Senior High School

Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 – Module 1.1
Illustrate Limit of Function Using
Table of Values and the Graph
of a Function
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 Senior High School

Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 – Module 1.1
Illustrate Limit of Function Using
Table of Values and the Graph
of a Function
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to the Basic Calculus Self-Learning Module on Illustrate Limit of
Function Using Table of Values and the Graph of a Function!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by

educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or
facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum
while overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims
to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body
of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that will help

you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You
also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their
own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

Welcome to the Basic Calculus Self-Learning Module on Illustrate Limit of

Function Using Table of Values and the Graph of a Function!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

12
 Illustrate Limit of Function Using Table
of Values and the Graph of a Function
CONTENT STANDARD
The learners demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of limit and
continuity of a function.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD
The learners shall be able to formulate and solve accurately real-life problems
involving the continuity of functions.

LEARNING COMPETENCY
The learner:
1. illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and the graph of the
function (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-1)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Define the limit.
2. Illustrate the limit through a table of values.
3. Graph the limit of a function.

INTRODUCTION

The prior knowledge you have learned from the previous modules will be
strengthened as you go by in this module. Furthermore, in this module, you will learn
how to illustrate the limit of the function using a table of values and the graph of a
function.

Enjoy learning!

Do a series of activities to achieve your goal.

1
PRE –TEST

Name: ____________________________ Grade & Sec: __________ Score: ______

Read the questions carefully. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
___ 1. Given g ( x) = x − 2 , find f(3)?
3

A) 27 B) -27 C)25 D)-25

___ 2. Which of the following is true about the limit of a function?

A) The limit of a function always exists.
B) The limit of a function f(x) exists if and only if the one sided limits of the
function are equal.
C) The limit of a function will never exist
D) The limit of a function is always equal to 1.

___ 3. Given lim x → 2 (1 + 3 x ) , what is the value of c?

A) 2 B) x C) 1+3x D) 7

___ 4. Given lim x → 2 (1 + 3 x ) , what is the value of f(x) ?

A) 2 B) x C) 1+3x D) 7

___ 5. Given lim x → 2 (1 + 3 x ) , what is the limit?

A) 2 B) x C) 1+3x D) 7

2x +1
___ 6. Which of the following values of x can make the function f ( x) = undefined?
2x − 4
A) 0 B) 1 C) 2 D) 3

x2 +1
___ 7. Which of the following values of x can make the function f ( x) = undefined?
x−2
A) 0 B) 1 C) 2 D) 3

___ 8. What is the lim x→c 789 ?

A) C B) 0 C) 789 D) DNE

___ 9. Which of the following is true about the limit of a constant?

A) The limit of a constant is always equal to 0.
B) The limit of a constant is always equal to 1.
C) The limit of a constant is itself.
D) The limit of a constant does not exist.

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___ 10. Which of the following describes the equation below?
lim x →c ( f ( x) + g ( x)) = lim x→c f ( x) + lim x→c g ( x)
A) This says that the limit of a sum of functions is the sum of the limits of the
individual functions.
B) This says that the limit of a sum of functions is the difference of the limits of
the individual functions.
C) This says that the limit of a sum of functions is the product of the limits of the
individual functions.
D) This says that the limit of a sum of functions is 0.

___11. Which of the following describes the equation below?

lim x→c ( f ( x) • g ( x)) = lim x→c f ( x) • lim x→c g ( x)
A) This says that the limit of a sum of functions is the sum of the limits of the
individual functions.
B) This says that the limit of a difference of functions is the difference of the limits
of the individual functions.
C) This says that the limit of a product of functions is the product of the limits of
the individual functions.
D) This says that the limit of a sum of functions is 0.

___12. Given a function f(x)=x2 +1 and its graph

Evaluate its limit.

A) 0
B) 2
C) 7
D) DNE

___13. Evaluate the limit of f(x)=x2+1 by looking at its graph

A) -1
B) 2
C) 1
D) DNE

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___14. Evaluate the limit of f ( x) = x by looking at its graph

A) 0
B) -0
C) 1
D) DNE

 x + 1 if x4
___15. Evaluate the limit of f ( x) =  by looking at its graph
( x − 4) if x4
2

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) DNE

PRESENTATION OF THE NEW LESSON

For starters, imagine that you are visiting to watch a basketball game. Once
you choose seats, you’d like to be as near to the action as possible. You would want
to be as near to the players as possible and have the best view of the sport as if you
were within the court. Observe that you simply cannot actually within the court and
join the players, but you’ll be close enough to explain clearly what’s happening within
the game.
This scenario briefly explains the concept of how the limits of functions work.
We’ll consider functions of one variable and study the behavior of the function as its
variable approaches a selected value (called constant). The variable can only take
values very, very near to the constant, but it cannot be equal to the constant itself.
However, the limit will be able to describe clearly what is happening to the function
near that constant.

So, let’s begin our topic by simply understanding the concept of limit. Do the
series of activities below to know more about the limit.

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ACTIVITY: “Know Your Limit”
Activity Guide:
1. Purpose: To find out what the student’s idea of a limit.
2. Ideas this activity builds on: This is the first activity that students work on in Basic
Calculus. It builds on their understanding on how the limit of function exists.

Direction: Consider a function f of a single variable x . Substitute each given value

of x on the table below to the given equation. You can use a calculator, but you need
to show your solution step by step. Write your and answer and solution on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. f ( x ) = 6 − 3 x

If x=4.3, then f(x)=________ If x=5.7, then f(x)=________

If x=4.4, then f(x)=________ If x=5.6, then f(x)=________

If x=4.5, then f(x)=________ If x=5.5, then f(x)=________

If x=4.6, then f(x)=________ If x=5.4, then f(x)=________
If x=4.7, then f(x)=________ If x=5.3, then f(x)=________

If x=4.8, then f(x)=________ If x=5.2, then f(x)=________

If x=4.9, then f(x)=________ If x=5.1, then f(x)=________

f ( x ) = ( x 2 + 2)
2.

If x=1.5, then f(x)=________ If x=2.5, then f(x)=________

If x=1.6, then f(x)=________ If x=2.4, then f(x)=________

If x=1.7, then f(x)=________ If x=2.3, then f(x)=________
If x=1.8, then f(x)=________ If x=2.2, then f(x)=________

If x=1.9, then f(x)=________ If x=2.1, then f(x)=________

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ANALYSIS

Instruction: Answer the following questions below based on what you have
understood from the activity above. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What can you observe as you substitute each value of x on the given function?
Answer:____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_
2. Compare the values of f(x) on the right side as to the values of f(x) on the left side.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. How do limits of function works based on your observations on the previous
activity?
Answer:____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACTION

The above activity gives you the general ideas of limit. Generally, limits allow
us to see what value a function is approaching after we use a selected input. Not
necessarily what the function gives us the exact output, but rather what value it’s
getting arbitrarily close to.

Consider a function f of one variable x and a constant c which the variable x

will approach (the constant c may or may not be in the domain of f). The limit, to be
denoted by L, is the distinct real value that f(x) will approach as x approaches c. In
symbols, we write this as

lim x →c f ( x) = L .

This is read as ‘‘The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L.”

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LOOKING AT A TABLE OF VALUES
To illustrate, let us consider

Example 1: lim x →2 (1 + 3 x)

In this example, the given function is f(x) = 1+ 3x and the constant c, which x
will approach, is equal to 2. To illustrate the limit of the function, we are going to use
the table of values to assist us to observe the values of f(x) as x approaches toward
2.
On the number line, as shown in figure 1.1 below, x may approach 2 in two
ways: through values on its left and values on its right.

Figure 1.1

First, consider the values of x approaching 2 from its left or through values less
than 2. Remember that the values to be chosen should be close enough to 2.
As shown in the first table 1.1 below, x represents the values less than 2 but
close to 2.

The first value of x=1, as we substitute the value of x to the given function (1 + 3 x )

Then, f ( x) = (1 + 3 x) = 1 + 3(1) = 1 + 3 = 4
If x=1.4, then f ( x) = (1 + 3 x) = 1 + 3(1.4) = 1 + 4.2 = 5.2
If x=1.7, then f ( x) = (1 + 3 x) = 1 + 3(1.7) = 1 + 5.1 = 6.1
If x=1.9, then f ( x) = (1 + 3 x) = 1 + 3(1.9) = 1 + 5.7 = 6.7
If x=1.95, then f ( x) = (1 + 3 x) = 1 + 3(1.95) = 1 + 5.85 = 6.85
If x=1.997, then f ( x) = (1 + 3 x) = 1 + 3(1.997 ) = 1 + 5.991 = 6.991
If x=1.9999, then f ( x) = (1 + 3 x) = 1 + 3(1.9999 ) = 1 + 5.9997 = 6.9997

If x=1.9999999, then
f ( x) = (1 + 3 x) = 1 + 3(1.9999999 ) = 1 + 5.999997 = 6.9999997

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 x f(x)

1 4

1.4 5.2

1.7 6.1

1.9 6.7

1.95 6.85

1.997 6.991

1.9999 6.9997

1.9999999 6.9999997

Table 1.1
Now let us consider approaching 2 from its right or through values greater than but
close to 2.

If x= 3, by substituting it to the function (1+3x), then f(x)=10

If x=2.5, then f(x)= 8.5 x f(x)

If x=2.2, then f(x)= 7.6 3 10

If x=2.1, then f(x)= 7.3 2.5 8.5

If x=2.03, then f(x)= 7.09 2.2 7.6

If x= 2.009, then f(x)= 7.027 2.1 7.3
If x= 2.0005, then f(x)= 7.0015 2.03 7.09
If x= 2.0000001, then f(x)= 7.0000003 2.009 7.027

2.0005 7.0015

2.0000001 7.0000003

Table 1.2

As you observed, as we substitute the values of x get closer and closer to 2 from its
left and right side, the values of f(x) also get closer and closer to 7. This behavior can
be shown no matter what set of values, or what direction (left or right side of x), is
taken in approaching 2.

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Thus the limit of (1+3x) as x approaches 2 is 7. In symbols;

lim x→2 (1 + 3 x) = 7

Example 2: lim x →−1 ( x 2 + 1)

In this example, c = -1 and f(x) = x2 + 1. By constructing the table of values, we

start again by approaching -1 from the left or the values less than -1 but close to -
1.

x f(x)

-1.5 3.25

-1.2 2.44

-1.01 2.0201

-1.0001 2.00020001

Now let us consider the values on the right side of x, these are the values greater
than -1 but close to -1.

x f(x)

-0.5 1.25

-0.8 1.64

-0.99 1.9801

-0.9999 1.99980001

The tables show that as x approaches -1, f(x) also approaches 2. Thus the limit of
(x2+1) as x approaches -1 is 2. In symbols,

limxx→→−−11((xx 2 ++11)) == 22
2
lim

lim
limxx→→00 xx

9
Example 3: Investigate through a table of values.

Approaching 0 from the left and from the right, we get the following tables:

x |x| x |x|

-0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

-0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01

-0.00009 0.00009 0.00009 0.00009

-0.00000001 0.00000001 0.00000001 0.00000001

xx

The tables show that as x approaches 0, f(x) also approaches 0. Thus the limit of
as x approaches 0 is 0. In symbols;

limxx→→00 xx == 00
lim

xx22 −−55xx ++ 44
lim
limxx→→11
Example 4: Investigate xx −−11 by constructing tables of values.

xx22 −−55xx ++ 44
ff ((xx)) ==
In this example, c=1 and xx −−11 .

Take note that 1 is not in the domain of ff since it makes function undefined, but
this is not a problem. In evaluating a limit remember that we only need to go very close
to 1, we will not go to the 1 itself.
We now approach 1 from the left as shown on the table below, these are the
values less than 1 but closer to 1, we have

x f(x)

1.5 -2.5

1.17 -2.83

1.003 -2.997

1.0001 -2.9999

Approach 1 from the right, these are the values greater than 1 but closer to 1, we
have

10
 x f(x)

0.5 -3.5

0.88 -3.12

0.996 -3.004

0.9999 -3.0001

As we observe on both the tables above, it shows that as x approaches 1, f(x)

approaches -3. Thus the limit of x −55xx ++ 44 as x approaches 1 is -3.
−
22
x
xx −−11

In symbols,

xx22 −−55xx++ 44
lim
limxx→→11 == −−33
xx −−11

Example # 5: Investigate lim

limx→ f ( x)
x→44 f ( x ) through a table of values

 x +1 if x4
if f ( x) = 
( x − 4) + 3 if x4
2

This looks a bit different, but the concept and procedure are exactly the same.
We still approach the constant 4 from the left and from the right, but note that we
should evaluate the appropriate corresponding functional expression.

In this case, when x approaches 4 from the left, the values taken should be
substituted in f(x) = x + 1 since the values from the left side of 4 are the values less
than 4 but closer to 4. So,

x f(x)

3.7 4.7

3.85 4.85

3.995 4.995

3.99999 4.9999

11
On the other hand, when x approaches 4 from the right, the values taken should be
substituted in f(x)= (x-4)2 + 3 since these are the values greater than 4 but closer to 4.

x f(x)

4.3 3.9

4.1 3.01

4.001 3.000001

4.00001 3.0000000001

Observe that the values that f(x) approaches are not equal. As we substitute the
values from the left side of 4, f(x) approaches 5. However, if we substitute the values
of x from the right side of 4, f(x) approaches 3. In this case, we say that the limit of the
given function does not exist (DNE). In symbols,

lim
limxx→→44 ff ((xx)) DNE
DNE

12
REMARK 1: We need to point out an important fact. We don’t say that lim
limx→ f ( x)
x→44 f ( x )

“equals DNE”, or do we can’t write limxx→→44 ff ((xx)) == DNE

lim DNE ”, because “DNE” is not a
value . In the previous example, “DNE” indicated that the function moves in separate
directions as its variable x approaches c from the left and from the right.

In other cases, the limit fails to exist because the given function is undefined, such
as for lim 11 which leads to division of 1 by zero.
limxx→→00
xx

Remark 2: If you noticed the pattern in the way we have been investigating a limit. We’ve
been identifying whether x will approach a value c from the left, through values less than
c, or from the right, through values greater than c. This direction may be denoted in the
limit notation lim f ( x) by adding certain symbols.
limx→
x→cc f ( x )
• If x approaches c from the left or through the values less than c but closer to c, then
we write
lim
limxx→→cc−− ff ((xx))

• If x approaches c from the right or through the values greater than c but closer to
c, then we write lim
lim ++ ff ((xx))
xx→
→cc

Furthermore, we conclude that limxx→→cc ff ((xx)) == LL

lim

limxx→→cc−− ff ((xx)) == LL and

If and only if lim and limxx→→cc++ ff ((xx)) == LL
lim

In other words, the limit of a function do exist if and only if the limits from the left and
from the right must both exist and be equal to L.

Therefore, we can also conclude that

lim
limxx→→cc ff ((xx)) DNE
DNE whenever limxx→→cc−− ff ((xx))  lim
whenever lim limxx→→cc++ ff ((xx).).

lim
lim ff ((xx))
and lim
limxx→→cc++ ff ((,xx)) are also referred as one-sided limits,
−
These limits xx→
→cc −

since you only consider values on one side of c.

13
To generalize all the given example above
• in our very first illustration that lim x → 2 (1 + 3 x) = 7 because lim x →2 − (1 + 3 x) = 7
+ (1 + 3 x ) = 7
and lim .
x→2

limxx→→−−11−− ((xx 2 ++11)) == 22 and lim

limxx→→−−11((xx 2 ++11)) == 22 since lim limxx→→−−11++ ((xx 2 ++11)) == 22
2 2 2
• in Example 2, lim

limxx→→00 xx == 00 since
• in Example 3, lim limxx→→00++ xx == 00 .
limxx→→00−− xx == 00 and lim
lim
xx22 −−55xx++ 44 xx22 −−55xx ++ 44
• in Example 4, lim
limxx→→11 == −−33 since lim
limxx→→11−− == −−33 and
xx −−11 xx −−11
xx22 −−55xx ++ 44
lim
limxx→→11++ == −−33
xx −−11
• in Example 5, lim
limxx→→44 ff ((xx)) DNE limxx→→44−− ff ((xx))  lim
DNE since lim limxx→→44++ ff ((xx).).

LOOKING AT THE GRAPH OF y = f(x)

At this point, we’re going to illustrate the limit of the given function by just simply
looking at its graph. If you are familiar with the graph of f(x), it will be easier for you to
determine its limits as x approaches the given values of c.

Consider again the first example above f(x) = 1+3x. Its graph is the straight line. Look
at the graph at the level of x=2

As you observed on the graph from the left side of the line, you can easily see the
coordinates: (1,4), (1.4,5.2),(1.7, 6.1), and so on, approaching the level of x=2 where
y = 7. The same can be seen from the right side of the line, as approaching the level
of x= 2 the value of y=7.

Hence, the graph clearly illustrates that lim x →2 (1 + 3 x) = 7

14
Let us examine again the given examples above one by one;

Recall Example 2 where f(x) = x2 + 1. Its graph is given by

It can be seen from the graph that as values of x approach -1 from its left side, the
values of f(x) approach 2. The same goes as the values of x approaches -1 from its
right side, the values of f(x) also approach 2.

Recall Example 3 where f(x) = |x|

It is clear from the graph above that limlimxx→→00 xx == 00.

The two sides (left and right side) of the graph both move downward to the origin (0,
0) as x approaches 0, f(x)=y also approaches 0.

xx22 −−55xx ++ 44
Recall Example 4 where ff ((xx)) ==
xx −−11

15
 xx22 −−55xx ++ 44 ((xx −− 44)(
)(xx −−11)) = x − 4
Take note that ff ((xx)) =
= == = x − 4 provided x ≠ 1. Hence,
xx −−11 xx −−11
the graph of f(x) is also the graph of y = x - 1, excluding the point where x = 1. As you
can see on the graph as x approaches 1 from its right side, f(x) approaches -3. The
same goes as x approaches -1 from its left side, f(x) also approaches -3.

Recall Example 5 where  x +1 if x4

f ( x) = 
( x − 4) x4
2
if

By looking from the graph above that f(x) has no limit as x approaches 4. The graph
shows two separate parts of the function move toward different y-levels namely; y=5
from the left and y= 3 from the right.

Remark: In general, if we have the graph of a function, such as below, determining limits can
be done much faster and easier by inspection.

EXERCISE: TRY TO REACH THE LIMIT

Let us try to examine the given graph below to further understand the concept of how
to illustrate the limit of function by looking at its graph.

16
1. Based on the graph shown above, what is the lim limxx→→−−22 ff ((xx))
?________________
2. Find the ._____________________
lim
lim
3. What is the lim
ff (
( xx))
f ( x) ?____________________
x→ 0
x→0
limx→
x→33 f ( x )

Solution!
It can be seen from the graph of y = f(x) that:
1)
lim →−−22 ff ((xx)) ==11.
lim
2) lim xx→
limx →0 ff ((xx)) == 33
3) lim x →0 f ( x ) DNE . As can be seen in the figure, the two parts of the graph
limx→3 f ( x) DNE
near c =x →33 do not move toward a common y-level as x approaches c = 3.

APPLICATION

(Students may use a calculator when applicable for these exercises are challenging
problems or may require a longer solution.)

Direction: Evaluate the following limit. Write your answer and complete the solution
on a separate sheet of paper.

lim x→1 ( x 2 − 2 x + 4).

1. Complete the following tables of values to investigate

x f(x) x f(x)

0.5 1.6

0.7 1.35

0.95 1.05

0.995 1.005

0.9995 1.0005

0.99995 1.00005

17
 x −1
2. Complete the following tables of values to investigate lim x→0 .
x +1
x f(x) x f(x)

-0.8 1

-0.35 0.45

-.09 0.09

-0.1 0.1

-0.00001 0.00001

3. Construct a table of values to investigate the following limits:

2x +1
A) lim x→2
x −3
 1 if x  −1
B) lim x →−1 f ( x) if f ( x) =  2 x
 x − 2 if x  −1

ENRICHMENT

Direction: Evaluate the following limit by looking at its graph. Write your answer on
separate of paper.
1. Consider the function f(x) whose graph is shown below.
Determine the following:
lim x→5 f ( x)

1. lim x →−3 f ( x)

2. lim x →−1 f ( x)

3.
lim x→1 f ( x)

4. lim x→3 f ( x)

5.

18
REFERENCES
Learners Module in Senior High School (Basic Calculus)
Teacher’s Guide in Senior High School (Basic Calculus)
https://buenavistanhs.weebly.com/uploads/7/2/2/8/7228051/basiccalc_initial_
release_13june.pdf

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Schools Division of Surigao del Norte

Peñaranda St., Surigao City
Surigao del Norte, Philippines 8400
Tel. No: (086) 826-8216
Email Address: surigao.delnorte@deped.gov.ph

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