LIMITS SUMMARY SHEET

1 Limit of a function f(x) is the value f(x) approaches as x => a a = some value in the Domain of f(x) Informal Definition Limit f ( x ) as x => a = L if we can make f(x) as close to L as we want by making x as close to "a" as needed [approaching "a" from either side] without letting x = a. Ex. If f(x) = 2x, Limit of f(x) as x => 3 is 6 One Sided Limits are limits that distinguish whether one approaches "a" from the Left Side or the Right Side; i.e from - infinity or from + infinity This is written as Limit of f(x) as x => a+ for the Right Hand Limit The Right Hand Limit restricts x to be always > a , The Left Hand Limit x always < a A Limit Exists iff both One Sided Limtis exist and are equal to the same value It is important not to confuse the Limit of f(x) at some point x = "a" with the Derivative f ' (x) at x = "a". Note that Limit of | x | at x = 0 EXISTS and is = 0 because both One Sided limits exist and are = 0 BUT . f ' (x), the Derivative of | x | at x = 0 does not exist because . The Left Sided limit = minus 1 BUT The Right Sided limit = + 1 The Limit of the function is not the same as the Limit in the Derivative which is . f ' (x) = Limit as dx => 0 of [ f(x + dx) - f(x) ] / dx All Polynomials, Rational Algebraic, Root, Trigonometric, Log & Exponential Functions are Continuous and Differentiable in their Domain. The vertical asymptotes of Rational or Trig functions are not in the Domain, so no derivative exists at those values of "x" Graphs of all Differentiable functions can be approximated by their tangent lines at all points where the Derivative exists. Informally; A function is Continuous iff it can be drawn / plotted / graphed without lifting your pencil from the paper Formally; f(x) is a Continuous function iff . Limit of f(x) as x => "a" = f ( a ) Informally; A function is Differentiable iff the function looks LINEAR near the point of interest. Thus the function can be approximated by the tangent line at that point. Formally; A function is Differentiable iff Limit as dx => 0 [ f(x + dx) - f(x) ] / dx exists Differentiable Functions are always Continuous Functions BUT a Continuous Function is NOT necessarily Differentiable Continuous Functions which are NOT Differentiable are ones that have Corners, Cusps, Discontinuities or Vertical Tangents Examples; Cusp y = x 2/3 ;Corner y = | x | Discontinuity y = 1 x>0 , y = - 1 x<0 tangent = x 1/3 Vertical Tangent.. y y = x^(1/3) Continuous Functions are always Integrable; they always have a piece-wise Antiderivative Limit Laws Summation The limit of a sum is the sum of the limits. Difference The limit of a difference is the difference of the limits. Constant The limit of a constant times a function = the constant times the limit of the function. Product The limit of a product is the product of the limits. Quotient The limit of a quotient is the quotient of the limits (provided that the limit of the denominator is not = 0). L'Hopital's The limit of f(x) / g(x) = limit of f ' (x) / g ' (x) Used to evaluate limits where f and/or g equal 0 or infinity Some notable Limits .. Limit f(x) = c x=> a = c Limit f(x) = x x=> a = a Limit x=> 0 (sin x) / x = 1
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Limit x=> 0 ( 1 - cos x) / x

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[ 1 k/x ] x = e ( Limit x for k = 1 Limit = e

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Evaluation of Limits - Algebraic The Limit of any function f (x) can often be evaluated by simply calulating what f (x) is when x = a, the value that x approaches. If the result is infinity, undertermined or undefined as when it equals 0 / 0 or infinity / infinity then one must find another way to evaluate it or conclude that the Limit does not exist 1/ If one can factor one of the expressions, often a cancellation will result in a value that is not undeifned Example; Limit x => 2 [x2 - 4] / [x - 2] ; Without factoring, the Limit is infinity. But after facotring x2 - 4 , the x - 2 cancels and the Limit is = 4 2/ If the Limit evaluation is 0 / 0 or infinity / infinity, one can use L'Hopital's Rule Evaluation of Limits - Graphical The Limit of a function whose graph is available is often easier to find One estimates from the graph what the two One Sided Limits are. The one sided limits are simply the value of f(x) just before or after x=a If they exist and are the same, the the Limit in question exists and = the One Sided value

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