74

CHAPTER 3. LIMITS

3.3

Limits at a point

Textbook pages 116-128

3.3.1

Denitions and examples

Rough definition:

Limits from the left and limits from the right: The particular value c that we want to consider can be approached from the left or from the right, so we have to dene two dierent limits:

Limit of a function at a point:

In many cases, when the limit of the function f at the point c is well-dened, and when c is actually in the domain of denition of the function f (x) then

3.3. LIMITS AT A POINT Example:

1.5

75

0.5

0.5

f(x) = sin(x)
1.5 1 0.5

1.5 2

0.5

1.5

However, there are exceptions...

3.3.2
Gaps:

Gaps, exclusions and asymptotes

Example:
3

f(x) = x1 if x < 0 f(x) = x if x > 0

3 2 1

3 4

Asymptotes:

76 Example:
20 15 10 5 0 5 10 15 20 4

CHAPTER 3. LIMITS

f(x)= 1/x

Exclusions:

Example:
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

f(x) = (x29)/(x3)

3.3. LIMITS AT A POINT

77

3.3.3

Limit laws and behavior tables

Limit laws and behavior tables are exactly the same as in the case of limits at innity.

3.3.4

Finding limits at a point - a multi-step process, and lots of examples

Finding limits at a point is usually easier than nding limits at innity, but not always. Here are some guidelines as to how to proceed: Identify the point at which the limit is considered. Is the function dened in a dierent way on the left and on the right of the point? If so, there may be a gap. You need to limit from the left and from the right to establish whether there is a gap or not. Examples: Let f (x) = sin(x) when x 2 and f (x) = cos(x) when x > 2. What is limx2 f (x)?

Let f (x) = sin(x) when x 1/4 and f (x) = cos(x) when x > 1/4. What is limx1/4 f (x)?

What is the domain of denition of the function? If the function has no gap, and c is not outside, or on the edge of the domain of denition, then

Examples: Let f (x) = e3x . What is limx2 f (x)?

Let f (x) = 1/x. What is limx1 f (x)?

78

CHAPTER 3. LIMITS If c is on the edge of the domain of denition, one of the two limits (from the left or from the right) is not dened. The other one needs to be studied carefully. Examples: Let f (x) = x2 1. What is limx1 f (x)?

Let f (x) =

1 . 2x2

What is limx2 f (x)?

If c is a single point that is excluded from the domain of denition, then the limit may exist or not, depending on whether the function has an asymptote or an exclusion. If there is an asymptote, it must be studied using a signs table. Exclusions can come in dierent varieties, and must be studied carefully Examples: Let f (x) =
1 x2 1 .

What is limx1 f (x)?

Let f (x) =

x2 2x+1 x1 .

What is limx1 f (x)?

3.3. LIMITS AT A POINT

79

Finally, some cases may be well-known trigonometric limits, or power/logarithmic limit which follow the rules listed in the next Sections.

3.3.5
Rule:

Limits of powers and logarithms at x = 0

so that Examples: limx0 x ln(x):

limx0 x1/2 log2 (x):

1 limx0 x1 ln( x)

3.3.6

Sandwich Theorem at a point

The Sandwich Theorem at a point is very similar to the one at innity: Rule:

Examples:

80 limx0 x sin(x):

CHAPTER 3. LIMITS

limx0 x sin

1 x

3.3. LIMITS AT A POINT

81

Check your understanding of Lecture 11 Sketching functions and their limits For each of the following, give an example of a function f (x) that satises the requirement. Write down the expression for the function, and plot the function on a graph with suitable scales A function that has an asymptote at x = 10. A function that satises limx2 = 4. A function that satises limx0 = + and limx0+ = 0. Limits at a point. Textook pages 127-128 Problems 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27. Limits of powers/logarithms: Find the limit (or the behavior, when appropriate) of the following functions limx0+ x1/3 ln(x) limx0+ ex x ln(x) limx0+
x ln(x)

A function that satises limx0 = 2 and limx0+ = 1.

Sandwich Theorem Textbook page 148 Problem 1