Since #f(x) = x^2+4x+1# is a polynomial, it is continuous for every #x in RR#, then:
#lim_(x->-3) f(x) = (-3)^2+4*(-3)+1 = 9-12+1 = -2#
We want to prove that given #epsilon >0# we can find a corresponding #delta_epsilon# such that:
#abs(x-(-3)) < delta_epsilon => abs (x^2+4x+1-(-2)) < epsilon#
that is:
#abs(x+3) < delta_epsilon => abs (x^2+4x+3) < epsilon#
Evaluate:
#abs (x^2+4x+3) = abs((x+3)(x+1)) = abs(x+3)abs(x+1)#
Now for #abs(x+3) < delta_epsilon# we have:
#abs(x+1) = abs(x+3-2)#
and based on the triangular inequality:
#abs(x+1) <= abs(x+3)+abs(2)#
that is:
#abs(x+1) < delta_epsilon+2#
Given an arbitrary number #epsilon > 0# we can choose then #delta_epsilon < min(1, epsilon/3)# and we have that because #delta_epsilon < 1#:
#abs (x+1) < 2+delta_epsilon < 2+1 = 3#
and because #delta_epsilon < epsilon/3#
#abs(x+3) < delta_epsilon < epsilon/3#
but then:
# abs(x+3)abs(x+1) < 3 xx epsilon/3 = epsilon#
and in conclusion:
#abs (x^2+4x+3) < epsilon#
which proves the point.