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One-sided infinite limit as x -> 2+

Consider the function f(x)=1x2−5x+6.f(x) = \dfrac{1}{x^2 - 5x + 6}. Note that the denominator factors as x2−5x+6=(x−2)(x−3)x^2 - 5x + 6 = (x-2)(x-3), so ff is undefined at x=2x = 2 and x=3x = 3.

Evaluate the one-sided limit lim⁡x→2+1x2−5x+6.\lim_{x \to 2^+} \frac{1}{x^2 - 5x + 6}. If the limit is infinite, state whether it is +∞+\infty or −∞-\infty.

Hint

Factor the denominator as (x−2)(x−3)(x-2)(x-3) and determine the sign of each factor for xx slightly greater than 22 (e.g., try x=2.1x = 2.1). This tells you the sign of the denominator, hence the sign of the overall fraction as it grows without bound.

Step-by-step solution

Factor the denominator: x2−5x+6=(x−2)(x−3)x^2-5x+6=(x-2)(x-3). As x→2+x \to 2^+, take xx slightly larger than 2, such as x=2.1x=2.1. Then x−2=0.1>0x-2 = 0.1 > 0 (a small positive number) and x−3=−0.9<0x-3 = -0.9 < 0 (a negative number close to −1-1).

Multiplying these factors gives a small negative number, so the denominator approaches 00 from the negative side. Since the numerator is 11 (positive), the fraction 1(x−2)(x−3)\frac{1}{(x-2)(x-3)} becomes a large negative number, so lim⁡x→2+f(x)=−∞\lim_{x\to 2^+} f(x) = -\infty.

One-sided infinite limit as x -> 3-

Evaluate the one-sided limit lim⁡x→3−1x2−5x+6.\lim_{x \to 3^-} \frac{1}{x^2 - 5x + 6}. If the limit is infinite, state whether it is +∞+\infty or −∞-\infty.

Hint

Using the factored form (x−2)(x−3)(x-2)(x-3), check the sign of each factor for xx slightly less than 33 (e.g., try x=2.9x=2.9), then determine the sign of the denominator and hence the fraction.

Step-by-step solution

Using the factorization x2−5x+6=(x−2)(x−3)x^2-5x+6=(x-2)(x-3), take xx slightly less than 3, such as x=2.9x=2.9. Then x−2=0.9>0x-2 = 0.9 > 0 and x−3=−0.1<0x-3 = -0.1 < 0 (a small negative number).

The product (x−2)(x−3)=(0.9)(−0.1)=−0.09(x-2)(x-3) = (0.9)(-0.1) = -0.09 is a small negative number, so the denominator approaches 00 from the negative side. Since the numerator is 11, we have 1(x−2)(x−3)→−∞\frac{1}{(x-2)(x-3)} \to -\infty, giving lim⁡x→3−f(x)=−∞\lim_{x\to 3^-} f(x) = -\infty.

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