Module 2: Limits (Chapter 2)

Science fiction writers often imagine spaceships that can travel to far-off planets in distant galaxies. However, in 1905, Albert Einstein showed that a limit exists on how fast any object can travel. The problem is that the faster an object moves, the more mass it attains (in the form of energy). What is this speed limit? (see "Chapter Opener: Einstein's Equation" Example in Section 2.1: Limits).

The idea of a limit is central to all of calculus. We begin this chapter by examining why limits are so important. Then, we go on to describe how to find the limit of a function at a given point. 

Not all functions have limits at all points, and we discuss what this means and how we can tell if a function does or does not have a limit at a particular value. This chapter has been created in an informal, intuitive fashion.

Image Caption: The vision of human exploration by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to distant parts of the universe illustrates the idea of space travel at high speeds. But, is there a limit to how fast a spacecraft can go? (credit: NASA)

1. Read the Module 2 Introduction (see above).
   
2. Read Section 2.1 of Chapter 2: Limits and Continuity in Applied Calculus (link provided below)
   • At the end of this Section there is a list of Vocabulary, a Self Check Quiz, and a set of Flashcards
     
3. Watch the Videos for each Section (links provided below)
4. Complete the MyOpenMath Homework Assignments for the Section (link provided below) - These are graded!
   
5. Practice the problems on the Chapter 2 Review Exercises - Limits, checking the solutions provided (link provided below)
6. Complete the MyOpenMath Quiz for Section 2.1 (link provided below) - This is graded!
7. Once you complete the Quiz, upload your work in the Quiz Work Upload Assignment using the submission link below.
8. Post in the Section 2.1 Q&A Discussion Forum - link provided below.

Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities