Introduction to Limits

The Limit Concept

The notion of a limit is a fundamental concept of calculus. In this chapter, you will learn
how to evaluate limits and how they are used in the two basic problems of calculus: the tangent
line problem and the area problem.
Definition of Limit
A numerical value approached by a mathematical function as the independent variable of
the function approaches infinity or a specific value. If becomes arbitrarily close to a unique
number L as x approaches c from either side, then the limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L. This is
written as:
lim f ( x ) =L
x c

Properties of Limits
1. Limit of a constant
lim y = y
x a

2. Limit obtained by direct substitution

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

3. Limit of sum and difference

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

x a

4. Limit of a product
f (x)
g( x)
lim
x a

lim
x a

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

5. Limit of a quotient

x a

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

6. Limit of radical expressions

n

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

x a

7. Limit of infinity
lim

y
=0
n
x

Where n is positive