Math 108 – Practice Problems Chapter 1 – Limits

1.1: Limit Concepts Page 1

1. [O] Given the function shown below, evaluate the following:

a. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2
d. 𝑓(2)

2. [O] Evaluate lim 𝑓(𝑥) for the given graph.

𝑥→0

3. [O] Draw a curve with lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(5) = 3

𝑥→5
4. [O] Draw a curve with lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3, but 𝑓(5) = −1.
𝑥→5
5. [O] True or False: If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 6, then 𝑓(3) = 6.
𝑥→3
6. [O] True or False: If 𝑓(3) = 6, then lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 6.
𝑥→3
Math 108 – Practice Problems Chapter 1 – Limits
1.2: Computing Limits and Limit Properties Page 2
1. [O] Evaluate the given limits. Using a graph to justify your answer is acceptable. If the limit is
either +∞ or −∞, indicate as such (do not just write DNE in this case, although DNE may be the
answer in other situations)
a. lim sin (𝑡)
𝑡→0
b. lim 𝑦 2
𝑦→3
1
c. lim 10
𝑥→4
1
d. lim 𝑥
𝑥→0
1
e. lim
𝑥→0 2
𝑥
2
f. lim 𝑓(𝑥), when 𝑓(𝑥) = {𝑥 if 𝑥 > 2.9
𝑥→3 5𝑥 − 1 if 𝑥 ≤ 2.9

2. [O] Suppose lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0. Which of the following limits can you determine from
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
this information alone? Give the value for each such limit.
𝑓(𝑥)
a. lim
𝑥→𝑎 2
2
b. lim
𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥)
c. lim
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥)
d. lim 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
𝑓(𝑥)
3. [O] Give two functions where lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0, but lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 5.
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
𝑓(𝑥)
4. [O] Give two functions where lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0, and lim = 0.
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑔(𝑥)
5. [O] Evaluate the following limits:
2(𝑡−10)2
a. lim 𝑡
𝑡→10
(𝑦+1)(𝑦+2)(𝑦+3)
b. lim cos(𝑦)
𝑦→0
(2+ℎ)2 −4
c. lim 2ℎ
ℎ→0
𝑥 2 +𝑥−6
d. lim
𝑥→2 𝑥−2
√𝑥 2 +8−3
e. lim
𝑥→−1 𝑥+1
√𝑥+2−√4−𝑥
f. lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
2𝑥+6
g. lim
𝑥→−3 3−√6−𝑥
[2/𝑥] −[1/2]
h. lim 3𝑥−12
𝑥→4
20
−4+[ ]
𝑥+3
i. lim 2
𝑥→2 [ ]+2
1−𝑥
4 1
[ 2 ]−[ ]
𝑥 4
j. lim 𝑥 + 8−2𝑥
𝑥→4
𝑡 2 𝑥 2 +2𝑡𝑥+1
k. lim 𝑡 2 −14𝑡+49 where 𝑥 is a positive constant.
𝑡→7
Math 108 – Practice Problems Chapter 1 – Limits
1.3: Limits to Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes Page 3

1. [O] Evaluate.
a. lim 2−𝑥
𝑥→∞
b. lim 2𝑥
𝑥→∞
c. lim 𝑥 − 3𝑥 5 − 100𝑥 2
𝑥→∞
1−𝑥−𝑥 2
d. lim
𝑥→−∞ 2𝑥 2 −7
5𝑥 2 −3𝑥+1
e. lim 3𝑥 2 +𝑥+7
𝑥→∞
3𝑥 7 +𝑥 5 −15
f. lim
𝑥→−∞ 4𝑥 2 +32𝑥
3𝑥 6 +𝑥 5 −15
g. lim 4𝑥 2 +32𝑥
𝑥→−∞
2𝑥−𝑡 3
h. lim 1+5𝑡 4
𝑡→∞
4𝑥
i. lim , for any nonzero constant 𝑎
𝑥→−∞ 5𝑥+𝑎𝑥 2
5𝑥+𝑎𝑥 2
j. lim 4𝑥 , for any nonzero constant 𝑎
𝑥→∞
𝜋 |𝑥| 1
2. Evaluate lim sin ( 2 ⋅ 𝑥 ) + 𝑥
𝑥→−∞
Math 108 – Practice Problems Chapter 1 – Limits
1.4: One-sided Limits and Vertical Asymptotes Page 4
Math 108 – Practice Problems Chapter 1 – Limits
1.4: One-sided Limits and Vertical Asymptotes Page 5

1. Evaluate the given limits using the graph of 𝑓 below.

a. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2+
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0
c. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0
d. lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2
e. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2
f. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2
g. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→+∞
3𝑥 + 4 , 𝑥 < 1
2. Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) = { 2 , 𝑥=1
2
5−𝑥 , 𝑥 >1
a. Evaluate lim + 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−3
b. Evaluate lim − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−3
c. Evaluate lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−3
d. Evaluate lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1
e. Evaluate lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1
f. Evaluate lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1
g. Evaluate 𝑓(1)
4𝑥 2 −32
3. Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥 2 +9𝑥+20
, 𝑥 < −4
8𝑥 , 𝑥 ≥ −4
a. Evaluate lim − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−4
b. Evaluate lim + 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−4
c. Evaluate lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−4
𝑥+5
4. Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −1
a. Find lim − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−1
b. Find lim + 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−1
c. Find lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−1
d. Find lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1
Math 108 – Practice Problems Chapter 1 – Limits
1.4: One-sided Limits and Vertical Asymptotes Page 6
e. Find lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1
f. Find lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1
g. Find lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→+∞
h. Find lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−∞
i. Use the previous parts to determine where the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of 𝑓 are, and
describe the behaviour around each asymptote.
5. [O] Given the graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔 below, sketch a graph of:
1
a. 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥)
b. 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥)

1
𝑎2 −
𝑎
6. [O] Evaluate lim+ 𝑎−1
𝑎→0
Math 108 – Practice Problems Chapter 1 – Limits
1.5: Continuity Page 7
1. Identify where the given function is continuous.

2. [O] Suppose 𝑓(𝑡) is continuous at 𝑡 = 5, is 5 in the domain of 𝑓?

3. True or False: If 𝑓(0) = 10 and 𝑓(1) = 12, then every value between 10 and 12 is also obtained by
inputting some value between 0 and 1 into 𝑓.
4. True or False: If 𝑓(0) = 10 and 𝑓(1) = 12 and 𝑓 is continuous everywhere. Then 𝑓(0.5) = 11.
4−√𝑥
5. Find a constant 𝑎 so that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥−16 , 𝑥 ≠ 16 is continuous everywhere.
𝑎 , 𝑥 = 16
2
𝑥 − 𝑘𝑥, 𝑥 ≠ −1
6. Find a constant 𝑘 so that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = { is continuous everywhere.
−4 , 𝑥 = −1
1
7. [O] Describe all points where the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous.
√1+cos(𝑥)
8. [O] Find all values of 𝑐 such that the following function is continuous:
𝑥2 − 4 , 𝑥 < 𝑐
𝑓(𝑥) = {
3𝑥 , 𝑥≥𝑐
7 2
9. Show that the polynomial 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 5𝑥 has a root between 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = 2.
10.Use the Intermediate Value Theorem to show that there is at least one solution to the equation
sin(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1. Hint: is the left-side bigger than the right-side at some point? Is the left-side smaller? Are the
two sides continuous?
3
11.What two integers is √11 between? How do you know without using a calculator?
12.[O] Suppose 𝑓 and 𝑔 are continuous functions over the interval [𝑎, 𝑏]. Argue that if 𝑓(𝑎) ≤ 𝑔(𝑎)
and 𝑔(𝑏) ≤ 𝑓(𝑏), show that there exists some 𝑐 ∈ [𝑎, 𝑏] with 𝑓(𝑐) = 𝑔(𝑐). Hint: Rewrite the second
sentence by rewriting each inequality and equation so that one side is equal to zero.