Problem

The function $f$ is defined piecewise as follows.
\[
f(x)=\left\{\begin{array}{ll}
x^{2}+3 x+2 & \text { if } x< -3 \\
(x+2)^{2}+2 & \text { if } x \geq-3
\end{array}\right.
\]
Find the following limits.
If a limit does not exist, click on "Does Not Exist."
(a) $\lim f(x)=$
\[
x \rightarrow-3^{-}
\]
(b) $\lim _{-3^{-}} f(x)=$
(c) $\lim _{x \rightarrow-3} f(x)=$

Answer

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Answer

Final Answer: (a) $\lim_{x \rightarrow -3^{-}} f(x) = \boxed{2}$ (b) $\lim_{x \rightarrow -3^{+}} f(x) = \boxed{3}$ (c) $\lim_{x \rightarrow -3} f(x)$ does not exist.

Steps

Step 1 :The function $f$ is defined piecewise as follows: $f(x)=\left\{\begin{array}{ll} x^{2}+3 x+2 & \text { if } x<-3 \\ (x+2)^{2}+2 & \text { if } x \geq-3 \end{array}\right.$

Step 2 :We are asked to find the limit of the function $f(x)$ as $x$ approaches $-3$ from the left, from the right, and in general.

Step 3 :To find these limits, we substitute $x = -3$ into the appropriate piece of the piecewise function.

Step 4 :For $x \rightarrow -3^{-}$, we use the first piece of the function, $x^{2}+3 x+2$, because this piece is defined for $x < -3$.

Step 5 :For $x \rightarrow -3^{+}$ and $x \rightarrow -3$, we use the second piece of the function, $(x+2)^{2}+2$, because this piece is defined for $x \geq -3$.

Step 6 :The limit of the function as $x$ approaches $-3$ from the left is $2$, and the limit as $x$ approaches $-3$ from the right is $3$.

Step 7 :Since the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit are not equal, the limit of the function as $x$ approaches $-3$ does not exist.

Step 8 :Final Answer: (a) $\lim_{x \rightarrow -3^{-}} f(x) = \boxed{2}$ (b) $\lim_{x \rightarrow -3^{+}} f(x) = \boxed{3}$ (c) $\lim_{x \rightarrow -3} f(x)$ does not exist.

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