Chapter

13

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

13.1 Overview

13.1.1 Limits of a function Let f be a function defined in a domain which we take to be an interval, say, I. We shall study the concept of limit of f at a point a in I.
x a

We say lim f ( x) is the expected value of f at x = a given the values of f near to the left of a. This value is called the left hand limit of f at a.

We say xlim+ f ( x) is the expected value of f at x = a given the values of f near to the a right of a. This value is called the right hand limit of f at a. If the right and left hand limits coincide, we call the common value as the limit of f at x = a and denote it by lim f ( x) .
x a

Some properties of limits

Let f and g be two functions such that both lim f ( x) and lim g ( x) exist. Then
x a x a

(i)

(ii) lim [ f ( x) g ( x)] = lim f ( x) lim g ( x)

x a x a x a

(iii) For every real number

x a x a

o n
x a

lim [ f ( x) + g ( x)] = lim f ( x) + lim g ( x)

x a x a

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
xa

d e h s

lim ( f ) ( x) = lim f ( x)

(iv) lim [ f ( x) g ( x)] = [lim f ( x) lim g ( x)] x a x a x a

lim

x a

f ( x) lim f ( x) = xa g ( x) lim g ( x) , provided g (x) 0

226

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

Limits of polynomials and rational functions If f is a polynomial function, then lim f ( x) exists and is given by
x a

lim f ( x) = f (a )
x a

An Important limit An important limit which is very useful and used in the sequel is given below:
lim xn an = na n 1 xa

x a

Remark The above expression remains valid for any rational number provided a is positive. Limits of trigonometric functions To evaluate the limits of trigonometric functions, we shall make use of the following limits which are given below: (i) lim

sin x = 1 (ii) lim cos x = 1 x0 x0 x

13.1.2 Derivatives Suppose f is a real valued function, then f (x) = lim

h 0

is called the derivative of f at x, provided the limit on the R.H.S. of (1) exists. Algebra of derivative of functions Since the very definition of derivatives involve limits in a rather direct fashion, we expect the rules of derivatives to follow closely that of limits as given below: Let f and g be two functions such that their derivatives are defined in a common domain. Then : (i) Derivative of the sum of two function is the sum of the derivatives of the functions.

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
(iii) lim sin x = 0 x0

d e h s
... (1)

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

d d d [ f ( x) + g ( x)] = dx f ( x) + dx g ( x) dx

(ii) Derivative of the difference of two functions is the difference of the derivatives of the functions.

d d d [ f ( x) g ( x)] = dx f ( x) dx g ( x) dx

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

227

(iii) Derivative of the product of two functions is given by the following product rule.

d d d [ f ( x) g ( x)] = dx f ( x) g ( x) + f ( x) dx g ( x) dx
This is referred to as Leibnitz Rule for the product of two functions. (iv) Derivative of quotient of two functions is given by the following quotient rule (wherever the denominator is non-zero). d f ( x) = dx g ( x)

13.2 Solved Examples

Short Answer Type

2(2 x 3) 1 3 Example 1 Evaluate lim x 2 x 2 x 3x 2 + 2 x

Solution We have

2(2 x 3) 1 lim 3 x 2 x 2 x 3x 2 + 2 x =

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
( g ( x)) 2
x ( x 1) 2 (2 x 3) = lim x ( x 1) ( x 2) x 2

d d f ( x) g ( x) f ( x) g ( x) dx dx

d e h s

2(2 x 3) 1 lim x 2 x 2 x ( x 1) ( x 2

x2 5x + 6 lim = x 2 x ( x 1) ( x 2)

( x 2) ( x 3) = lim x ( x 1) ( x 2) [x 2 0] x 2 x 3 1 = = lim x 2 x ( x 1) 2

228

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

Example 2 Evaluate lim

x0

2+ x 2 x

Solution Put y = 2 + x so that when x 0, y 2. Then

lim

x0

2+ x 2 = x
=

lim

1 y2

y2

y2

1 22

Example 3 Find the positive integer n so that lim Solution We have

Therefore, Comparing, we get

Example 4 Evaluate lim (sec x tan x)

x 2

Solution Put y =

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
x3

1 2 1 1 2 1 = 2 = (2) 2 2 2 2
x n 3n = 108 . x3

d e h s

lim

x3

x n 3n = n(3)n 1 x3

n(3)n 1 = 108 = 4 (27) = 4(3)4 1 n= 4

x . Then y 0 as x . Therefore 2 2

lim (sec x tan x) = lim [sec( y ) tan ( y )] y 0 2 2 x

2

= lim (cosec y cot y ) y0

cos y 1 = lim y 0 sin y sin y 1 cos y = lim y 0 sin y

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

229

2 sin 2

= lim

y 2

y 0

2sin

y y cos 2 2

y 1 cos y since , sin 2 = 2 2 sin y = 2sin y cos y 2 2

lim tan
y 0 2

y =0 2

Example 5 Evaluate lim Solution (i) We have

sin (2 + x) sin(2 x) lim = x0 x

Example 6 Find the derivative of f (x) = ax + b, where a and b are non-zero constants, by first principle. Solution By definition, f (x) = lim
h 0

Example 7 Find the derivative of f (x) = ax2 + bx + c, where a, b and c are none-zero constant, by first principle. Solution By definition, f (x) = lim
h 0

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
2cos lim
x0

sin (2 + x) sin(2 x) x0 x

(2 + x + 2 x) (2 + x 2 + x) sin 2 2 x

d e h s

= lim

x0

2cos 2 sin x x

= 2 cos 2 lim

sin x sin x = 2cos 2 as lim = 1 x 0 x x0 x

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

= lim

h 0

bh a ( x + h) + b (ax + b) = lim =b h 0 h h

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

230

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

= lim h 0 = lim

a ( x + h) 2 + b ( x + h) + c ax 2 bx c h

h 0

bh + ah 2 + 2axh = lim ah + 2ax + b = b + 2ax h 0 h

Example 8 Find the derivative of f (x) = x3, by first principle. Solution By definition, f (x) = lim = lim
h 0

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

Example 9 Find the derivative of f (x) = Solution By definition,

Example 10 Find the derivative of f (x) = sin x, by first principle. Solution By definition, f (x) = lim
h 0

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
( x + h )3 x 3 h 0 h
3 3

= lim

h 0

x + h + 3 xh ( x + h) x 3 h

d e h s

= lim (h2 + 3x (x + h)) = 3x2 h 0

1 by first principle. x

f (x) = lim = lim

h 0

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

h 0

1 1 1 x + h x h

= lim h 0

h 1 = 2. h ( x + h) x x

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

231

= lim

sin ( x + h) sin x h 0 h

h 2x + h 2cos sin 2 2 = lim h h 0 2 2

= cos x.1 = cos x Example 11 Find the derivative of f (x) = xn, where n is positive integer, by first principle. Solution By definition, f (x) =

Using Binomial theorem, we have (x + h)n = nC0 xn + nC1 xn 1 h + ... + nCn hn Thus, f (x) = lim h 0 = lim h 0
( x + h) n x n h

Example 12 Find the derivative of 2x4 + x. Solution Let y = 2x4 + x Differentiating both sides with respect to x, we get

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
h 2

(2 x + h) lim = lim cos h 0 h 0 2

sin

h 2

d e h s

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

( x + h) n x n h

h ( nx n 1 + ... + h n 1 ] = nxn 1. h

dy = dx

d d (2 x 4 ) + ( x) dx dx

= 2 4x4 1 + 1x0

232

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

= 8x3 + 1 Therefore,

d (2 x 4 + x) = 8x3 + 1. dx

Example 13 Find the derivative of x2 cosx. Solution Let y = x2 cosx Differentiating both sides with respect to x, we get

dy = dx
=

d 2 ( x cos x) dx

Long Answer Type

Example 14 Evaluate lim

x 6

Solution Note that 2 sin2 x + sin x 1 = (2 sin x 1) (sin x + 1) 2 sin2 x 3 sin x + 1 = (2 sin x 1) (sin x 1) Therefore,
lim 2sin 2 x + sin x 1 = 2sin 2 x 3sin x + 1
lim

x 6

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
x2 d d 2 (cos x) + cos x (x ) dx dx
= x2 ( sinx) + cosx (2x) = 2x cosx x2 sinx
2sin 2 x + sin x 1 2sin 2 x 3sin x + 1
x 6

d e h s

(2sin x 1) (sin x + 1) (2sin x 1) (sin x 1)

x 6

lim

sin x + 1 sin x 1

(as 2 sin x 1 0)

1 + sin
=

6 = 3 sin 1 6

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

233

Example 15 Evaluate lim Solution We have

x0

tan x sin x sin 3 x

tan x sin x lim = lim x0 x0 sin 3 x

1 1 sin x cos x sin 3 x

= lim

Example 16 Evaluate lim

Solution We have lim

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
2sin 2

1 cos x x 0 cos x sin 2 x

= lim

x0

x cos x 4sin 2 cos 2 2

x 2

x 2

d e h s
1 . 2

a + 2 x 3x

x a

3a + x 2 x

a + 2 x 3x

x a

3a + x 2 x

= lim x a = lim

a + 2 x 3x

3a + x 2 x

a + 2 x + 3x a + 2 x + 3x

x a

a + 2 x 3x

3a + x 2 x

)(

a + 2 x + 3x

lim

x a

(a x) a + 2 x + 3x

)(

3a + x + 2 x

3a + x 2 x

)(

3a + x + 2 x

lim

x a

(a x) 3a + x + 2 x a + 2 x + 3 x ( 3a + x 4 x )

234

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

4 a 3 2 3a

2 3 3

2 3 . 9

Example 17 Evaluate lim

cos ax cos bx x0 cos cx 1

( a b) x ( a + b) 2sin x sin 2 2 2 sin 2 cx 2

Solution We have lim

x0

( a + b) x ( a b) x sin sin 2 2 = lim 2 x 0 ( a + b) x 2 ( a b) x 2 ab 2 a + b

Example 18 Evaluate lim

Solution We have lim

o n
= lim = lim [
h 0

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
2sin
=

lim

x0

( a + b) x ( a b) x sin x2 2 2 cx x2 sin 2 2
4 cx 2 2 c 2 cx sin 2
2

d e h s

a+b ab 4 a2 b2 2 = 2 2 c c2

( a + h) 2 sin ( a + h) a 2 sin a h 0 h

(a + h) 2 sin ( a + h) a 2 sin a h 0 h

( a 2 + h 2 + 2ah) [sin a cos h + cos a sin h] a 2 sin a h 0 h

a 2 sin a (cos h 1) a 2 cos a sin h + + (h + 2a) (sin a cos h + cos a sin h)] h h

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

235

2 2 h a sin a ( 2sin 2 ) h a 2 cos a sin h lim + lim + lim (h + 2a) sin (a + h) h 0 h 0 h 2 h 0 h2 = 2

= a2 sin a 0 + a2 cos a (1) + 2a sin a = a2 cos a + 2a sin a. Example 19 Find the derivative of f (x) = tan (ax + b), by first principle. Solution We have f (x) = lim = lim h 0

tan ( a ( x + h) + b ) tan (ax + b) h

sin (ax + ah + b) sin (ax + b) cos (ax + ah + b) cos (ax + b) = lim h 0 h

= lim h 0 = lim h 0 = lim

sin ( ax + ah + b) cos (ax + b) sin ( ax + b) cos (ax + ah + b) h cos (ax + b) cos ( ax + ah + b)

a sin (ah) a h cos (ax + b) cos (ax + ah + b)

a sin ah lim [as h 0 ah 0] h 0 cos ( ax + b) cos ( ax + ah + b) ah0 ah a = a sec2 (ax + b). cos (ax + b)
2

Example 20 Find the derivative of f ( x) = sin x , by first principle. Solution By definition, f (x) = lim
h 0

o n
=

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t

h 0

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

d e h s

f ( x + h) f ( x ) h

236

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

= lim

h0

sin ( x + h) sin x h

= lim

sin ( x + h) sin x h

h 0

)(

sin ( x + h) + sin x

sin ( x + h) + sin x

= lim h0

sin ( x + h) sin x sin ( x + h) + sin x

)
)

h 2x + h 2 cos sin 2 2 = lim h h 0 2 sin ( x + h) + sin x 2

cos x 1 = cot x sin x 2 2 sin x

Example 21 Find the derivative of

Solution Let y =

Differentiating both sides with respects to x, we get d cos x dy = dx 1 + sin x dx

o n

(1 + sin x)

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
(
cos x . 1 + sin x

d e h s

cos x 1 + sin x

d d (cos x) cos x (1 + sin x) dx dx (1 + sin x) 2

(1 + sin x) ( sin x) cos x (cos x) (1 + sin x)2

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

237

sin x sin 2 x cos 2 x (1 + sin x) 2

(1 + sin x) 1 2 = 1 + sin x (1 + sin x)

Objective Type Questions Choose the correct answer out of the four options given against each Example 22 to 28 (M.C.Q.).

sin x Example22 lim is equal to x 0 x (1 + cos x)

(A) 0 (B)

Solution (B) is the correct answer, we have

Example23 lim

(A) 0 (B) 1 Solution (A) is the correct answer, since

o n

1 sin x is equal to cos x x

2

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
1 2
(C) 1 (D) 1

d e h s

sin x lim = lim x0 x 0 x (1 + cos x)

2sin

x x cos 2 2 x x 2cos 2 2

1 lim 2 x0

tan

x 2 = 1 x 2 2

(C) 1

(D) does not exit

1 sin 2 y 1 sin x lim taking x = = lim y0 2 cos x cos y x 2 2

238

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

= lim y0

1 cos y lim = y 0 y y sin y 2sin cos 2 2

2sin 2

y 2

= lim tan
y 0

y =0 2

Example 24 lim

x0

| x| is equal to x
(C) 0

(A) 1 (B) 1 Solution (D) is the correct answer, since R.H.S =

and

Example 25 lim [ x 1] , where [.] is greatest integer function, is equal to x 1 (A) 1 (B) 2 Solution (D) is the correct answer, since R.H.S = L.H.S = (C) 0 (D) does not exists

and

Example 26 lim x sin

x0

o n
(A) 0

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
x0

(D) does not exists

lim+
lim

|x| x = =1 x x

d e h s

L.H.S =

x0

| x | x = = 1 x x

x 1+

lim [ x 1] = 0

x 1

lim [ x 1] = 1

1 is equals to x
(B) 1

(C)

1 2

(D) does not exist

Solution (A) is the correct answer, since

lim x = 0 and 1 sin x0

1 1, by Sandwitch Theorem, we have x

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

239

lim x sin
x0

1 = 0 x

lim Example 27 n

1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n , n N, is equal to n2

(A) 0

(B) 1

(C)

1 2

(D)

1 4

lim Solution (C) is the correct answer. As x lim = n n (n + 1) = 2n 2

Example 28 If f(x) = x sinx, then f is equal to 2

(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 1

Solution (B) is the correct answer. As f (x) = x cosx + sinx So,

13.3 EXERCISE
Short Answer Type Evaluate :
x2 9 lim 1. x 3 x3

o n

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
x

1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n n2
1 1 1 1 + = n 2 2

lim

d e h s

(D)

1 2

f = 2

cos + sin = 1 2 2 2

2.
1 1

1 x 2

lim

4x2 1 2x 1

3. lim

h 0

x+h x h
5 5

( x + 2) 3 2 3 4. lim x0 x

(1 + x)6 1 5. lim x 1 (1 + x ) 2 1

(2 + x) 2 (a + 2) 2 6. lim x a xa

240

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

7. lim x 1

x4 x x 1

8. lim x 2

x2 4 3x 2 x + 2
x 7 2 x5 + 1 x3 3x 2 + 2

9. xlim2

x4 4 x2 + 3 2x 8
x 3 + 27 x5 + 243

10. lim x 1

11. lim

1 + x3 1 x3 x2

x0

12. xlim3

8 x 3 4 x 2 + 1 2 13. lim 1 4 x 1 x 2x 1
2

14. Find n, if lim

sin 2 2 x lim 16. x 0 sin 2 4 x

1 cos mx 19. lim 1 cos nx x0

22. lim
x 6

3 sin x cos x x 6 cot 2 x 3 cosec x 2

25. lim
x 6

27. lim

28. If lim

o n
x 1

sin x 2sin 3x + sin 5 x x0 x

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
x 2

x n 2n = 80 , n N x2

15. lim

sin 3 x x a sin 7 x

1 cos 2 x 17. lim x0 x2

18. lim x0

2sin x sin 2 x x3
sin x cos x x 4

d e h s

20. lim
x 3

1 cos 6 x 2 x 3

21.

x 4

lim

sin 2 x + 3 x 23. lim 2 x + tan 3x x0

24. lim xa

sin x sin a x a

26. lim x0

2 1 + cos x sin 2 x

x4 1 x3 k 3 = lim 2 , then find the value of k. x 1 x k x k 2

Differentiate each of the functions w. r. to x in Exercises 29 to 42. 29.

x 4 + x3 + x 2 + 1 x

30. x +

1 x

31. (3x + 5) (1 + tanx)

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

241

32. (sec x 1) (sec x + 1) 33.

4

3x + 4 5x 7 x + 9
2

34.

x5 cos x sin x

x 2 cos

35.

sin x

36. (ax2 + cotx) (p + q cosx)

37.

a + b sin x c + d cos x

38. (sin x + cosx)2

39. (2x 7)2 (3x + 5)3

40. x2 sinx + cos2x

Long Answer Type Differentiate each of the functions with respect to x in Exercises 43 to 46 using first principle. 43. cos (x2 + 1) 46. x cosx

Evaluate each of the following limits in Exercises 47 to 53. 47. lim y 0 48. lim x0
( x + y ) sec( x + y ) x sec x y

49. lim
x 4

o n

(sin( + ) x + sin( ) x + sin 2 x) x cos 2x cos 2x

1 sin

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
41. sin3x cos3x 42.

1 ax + bx + c
2

d e h s

ax + b 44. cx + d

45. x 3

tan x tan x cos x + 4

3

50.

lim

x x x cos cos sin 2 4 4

x 2

51. Show that lim

| x 4| does not exists x 4 x 4

242

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

k cos x 2x 52. Let f (x) = 3

find the value of k.
x + 2 53. Let f (x) = 2 cx

when x

2 and if lim f ( x) = f ( ) , 2 x 2 x= 2

x 1 x > 1

, find c if xlim f ( x) exists. 1

Objective Type Questions Choose the correct answer out of 4 options given against each Exercise 54 to 76 (M.C.Q). 54.

lim

sin x is x

(A) 1 55. lim

x 2 cos x is x 0 1 cos x

(A) 2

56. lim

(1 + x) n 1 is x0 x

57. lim

o n
(A) n
x 1

xm 1 is xn 1

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
(B) 2 (C) 1 (D) 2 (B)

d e h s

3 2

(C)

3 2

(D) 1

(B) 1

(C) n

(D) 0

(A) 1

m (B) n

(C)

m n

m2 (D) 2 n

58. lim

x0

1 cos 4 is 1 cos 6

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

243

(A) 59. lim (A) 60. lim x0

4 9

(B)

1 2

(C)

1 2

(D) 1

cosec x cot x is x0 x

1 2

(B) 1

(C)

1 2

(D) 1

sin x is x +1 1 x sec 2 x 2 is tan x 1

(A) 2 61.
lim
x 4

(A) 3 62. lim

x 1) ( 2 x 3) 2 x2 + x 3

x 1

(A)

1 10

sin[ x] , [ x] 0 63. If f (x) = [ x] , where [.] denotes the greatest integer function , 0 ,[ x] = 0

64. lim

o n
(A) 1 (A) 1
x 2+

then lim f ( x) is equal to x0

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
(B) 0 (C) 1 (D) 1 (B) 1 is (C) 0 (D) (B)

d e h s

1 10

(C) 1

(D) None of these

(B) 0

(C) 1

(D) None of these

| sin x | is x0 x
(B) 1 (C) does not exist(D) None of these

x 2 1, 0 < x < 2 , the quadratic equation whose roots are xlim f ( x) and 65. Let f (x) = 2 2 x + 3, 2 x < 3 lim f ( x) is

244

EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS MATHEMATICS

(A) x2 6x + 9 = 0 (C) x2 14x + 49 = 0 66. lim

x0

(B) x2 7x + 8 = 0 (D) x2 10x + 21 = 0

tan 2 x x is 3 x sin x
(B)

(A) 2

1 2

(C)

1 2

(D)

1 4

1 67. Let f (x) = x [x]; R, then f is 2

(A)

3 2

68. If y =

x+

(A) 1

69. If f (x) =

(A)

5 4

1 dy x2 , then is 70. If y = 1 dx 1 2 x

o n
(A)

1+

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
(B) 1 (C) 0 (D) 1

dy 1 , then at x = 1 is dx x
(B)

d e h s

1 2

(C)

1 2

(D) 0

x4 , then f (1) is 2 x

(B)

4 5

(C) 1

(D) 0

4x ( x 2 1)2

(B)

4x x2 1

(C)

1 x2 4x

(D)

4x x 1
2

71. If y =

sin x + cos x dy , then at x = 0 is sin x cos x dx

LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

245

(A) 2 72. If y =

(B) 0

(C)

1 2

(D) does not exist

sin( x + 9) dy , then at x = 0 is cos x dx

(B) sin 9 (C) 0 (D) 1

(A) cos 9 73. If f (x) = 1 + x +

x2 x100 + ... + , then f (1) is equal to 2 100

1 (A) 100
74. If f ( x) =

(A) 1

75. If f (x) = x100 + x99 + ... + x + 1, then f (1) is equal to (A) 5050 (B) 5049 (C) 5051 (D) 50051 2 3 99 100 76. If f (x) = 1 x + x x ... x + x , then f (1) is euqal to (A) 150 (B) 50 (C) 150 (D) 50 Fill in the blanks in Exercises 77 to 80. 77. If f (x) =

x 78. lim sin mx cot = 2 , then m = ______________ x0 3

79. if y = 1 +
lim+

o n
x3

T li R b E u C p N re e b to t
(B) 100 (C) does not exist (D) 0
xn an for some constant a, then f (a) is xa

d e h s

(B) 0

(C) does not exist

(D)

1 2

tan x , then lim f ( x) = ______________ x x

dy x x 2 x3 + + + ... , then = ______________ dx 1! 2! 3!

80.

x = ______________ [ x]