Limit Theorems

One-Sided Limits
Infinite Limits
 Definition of Limit of a Function
Let f be a function defined at every number in some
open interval containing c, except possibly at the
number c itself.

The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L, written as

means that f(x) can be made as close as desired
to L by making the independent variable x close
enough, but not equal, to the value c.
 How close is "close enough to c" depends on how close one wants to
make f(x) to L. It also of course depends on which function f is and on
which number c is. Therefore let the positive number ε (epsilon) be how
close one wishes to make f(x) to L; strictly one wants the distance to be
less than ε. Further, if the positive number δ is how close one will
make x to c, and if the distance from x to c is less than δ (but not zero),
then the distance from f(x) to L will be less than ε. Therefore δ depends
on ε. The limit statement means that no matter how small ε is
made, δ can be made small enough.

Then the function has a limit at

Given any , there exists a such that
If then the inequality holds
 Example:

f(1) is not defined, (when all variable x is substituted

0
with value 1 , f(1) = 0 )
yet as x moves arbitrarily close to
1, f(x) correspondingly approaches 2:
f(0.9) f(0.99) f(0.999) f(1) f(1.001) f(1.01) f(1.1)

1.900 1.990 1.999 ⇒ undefined ⇐ 2.001 2.010 2.100

Thus, f(x) can be made arbitrarily close to the limit of 2

just by making x sufficiently close to 1.
In other words,

This can also be calculated algebraically, as

for all real numbers x ≠ 1.

Now since x + 1 is continuous in x at 1, we can
now plug in 1 for x,
Thus
 Limit Theorems
Suppose that f and g are functions such that the
two limits exist, suppose that k, m, & b are
constants and suppose that n is a positive
integer. Then

1. Limit of a Linear Function

lim 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 = ma + b
𝑥 →𝑎
2. Limit of a Constant
&
3. Limit of the identity Function

4. Limit of the Sum and Difference of two

Functions

5. Limit of the Product of two Functions

6. Limit of the nth Power of a Function

7. Limit of the Quotient of two Functions

8. Limit of the nth Root of a Function

provided
If f(x) > 0 and n is a positive integer
If f(x) ≤ 0 and n is an odd positive integer
 Examples
Evaluate the following limits
1. lim (2𝑥 + 3) -> Theorem 1
𝑥→−4
= 2(-4) + 3
= -5
2. lim 2𝑥 -> Theorem 2
𝑥→−3
= 2(-3)
= -6
3. lim 3 -> Theorem 2
𝑥→1
=3
4. lim (2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1) -> Theorem 4
𝑥→−3
2( lim x)2 + 4 ( lim x) + lim 1
𝑥→−3 𝑥→−3 𝑥→−3
= 2(-3)2 + 4(-3) + 1
=7
4
5. lim 3𝑥 − 2 -> Theorem 6
𝑥→0
( 3lim x - lim 2 )4
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
= (3(0) – 2)4
= (-2)4
= 16
 3
6. lim 12𝑥 + 3 -> Theorem 8
𝑥→2

3
12lim 𝑥 + lim 3
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
3
= 12(2) + 3
3
= 27
=3
 Shortcut method : Substitute directly the limits

𝑥+6 (3)+6 9 3
7. lim 𝑥+2 = = =
𝑥→3 (3)+2 5 5
3𝑥 3(7) 21
8. lim = = =7
𝑥→7 𝑥+2 (7)+2 9
3
3 𝑥 3 4 3 4 4
9. lim = = =3
𝑥→4 −7𝑥+1 −7(4)+1 −28+1 −27
3
4
= −3
𝑥 2 +𝑥−6 (−3)2 +(−3)−6 0
10. lim 𝑥+3 = (−3)+3
= 0
-> Undefined will
𝑥→−3
not be considered as a final answer. Solve this one
algebraically.
 𝑥 2 +𝑥−6 Try Factoring
10. lim 𝑥+3
𝑥→−3
(𝑥+3)(𝑥−2)
lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥+3
lim (𝑥 − 2)
𝑥→−3
= (-3) – 2 = -5
𝑥+1 −1 0
11. lim = -> Undefined will not be considered as a final answer.
𝑥→0 𝑥 0
Solve this one algebraically.
𝑥+1 −1 𝑥+1+1 Try Rationalizing
11. lim 𝑥 x 𝑥+1+1
𝑥→0
2
𝑥+1 − 1 2
lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 ( 𝑥+1+1)
𝑥+1 −1
lim 𝑥 ( 𝑥+1+1)
𝑥→0
𝑥
lim 𝑥 ( 𝑥+1+1)
𝑥→0
1
lim ( 𝑥+1+1)
𝑥→0
1
= ( 0+1+1)
1
=2
 3𝑥 2 +5𝑥−2 3(−2)2 +5(−2)−2 0
13. lim 𝑥+2
= −2+2
= Undefined
0
𝑥→−2
will not be considered as a final answer. Solve this
one algebraically.

3𝑥 2 +5𝑥−2
13. lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥+2
(𝑥+2)(3𝑥−1)
lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥+2
lim (3𝑥 − 1)
𝑥→−2
= 3(-2) – 1
= -7
 Seat Work # 7
Evaluate the following limits
1 10

2 11

3
1. 4
12
2. -8/5
4
3. -1
13
4. 3
5
5. 16
6. 3
14
7. 1/6
6
8. 14
9. 2
7 15
10. 1/8
11. 5/6
8
12. 1/6
9 13. 5/10
14. -1/9
15. -3/2
 One-Sided Limits
So far in our discussion of the limit of a
function as the independent variable x approaches
to c, we have been concerned with the values of x
close to c and either greater than or less than c,
that is, values of x in an open interval containing c
but not c itself.
Now we will be considering the limit of a
function as the independent variable x is restricted
to numbers greater than and less than c.
 Right-Hand Limit
We say

provided we can make f(x) as close to L as we want

for all x sufficiently close to a and x>a without
actually letting x be a.
 Left-Hand Limit
We say

provided we can make f(x) as close to L as we want

for all x sufficiently close to a and x<a without
actually letting x be a.
 Theorem 1.6.3
lim 𝑓 𝑥 exists and is equal to L
𝑥 →𝑎
if and only if
lim− 𝑓 𝑥 and lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 both exists and both
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑥 →𝑎
are equal to L.
 Evaluate the following limits
Ex 1.
Let c be the function
c(x)= 2x if 0 ⦤ x ⦤ 10
1.8x if 10 < x
lim 𝑐 𝑥 = ???
𝑥 →10
Left Side Right Side
lim − 𝑐 𝑥 lim + 𝑐 𝑥
𝑥 →10 𝑥 →10
lim 2𝑥 lim 1.8𝑥
𝑥 →10− 𝑥 →10+
= 2(10) = 1.8(10)
= 20 ≠ = 18
∴ lim 𝑐 𝑥 = Does not exist
𝑥 →10
Ex 2.
Let g be defined by
RECALL
Two eqns of absolute values
lxl x ,if x > 0
g(x)= lxl if x ≠ 0 -x ,if x < 0

2 if x = 0

lim 𝑔 𝑥 = ???
𝑥 →0
Left Side Right Side
lim− 𝑔 𝑥 lim+ 𝑔 𝑥
𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0
lim −𝑥 lim 𝑥
𝑥 →0− 𝑥 →0+
= -(0) = (0)
=0 = =0
∴ lim 𝑔 𝑥 = 0 , Exist
𝑥 →0
Ex 3.
Let h be defined by

h(x) = 4 – 𝑥2 if x ≤ 1
2 + 𝑥2 if 1 < x

lim ℎ 𝑥 = ???
𝑥 →1
Left Side Right Side
lim− ℎ 𝑥 lim+ ℎ 𝑥
𝑥 →1 𝑥 →1
lim− (4 – 𝑥 2) lim+ (2 + 𝑥 2 )
𝑥 →1 𝑥 →1
= 4-1 =2+1
=3 = =3
∴ lim ℎ 𝑥 = 3 , Exist
𝑥 →1
Ex 4.
Let f be defined by
RECALL
Two eqns of absolute values
| x −3 | |x – 3| x-3 ,if x > 3
f(x) = x −3
-(x – 3) ,if x < 3

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = ???
𝑥 →3
Left Side Right Side
lim 𝑓 𝑥 lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →3− 𝑥 →3+
−(x − 3) x −3
lim− lim+
𝑥 →3 x −3 𝑥 →3 x − 3
lim− −1 lim+ 1
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
= -1 ≠ =1
∴ lim 𝑓 𝑥 = Does not Exist
𝑥 →3
 Ex 5.
Let f be defined by
x+5 if x < -3
f(x)= 9 − 𝑥2 if -3 ≤ x ≤ 3
3–x if 3 < x

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = ??? lim 𝑓 𝑥 = ???

𝑥 →−3 𝑥 →3

Left Side Right Side Left Side Right Side

lim − 𝑓 𝑥 lim + 𝑓 𝑥 lim− 𝑓 𝑥 lim+ 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →−3 𝑥 →−3 𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
lim (𝑥 + 5) lim + 9 − 𝑥 2 lim− 9 − 𝑥 2 lim (3 − 𝑥)
𝑥 →−3− 𝑥 →−3 𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3+
= -3 + 5 = 9 − (3)2 =3–3
= 9 − (−3)2
= -2 ≠ = =0
=0 =0

∴ lim 𝑓 𝑥 = Does not Exist ∴ lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 0, Exist

𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
 Seat Work # 7
Prove if the limits exist

16.

17. Find the values of a and b given that the limits exist when x = -3 and when x = 3
 Infinite limits
The functions’ value increase or decrease
without bound as the independent variable gets
closer and closer to a fixed number.
3
f(x) = 𝑥2
The Domain is the set of all Real Numbers
except ZERO & the Range is the set of positive
real numbers.
 3
lim = +∞
𝑥 →0− 𝑥 2

3
lim+ = +∞
𝑥 →0 𝑥2

3
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 lim 𝑥 2 = +∞
𝑥 →0
We say

if we can make f(x) arbitrarily large for all x sufficiently close to x=a,
from both sides, without actually letting .
thus, f(x) increases without bound.

We say

if we can make f(x) arbitrarily large and negative for

all x sufficiently close to x=a, from both sides, without actually
letting .
thus, f(x) decreases without bound.
These definitions can be appropriately modified
for the one-sided limits as well.
Evaluate the limit

x x
0.1 10 -0.1 -10

0.01 100 -0.01 -100

0.001 1000 -0.001 -1000

0.0001 10000 -0.0001 -10000

Finally, the normal limit, in this case, will not exist since the two one-sided limits
have different values.
 Theorem under Infinite limits
If r is a positive rational number and c is any real
number then,
𝑐
lim+ 𝑥 𝑟 = +∞ (i)
𝑥 →0

-∞ if r is odd
𝑐
lim = (ii)
𝑥 →0− 𝑥 𝑟
+∞ if r is even
 Apply the theorem
1
1. lim+ 𝑥 3 = +∞
𝑥 →0
1
2. lim+ 𝑥 4 = +∞
𝑥 →0
1
3. lim− 3 = -∞
𝑥 →0 𝑥
1
4. lim− 𝑥 4 = +∞
𝑥 →0
If r is a positive rational number and c is any real
number then,

If r is a positive rational number, c is any real number

and xr is defined for then,
 1
1. lim 𝑥3 =0
𝑥 →+∞
1
2. lim 𝑥4 =0
𝑥 →+∞
1
3. lim 𝑥3 =0
𝑥 →−∞
1 𝑥3 +1
𝑥 3 +1 𝑥3 𝑥3
4. lim 𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 +𝑥 x 1 -> lim 𝑥3 +𝑥2 +𝑥
->
𝑥 →−∞ 𝑥 →−∞
𝑥3 𝑥3

𝑥3 1 1
3 + 3 1+ 3 1+0
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
lim 𝑥 3 𝑥2 𝑥 -> lim 1 1 = =1
𝑥 →−∞ + + 𝑥 →−∞ 1+𝑥 + 2 1+0+0
𝑥3 𝑥3 𝑥3 𝑥
 Sum
(i) if lim 𝑓 𝑥 = + ∞ and lim 𝑔 𝑥 = c, where c
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑥 →𝑎
is any constant, then
lim [𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔 𝑥 ] = + ∞
𝑥 →𝑎
(ii) if lim 𝑓 𝑥 = - ∞ and lim 𝑔 𝑥 = c, where c
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑥 →𝑎
is any constant, then
lim [𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔 𝑥 ] = - ∞
𝑥 →𝑎
 1 1
1. lim+ 𝑥−2 +
𝑥 →2 𝑥+4
1 1
= lim+ 𝑥−2 + lim+ 𝑥+4
𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2
1
=∞+6
=∞
1 3
2. lim− 𝑥−2 − 𝑥 3 −4
𝑥 →2
1 3
= lim− 𝑥−2 − lim− 𝑥 3 −4
𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2
3
= −∞ − 4
=-∞
 Product
if lim 𝑓 𝑥 = + ∞ and lim 𝑔 𝑥 = c, where c is any constant
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑥 →𝑎
except 0, then
(i) if c > 0, lim [𝑓 𝑥 𝑔 𝑥 ] = + ∞
𝑥 →𝑎
(ii)if c < 0, lim [𝑓 𝑥 𝑔 𝑥 ]= - ∞
𝑥 →𝑎
if lim 𝑓 𝑥 = - ∞ and lim 𝑔 𝑥 = c, where c is any constant
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑥 →𝑎
except 0, then
(i) if c > 0, lim [𝑓 𝑥 𝑔 𝑥 ]= - ∞
𝑥 →𝑎
(ii)if c < 0, lim [𝑓 𝑥 𝑔 𝑥 ]= + ∞
𝑥 →𝑎
 5 𝑥+4
1. lim+ 𝑥−3 2 . 𝑥−4
𝑥 →3
5 𝑥+4
= lim+ 𝑥−3 2 . lim+ 𝑥−4
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
= ∞ x −7
= -∞ 4−𝑥 2
𝑥−2
x
4−𝑥 2
4−𝑥 2
4−𝑥 2
4−𝑥 2 𝑥−3 =
(𝑥−2 ) 4−𝑥 2
2. lim− . (2−𝑥)(2+𝑥)
𝑥 →2 𝑥−2 𝑥+2 =
(𝑥−2 ) 4−𝑥 2
(2−𝑥)(2+𝑥)
4−𝑥 2 𝑥−3 =
−(2−𝑥 ) 4−𝑥 2
= lim− . lim− =
2+𝑥
𝑥 →2 𝑥−2 𝑥 →2 𝑥+2 − 4−𝑥2
2+𝑥 𝑥−3
= lim− 2
. lim− 𝑥+2
𝑥 →2 − 4−𝑥 𝑥 →2
1
= - ∞ x −4
=∞
 Quotient
If a is any real number and if lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 and lim 𝑔 𝑥 = c, where
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑥 →𝑎
c≠ 𝟎
If c > 0 and f(x) → 0 positive values
𝑔(𝑥)
lim = +∞
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)
If c > 0 and f(x) → 0 negative values
𝑔(𝑥)
lim = -∞
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)
If c < 0 and f(x) → 0 positive values
𝑔(𝑥)
lim = -∞
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)
If c < 0 and f(x) → 0 negative values
𝑔(𝑥)
lim = +∞
𝑥 →𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)
 2𝑥 2(1) 2
1. lim− 𝑥−1 = 1− −1 = 0−
= −∞
𝑥 →1
𝑥 2 +𝑥+2
2. f(x) = 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3
(a) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) (b) lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
𝑥 2 +𝑥+2 𝑥 2 +𝑥+2
lim+ lim−
𝑥→3 (𝑥−3)(𝑥+1) 𝑥→3 (𝑥−3)(𝑥+1)
(3)2 +(3)+2 (3)2 +(3)+2
= = −
(3+ −3)(3+1) (3 −3)(3+1)
14 14
= = −
(0+ )(4) (0 )(4)
=∞ = −∞
(c) lim 𝑓(𝑥) does exist?
𝑥→3
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = Does not Exist!
𝑥→3
 𝑥 2 −4
3. f(x) = 𝑥 2 −4 𝑥 2 −4
𝑥−2 𝑥−2
x 2
𝑥 −4
2
𝑥 −4
find lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) =
(𝑥−2 ) 𝑥 2 −4
𝑥→2 =
(𝑥−2)(𝑥+2)
(𝑥−2 ) 4−𝑥 2
𝑥 2 −4 𝑥+2 4 =
𝑥+2

lim+ 𝑥−2 -> lim+ = =∞ 4−𝑥 2

𝑥→2 𝑥→2 4−𝑥 2 0

4−𝑥 2
4. f(x) = 𝑥−2
find lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2 4−𝑥 2 4−𝑥 2
x
𝑥−2 4−𝑥 2
4−𝑥 2 2+𝑥 4 4−𝑥 2

lim− 𝑥−2 -> lim− 2

= − 0
= -∞ =
(𝑥−2 ) 4−𝑥 2
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 − 4−𝑥 =
(2−𝑥)(2+𝑥)
(𝑥−2 ) 4−𝑥 2
(2−𝑥)(2+𝑥)
=
−(2−𝑥 ) 4−𝑥 2
2+𝑥
=
− 4−𝑥 2
 Seat Work # 7

Solve the following limits algebraically

18.
 Vertical Asymptote
The function f(x) will have a vertical asymptote at
if we have any of the following limits at .
Evaluate the limits

Thus,
 Exponential Infinite Limits
Evaluate the following limits:

Thus,
 1 5 𝑒 4𝑥 −𝑒 2𝑥
𝑎 +2𝑎3 −8𝑎 lim
1. lim 𝑒 4 2.
𝑥 →∞ 𝑒 4𝑥
𝑎 →−∞
1 5 3 −8𝑎 𝑎5
𝑎 +2𝑎 ∗ 5
lim 𝑒 4 𝑎
𝑒 4𝑥 𝑒 2𝑥
𝑎 →−∞ = lim (𝑒 4𝑥 − 𝑒 4𝑥 )
1 5 𝑥 →∞
𝑎 +2𝑎3 −8𝑎
5
𝑎 (4 )
lim 𝑒 𝑎5
𝑎 →−∞
1 2 8
= lim (1 −𝑒 −2𝑥 )
𝑎5 ( + 2 − 5 ) 𝑥 →∞
lim 𝑒 4 𝑎 𝑎
𝑎→−∞
1
−∞ 5 (4+0−0) = lim 1 − lim (𝑒 −2𝑥 )
𝑒 𝑥 →∞ 𝑥 →∞
1
−∞(4)
𝑒 =1–0
𝑒 −∞
=0 =1
 Assignment # 5

7.)

8.)
Requirements on answering:
1. Write your solutions and answers on a long bond paper.
2. On the upper left of the bond paper, write your full name and
under it is your course.
Ex. JUAN DE LA CRUZ, JR.
BSEE
3. On the upper center, write the Topic – Evaluation Type (Seat
work/Assignment).
Ex. Algebra – Seat Work #1
4. On the upper right, write the date you have started the
exercises and affix your signature right next to it.
5. Bottom center, write the page number (applicable to two or
more pages only)
Methods on sending your answers:
1. Take a clear picture of your output per page.
(For clearer results, use “CamScanner” app available on Google Play/App Store)
2. If you have many pages, please organize on sending your
outputs.
(Page 2 should be sent after page 1)
3. Send (via PM) your outputs on the Facebook Page “Joey’s E-
Quiz”.
(https://www.facebook.com/joeyeqz/)
4. Leave a message “Course, Evaluation Type – Topic, Full name,
Time sent”
Ex. BSEE
Seat Work #1 – Algebra
Juan De la Cruz, Jr.
7:59 pm
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

Topic: Limit of a Function

Seat Work: July 5, 2020 (9am – 11:59 pm)

(Sunday)
Assignment: July 6, 2020 (9am – 11:59 pm)
(Monday)