Basic Calculus

Quarter 3 – Module 2:
Limit Laws
 What I Need to Know

One of the main reasons why this module was created is to ensure that it will assist you to
understand the usage of these limit laws and know how to apply these on certain functions.

When you finish this module, you will be able to:

1. illustrate the limit laws. STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-3

2. apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions (polynomial, rational & radical).
STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-4

What I Know (Practice)

Calculate the limits of the following functions. Write the letter of the correct answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. lim(3)
𝑥→1

A. 3 B. 5 C. 4 D. 2

2. lim(4𝑥)
𝑥→2

A. 3 B. 8 C. 6 D. 7

3. lim(𝑥2 + 2)
𝑥→3

A. 15 B. 12 C. 13 D. 11

4. lim[(𝑥) (𝑥 + 3)]
𝑥→4

A. 24 B. 25 C. 27 D. 28

𝑥+1
5. lim ( )
𝑥→0 2−𝑥

A. B. C. D.

6. lim(4)
𝑥→1

A. 3 B. 5 C. 4 D. 2
7. lim(3𝑥)
𝑥→2

A. 3 B. 8 C. 6 D. 7

8. lim(𝑥2 + 7)
𝑥→2

A. 15 B. 12 C. 13 D. 11

9. lim[(𝑥)(𝑥 + 5)]
𝑥→3

A. 24 B. 25 C. 27 D. 28
𝑥+1
10. lim ( )
𝑥→4 𝑥−2

A. B. C. D.

𝑥→1

A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5

2𝑥2+7𝑥−15
12. lim ( )
𝑥→−5 𝑥+5
A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 8

13. lim(𝑥5 − 2𝑥3 + 1)20

𝑥→1

A. 3 B. –2 C. –1 D. 0

𝑥2−9
14. lim ( )
𝑥→3 𝑥−3
A. – 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6

𝑥−4
15. lim ( )
𝑥→4
A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D.6
 Lesson

1 Limit Laws

What are laws and why are they created? For sure there will be lots of explanation about it,
one of which is that it is a rule that is meant to be followed for greater good. The Limit lesson has its
own laws as well and it was made because of the advantages it can provide in solving the limits of
different functions.

What’s In (Graded)

Solve for the limit of the given item using the table of values. Write your solution on a separate
sheet of paper. (Use calculator whenever necessary)

𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
Given: lim ( )
𝑥 →3 𝑥−3

Table A. (for x values that approaches 3 from the left)

𝑥 2.8 2.9 2.99

Table B. (for 𝑥 values that approaches 3 from the right)

𝑥 3.001 3.01 3.1

What’s New (Graded)

Read and follow the steps in solving the limit of a function using these different methods. Fill
in the blanks to complete the solution of the given. Copy and answer the table on a separate sheet of
paper.

𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
Given: lim ( )
𝑥 →3 𝑥−3

Steps Solution
 1. Observe the given function.
Since it is a rational function,
check whether its numerator
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 6 = (𝑥 + _____) (𝑥 − _____)
or denominator is factorable.

2. Since the numerator is

factorable, it is evident that (𝑥 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 3)
− 3) can be divided. lim [ ]
𝑥 →3 𝑥−3

3. What is left is just (𝑥 + 2), since

it is a polynomial function;
direct substitution is
applicable because it has no lim(𝑥 + 2)
domain restrictions. 𝑥→3
4. Perform the operation.
[(3) + 2] = _____

5. Indicate the final answer. 𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 6

lim ( ) = _______
𝑥 →3 𝑥−3

What is It

Limit laws are used as alternative ways in solving the limit of a function without using table of
values and graphs.

Below are the different laws that can be applied in various situations to solve for the limit of a function.

A. The limit of a constant is itself. If k is any constant, then, lim (𝑘) = 𝑘

𝑥 →𝑐
Example:
1. lim(5) = 5
𝑥→𝑐

2. lim(−9) = −9
𝑥→𝑐

B. The limit of 𝑥 as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is equal to c. That is, lim (𝑥 ) = 𝐶

𝑥 →𝑐
Examples:

1. lim (𝑥) = 8 2. lim (𝑥) = −2

𝑥→8 𝑥→−2
 For the remaining theorems, we will assume that the limits of f and g both exist as x approaches
c and that they are L and M, respectively. In other words,
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 and 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

C. The Constant Multiple Theorem. The limit of a constant 𝑘 times a function is equal to the
product of that constant and its function’s limit.

[𝒌 ∙ 𝒇(𝒙)] = 𝒌 ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ∙ 𝑳

𝒙→𝒄

Examples: If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 , then

𝑥→𝑐

1. lim 5 . 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 . lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 . 3 = 15

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2. lim (−9) . 𝑓(𝑥) = (−9) . lim 𝑓(𝑥) = (−9) . 3 = −27

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

D. The Addition theorem. The limit of a sum of functions is the sum of the limits of the individual
functions.

𝐥𝐢𝐦 [ 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙) ] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 + 𝑴

𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Examples:

1. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −4, then

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim ( 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 3 + (−4) = −1

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −5 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −2, then

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim( 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −5 + (−4) = −9

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

E. The Subtraction Theorem. The limit of a difference of functions is the difference of the limits of
the individual functions.

𝐥𝐢𝐦 [ 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 − 𝑴

𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Examples:

1. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −4, then

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim ( 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) − lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 3 − (−4) = 7

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
 2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −5 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −2, then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim ( 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) − lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −5 − (−4) = −1

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

F. The Multiplication Theorem. The limit of a product of functions is the product of the limits of
the individual functions.

𝐥𝐢𝐦 [ 𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 ∙ 𝑴

𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Examples:

1. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −4, then

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim( 𝑓(𝑥) . 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) . lim 𝑔(𝑥) = (3)(−4) = −12

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −5 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −2, then

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim ( 𝑓(𝑥) . 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) . lim 𝑔(𝑥) = (−5)(−4) = 20

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

G. The Division Theorem. The limit of a quotient of functions is the quotient of the limits of the
individual functions, provided that the denominator is not equal to zero.

𝒇(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒄 𝒇(𝒙) 𝑳

𝐥𝐢𝐦 [ ________ ] = = , 𝑴≠𝟎
𝒙→𝒄 𝒈(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄
Examples:
1. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −6, then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

𝑓 (𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 3 1

𝑥 →𝑐
lim [𝑔 (𝑥)] = = = −2
𝑥→𝑐 lim 𝑔(𝑥) −6
𝑥→𝑐
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 7, then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

𝑓 (𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 0

𝑥 →𝑐
lim [ ]= = = 0
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔 (𝑥) lim 𝑔(𝑥) 7
𝑥→𝑐

H. The Power Theorem. The limit of an integer power 𝑝 of a function is just that power of the limit
of the function.
𝒑
𝐥𝐢𝐦 [𝒇(𝒙)]𝒑 = [𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)] = (𝑳)𝒑
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
Examples:
 1. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3, then
𝑥→𝑐
4
lim[𝑓(𝑥)]4 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] = (3)4 = 81
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −4, then

𝑥→𝑐
3
lim[𝑓(𝑥)]3 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] = (−4)3 = −64
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

I. The Radical/Root Theorem. If 𝑛 is a positive integer, the limit of the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of a function is
just the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of the limit of the function, provided that the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of the limit is a real
number.

𝑛 𝑛
lim √𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√lim 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝐿 =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Examples:

1. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 8, then

𝑥→𝑐

3
lim 3√𝑓(𝑥) = 3√lim 𝑓(𝑥) = √8 = 2
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 64, then

𝑥→𝑐

lim √𝑓(𝑥) = √lim 𝑓(𝑥) = √64 = 8

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

More examples:

1. Find: lim(𝑥2 + 4𝑥 − 3)
𝑥→4
Solution:
Steps Solution

1. Apply Addition Law Theorem. lim(𝑥2) + lim(4𝑥) + lim(−3)

𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4
2. Apply Power Theorem on the 2
first term. [lim 𝑥] + lim(4𝑥) + lim(−3)
𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4
2
3. Apply Multiplication Theorem
on the second term.
[lim 𝑥] + 4 [lim 𝑥] + lim(−3)
𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4
 4. Apply the limit of 𝑥 as 42 + 4(4) + lim(−3)
𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is equal to c. 𝑥→4

5. Apply the limit of a constant is

the constant itself.
42 + 4(4) + (−3)

6. Simplify. 16 + 16 − 3 = 29

𝑥+5
2. Solve: lim (𝑥+2)
𝑥 →1

Solution:
Steps Solution
lim (𝑥 + 5)
𝑥→1
1. Apply Division Theorem. lim (𝑥 + 2)
𝑥 →1

2. Apply Addition Theorem on the lim (𝑥) + lim (5)

numerator and denominator. 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
lim (𝑥) + lim ( 2)
𝑥 →1 𝑥→1

3. Apply the limit of 𝑥 as 1 +lim (5)

𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is equal to c. 1 + lim (2)

4. Apply the limit of a constant is

the constant itself.

5. Simplify. 6
=2
3

3. Determine: lim √66 − 𝑥

𝑥→2

Solution:
Steps Solution

1. Apply Radical/Root Theorem.

2. Apply Subtraction Theorem. √lim

𝑥→2
(66) − lim(𝑥)
𝑥→2

3. Apply the limit of a constant is

the constant itself and the
limit of 𝑥 as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is
equal to c.
 4. Simplify.
𝟖

𝑥−3
4. Evaluate: lim (𝑥 2 −𝑥−6)
𝑥 →3
Solution:
Steps Solution

𝑥−3 1
1. Factor the denominator then lim ((𝑥+2)(𝑥−3)) = lim (𝑥+2)
simplify. 𝑥 →3 𝑥→3

lim 1
𝑥→3
2. Apply Division Theorem. lim (𝑥 + 2)
𝑥 →3

3. Apply Addition Theorem on lim 1

the denominator. 𝑥→3
lim (𝑥) + lim ( 2)
𝑥 →3 𝑥→3
4. Apply the limit of a constant
is the constant itself and the
limit of 𝑥 as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐
is equal to c.

1
5. Simplify.
5

What’s More (Graded)

Determine the limits of the following items using the limit laws. Write your complete solutions on
a separate sheet of paper.

1. lim (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3)
𝑥→5
𝑥+8
2. lim (𝑥−7)
𝑥→2
3. lim (√𝑥 + 15)
𝑥→10
4. lim (2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4)
𝑥→2
5. lim (√𝑥 − 5)
𝑥→4
𝑥+9
6. lim (5−𝑥)
𝑥→3
𝑥 2 +4𝑥−21
7. lim ( )
𝑥→−7 𝑥+7
 What I Have Learned (Graded)

Express what you have learned in this lesson by answering the questions below. Write your answer
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. In what way did the Limit laws help you in solving for the limit of a function?

2. Is direct substitution of 𝑥 values always applicable in solving the limit of a function? Briefly justify
your answer.

What I Can Do (Graded)

Tell whether the mathematical statement below is TRUE or FALSE. Explain your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

If the limit of two different functions, lim 𝑓(𝑥) and lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
exist, then so does lim[𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)].
𝑥→𝑐