Math Problem Statement

Consider the following limit: lim x→1 (x−6) / (x^2 − 3x − 18). Create a table of values for f(x) for x close to 1 and estimate the limit.

Solution

The problem is asking you to evaluate the following limit:

limx1x6x23x18\lim_{{x \to 1}} \frac{{x - 6}}{{x^2 - 3x - 18}}

Additionally, you're asked to create a table of values for the function f(x)=x6x23x18f(x) = \frac{{x - 6}}{{x^2 - 3x - 18}} for values of xx close to 1. The function is discontinuous at x=1x = 1, so estimating the limit numerically is a good approach.

Let's break this down:

  1. Factor the denominator: The denominator is x23x18x^2 - 3x - 18, which we can factor: x23x18=(x6)(x+3)x^2 - 3x - 18 = (x - 6)(x + 3)

    Now, the function becomes: f(x)=x6(x6)(x+3)f(x) = \frac{{x - 6}}{{(x - 6)(x + 3)}} For x6x \neq 6, this simplifies to: f(x)=1x+3f(x) = \frac{1}{{x + 3}} But note that this simplification holds only when x6x \neq 6, so you can use this function to fill in the table for xx values near 1.

  2. Create the table: I'll now calculate the function f(x)=1x+3f(x) = \frac{1}{x+3} for the given xx values (0.9, 0.99, 0.999, 1.001, 1.01, and 1.1).

Let me calculate these values and fill in the table for you.Here are the values for the function f(x)=1x+3f(x) = \frac{1}{x + 3}, rounded to four decimal places:

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Factoring
Rational Functions

Formulas

f(x) = (x - 6) / (x^2 - 3x - 18)
Factoring: x^2 - 3x - 18 = (x - 6)(x + 3)
Simplified function: f(x) = 1 / (x + 3) for x ≠ 6

Theorems

Limit Theorem
Factoring Method for Limits

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12