LIMITS

The Limit Process (An Intuitive Introduction)

We could begin by saying that limits are important in calculus, but that could be a major understatement. Without
limits, calculus would not exist. Every single notion of calculus is a limit in one sense or another

For example,

What is the slope of a curve? It is the limit of slopes of secant lines.

What is the length of a curve? It is the limit of the lengths of polygonal paths inscribed in
the curve.

The Idea of a Limit

We start with a number c and a function f defined at all numbers x near c but not necessarily at c itself. In any
case, whether or not f is defined at c and, if so, how is totally irrelevant.

Now let L be some real number. We say that the limit of f (x) as x tends to c
is L and write

lim f
x c
x L

Examples

1. f(x) = 4x + 5 and take c = 2. As x approaches 2, 4x approaches 8 and 4x + 5 approaches 8 + 5 = 13. We

conclude that lim f ( x) 13.
x2
2. = 1 and take c = -8
3 2+4
3. lim3 2 +1
3 8
4. lim2 2
3 4 0
5. () = Then lim f(x) = 4 as 0
10 <0
1
6. lim9
5

2 16
7. lim4 4
 SOME THEOREMS ON LIMITS

Try this!

1. lim3 3 3 + 7 12 (+1)
6. lim1 2 2

2. lim2 3 3 2 + 5 2 +2
7. lim1 2 4+3
+2
3. lim2 2 4
2 +6+9
8. lim3 2 9
2
4. lim1 4+5
2
9. lim1 2 +1 + 9 2
+8
5. lim4 25 2
3 +27
10. lim3 2 9
 ONE SIDED & INFINITE LIMITS
One-Sided Limits
The right-hand limit of f (x), as x approaches a, equals L

lim f ( x) L
x a

If we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily close to L by taking x

to be sufficiently close to the right of a.

The left-hand limit of f (x), as x approaches a, equals M

lim f ( x) M
x a
If we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily close to L by taking x to
be sufficiently close to the left of a.

Examples of One-sided limit

1. Given:
x if x 3
2
Find: a. lim3+ f(x) b. lim3 f(x)
f ( x)
2x if x 3

x 1, if x 0
2. Let f ( x) Find: a. lim0+ f(x) b. lim0 f(x)
x 1, if x 0.

c. lim1+ f(x) d. lim1 f(x)

3. (Refer to the graph on the left)

Find: a. lima + f(x) b. lima f(x)

c. lima f(x)
INFINITE LIMITS

Some functions take off in the positive or negative direction (increase or decrease without bound) near certain
values for the independent variable. When this occurs, the function is said to have an infinite limit; hence, you
write
lim f x = + and lim f x =
c c

Try This!
1
1. Given f(x) = (Graph on the left). Find:
(2)2

a. lim0+ f(x) = + b. lim0 f(x)= c. lim0 f(x)= D.N.E.

2+1
2. Given f(x)= x1
(graph on the right). Find:

a. lim1+ f(x) = _____ b. lim1 f(x)= _____ c. lim1 f(x)=_____

1
3. Given f(x)= x (graph on the left). Find:

a. lim0+ f(x) = _____ b. lim0 f(x)= _____ c. lim0 f(x)=_____

 LIMIT AT INFINITY
For all n > 0, then
1 1
lim n
lim n 0
x x x x

Try this!
2 +24
1. lim 12+31

2. lim 2 + 1 x
 INFINITE LIMITS AT INFINITY
Many functions do not approach a finite limit as x increases (or decreases) without bound. For instance, no
polynomial function has a finite limit at infinity. The next definition is used to describe the behavior of
polynomial and other functions at infinity.

1.

2.
 CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION
The function f(x) is said to be continuous at x = a if and only the following conditions are satisfied.

a. f(a) is defined b. () exist c. f(a)= ()

Example:

1. f(x) = x + 3 at x = 4.
a. f(4) = 7 b. lim4 x + 3 = 7 c. f(4) = lim4 x + 3 = 7
7=7
Therefore, the function is continuous.

2. f (x) = x2 + 3 at x = 2.
a. f(2) = 7 b. lim2 x 2 + 3 = 7 c. f(2) = lim2 x 2 + 3 = 7
7=7
Therefore, the function is continuous.

3
3. =
2 = 1
a. f(1) = 2 b. lim1 |x| = 1 c. f(2) lim1 |x| = 1
q(x)=2 if x=1
Therefore, the function is discontinuous.

2 + 1 3
4. Is = 2 + 3 > 3 continuous at x = 3

a. f(3) = 10 b. lim3 2x + 3 = 9 c. 10 9

Therefore, the function is not continuous at x = 3.

Try this!

2 4
1. f x = x2
; at x = 2
2 +24
12+31
4
2. = 2 = 4

3. Determine the if P(x) = 3x3 x + 5 is continuous at x = 1.

2 + 1 2
4. Is = +3 < 2 continuous at x = 2?

2 310
5. Is f(x)= continuous at x = - 2?
x+2