LIMIT

, is a term used by mathematicians, for some determinate quantity, to which a variable one continually approaches, and may come nearer to it than by any given difference, but can never go beyond it; in which sense a circle may be said to be the Limit of all its inscribed and circumscribed polygons: because these, by increasing the number of their sides, can be made to be nearer equal to the circle than by any space that can be proposed, how small soever it may be.

In Algebra, the term Limit is applied to two quantities, of which the one is greater and the other less than some middle quantity, as the root of an equation, &c. And in this sense it is used when speaking of the Limits of equations, a method by which their solution is greatly facilitated.

Limit of Distinct Vision, in Optics. See Distinct Vision.

Limit of a Planet, has been sometimes used for its greatest heliccentric latitude.

Limited Problem, denotes a problem that has but one solution, or some determinate number of solutions: as to describe a circle through three given points that do not lie in a right line, which is limited to one solution only; to divide a parallelogram into two equal parts by a line parallel to one side, which admits of two solutions, according as the line is parallel to the length or breadth of the parallelogram; or to divide a triangle in any ratio by a line parallel to one side, which is limited to three solutions, as the line may be parallel to any of the three sides.