Definition:Limit of Real Function/Intuition

Definition
Though the founders of Calculus viewed the limit:


 * $\ds \lim_{x \mathop \to c} \map f x$

as the behavior of $f$ as it gets infinitely close to $x = c$, the real number system as defined in modern mathematics does not allow for the existence of infinitely small distances.

But:


 * $\exists L: \forall \epsilon > 0: \exists \delta > 0: 0 < \size {x - c} < \delta \implies \size {\map f x - L} < \epsilon$

can be interpreted this way:


 * You want to get very close to the value $c$ on the $\map f x$ axis.


 * This degree of closeness is the positive real number $\epsilon$. 


 * If the limit exists, I can guarantee you that I can give you a value on the $x$ axis that will satisfy your request.


 * This value on the $x$ axis is the positive real number $\delta$.