11

BASIC
CALCULUS
LEARNER'S ACTIVITY SHEET
Quarter 3 – Week 1:
Introduction to Limits
Limit Theorems
Evaluating Limits of Algebraic
Functions
Basic Calculus – Grade 11
Learner's Activity Sheet
Quarter 3 – Week 1: Introduction to Limits: Limit of a Function through Table
of Values and Graph
First Edition, 2021

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Published by the Department of Education

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Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio
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Writer: JOHN KENNETH ARLANDO

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 LEARNER’S ACTIVITY SHEET IN GRADE 11 BASIC CALCULUS FOR
QUARTER 3, WEEK 1

Name: Grade & Section:

School: Teacher:

General Reminders: Use this activity sheet with care. Do not put
unnecessary mark/s on any part of the activity sheet. Use a separate sheet of
paper in answering the exercises. Read the directions carefully before doing
each task. Return this activity sheet to your teacher/facilitator once you are
through with it.

Learning Objectives:
1. Distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑋→𝐶
2. Illustrate the limit theorems
3. Apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions
(polynomial, rational, and radical)

Explore

In this lesson, you will use your knowledge in algebraic manipulations.

These techniques are used to simplify complex expressions or fractions. Let
us revisit your skills in factoring and rationalization.

Activity 1
A. Factor the following polynomials:
1. 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 20 4. 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4
2. 6𝑥 2 − 11𝑥 + 4 5. 27𝑥 3 + 1
3. 4𝑤 2 − 25 6. 4𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 36
B. Rationalize the following expressions:
4
1. 2
√
𝑎
2.
𝑏+√𝑐
6
3. 3+√7
14
4.
√13+√11
3 2
5. √3𝑎

TIP: Enrich your skills in factoring methods and rationalization. You can visit these links.
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/x2f8bb11595b61c86:quadratics-multiplying-
factoring/x2f8bb11595b61c86:factor-quadratics-strategy/a/factoring-quadratics-in-any-form
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/Algebra1/U09L2T1_RESOURCE/topicText.html
https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/rationalize-denominator.html
https://www.purplemath.com/modules/radicals5.htm
LESSON 1.2: Limit Theorems
Previously, you have learned that the limit of a function can be
determined in two ways:
(1) construct a table of values and study the behavior of the function
values as x approaches its indicated value
(2) sketch the graph of the function and study the behavior of the
function as it goes closer to the given value of x from both directions.
But these methods can be time-consuming and tedious. Nonetheless,
following certain rules/theorems on limits can help simplify this process.

We are now ready to list down the basic theorems on limits. We will
state eight theorems. These will enable us to directly evaluate limits, without
need for a table or a graph.
In the following statements, 𝒄 is a constant, and 𝒇 and 𝒈 are functions
which may or may not have 𝒄 in their domains.
1. The limit of a constant is itself. If k is any constant, then,
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 = 𝒌.
𝒙→𝒄
Examples
1.1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟒 = 𝟒
𝒙→𝟐
1.2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟗 = 𝟗
𝒙→𝟔

2. The limit of 𝒙 as 𝒙 approaches 𝒄 is equal to 𝒄. This may be thought of

as the substitution law, because 𝒙 is simply substituted by 𝒄.
(Identity Function Theorem)
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 = 𝒄.
𝒙→𝒄
Examples
2.1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 = 𝟓
𝒙→𝟓
2.2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 = 𝟖
𝒙→𝟖

For the remaining theorems, we will assume that the limits of 𝒇 and 𝒈
both exist as 𝒙 approaches 𝒄 and that they are 𝑳 and 𝑴, respectively. In other
words,
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 and 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑴.
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

3. The Constant Multiple Theorem: This says that the limit of a

multiple of a function is simply that multiple of the limit of the
function.
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 ⋅ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ⋅ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ⋅ 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Example

3.1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟒𝒙 = 𝟒 (𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙)

𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
= 𝟒(𝟐)
=𝟖
 4. The Addition and Subtraction Theorem: This says that the limit of a
sum of functions is the sum of the limits of the individual functions.
Subtraction is also included in this law, that is, the limit of a difference
of functions is the difference of their limits.
𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 + 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 − 𝑴

𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Examples
4.1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟕) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 + 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝟕
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
=𝟐+𝟕
=𝟗
4.2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 − 𝟓) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 − 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝟓
𝒙→𝟑 𝒙→𝟑 𝒙→𝟑
=𝟑−𝟓
= −𝟐
5. The Multiplication Theorem: This is similar to the Addition Theorem,
with multiplication replacing addition as the operation involved. Thus,
the limit of a product of functions is equal to the product of their limits.
𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙) ⋅ 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ⋅ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 ⋅ 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Example
5.1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟑(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟑 ⋅ 𝒍𝒊𝒎(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏)
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟑 ⋅ (𝟐 ⋅ 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒙 + 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏)
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
= (𝟑)(𝟐 ⋅ 𝟐 + 𝟏)
= (𝟑)(𝟓)
= 𝟏𝟓
Remark 1: The Addition and Multiplication Theorems may be applied to
sums, differences, and products of more than two functions.
Remark 2: The Constant Multiple Theorem is a special case of the
Multiplication Theorem. Indeed, in the Multiplication Theorem, if the first
function f(x) is replaced by a constant k, the result is the Constant Multiple
Theorem.
6. The Division Theorem: This says that the limit of a quotient of
functions is equal to the quotient of the limits of the individual
functions, provided the denominator limit is not equal to 0.
𝒇(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) 𝑳
𝐥𝐢𝐦 [ ] = 𝒙→𝒄 = , provided 𝑴 ≠ 𝟎
𝒙→𝒄 𝒈(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄
Example
𝟓𝒙+𝟒 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟓𝒙+𝟒 𝟓⋅𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙+𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟒 𝟓⋅𝟐+𝟒 𝟏𝟒
6.1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( 𝒙+𝟏 ) = 𝒙→𝟐 = 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
= =
𝒙→𝟐 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙+𝟏 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙+𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 𝟐+𝟏 𝟑
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐

𝐥𝐢𝐦 √𝒙+𝟏 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙+𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏

√𝒙→𝟑
√𝒙+𝟏 𝒙→𝟑 √𝟑+𝟏 √𝟒 𝟐
6.2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝒙→𝟑𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 = = = =𝟑
𝒙→𝟑 𝒙 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 𝟑 𝟑
𝒙→𝟑 𝒙→𝟑
 7. The Power Theorem: This theorem states that the limit of an integer
power p of a function is just that power of the limit of the function.
𝒑
𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙)]𝒑 = [𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)] = 𝑳𝒑 .
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Example
𝟑
7.1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝟑𝒙 + 𝟒)𝟑 = [𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝟑𝒙 + 𝟒)]
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙→𝟏
𝟑
= [𝟑 ⋅ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 + 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟒]
𝒙→𝟏 𝟏
= (𝟑 ⋅ 𝟏 + 𝟒 )𝟑
= (𝟕 )𝟑
= 𝟑𝟒𝟑

8. The Radical/Root Theorem: This theorem states that if n is a positive

integer, the limit of the nth root of a function is just the nth root of the limit
of the function, provided the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 root of the limit is a real number. Thus, it is
important to keep in mind that if n is even, the limit of the function must be
positive.
𝒏 𝒏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 √𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒏√𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = √𝑳
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Example
𝟑
8.1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦( √𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒) = 𝟑√𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒)
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
𝟑 𝟐
= √(𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙) + 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟒
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
𝟑
= √ 𝟐𝟐 + 𝟒
𝟑
= √𝟖
=𝟐
TIP: Enrich your knowledge about limit theorems. You can visit these links.
https://www.mathwarehouse.com/calculus/limits/limit-laws.php
https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/limits-calculus.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn4r4eagvnU
https://math.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Calculus/Map%3A_Calculus__Early_Transcendentals_(
Stewart)/02%3A_Limits_and_Derivatives/2.03%3A_Calculating_Limits_Using_the_Limit_Laws

Practice Exercises/Activity
Activity 2: Find the limits of the following functions by applying the limit
theorems:
1. lim 5 6. lim (𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3)
𝑥→4 𝑥→1
2. lim 2𝑥 7. lim (
𝑥 2 −3𝑥−10
)
𝑥→8 𝑥−5
𝑥→6
3. lim (𝑥 2) 4
𝑥→7 8. lim √5𝑥 − 𝑥 2
𝑥→−3
4. lim (6𝑥 − 3) 1
𝑥→2
9. lim (1 + 𝑥 )𝑥
5. lim (𝑥 − 5)3 𝑥→1
𝑥→−2 𝑥+1
10. lim1 ( )
𝑥→2 𝑥+2
LESSON 1.3: Evaluating the Limits of Algebraic Functions
The process of evaluating limits using limit laws may be simplified
further. For instance, notice that lim (4𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 4) is simply 4(−2)2 + 5(−2) −
𝑥→−2
𝑥 3 3
4 = 2 and lim ( ) is = . Thus, we can use the direct substitution
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 −5 32 −5 14
method to evaluate limits. This method is always applicable when you
deal with polynomial functions and other functions for which 𝒇(𝒄).

Direct Substitution Method of Evaluating Limits

For all polynomial functions f, the value of 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) is equal to 𝒇(𝒄).
𝒙→𝒄
If 𝒇(𝒄) exists, then
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒄)
𝒙→𝒄

Examples:
𝟐
 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙𝟒 − 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏) = [(𝟑)𝟒 − 𝟐(𝟑) + 𝟏]𝟐
𝒙→𝟑
= (𝟖𝟏 − 𝟔 + 𝟏)𝟐
= (𝟕𝟔)𝟐 = 𝟓𝟕𝟕𝟔
𝟐𝒙 𝟐(𝟑)
 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) =
𝒙→𝟑 𝟖𝒙−𝟓 𝟖(𝟑)−𝟓
𝟔
=
𝟐𝟒 − 𝟓
𝟔
=
𝟏𝟗
 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟓) = 𝟑(𝟐)𝟐 − 𝟒(𝟐) + 𝟓
𝒙→𝟐
= 𝟏𝟐 − 𝟖 + 𝟓
=𝟗
𝒙𝟒 −𝟏 (𝟐)𝟒 −𝟏
 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝟑 −𝟐𝒙+𝟏) = (𝟐)𝟑
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙 −𝟐(𝟐)+𝟏
𝟏𝟔 − 𝟏
=
𝟖−𝟒+𝟏
𝟏𝟓
= =𝟑
𝟓
𝒙𝟐 +𝟒𝒙+𝟑 (𝟐)𝟐 +𝟒(𝟐)+𝟑
 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (√ ) =√
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙𝟐 +𝟐 (𝟐)𝟐 +𝟐

𝟒+𝟖+𝟑
=√
𝟒+𝟐

𝟏𝟓 𝟔 𝟗𝟎
=√ ⋅√ =√
𝟔 𝟔 𝟑𝟔

𝟏𝟎 ⋅ 𝟗 𝟏𝟎
=√ =√
𝟒⋅𝟗 𝟒
√𝟏𝟎
=
𝟐
 𝐥𝐢𝐦 √𝒙 + 𝟒 = √𝟎 + 𝟒
𝒙→𝟎
= √𝟒
=𝟐
 𝑥+2 2+2 4
 lim ( ) = = (𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅)
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 2−2 0
It is not always guaranteed that using direct substitution method especially in
rational functions having a 0 denominator. We can verify this by the graph of the given
function.
When you substitute
𝑥 = 2 to the function, the
numerator is 4, and the
denominator is 0. Division
by 0 will eventually lead to
an undefined value, so the
limit of this function does
not exist.

Figure 1 will give you a

better idea of what is
happening. As x
approaches 2 from the left,
it tends to decrease without
bound, while as x
approaches 2 form the
right, the graph tends to
increase without bound.
Thus, the limit does not
exist.
Figure 1

EVALUATING THE LIMITS OF FUNCTIONS USING OTHER TECHNIQUES

Some limits cannot be evaluated simply by using direct substitution.

Particularly in cases when the given is a rational function, direct substitution
sometimes yield a number where both the numerator and denominator are 0. The
0
form 0 is considered in calculus as indeterminate because it has no definite or definable
value.
Unlike in the case when only the denominator is 0, getting an indeterminate
0
number of the form 0 upon direct substitution does not suggest nonexistence of the
limit. In fact, this implies that we need to apply algebraic manipulations to evaluate
the limit. These algebraic manipulations are the factoring method and rationalization
method.

Factoring Method
First, let us revisit the basic factoring techniques that you have learn in your
Junior High School mathematics.

Basic Factoring Techniques

1. Common Monomial 𝒂𝒃 + 𝒂𝒄 = 𝒂(𝒃 + 𝒄)
2. Difference of two squares 𝒂𝟐 − 𝒃𝟐 = (𝒂 + 𝒃)(𝒂 − 𝒄)
 3. Sum of two cubes 𝒂𝟑 + 𝒃𝟑 = (𝒂 + 𝒃)(𝒂𝟐 − 𝒂𝒃 + 𝒃𝟐 )
4. Difference of two cubes 𝒂𝟑 − 𝒃𝟑 = (𝒂 − 𝒃)(𝒂𝟐 + 𝒂𝒃 + 𝒃𝟐 )
5. Perfect square trinomial 𝒂𝟐 ± 𝟐𝒂𝒃 + 𝒃𝟐 = (𝒂 ± 𝒃)𝟐
6. General trinomial 𝒂𝒄𝒙𝟐 + (𝒂𝒅 + 𝒃𝒄)𝒙 + 𝒃𝒅 = (𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)(𝒄𝒙 + 𝒅)

When direct substitution of the constant 𝑐 gives an indeterminate number of

0
the form 0, the limit can be evaluated by first simplifying the rational function using
factoring, and then directly substituting 𝑐.

Examples
𝒙𝟐 −𝟗
 Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( 𝒙−𝟑 ).
𝒙→𝟑

By direct substitution,
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟗 𝟑𝟐 − 𝟗 𝟗 − 𝟗 𝟎
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )= = = .
𝒙→𝟑 𝒙 − 𝟑 𝟑−𝟑 𝟑−𝟑 𝟎
Therefore, circumvent the indeterminate form by simplifying the given function first
using special products and factoring.
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟗 (𝒙 − 𝟑)(𝒙 + 𝟑)
=
𝒙−𝟑 (𝒙 − 𝟑)
(𝒙 − 𝟑)(𝒙 + 𝟑)
=
(𝒙 − 𝟑)
=𝒙+𝟑
So,
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟗
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟑)
𝒙→𝟑 𝒙 − 𝟑 𝒙→𝟑
=𝟑+𝟑
=𝟔
𝒙𝟐 +𝒙−𝟔
 Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )
𝒙 → −𝟑 𝒙+𝟑
By direct substitution,
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 − 𝟔 (−𝟑)𝟐 − 𝟑 − 𝟔 𝟎
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )= =
𝒙 → −𝟑 𝒙+𝟑 −𝟑 + 𝟑 𝟎
Therefore, circumvent the indeterminate form by simplifying the given function first
using special products and factoring.
𝒙𝟐 +𝟑𝒙−𝟔 (𝒙−𝟐)(𝒙+𝟑)
=
𝒙+𝟑 (𝒙+𝟑)
(𝒙−𝟐)(𝒙+𝟑)
= (𝒙+𝟑)
=𝒙−𝟐
So,
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 − 𝟔
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 − 𝟐)
𝒙 → −𝟑 𝒙+𝟑 𝒙→−𝟑
= −𝟑 + 𝟐
= −𝟏
 𝒙−𝟓
 Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙𝟑 −𝟏𝟐𝟓).
𝒙→𝟓
By direct substitution,
𝒙−𝟓 𝟓−𝟓 𝟓−𝟓 𝟎
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )= 𝟑 = =
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙𝟑− 𝟏𝟐𝟓 𝟓 − 𝟏𝟐𝟓 𝟏𝟐𝟓 − 𝟏𝟐𝟓 𝟎
Therefore, circumvent the indeterminate form by simplifying the given function first
using special products and factoring.
𝒙−𝟓 (𝒙 − 𝟓)
=
𝒙𝟑 − 𝟏𝟐𝟓 (𝒙 − 𝟓)(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟐𝟓)
(𝒙 − 𝟓)
=
(𝒙 − 𝟓)(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟐𝟓)
𝟏
= 𝟐
𝒙 + 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟐𝟓
So,
𝒙−𝟓 𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟏𝟐𝟓 𝒙→𝟓 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟐𝟓
𝟏
=
(𝟓)𝟐 + 𝟓(𝟓) + 𝟐𝟓
𝟏
=
𝟐𝟓 + 𝟐𝟓 + 𝟐𝟓
𝟏
=
𝟕𝟓
𝒙𝟒 −𝟏
 Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝟐𝒙𝟐−𝒙−𝟑) .
𝒙→−𝟏
By direct substitution,
𝒙𝟒 −𝟏 (−𝟏)𝟒−𝟏 𝟏−𝟏 𝟎
= = = .
𝟐𝒙𝟐 −𝒙−𝟑 𝟐(−𝟏)𝟐 +𝟏−𝟑 𝟑−𝟑 𝟎
Therefore, circumvent the indeterminate form by simplifying the given function first
using special products and factoring.
𝒙𝟒 −𝟏 (𝒙𝟐 −𝟏)(𝒙𝟐+𝟏)
=
𝟐𝒙𝟐 −𝒙−𝟑 (𝒙+𝟏)(𝟐𝒙−𝟑)
(𝒙+𝟏)(𝒙−𝟏)(𝒙𝟐+𝟏)
= (𝒙+𝟏)(𝟐𝒙−𝟑)
(𝒙−𝟏)(𝒙𝟐 +𝟏)
= (𝟐𝒙−𝟑)
So,
𝒙𝟒 − 𝟏 (𝒙 − 𝟏)(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏)
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 [ ]
𝒙→−𝟏 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 − 𝟑 𝒙→−𝟏 (𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑)
(−𝟏 − 𝟏)[(−𝟏)𝟐 + 𝟏]
=
𝟐(−𝟏) − 𝟑
(−𝟐)(𝟐)
=
−𝟐 − 𝟑
𝟒
=
𝟓
Rationalization Method
0
Sometimes, the indeterminate form 0 upon direct substitution is caused by the
term in a rational function that contains radical expressions. Cases like this can be
circumvented using another algebraic technique called rationalization. In this
technique, the function is converted to its equivalent form so that the radical
expression is rationalized.
Examples
𝒙−𝟗
 Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ).
𝒙→𝟗 √𝒙−𝟑
By direct substitution,
𝒙−𝟗 𝟗−𝟗𝟗−𝟗 𝟎
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )= =
=
𝒙→𝟗 √𝒙 − 𝟑 √𝟗 − 𝟑 𝟑 − 𝟑 𝟎
Bypass the indeterminate form by multiplying the numerator and the
denominator by √𝒙 + 𝟑.
𝒙−𝟗 (𝒙 − 𝟗) (√𝒙 + 𝟑)
= ⋅
√𝒙 − 𝟑 (√𝒙 − 𝟑) (√𝒙 + 𝟑)
(𝒙 − 𝟗)(√𝒙 + 𝟑)
= 𝟐
(√𝒙) + 𝟑√𝒙 − 𝟑√𝒙 − 𝟗
(𝒙 − 𝟗)(√𝒙 + 𝟑)
=
(𝒙 − 𝟗)
= √𝒙 + 𝟑
Therefore,
𝒙−𝟗
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦(√𝒙 + 𝟑)
𝒙→𝟗 √𝒙 − 𝟑 𝒙→𝟗

= √𝟗 + 𝟑
= 𝟑+𝟑
=𝟔
𝒙− 𝟒
 Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ).
𝒙 →𝟒 √𝒙 − 𝟐
By direct substitution,
𝒙 − 𝟒 𝟒−𝟒
𝟒−𝟒 𝟎
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = = =
𝒙 →𝟒 √𝒙 − 𝟐 √𝟒 − 𝟐 𝟐 − 𝟐 𝟎
Bypass the indeterminate form by multiplying the numerator and the
denominator by √𝒙 + 𝟐.
𝒙 − 𝟒 (𝒙 − 𝟒) (√𝒙 + 𝟐)
= ⋅
√𝒙 − 𝟐 (√𝒙 − 𝟐) (√𝒙 + 𝟐)
(𝒙 − 𝟒)(√𝒙 + 𝟐)
= 𝟐
(√𝒙) + 𝟐√𝒙 − 𝟐√𝒙 − 𝟒
 (𝒙 − 𝟒)(√𝒙 + 𝟐)
=
(𝒙 − 𝟒)
= √𝒙 + 𝟐
Therefore,
𝒙 − 𝟒
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦(√𝒙 + 𝟐)
𝒙 →𝟒 √𝒙 − 𝟐 𝒙 →𝟒

= √𝟒 + 𝟐
= 𝟐+𝟐
=𝟒
𝟑−√𝟐𝒙+𝟓
 Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙−𝟐
By direct substitution,
𝟑 − √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓 𝟑 − √𝟐(𝟐) + 𝟓 𝟑 − √𝟒 + 𝟓 𝟑 − √𝟗 𝟑 − 𝟑 𝟎
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )= = = = =
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙−𝟐 𝟐−𝟐 𝟐−𝟐 𝟐−𝟐 𝟐−𝟐 𝟎
Bypass the indeterminate form by multiplying the numerator and the
denominator by 𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓,
𝟑 − √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓 (𝟑 − √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓) (𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
= ⋅
𝒙−𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝟐) (𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
𝟐
𝟗 + 𝟑√𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓 − 𝟑√𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓 − (√𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
=
(𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
𝟐
𝟗 −(√𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
=
(𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
𝟗 − (𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
=
(𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
𝟗 − 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟓
=
(𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
−𝟐𝒙 + 𝟒
=
(𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
−𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟐)
=
(𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓)
−𝟐
=
𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓
Therefore,
𝟑 − √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓 −𝟐
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙−𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝟑 + √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓
−𝟐
=
𝟑 + √𝟐(𝟐) + 𝟓
−𝟐 −𝟐
= =
𝟑 + √𝟗 𝟑 + 𝟑
𝟐 𝟏
= − 𝒐𝒓 −
𝟔 𝟑
 𝟏
𝒙𝟑 −𝟐
 Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( 𝒙−𝟖 ).
𝒙→𝟖
By direct substitution,
𝟏 𝟏
𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐 (𝟖)𝟑 − 𝟐 𝟐 − 𝟐 𝟎
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )= = =
𝒙→𝟖 𝒙−𝟖 𝟖−𝟖 𝟖−𝟖 𝟎
Bypass the indeterminate form by multiplying the numerator and the
𝟐 𝟏
denominator by 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒,

Note that we used the special factoring difference of cubes which is 𝒂𝟑 − 𝒃𝟑 =

(𝒂 − 𝒃)(𝒂𝟐 + 𝒂𝒃 + 𝒃𝟐 ).
𝟏 𝟐 𝟏
𝟏
− 𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝟐) (𝒙 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟒)
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
𝒙𝟑
= ⋅ 𝟐 𝟏
𝒙−𝟖 (𝒙 − 𝟖)
(𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒)
𝟏 𝟐 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟐 𝟏
𝒙𝟑+𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑+𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝒙𝟑 − 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟖
= 𝟐 𝟏
(𝒙 − 𝟖) (𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒)
𝟑 𝟐 𝟏 𝟐 𝟏
𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝒙𝟑 − 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟖
= 𝟐 𝟏
(𝒙 − 𝟖) (𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
𝒙 + (𝟐𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝒙𝟑) + (𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟒𝒙𝟑 ) − 𝟖
= 𝟐 𝟏
(𝒙 − 𝟖) (𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒)

(𝒙 − 𝟖)
= 𝟐 𝟏
(𝒙 − 𝟖) (𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒)

𝟏
= 𝟐 𝟏
(𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒)

Therefore,
𝟏
𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐 𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 [ 𝟐 𝟏 ]
𝒙→𝟖 𝒙−𝟖 𝒙→𝟖
(𝒙 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟒)
𝟑 𝟑

𝟏
= 𝟐 𝟏
𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒
𝟏
= 𝟐 𝟏
𝟖𝟑 + (𝟐)(𝟖)𝟑 + 𝟒
 𝟏
= 𝟑 𝟑
√𝟖𝟐 + (𝟐)( √𝟖) + 𝟒
𝟏
= 𝟑 𝟑
√𝟐𝟔 + (𝟐)( √𝟖) + 𝟒
𝟏
=
𝟒 + (𝟐)(𝟐) + 𝟒
𝟏
=
𝟒+𝟒+𝟒
𝟏
=
𝟏𝟐

TIP: Enrich your knowledge about evaluating algebraic functions. You can visit these links.
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/limits-evaluating.html
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/ap-calculus-ab/ab-limits-new/ab-1-7/a/limit-strategies-
flow-chart
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/ap-calculus-ab/ab-limits-new/ab-1-6/v/limit-example-1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5emT2wpzWk8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcJdM6QuNs0

Activity 3: Evaluate the following limits of function by using various algebraic

manipulations.
2𝑥 2 −5𝑥+3 3𝑥−1
1. lim ( ) 6. lim1 (9𝑥2 −1)
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→
3
𝑥 2 −49
2. lim ( ) √𝑥+2−3
𝑥→7 𝑥−7 7. lim ( )
𝑥→7 𝑥−7
√𝑥−2
3. lim ( 𝑥−4 ) 9𝑥−𝑥 2
𝑥→4 8. lim ( 3− )
𝑥→9 √𝑥
𝑥 2 −100
4. lim ( ) 1
𝑥 3 +3
𝑥+10
𝑥→−10
9. lim ( )
𝑥 3 +1 𝑥→−27 𝑥+27
5. lim ( 𝑥+1 )
𝑥→−1 49−𝑥
10. lim ( )
𝑥→49 √𝑥−7

Engage

Answer the following questions.

1. What important concepts have you learned in this lesson?
2. What are the difficulties have you encountered in the process of learning?
3. Aside from factoring and rationalization, can you think of other means and
techniques to help you evaluate the limit of a function? What is the importance
of having many ways to solve problems in real life?
 Apply

Answer the following problems completely.

1. The temperature 𝑇 (𝑖𝑛 ℃) at which water boils may be approximated by the formula
𝑻 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎. 𝟖𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝟏𝟓√𝒉 + 𝟒𝟑𝟏. 𝟎𝟑
where ℎ is the elevation (in meters above sea level). Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝑻.
𝒉→𝟒𝟎𝟎𝟎
2. A population of flies is growing in a large container. The number of flies 𝑃 (in
hundreds) after t weeks is given by
𝑷 = 𝟏𝟐𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟒 + 𝟓
Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝑷.
𝒙→𝟖

Assessment

Directions: Read each item carefully and choose the letter of the correct answer. Write E
if the answer is not found in the choices Use separate answer sheet of paper. Show your
solution if needed.
1. Evaluate lim 𝜋.
𝑥→0
a. 0
b. 𝜋
c. 1
d. The limit does not exist.
2. Evaluate lim 𝑥 + lim 𝑥 − lim 𝑥.
𝑥→5 𝑥→0 𝑥→−2
a. 3
b. 7
c. 0
d. Limit does not exist.
3
3. Determine the exact value of lim √√𝑥 + 2.
𝑥→4
3
a. √4
b. 2
3
c. √2
d. −2
𝑧 2 −9
4. Evaluate the limit: lim ( ).
𝑧→3 𝑧−3
a. The limit does not exist.
b. 0
c. 3
d. 6
𝑥 2 +6𝑥+9
5. What is the exact value of lim ?
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 +2𝑥−3
a. -1
b. 3/2
c. 0
d. -3
(2𝑥−1)(−𝑥−3)
6. Evaluate lim .
𝑥→5 (𝑥−1)(𝑥+3)
 a. 9/4
b. -9/4
c. 0
d. 1
𝑥−4
7. Evaluate lim .
𝑥→4 √𝑥−2
a. 4
b. 0
c. 1
d. The limit does not exist.
8. Which of the following is true?
1
1−(𝑥)
a. lim { }=1
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
3
𝑥 2 −2
b. lim (𝑥 2 −1) = −1
𝑥→1
𝑥 1 0
c. lim (𝑥−1 − 𝑥−1) = 0
𝑥→1
𝑥 2 −1 0
d. lim ( )=
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 0

9. Which of the following is not an indeterminate form?

𝑥 2 −16
a. lim ( )
𝑥→4 𝑥−4
√𝑥 2 −1
b. lim ( )
𝑥→1 √𝑥−1
𝑥 3 +27
c. lim (𝑥 2 −3𝑥+9)
𝑥→2
𝑥 2 +2𝑥+2
d. lim ( )
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
10. A herd of 100 goats is relocated to a small island. The herd increases rapidly, but eventually the food resources
of the island dwindle and the population declines. Suppose that the number 𝑁(𝑡) of goats present after 𝑡 years
is given by
𝑁(𝑡) = −𝑡 4 + 21𝑡 2 + 100
Evaluate lim 𝑁(𝑡).
𝑥→10
a. -55000
b. -10000
c. -12200
d. -7800