Math 111

CALCULUS 1

Danilo C. Basista

University of Eastern Philippines

College of Science
Overview
Calculus 1 is a four-unit course. This course is an introduction to calculus with
analytic geometry. It covers lines, circles, conic sections, special functions, limits,
continuity, derivatives and their applications, differentials, antiderivatives, definite
integrals and their applications.

Try to recall and review your knowledge and skills in performing operations on
polynomials and functions, factoring, solving different kinds of equations and
inequalities, using trigonometric identities and solving word problems as you will need
these in studying Calculus 1.

These instructional materials will serve as your guide in learning Calculus 1.

Study the topics as presented, but do not limit your study of Calculus 1 to this
instructional materials. Do read calculus books and browse the internet for materials in
Calculus. The most effective way of learning mathematics is through practice, by solving
problems. You will need plenty of practice to learn mathematics, and the more practice
you do the better. Remember this one, you cannot learn mathematics by merely reading
books or by listening to your professor.

Exercises and assignments are contained in the materials. Work out the exercises
and assignments. Answers to exercises are provided at the end of every lesson to check
your understanding. Assignments are to be submitted on a date to be set by your
professor.

If you have difficulty in understanding a lesson, seek the assistance of your

professor. Seek also the help of your classmates when you do not understand a problem.
Often, they are able to explain the concepts and processes to you, better than your professor.

How to be good at mathematics? Practice, practice, practice . . .

 1
INTRODUCTION

to

LIMITS OF FUNCTIONS

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, you are expected to:

1. determine the limit of a function using a table of values.

2. distinguish between the limit of a function and the value of a function.

3. determine the limit of a function graphically.

 f(x) 1.1 Introduction to Limits of Functions
The limit of a function is one of the fundamental concepts in calculus. It concerns
with the behavior of the function f near a particular value of x. Limit describes how a
function behaves near a point, but not at that point.

Consider a function f of a single variable x. Let a be a real number.

The limit of f, denoted by L, is the unique real value that f(x) will approach as x
approaches a. In symbols, we write it as

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = L.
𝒙→𝒂

[This is read as, “The limit of f(x) as x approaches a is L”.]

Important:
x→a means that the value of x only
approaches a, but not equal to a.
x→a is not the same as x = a,

Illustration. where a is a real number.

Consider the function f(x) = x + 3.

We will find 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟑)

𝒙→𝟎 𝒙→𝟎

Solution:

To evaluate the given limit, we will assign values of x and solve for
corresponding values of f(x). Note that in a number line (see below), 0 can be approach
in two ways: through values on the left of 0 and through values on the right of 0.

| | | | | | |
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3

We will now assign values of x and solve for corresponding values of f(x).
Remember that the values of x that will be chosen must be getting closer to 0.
Consider values of x approaching 0 from the left.
Note:
when x = -1, f(-1) = -1 + 3 = 2 In assigning values of x, you can
start with any value of x, provided it
x = -0.5, f(-0.5) = -0.5 + 3 = 2.5 is in the left side of 0 for this
example. You can start with value of
x = -0.25, f(-0.25) = -0.25 + 3 = 2.75 x = -0.5 or you can also choose to
start with value of x = -0.1. You can
x = -0.1, f(-0.1) = -0.1 + 3 = 2.9 even start with x = -3 or with x= -10,
but it will entail a lot more
x = -0.01, f(-0.01) = -0.01 + 3 = 2.99 computations on your part.
The only consideration is you
x = -0.001, f(-0.001) = -0.001 + 3 = 2.999 should be getting closer to 0, and
from the corresponding values of f(x)
x = -0.0001, f(-0.0001) = -0.0001 + 3 = 2.9999 you can describe the behavior of f(x)
or determine the value that is being
approach by f(x) as x gets closer and
closer to 0.

x -1 -0.5 -0.25 -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 -0.0001

f(x) 2 2.5 2.75 2.9 2.99 2.999 2.9999

Observe that as x get closer and closer to 0 from the left,

f(x) will be equal to
3 if only x is equal to
f(x) get closer and closer to 3, but f(x) will never be equal to 3. 0. But, if x gets
ONLY closer and
In symbols, closer to 0, and
hence f(x) also gets
𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟑 closer and closer to
𝒙→𝟎−
3 but not equal to 3.

Consider values of x approaching 0 from the right.

x 1 0.5 0.25 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001

f(x) 4 3.5 3.25 3.1 3.01 3.001 3.0001

We can also observe that as x get closer and closer to 0 from the right, f(x) get
closer and closer to 3. In symbols,

𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟑
𝒙→𝟎+
 From these two tables of values, we observe that

𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦+(𝒙 + 𝟑)
𝒙→𝟎− 𝒙→𝟎

Since the limit of f(x) as x approaches 0 from the left is equal to the limit of f(x)
as x approaches 0 from the right, we can conclude that

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟑

𝒙→𝟎 𝒙→𝟎

Examples 1.1
1.) Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝐱 + 𝟑) by constructing table of values.
𝐱→𝟓

Solution:

Our f(x) = x + 3. We will investigate the behavior of f(x), we will

determine the real number along the y-axis that f(x) approaches as x approaches 5.
To do this, we will assign values of x, and solve for the value of f(x). We can
approach 5 in two ways: through values on the left of 5, and through values on
the right of 5.

Note that the value of x must be approaching the value of 5.

∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
3 4 5 6 7

Approaching 5 from the left,

x 4 4.5 4.9 4.99 4.999 4.9999

f(x) 7 7.5 7.9 7.99 7.999 7.9999
 From the previous table, we observe that f(x) gets closer and closer to 8 as x gets
closer and closer to 5 from the left.

In symbols,

𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟖
𝒙→𝟓−

Approaching 5 from the right,

x 6 5.5 5.1 5.01 5.001 5.0001

f(x) 9 8.5 8.1 8.01 8.001 8.0001

From the table above, we observe that f(x) gets closer and closer to 8 as x gets
closer and closer to 5 from the right. In symbols,

𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟖
𝒙→𝟓+

Since 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦+(𝒙 + 𝟑)

𝒙→𝟓− 𝒙→𝟓

Therefore,

𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟖
𝒙→𝟓

𝐱 𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
2.) Investigate 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝐱→𝟓 𝐱−𝟓

Solution: We will show here two methods of evaluating the limit of the given

function.

Method A. (Without factoring)

𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
Our f(x) = 𝒙−𝟓
Approaching 5 from the left,

(4.9)2 −25
when x = 4.9, f(4.9) = = 9.9
4.9−5

(4.99)2 −25
x = 4.99, f(4.99) = = 9.99, and so on…
4.99−5

x 4.9 4.99 4.999 4.9999

f(x) 9.9 9.99 9.999 9.9999

𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
From the table above, 𝐥𝐢𝐦− = 𝟏𝟎
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙−𝟓

Approaching 5 from the right,

x 5.1 5.01 5.001 5.0001

f(x) 10.1 10.01 10.001 10.0001

𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
From the table above, 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ = 𝟏𝟎
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙−𝟓

𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓 𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
Since 𝐥𝐢𝐦− = 𝐥𝐢𝐦+
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙−𝟓 𝒙→𝟓 𝒙−𝟓

Therefore,

𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 10
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙−𝟓
Method B. (With factoring)

Note that we can factor the numerator of the function.

𝐱 𝟐 −𝟐𝟓 (𝒙+𝟓)(𝒙−𝟓)
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟓) - - - - - equation ①
𝐱→𝟓 𝐱−𝟓 𝒙→𝟓 𝒙−𝟓 𝒙→𝟓

Remarks:
𝑥 2 −25
lim = lim (𝑥 + 5) does NOT mean that
𝑥→5 𝑥−5 𝑥→5

𝑥 2 −25
𝑥−5
= x + 5, for all values of x. Observe that when x = 5,

the value of the left-hand side of the second equation is

not defined because the denominator is equal to zero,
while the value of the right-hand side is equal to 10.

But take note that the equation

𝑥 2 −25
lim = lim (𝑥 + 5) is valid because in this equation
𝑥→5 𝑥−5 𝑥→5

involving limits the value of x only approaches 5, but not

equal to 5.

𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
Instead of f(x) = as used in Method A, we can use the simpler
𝒙−𝟓

f(x) = (x + 5) to construct the table of values.

We can now construct the table of values of x and f(x) = x + 5

Approaching 5 from the left,

when x = 4.9, f(4.9) = 4.9 + 5 = 9.9

x = 4.99, f(4.99) = 4.99 + 5 = 9.99, and so on…

x 4.9 4.99 4.999 4.9999

f(x) 9.9 9.99 9.999 9.9999

Hence, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 + 𝟓) = 𝟏𝟎 - - - - - - equation ②

𝒙→𝟓−
 Approaching 5 from the right,

x 5.1 5.01 5.001 5.0001

f(x) 10.1 10.01 10.001 10.0001

Hence, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙 + 𝟓) = 𝟏𝟎 - - - - - -equation ③

𝒙→𝟓+

Since 𝐥𝐢𝐦−(𝒙 + 𝟓) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦

+
(𝒙 + 𝟓) - - - eq’n ② = eq’n ③
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙𝟓

Thus, 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟓) = 𝟏𝟎
𝒙→𝟓

𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
But, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟓) - - -from eq’n ①
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙−𝟓 𝒙→𝟓

Therefore,

𝐱 𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 10
𝐱→𝟓 𝐱−𝟓

𝟏
3.) Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( )
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙

Solution:

𝟏
f(x) = 𝒙

Approaching 0 from the left,

x -1 -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 -0.0001 ... -0.00000000000000000001

f(x) -1 -10 -100 -1000 -10000 ... -100000000000000000000

Observe that as x approaches 0 from the left, f(x) keeps getting smaller
and smaller (the numerical value is large but it is negative). We say, that f(x)
decreases without bound as x approaches 0. Or we can say that the limit of f(x)
 as x approaches 0 from the left is negative infinity (the notation for decreases
without bound).

In symbols,

𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦− ( ) = −∞
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙

Approaching 0 from the right,

x 1 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001 ... 0.00000000000000000001

f(x) 1 10 100 1000 10000 ... 100000000000000000000

As x approaches 0 from the right, f(x) keeps getting bigger and bigger (the
numerical value is large and it is positive), f(x) increases without bound as x approaches
0. We say that the limit of f(x) as x approaches 0 from the right is positive infinity. In
symbols,

𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦+ ( ) = +∞
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙

𝟏 𝟏
Since 𝐥𝐢𝐦− (𝒙) ≠ 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ (𝒙)
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙→𝟎

In such case, we say that the limit of f(x) does not exist (DNE).

In symbols,

Answer: 𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙) does not exist
𝒙→𝟎
Important:
or
We do not write
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐷𝑁𝐸,
𝟏 𝑥→𝑎
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) 𝑫𝑵𝑬 because “DNE” is not a
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙
value. Do not put the
equal sign. Also, we do
not say that lim 𝑓(𝑥) is
𝑥→𝑎
equal to DNE. It is simply
read as, “the lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
does not exist”.
4.) Investigate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) through table of values
𝒙→−𝟐

𝒙 + 𝟑, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 ≤ −𝟐
if f(x) = {
𝟑 − 𝒙, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 > −𝟐

Solution:

We have two values of f(x) here,

f(x) = x + 3 if x ≤ -2, and

f(x) = 3 - x if x > -2

The definition of f(x) tells us that if the value of x ≤ -2, we will use the

equation f(x) = x+3 to solve for f(x). These are values of x which are to the left

of -2 and the -2 itself.

If the value of x > -2, we will use f(x) = 3 – x to solve for f(x). These
are the values of x which are to the right of -2.

x ≤ -2 x > -2

∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣

−6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2

use f(x) = x + 3 use f(x) = 3 – x

We will now construct the table of values.

Approaching -2 from the left. We will use f(x) = x + 3

x -3 -2.1 -2.01 -2.001 -2.0001

f(x) 0 0.9 0.99 0.999 0.9999
 Based on the previous table, 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟏
𝒙→−𝟐

Approaching -2 from the right. We will use f(x) = 3 – x

x -1 -1.9 -1.99 -1.999 -1.9999

f(x) 4 4.9 4.99 4.999 4.9999

Based on the table, 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟓

𝒙→−𝟐

Since 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙) ≠ 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇(𝒙)

𝒙→−𝟐 𝒙→−𝟐

Therefore,

Answer: 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕

𝒙→−𝟐
Key Points 1.1
From the previous examples, we can have the following observations:

1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) is read as “limit of f(x) as x approaches a”, where a is any real numbers.
𝒙→𝒂

2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙) is read as “the limit of f(x) as x approaches a from the left,
𝒙→𝒂

or through values less than a”.

3. 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇(𝒙) is read as “the limit of f(x) as x approaches a from the right,
𝒙→𝒂

or through values greater than a”.

The limits, 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙) and 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇(𝒙) are referred to as

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

one-sided limits, since we consider only one side of a

when using it.

4. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 if and only if 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 and 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳.

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

(a) In our Illustration, lim (𝑥 + 3) = 3 since lim− (𝑥 + 3) = 3 and

𝑥→0 𝑥→0

lim (𝑥 + 3) = 3.
𝑥→0+

(b) In Example 1, lim(𝑥 + 3) = 8 because

𝑥→5

lim (𝑥 + 3) = lim (𝑥 + 3) = 8.
𝑥→5− 𝑥→5+

x2 −25
(c) In Example 2, lim = 10 because
x→5 x−5

𝑥 2 −25 𝑥 2 −25
lim− = lim+ = 10
𝑥→5 𝑥−5 𝑥→5 𝑥−5
5. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 whenever 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙) ≠ 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇(𝒙).
𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

1 1 1
(a) In Example 3, lim (𝑥) does not exist since lim− (𝑥) ≠ lim+ (𝑥).
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0

(b) In Example 4, lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡 because

𝑥→−2

lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim + 𝑓(𝑥).

𝑥→−2− 𝑥→−2

Exercises 1.1

Evaluate the following using table of values.

1.) lim(6 − 3𝑥)

𝑥→3

1
2.) lim
𝑥→−1 𝑥+1

√𝑥−1
3.) lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1

𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < −1
4.) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑖𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) = {
𝑥→−1 𝑥2 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ −1

𝑥 2 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 1
5.) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑖𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) = {
𝑥→1 2𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 1
Assignment 1.1
Evaluate the following using table of values.

1.) lim(3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 5)
𝑥→2

2.) lim (2𝑥 + 5)

𝑥→−4

3.) lim 3
𝑥→3

𝑥 3 −27
4.) lim
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 −9

x2 −1
5.) lim
x→1 x−1

2𝑥 2 +9𝑥+4
6.) lim
𝑥→−4 3𝑥 2 +11𝑥−4

7.) lim √𝑥 − 1
𝑥→10

3
√𝑥 − 1
8.) lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1

For numbers 9 and 10,

Given:

𝑥+1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ −1
𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥 2 𝑖𝑓 − 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
2−𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 1

9.) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→−1

10.) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→1
 f(x) 1.2 Graphical Representation of the Limit of a

Function and the Value of the Function

The limit of a function can be easily determined by looking at the graph of the
function. As discussed in the previous section, the limit of a function is the real number L
that f(x) approaches as x approaches a real number a.

Illustration.

1.) Consider the function in our Illustration in Section 1.1, f(x) = x+3.

The graph of f(x) is a straight line shown below.

Going through with the graph of f(x), we can see that as x approaches 0 on
the x-axis from the left as shown by the red line, f(x) approaches 3 on the y-axis.
The graph confirms that

lim (𝑥 + 3) = 3.
𝑥→0−

Also, we can observe that as x gets closer and closer to 0 on the x-axis
from the right as shown by the blue line, f(x) gets closer and closer to 3 on the
y-axis. Again, this confirms that
 lim (𝑥 + 3) = 3.
𝑥→0+

The graph also confirms that 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟑.

𝒙→𝟎

What is now the value of the function at x = 0? The value of the function at x = 0 is
simply the value of f(0). Solving for f(0).

We are given that f(x) = x+ 3

Solving for the value of f when x = 0, f(0) = 0 + 3

f(0) = 3. (this the value of the function at x = 0)

Note that the 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝒇(𝟎).

𝒙→𝟎

We observe that the limit of the function as x approaches 0 is equal to the value
of the function when x = 0. But do not generalize hastily this observation because as you
will see later in our other examples, the limit of a function is not always equal to the
value of the function.
Examples 1.2
1.) Determine 𝒍𝒊𝒎(𝒙 + 𝟑) graphically and compare it with the value of the
𝒙→𝟓

function at x = 5

Solution:

The graph of f(x) = x + 3 is the green line shown below.

From the graph, lim−(𝑥 + 3) = 8 and lim (𝑥 + 3) = 8.

𝑥→5 𝑥→5+

Clearly from the graph, we can see that 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟖.

𝒙→𝟓

The value of the function at x= 5 is f(5) = 5 + 3

f(5) = 8. (the value of the function when x=5)

Hence,

𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝒇(𝟓)
𝒙→𝟓

Again, we observe that the limit of the given function as x approaches 5 is equal
to the value of the function when x = 5.
 𝐱 𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
2.) Investigate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 graphically.
𝐱→𝟓 𝐱−𝟓

𝐱 𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
Compare 𝐥𝐢𝐦 and 𝒇(𝟓).
𝐱→𝟓 𝐱−𝟓

Solution:

𝑥 2 −25
The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = is the green line as shown below.
𝑥−5

𝑥 2 −25 𝑥 2 −25
From the graph, lim− = 10 and lim+ = 10.
𝑥→5 𝑥−5 𝑥→5 𝑥−5

𝒙𝟐 −𝟐𝟓
Also, we can see from the graph that 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝟏𝟎.
𝒙→𝟓 𝒙−𝟓

Solving for the value of the function at x = 5.

𝑥 2 −25
Observe that 𝑓(𝑥) = is not defined at x = 5. That is,
𝑥−5

55 −25 0
𝑓(5) = = 0 which is an indeterminate form.
5−5

We say that the value of the function is not defined at x = 5.

Thus, we say that the limit of the given function as x approaches 5 is NOT equal
to the value of the function when x = 5.
3.) Investigate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) graphically
𝒙→−𝟐

𝒙 + 𝟑, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 ≤ −𝟐
if f(x) = {
𝟑 − 𝒙, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 > −𝟐

Compare 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) and 𝒇(−𝟐).

𝒙→−𝟐

Solution:

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = x + 3 if x ≤ -2 is the blue line.

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥)= 3 – x if x > -2 is the violet line

Going through with the graph of f(x), we can see that as x

approaches -2 from the left, f(x) approaches 1. (Note: This 1 is taken along the y-axis)
 In symbols,

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim −(𝑥 + 3) = 1.

𝑥→−2− 𝑥→−2

Also, we can observe that as x gets closer and closer to -2

from the right, f(x) gets closer and closer to 5. (Note: This 5 is read along the y-axis)

We write

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim +(3 − 𝑥) = 5.

𝑥→−2+ 𝑥→−2

Notice that f(x) approaches two different values as x gets closer and closer to -2,
depending on which direction x is approaches from. It is not completely correct to say
that the limit of f(x) is equal to 1 as x approaches -2 because as we know it is only correct
if we are approaching -2 from the left, but not if we are approaching -2 from the right. In
the same manner, that is not entirely correct to say that the limit of f(x) is equal to 5 as x
get closer and closer to -2.

Hence, we say that the limit of f(x) as x approaches -2 does not exist.

That is,

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕. ---①

𝒙→−𝟐

Solving for the value of the function at x = -2.

We are given two functions. What function are we going to use to solve for the
value of the function at x = -2?

𝒙 + 𝟑, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 ≤ −𝟐
Look at the given function, f(x) = {
𝟑 − 𝒙, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 > −𝟐

To solve for the value of the function when 𝒙 = −2, we will use 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙 + 𝟑.

Hence, the value of the function when 𝑥 = −2 is

𝒇(−𝟐) = −2 + 3 = 𝟏 ---②

Therefore, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ≠ 𝒇(−𝟐).

𝒙→−𝟐
 𝟏
4.) Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) graphically.
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙

Solution:

1
The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 is shown below.

1 1
From the graph, lim− (𝑥) = −∞ and lim+ (𝑥) = +∞. They are not equal.
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

𝟏
Hence, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝒙) 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕.
𝒙→𝟎

Solving for the value of the function at x = 0.

1
Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥

1
Substituting x = 0, 𝑓(0) = . This is undefined.
0

So, 𝒇(𝟎) is undefined.

Again, the limit of the function is not equal to the value of the function.
5.) Given the multicolored-graph of f.

Legend:

- closed interval or including the point

- open interval or excluding the point

From the graph,

1.) lim − 𝑓(𝑥) = 4

𝑥→−6

2.) lim + 𝑓(𝑥) = 6

𝑥→−6

3.) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐷𝑁𝐸

𝑥→−6

4.) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 2

𝑥→0

5.) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 2

𝑥→0

6.) lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2

𝑥→0

7.) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 4

𝑥→6

8.) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 10

𝑥→6

9.) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐷𝑁𝐸

𝑥→6

10.) 𝑓(−6) = 4

11.) 𝑓(0) = 2

12.) 𝑓(6) = 6

13.) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

𝑥→2

14.) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

𝑥→2

15.) lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

𝑥→2

16.) 𝑓(2) = −8
Key Points 1.2
1.) The limit of a function as x approaches a is NOT the same as the value of the

function at x = a. They are two different concepts.

2.) The limit of a function as x approaches a may or may not be equal to the value of

the function at x = a.

3.) A function does not need to exist at x = a for the limit of the function to exist at

that point. (See Example 2)

4.) A function may have a value at x = a, but the limit of the function at that point may

not exist, (See Example 3)

Assignment 1.2
Given the graph of the function f as shown below

Legend:

- closed interval or including the point

- open interval or excluding the point

Required:

1.) lim − 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→−2

2.) lim + 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→−2

3.) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→−2

4.) 𝑓(−2)

5.) lim− 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→0

6.) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→0

7.) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→0

8.) 𝑓(0)

9.) lim− 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→3

10.) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→3

11.) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→3

12.) 𝑓(3)
Suggested Readings
1.) Feliciano and Uy. Differential and Integral Calculus.

2.) Love, Clyde E. and Rainville, Earl D. Differential and Integral Calculus,

6th ed.

References
Leithold, Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte. Ltd. 2002

Ayres, Frank Jr. and Mendelson, Elliott. Theory and Problems of Differential
and Integral Calculus, 3rd ed. McGraw-Hill Book Company. 1992

Answer’s Key
Exercises 1.1

1.) -3

2.) DNE

1
3.) 2

4.) 1

5.) DNE
Exercises 1.2

1.) 1

2.) 1

3.) 1

4.) 1

5.) 4

6.) 4

7.) 4

8.) -2

9.) -1

10.) 4

11.) DNE

12.) 2