Combination Theorem for Limits of Functions/Real/Sum Rule

Theorem

Let $\R$ denote the real numbers.

Let $f$ and $g$ be real functions defined on an open subset $S \subseteq \R$, except possibly at the point $c \in S$.

Let $f$ and $g$ tend to the following limits:

$\ds \lim_{x \mathop \to c} \map f x = l$
$\ds \lim_{x \mathop \to c} \map g x = m$


Then:

$\ds \lim_{x \mathop \to c} \paren {\map f x + \map g x} = l + m$


Proof

Let $\sequence {x_n}$ be any sequence of elements of $S$ such that:

$\forall n \in \N_{>0}: x_n \ne c$
$\ds \lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \ x_n = c$


By Limit of Real Function by Convergent Sequences:

$\ds \lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \map f {x_n} = l$
$\ds \lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \map g {x_n} = m$


By the Sum Rule for Real Sequences:

$\ds \lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \paren {\map f {x_n} + \map g {x_n} } = l + m$


Applying Limit of Real Function by Convergent Sequences again, we get:

$\ds \lim_{x \mathop \to c} \paren {\map f x + \map g x} = l + m$

$\blacksquare$


Sources

  • 1947: James M. Hyslop: Infinite Series (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Functions and Limits: $\S 4$: Limits of Functions: Theorem $1 \ \text{(i)}$
  • 1975: W.A. Sutherland: Introduction to Metric and Topological Spaces ... (previous) ... (next): $1$: Review of some real analysis: $\S 1.4$: Continuity