Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Estimating limit values involves using tables (or other methods) to determine what value a function might approach as its inputs get arbitrarily close to a certain number. It helps understand how functions behave near specific points.
Related terms
Direct Substitution Method: A method used for evaluating limits where we can simply substitute the value into the function to find the limit. Works for most simple functions.
Some limits cannot be determined through direct substitution or other straightforward methods, resulting in an indeterminate form such as 0/0 or ∞/∞. These require additional techniques like L'Hôpital's Rule to evaluate.
A theorem used to prove or evaluate limits by "squeezing" a function between two other functions whose limits are known. It helps determine the limit of a function that is not easily calculable directly.