Step by step
The question
Question: find the limit as x → 4 of (x² − 16)/(x − 4), using a table.
1 Try x = 4
First, try x = 4 itself.
The top is 0, and the bottom is 0.
We cannot divide by 0.
So f(x) has no value at 4.
But a limit does not need the value at 4.
It asks: as x gets close to 4, what number does f(x) get close to?
Careful!
0/0 does not mean there is no limit.
It only means we must look closer.
2 From the left
Take numbers just below 4: 3.9, 3.99, 3.999.
They come closer and closer to 4.
Put 3.9 in: we get 7.9.
The others the same way, with a calculator.
From the left, f(x) gets close to 8.
3 From the right
Now numbers just above 4: 4.1, 4.01, 4.001.
Work out f(x) for each one.
From the right, f(x) gets close to 8 too.
4 Read the limit
Both sides get close to the same number.
So the limit is 8.
5 Check
Let's check with numbers even closer.
x = 3.9999 gives 7.9999.
x = 4.0001 gives 8.0001.
Still close to 8.
Right!
Let's look back.
First: try x = 4.
Then: from the left.
Then: from the right.
Then: read the limit.
Last: check.