The concept of a limit is the fundamental building block on which all calculus concepts are based. In this section we will study limits informally, with the goal of developing an intuitive feel for the basic ideas. In the next three sections we will focus on computational methods and precise definitions.
Many of the ideas of calculus originated with the following two geometric problems.
The tangent line problem. Give a function F and a point P (x0,y0) on its graph, find an equation of the line that is tangent to the graph at P (picture 2.1.1).
The area problem. Give a function F, find the area between the graph of F and an interval (a, b) on the x-axis (picture 2.1.2)