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MODULE IN CALCULUS 1
PRELIMINARY PERIOD
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In general, if there is a relationship between two variables x and y such that for each value of x, there
corresponds a value of y, then y is said to be a function of x. Symbolically, this is written in the form
y = f(x).
The function concept may be extended in relations between more than two variables. Consider the equation the
equation
Z = f(x,y).
This implies that z is determined when x and y are given and it is customary to say that z is a function of x and y.
Consider the volume of a right cylinder is a function of the altitude (h) and the radius (r) of the base, that is,
V = f(r,h) = π rh
It is important that we be familiar with the functional notation. In mathematics and the physical sciences
functional notation plays an important part.
Example: The area of a rectangle is 10 sq. in. Express the perimeter P of the rectangle as a function of the length x of one
side.
10
Solution: Since the area is 10 sq. in. then the length of the other side is and the perimeter is
x
10
P = 2 x+( x).
THEOREMS ON LIMIT
(1) lim c=c ; c = any constant
x→ a
lim f (x)
f ( x) x →a
(6) lim =
x→ a g( x ) lim g(x )
x→a
n n
lim [ f ( x ) ] = lim f (x )
(8)
x→ a [
x→ a ]
EXAMPLES: Evaluate the following:
1. lim (x 2+ 3 x −4) = lim x 2 + lim 3 x - lim 3
x →2 x →2 x →2 x →2
2
lim x + 3 lim x – 3
= [ x→ 2
2
]
x →2
= 2 + 3(2) – 3
= 7 Ans
2 2
x 3−64 lim ¿ (x−4)(x + 4 x +16) lim ¿ (x +4 x +16)
lim = =
x→ 4 x 2−16 x→ 4 ( x + 4)( x−4 ) x→ 4 ( x + 4)
2
4 + 4 ( 4 ) +16 48
= =
4 +4 8
= 6. Ans.
The example above illustrates the fact that f(x) may have a limit at a number a
even though the value f(a) of the function is undefined. Moreover, it shows that the
limit and value of the function are two different concepts.
2 f ( x )−f (2)
2. If f(x) = x −3 x , evaluate lim
x→2 x−2
0
Solution: A straight substitution of x=2 leads to the indeterminate form .
0
Since f(x) =x 2−3 x , then f(2) = 22 – 3(2) = 4 – 6 = -2.
f ( x)−f ( 2) x 2−3 x−(−2) x 2−3 x+ 2
Hence, lim = lim =lim
x →2 x −2 x →2 x−2 x →2 x−2
(x−1)(x −2)
= lim = lim (x−1)
x →2 x−2 x →2
= 1. Ans.
1 1
In particular, consider the function f(x) =. . As x approaches zero, approaches infinity. In more
x x
compact form, we write
1
lim =∞
x→ a x
1 1
Consider again the function f(x) = . It can be shown that as x increases without bound,
x x
approaches a finite limit (the number zero. We can write
1
lim =0.
x→ ∞ x
1
lim
2. x→ ∞ 1 = lim ¿ ¿
4 x→ ∞
x
1 14
= [ lim ]
x →∞ x
= 0. Ans.
N ( x) ∞
A function f(x) = may be assumed the indeterminate form when x is replaced by ∞ .
D( x) ∞
However, the limit of f(x) as x becomes infinite may be definite. To find this limit, we first divide
N(x) and D(x) by the biggest power of x. Then we can now evaluate the limit.
6 x3 + 4 x 2 + 5
EXAMPLE: Evaluate lim 3 .
x→ ∞ 8 x +7 x−3
∞
Solution: The function assumes the indeterminate form if x is replaced by ∞ . Dividing the
∞
numerator and denominator by x3, we get
1 1
6+4 + 5 3
3 2
6 x +4 x +5 x x
lim 3
= lim
x→ ∞ 8 x +7 x−3 x→ ∞ 1 1
8+7 −3 3
x x
6+4 (0)+5( 0) 6
= =
8+¿ ( 0 )−3(0) 8
3
= Ans.
4
2.5 Continuity
DEFINITION: A function f(x) is continuous at x=a if lim f ( x )=f ( a ) .
x→ a
Note that the condition lim f (x )=f ( a ) in the definition above implies three conditions, namely:
x→ a
1) F(a) is defined.
2) lim f (x )=L exists,and
x→ a
3) L = f(a).
If any of these conditions is not satisfied, then f(x) is said to be discontinuous at x = a.
A function f(x) is said to be continuous in an interval if it is continuous for every value of x in the
interval. The graph of this function is “unbroken” over the interval. That is, the graph of f(x) can be
drawn without lifting the pencil from the paper.
EXAMPLES:
1. The function f(x) = x2 is continuous at x = 2 because the lim x 2=f ( 2 )=4. In fact, it is continuous for
x →2
all finite values of x.
1 1 1
2. The function f(x)= is continuous at x=3 because lim =f ( 3 ) = . It is, however, discontinuous at
x x →3 x 3
1
x = 0 since lim =∞ . The graph of the function contains a “break” at x=0. See figure 1.2.
x →0 x
3.
4x
4. Is the function f(x)= continuous over the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 5?
x2 −4
Answer: No, since at x = 2, f(2) is undefined.
DO IT YOURSELF
Answer the following exercises:
Exercise 2.1
1) If f(x) = x2 +4x, find (a) f(-5), (b) f(y2 +1), (c) f(x+1) – f(x-1)
x2 +3
2) If y = , find x as a function of y.
x
3) The stiffness of a beam of rectangular cross section is proportional to the breadth and the
cube of the depth. If the breadth is 20 cm, express the stiffness as a function of the depth.
f ( x+ h )−f (x )
4) If f(x) = x2 + 1, find , h≠ 0.
h
4
5) If f(x) = and g(x) = x2 – 3, find f[g(x)] and g[f(x)].
x+3
4) lim
√3 x
x →3 x √ x +1
3 x+ 2
5) lim 2
x →0 x −2 x+ 4
sin3 x
4) lim
x →0 sin x−tan x
f ( x )−f ( 4) f ( 9+ x )−f ( 9 ) .
5) If f(x)= √ x, find (a) lim and (b) lim .
x→ 4 x−4 x →0 x
Exercise 2.5
Find the value or values of x for which the function is discontinuous.
3x
1)
x−5
3 x +2
2) 2
x −8 x+15
5 x +1
3)
x2+ 4
6x
4)
x2 −9
1
5) x
2 −8