BASIC CALCULUS

QUARTER 3: MODULE 2
Calculating Limits of Transcendental
Functions & Indeterminate Forms

PREPARED BY:
MS. JOAN L. MONCAWE, LPT
 Calculating Limits of Transcendental
Functions & Indeterminate Forms
II Lesson

After going through this learning material, you are expected to:
1.) Calculate the limits of exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions using
table of values and graphs of a function;
2.) Evaluate limits of a function in relation with special limits and indeterminate forms;
3.) Realize the importance of limits of a function into real-life situation.

Learning Task 1: Evaluate a function that has in relation with exponential, loga-
rithmic and trigonometric function given the specified value of x.
Exponential
1. f(x) = 62x – 5, when x = 2

2. f(x) = , when x = -1
Logarithmic

3. f(x) = , when x = 10

4. f(x) = , when x = 9
Trigonometric

5. f(x) = , when x = 13 ( in the given function is in degree measure)

6. f(x) = cos (4x – 16), when x = 4 ( in the given function is in degree measure)

A
Learning Task 2: Complete the table of values representing the two one-sided
limits of the given exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric function. Evaluate
the given limit of a function by observing the table of values.

1. 2. 3.

0 2 1
0.5 2.5 1.5
0.99 2.99 1.99
0.9999 2.9999 1.9999

BASIC CALCULUS 2
 2 4 3
1.5 3.5 2.5
1.01 3.01 2.01
1.0001 3.0001 2.0001

Note; ( in the given trigonometric function is in degree measure)

Guide Questions:
1. When can you say that a given function illustrates a.) exponential; b.) loga-
rithmic; and c.) trigonometric?
2. How can you describe the two one-sided limits of the first to third example?
3. If you will be evaluating the given function from first to third example, what
is the value of a.) f(1); b.) f(3); and c.) f(2)?
4. By observing the limit of the given functions from first to third example,
what can you conclude on evaluating the limits of an exponential, logarithmic
and trigonometric functions?

DISCUSSION

Since = 8 and = 8 therefore by transitive property of equality

= . Thus, it implies that = 8. Moreover, if we will be evaluat-

ing f(1) = 2x+2 then f(1) = 8. By Theorem 3, we can conclude that = f(1).

Furthermore, = 1 and = 1, therefore

= 1 which is also the same value if we will be finding f(3) of the given
logarithmic function.

Likewise, = 0.5 and = 0.5, therefore

= 0.5.

As can be observed on the table of values, if f is either exponential, logarithmic, or

trigonometric and c is a real number which is in the domain of f then,

This statement has in connection with Theorem 2 which is on the week 1 of our
learning material.

3
 0 4 2 0.845098 1 0.258819
0.5 5.656854 2.5 0.929419 1.5 0.362438
0.99 7.944739 2.99 0.998695 1.99 0.496982
0.9999 7.999446 2.9999 0.999987 1.9999 0.499969

2 16 4 1.113943 3 0.819152
1.5 11.313709 3.5 1.060698 2.5 0.659346
1.01 8.055644 3.01 1.001301 2.01 0.503027
1.0001 8.000555 3.0001 1.000013 2.0001 0.500030
Moreover, we need to consider the following formula,

and where a > 1

2. and , where 0<a<1.

3. and
Illustrative Examples
Evaluate the limit of the given exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric function.

Solution: Since 3 is a real number, therefore by Theorem 2 . Thus,

we need to evaluate the given function f(x) = when x = 3.

f(3) = Rewrite the given exponential function

= Substitute x= 3 to the given function

= Simplify the exponent

= Simplify

f(3) =

Since f(3) = , therefore = .

BASIC CALCULUS 4
2. (In this example, you can use calculator)

Solution: Since 5 is a real number, therefore by Theorem 2 . Thus,

we need to evaluate the given function f(x) = when x = 5.

f(5) = Rewrite the given exponential function

= Substitute x= 5 to the given function

= Simplify the exponent

f(5) = 1103.633158 Use calculator and press e raised to 7 + 7

Since f(5) = 1103.633158, therefore = 1103.633158.

3.

Solution: Since 5 is a real number, therefore by Theorem 2 . Thus,

we need to evaluate the given function f(x) = when x = 5.

f(5) = Rewrite the given logarithmic function

= Substitute x= 5 to the given function

= Simplify
f(5) =4 Simplify the given logarithmic expression

Note that to simplify logarithmic equation x = , better to transform

this into exponential equation which is 3x = 81. You need to think of exponent of 3
that will result to 81 and that is 4.

Since f(5) = 4, therefore = 4.

4. (In this example, you can use calculator)

Solution: Since -3 is a real number, therefore by Theorem 2 .

Thus, we need to evaluate the given function f(x) = when x = -3.

f(-3) = Rewrite the given logarithmic function

= Substitute x= -3 to the given function

= Simplify
f(5) = 0.693147 Use calculator and press ln 2

5
Since f(-3) = 0.693147, therefore = 0.693147.

5.

Solution: Since 4 is a real number, therefore by Theorem 2 . Thus,

we need to evaluate the given function f(x) = when x =

4.

f(4) = Rewrite the given logarithmic function

= Substitute x= 4 to the given function

= Simplify
=2+5 Simplify the given logarithmic expression
f(4) =7

Since f(4) = 7, therefore = 7.

6. ( in the given trigonometric function is in radian measure)

Solution: Since is a real number, therefore by Theorem 2 .

Thus, we need to evaluate the given function f(x) = cos x when x = .

f( ) = cos x Rewrite the given trigonometric function

= cos Substitute x= to the given function

f( ) = -1 Simplify the given trigonometric expression

Since f( ) = -1, therefore = -1

7. ( in the given trigonometric function is in radian measure)

Solution: Since is a real number, therefore by Theorem 2 .

Thus, we need to evaluate the given function f(x)= when x = .

f( ) = Rewrite the given trigonometric function

= Substitute x= to the given function

= Simplify the given trigonometric expression

f( ) =

Since f( )= , therefore =

BASIC CALCULUS 6
The figure below shows the graph of . Using the graph, find the follow-
ing

1. = 0 since the graph from the left of

0 is approach to y = 0.

2. = -4 since the graph on the left and

right side of is getting closer and closer to y = -4.

3. = 4 since the graph on the left and

right side of is getting closer and closer to y = 4.

SPECIAL LIMITS

=1 B. =0 C. =1
Illustrative Examples

1.

Solution: Since = 3t and it follows = 0 therefore, =0

2.
Solution:

* Multiplication Theorem
=1*1 Special Limits

=1

Indeterminate Forms of type “ ”

If = 0 and = 0 then is called an indeterminate form of “ ”.

To find the value of an indeterminate form, it is essential to apply factoring or by
rationalizing.
Illustrative Examples

1.
Solution: The limit of the given function in the numerator and denominator is 0
which implies that it has in connection with indeterminate forms. By applying
the concept of factoring,

, when x 6

Therefore,

7
 = 10

BASIC CALCULUS 8
 2.
Solution: The limit of the given function in the numerator and denominator is 0
which implies that it has in connection with indeterminate forms. By applying
the concept of rationalizing the numerator, (note that rationalization can be ap-
plied in the numerator or denominator where the radical expression located)

Multiply both numerator and denominator by the

conjugate

Apply sum and difference in multiplying the expres-

sions in the numerator

Simplify the expression with exponent in the

numerator

Simplify 3 – 4 = -1

Cancel x2 – 1

Therefore,

B
Learning Task 3: Evaluate the limits of the given exponential, logarithmic and

trigonometric function. (

1. 6.

2. 7.

8.
3.

9.
4.

10.
5.

9
Learning Task 4: Evaluate the limit of a function using the concept of special lim-
its.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

Learning Task 5: Evaluate the limit of a function using the concept of indetermi- nate forms.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

BASIC CALCULUS 10