2.

3 Calculating Limits Using The Limit Laws

The Limit Laws

Suppose that c is a constant and that lim f (x) and lim g(x) exist. Then,
x→a x→a

1. lim (f (x) + g(x)) = lim f (x) + lim g(x)

x→a x→a x→a

2. lim (f (x) − g(x)) = lim f (x) − lim g(x)

x→a x→a x→a

3. lim (c · f (x)) = c lim f (x)

x→a x→a

4. lim (f (x) · g(x)) = lim f (x). lim g(x)

x→a x→a x→a

f (x) lim f (x)

5. lim = x→a provided lim g(x) 6= 0
x→a g(x) lim g(x) x→a
x→a

Let n be a positive integer. Then,

 n
6. lim (f (x))n = lim f (x)
x→a x→a
p q
n
7. lim f (x) = n lim f (x) [If n is even, we assume that lim f (x) > 0]
x→a x→a x→a

Example: Evaluate

• lim (f (x) + 5g(x))

x→−2

• lim (f (x) · g(x))

x→1

f (x)
• lim
x→2 g(x)
Direct Substitution Property: If f is a polynomial or rational function and a is in the domain of f , then

lim f (x) = f (a)

x→a

Example: Find lim (2x2 − 3x + 4).

x→5

Theorem: Let c be a real number and let f (x) = g(x) for all x 6= c. If lim g(x) exist, then lim f (x) = lim g(x).
x→c x→c x→c

x2 − 1
Example: Find lim .
x→1 x − 1

√
t2 + 9 − 3
Example: Find lim .
t→0 t2

|x|
Example: Find lim .
x→0 x
The Squeeze Theorem
If f (x) ≤ g(x) ≤ h(x) when x is near a (except possibly at a) and

lim f (x) = L = lim h(x)

x→a x→a

then
lim g(x) = L
x→a

Step 1: Choose the lower and upper functions that your function is squeezed between and show that the appro-
priate inequalities are satisfied.
Step 2: Show that both the lower and upper functions approach the same limit L.
Step 3: Quote the Squeeze theorem to conclude that your function approaches the same limit L.

 
2 1
Example: Show that lim x sin = 0.
x→0 x