# Limit function and DirectedInfinity as output: Interpretation

I tried to compute the following limit:

In[12]:= Limit[-A/2 x - 2 x, x -> +Infinity]

Out[12]= DirectedInfinity[-2 - A/2]


Does the output tell me that the software cannot evaluate the sign because it does not know the sign of A? And does it tell me that the solution is for sure plus or minus infinity?

Does the output tell me that the software cannot evaluate the sign because it does not know the sign of A?

In a way, yes. But it does not even assume A to be real. What if A==I?

And does it tell me that the solution is for sure plus or minus infinity?

In a way, yes. But this is not generally correct. If A==4, then the answer is zero.

(-2 - A/2) ∞


Also, in newer versions of Limit can do this:

Limit[-A/2 x - 2 x, x -> +Infinity, GenerateConditions -> True]

(* ConditionalExpression[(-2 - A/2) ∞, A != -4] *)


Finally, note that Infinity is also just DirectedInfinity in disguise.

Infinity//FullForm
(* DirectedInfinity[1] *)

-Infinity//FullForm
(* DirectedInfinity[-1] *)

• Thank you a lot @Szabolcs. I have a question for you: A != -4 means that the limit constant*infinity makes sense because constant=/=0? – Gennaro Arguzzi May 12 '19 at 19:51
• @GennaroArguzzi Yes, it is the reason why the condition is needed. Unfortunately, in your version of Mathematica (11.2 or earlier?) Limit does not have this feature. – Szabolcs May 12 '19 at 19:54