above, determine a relationship between the limit of a function at a particular point, the value of a function at that point, and continuity of a function at the same point.

Exercises For questions (a) through (e), explain why each function is continuous or discontinuous on its domain. a) The temperature at a specific location as a function of time:

b) The temperature at a specific time as a function of the distance due west from New York City:

c) The altitude above sea level as a function of the distance due west from New York City:

d) The cost of a taxi ride as a function of the distance traveled:

e) The current in the circuit for lights in a room as a function of time:

Problem The figure below shows a fixed circle C1 with radius 1 centered at the point (1,0) and a shrinking circle C2 of radius r centered at the origin. P is the point where C2 intersects the positive part of the y-axis, Q is the upper point of intersection of the two circles, and R is the point of intersection of the line PQ and the x-axis. What happens to R as C2 shrinks, i.e. as r0+ ?

P C2

Q R C1

Analyze: Describe what is happening to the points P and Q and the radius r as C2 shrinks. What happens to the slope of the line PQ?

Data List: List the given data and include any necessary equations.

Guess: Based on the given information and without solving any equations, make a guess as to what happens to R as r 0 . Solve: Find lim R .
r 0

Discuss: Compare your guess and the solution. Was the result what you had expected?

Engineering Calculus Peer Led Session Limits Activity Report We verify that we all understand and agree with the solutions to these questions. Group #: Manager: Recorder: Spokesperson: Strategy Analyst: Critical Thinkingto be completed by the recorder. Your peer leader will give you instructions on how to fill out this section.

For Instructors Use Only All questions filled out Names and U numbers printed on activity report Critical Thinking fully justified and written in complete sentences Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Reflection on Learning---to be completed by the Strategy Analyst.

Group #:

Give an example of a skill your group used today during the peer led activity that would be marketable to a future employer. Explain briefly using complete sentences.