We explain what a limit is and how geographical limits are established. Furthermore, limits in mathematics, psychology and other disciplines.
What is limit?
The concept of limit comes from Latin limeswhich means “edge”, and It is usually used to mark the end of something. It is a frequently used concept and has different meanings and meanings according to the scope of application.
Firstly, from geography, the real or imaginary line that separates two contiguous territoriessuch as countries, continents or provinces. These geographical limits can be established arbitrarily, through political conventions between the authorities of said territories, or they can be set using a natural geographical feature, such as a river, a sea or a mountain range. For example: The limit between the territory of Uruguay and that of Argentina is the Uruguay River and the Río de la Plata.
The concept of “limit” is also used to establish the maximum point that something or someone can reachthat is, it is the extreme condition (of physical force or time, for example), which cannot be exceeded. For example: The deadline for submitting practical work is this Thursday. In cases of extreme danger, in which there is great uncertainty about what will happen, it is often said that we are facing an extreme situation.
Furthermore, in the field of human relationships (especially within the bonds between adults and children), the term “limit” is used to designate those restrictions that are established so that the child learns to function according to prevailing social norms. For example: The father set a limit for his son and did not lend him his mobile phone.
See also: Political division
Other uses of the term “limit”
The concept of limit is used in many fields and disciplines. Among those that stand out:
- in psychology. It is used to identify the repressions that people have within themselves due to some imposed or personal cause. That is why, for example, when it is said that someone “has no limits”, we are saying that they are not governed by the rules of coexistence that – it is assumed – serve us all.
- In the math. It is used in mathematical analysis to refer to the fixed magnitude to which the terms of a given sequence approach.
- Janl commerce. We speak of a limited liability company (SRL) or limited company (SL) to refer to the type of commercial company composed of a limited number of partners who participate of equal value and in which liability is limited to the capital.
- In advertising. We speak of promotions for a limited time (or, less frequently, for an unlimited time) when they extend over a certain period of time.
Limit and border
In the geographical field, both the concept of limit and border are used. The limits and borders They are established to mark the end of one territory and the beginning of another and, therefore, its sovereignty.
But, although these terms are sometimes used synonymously, They don't mean strictly the same thing.. On the one hand, the limit refers to that line that can be imaginary or real, and that marks the division between two territories.
For its part, the border is always a specific geographical place that marks the separation of the territories and in which activities and exchanges take place between its members. Normally, you enter and leave countries through borders, after displaying the documentation required by the relevant authorities in each case. For example: We will cross the border into Panama, there we will have to do the immigration procedures.
The limits are symbolic, while the borders are usually guarded, whether they are land, sea or air.
References
- “Limit” in RAE.
- “Limit (mathematics)” on Wikipedia.
- “Limit” at Merriam-Webster.
