AGENDA

TOPIC: LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

Introduction to limits

•Discussion of the Lesson

•Assignment

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AGENDA

TOPIC: LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

Introduction to limits
illustrate the limit of a function
using a table of values and the
graph of the function and
distinguish between lim
𝑥→𝑐𝑓(𝑥)and 𝑓(𝑐).

3
LIMIT IS EVERYWHERE!
LIMIT…
is the value that a
function
"approaches" as
the input
"approaches" some
value.
5
 LIMIT NOTATION
lim f (x)
Tells us we’re
looking for a limit This tells us which
value and not a function we’re
function value.
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 working with.

𝒙→𝒂

𝒙→𝒂 Can read as…

L
This is the value
Tell us what the The limit of f(x) as x approaches a is equal to L the function is
variable is, and approaching.
what it is
approaching.
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟔
𝒙→𝟐
Example
 BASIC TERMS
Limit of a function is the value that a function
"approaches" as the input "approaches" some value.
Table of Values is the list of numbers that are
used to substitute one variable, such as within an
equation of a line and other functions, to find
the value of the other variable, or missing
number.
DNE or Does Not Exist – indicated that the
function moves in different directions as its
variable approaches a certain number from the left
and from the right.
Procedure:
1.Provide on inputs or set of x that satisfy the condition
x – c. And x or inputs should be at least within 2 units
for the C( from left and right).
Note: Choose on inputs that are really close to c

2. Construct tables where x approaches c from left and

right

3. Evaluate the function using provided inputs

4. The observe where the output is heading as x

approaches c
 Illustrating Limit of a function using Table of Values

LEFT RIGHT
 LIMITS IN MATHEMATICS
f (x) = x + 4 F (x)

This inputs approach 2 This inputs approach 2

from the left from the right

X 1 1.5 1.9 2 2.1 2.5 3

F(x) 5 5.5 5.9 6 6.1 6.5 7

This outputs approach This outputs approach

6 from the left 6 from the right

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟔
𝒙→𝟐 12
 LIMITS IN MATHEMATICS
𝟐𝒙 − 𝟐
f (x) = F (x)
𝒙−𝟏

This inputs approach 1 This inputs approach 1

from the left from the right

X 0 0.5 0.9 1 1.1 1.5 2

F(x) 2 2 2 ∞ 2 2 2

The outputs are always

…except when x is 1.
2…

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟐
𝒙→𝟏 13
LIMIT OF A FUNCTION THROUGH
TABLE OF VALUES
Examine lim 𝑥 2 by constructing table of values.
𝑥→2

X 2

F(x)

lim 𝑥 2 = 4
Hence, 𝑥→2
 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+4
Investigate 𝑙𝑖𝑚 by constructing tables of
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
values.

X 1

F(x)

𝑥 2 −5𝑥+4
Hence, lim = −3
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
Investigate through a table of values lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→4
𝑥 + 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 4
𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ
(𝑥 − 4)2 +3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 4

X 4

F(x)

In such a case, we say that the limit of the given

function does not exist (DNE). In symbols,
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐷𝑁𝐸.
𝑥→4
LIMIT OF A FUNCTION THROUGH
GRAPH
LIMIT OF FUNCTIONS THROUGH GRAPH

Investigate lim 𝑥 2 + 1 =
𝑥→−1
through graph.

It can be seen from the graph that as

values of x approach -1, the values of
𝑓 𝑥 approach 2.
Limit Of Functions Through Graph

Investigate lim 𝑥
𝑥→0
through graph

It is clear that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 = 0, that is, the two sides of the graph both
𝑥→0
move downward to the origin (0, 0) as x approaches 0.
Limit Of Functions Through Graph

Investigate through a graph

𝑥 + 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 4
lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ
𝑥→4 𝑥 − 4 2 + 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 4
by graphing.

Again, we can see from the graph that 𝑓 𝑥 has no limit as x approaches 4. The two
separate parts of the function move toward different y-levels (y = 5 from the left, y = 3
from the right) in the vicinity of c = 4.
LEARNINGS…
Limit is a fundamental concepts in
* learning Calculus.
Limit is the value that a function "approaches"
* as the input "approaches" some value.
We can use the table of values and graph of a
* function to determine its limit.
Limit notation is a way to express the limit of a
* function
 There are things that we can't
work out directly, but we can see
what it should be as we get closer
and closer to it!