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1
BASIC CALCULUS
Quarter III – Week 1
Limit of a Function
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MELCs: Illustrates the limit of a function using a table of values and the function.
(STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-1)
Distinguishes between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and f(c). (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-2)
𝑥→𝑐
Illustrates the limit laws. (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-3)
Applies the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic function (polynomial,
rational, and radical). (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-4)
Objectives:
1. Describe limit of a function using table of values and the function.
2. Give the limit of a function.
3. Examine the lim 𝑓(𝑥) and f(c).
𝑥→𝑐
4. Illustrate the limit laws .
5. Apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic function (polynomial,
rational, and radical).
Let’s Try
Directions: Read each question carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the space
provided before each number.
1. Which of the following is the notation of “the limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L”?
A. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 C. lim 𝑐 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑓(𝑥)
B. lim 𝐿 = 𝑓(𝑥) D. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝐿
1
2
6. Investigate the lim 𝑥−3.
𝑥→3
A. 0 C. does not exist
B. -2 D. indeterminate
√𝑥−4
7. Find the lim .
𝑥→16 𝑥−16
1
A. 8
C. 0
−1
B. 12
D. does not exist
√𝑥−6
8. Which of the following is the lim 2 −36
?
𝑥→6 √𝑥
√6 1
A. 3 C. 2
√2
B. 3
D. 0
This shows limits of functions. We will consider functions of a single variable and
study the behavior of the function as its variable approaches a particular value (a constant).
The variable can only take values very close to the constant, but it cannot equal to the
constant itself. However, the limit will be able to describe clearly what is happening to the
function near the constant.
Consider a function f of a single variable x. Consider a constant c which the variable x
will approach (c may or may not be in the domain of f). The limit to be denoted by L is the
unique real value that f(x) will approach as x approaches c. In symbols, we write this process
as 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳. This is read, “ The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L. ”
𝒙→𝒄
2
A. The Limit of a Function through Table of Values and the Function
1 2 3
3
x f(x) x f(x)
1 1 3 5
Possible 1.5 2 Possible values 2.5 4
values of x of x from right
from left of 1.99 2.98 of 2 or x→ 2+
2.01 3.02
2 or x→ 2− 1.999 2.998 2.001 3.002
1.9999 2.9998 2.0001 3.0002
Observe that as the values of x get closer and closer to 2, the values of f(x) also get
closer and closer to 3. This behavior can be shown no matter what set of value or what
direction is taken in approaching 2. In symbols, it is 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏 = 𝟑.
𝒙→𝟐
𝒙𝟐 +𝟐𝒙+𝟏
Example 2: Investigate 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒙→−𝟏 𝒙+𝟏
Solution:
-2 -1 0
x f(x) x f(x)
-2 -1 0 1
Possible values
Possible -1.5 -0.5 of x from right of
-0.5 0.5
values of x
from left of -1
-1.01 -0.01 -1 or 𝑥 → −1+ -0.99 0.01
or x→ −1− -1.001 -0.001 -0.999 0.001
-1.0001 -0.0001 -0.9999 0.0001
In the first table, as the value of x gets closer and closer to -1 from the left of -1, the
value of f(x) gets closer and closer to 0. In the second table, as the value of x gets closer
and closer to 0 from the right of -1, the value of f(x) gets closer and closer to 0, therefore,
𝒙𝟐 +𝟐𝒙+𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝟎.
𝒙→−𝟏 𝒙+𝟏
(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒) if x < 0
Example 3: Determine the 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙), 𝒇(𝒙) =
𝒙→𝟎 √𝒙 if x ≥ 0
Solution:
-1 0 1
x f(x) x f(x)
-1 5 Possible 1 1
Possible values -0.5 4.5 values of x 0.5 0.7071
of x that are that are
less than 0 or -0.05 4.0025 greater than 0.05 0.2236
𝑥 → 0− -0.009 4.000081 or equal to 0.009 0.0948
0 or 𝑥 → 0+
-0.0009 4.00000081 0.0009 0.03
Answer: Observe that the values that f(x) approaches are not equal, namely f(x)
approaches 4 from the left while it approaches 0 from the right. In such case, we say
that the limit of the given function does not exist (DNE). In symbols,it is 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒇(𝒙)𝑫𝑵𝑬.
𝒙→𝟎
3
B. The Limit of a Function at c versus the Value of the Function at c
Using the previous examples, distinguish lim f(x) and f(c).
x→c
𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒇(𝒙) f(c)
𝒙→𝒄
f(x) = 2x -1
𝑙𝑖𝑚 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝟑 f(2) = 2(2) 11
Example 1 𝑥→2 f(2) = 4 - 1
f(2) = 3
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+1
(−1)2 + 2(−1) + 1
2 𝑓(−1) =
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 1 (−1) + 1
Example 2 lim =𝟎 1−2+1
𝑥→−1 𝑥+1 𝑓(−1) =
−1 + 1
0
𝑓(−1) =
0
𝒇(−𝟏) = 𝟎
𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥
Example 3 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥)𝐷𝑁𝐸 𝑓(0) = √0
𝑥→0
𝒇(𝟎) = 𝟎
Can you distinguish the limit between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and f(c)?
𝑥→𝑐
These examples show that 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝐟(𝐱) and f(c) may be distinct, as shown in Example 3.
𝐱→𝐜
To further illustrate the conclusions above, study the graph below.
1. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and f(2) = 3 2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and f(-1) does
𝑥→2 𝑥→−1
not exist (or is undefined)
4
C. Limit Laws
1. The Constant Theorem. The limit of a constant is itself. If k is any constant, then
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 = 𝒌 .
𝒙→𝒄
Examples: a) lim 2 = 2 b) lim −5.25 = −5.25
𝑥→0 𝑥→3
3. The Constant Multiple Theorem. This says that the limit of a multiple of a function
is simply the multiple of the limit of the function.
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 ∙ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
Examples: a) lim 2𝑥 = 2 ∙ lim 𝑥 = 2 ∙ 3 = 6
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
3 3 3 12
b) lim 𝑥 = ∙ lim 𝑥 = (−4) = − = −6
𝑥→−4 2 2 2 2
𝑥→−4
4. The Addition Theorem. This says that the limit of a sum of functions is the sum of
the limits of the individual functions. Subtraction is also included in this law, that
is, the limit of a difference of functions is the difference of their limits.
𝐥𝐢𝐦[ 𝒇(𝒙) ± 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ± 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙)
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
Examples: a) lim 𝑥 + 8 = lim 𝑥 + lim 8 = 3 + 8 = 11
𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
b) lim 2𝑥 − 7 = 2 lim 𝑥 − lim 7 = −10 − 7 = −17
𝑥→−5 𝑥→−5 𝑥→−5
6. The Division Theorem. This says that the limit of a quotient of functions is equal to
the quotient of the limits of the individual functions, provided that the denominator
limit is not equal to 0.
𝒇(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)
𝒙→𝒄
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙)
𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) ≠ 𝟎
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
𝒙→𝒄
7. The Power Theorem. This theorem states that the limit of an integer power p of a
function is also the power of the limit of the function.
𝒏
𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙)]𝒏 = [𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)]
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
3
Examples: a) lim [2𝑥 + 1]3 = [lim 2𝑥 + 1] = 33 = 27
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
5
b) lim [4𝑥 − 9]5 = [lim 4𝑥 − 9] = (−1)5 = −1
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
5
8. The Radical/ Root Theorem. This theorem states that if n is a positive integer, the
limit of nth root of a function is just the nth root of the limit of the function, provided
the nth root of the limit is a real number. Thus, it is important to keep in mind that
if n is even, the limit of the function must be positive, and if n is odd, the limit of the
function can either be positive or negative.
𝒏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 √𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒏√𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
= √3(3) − 5
= √4
=2
3
b) lim √𝑥 2 + 4 = 3√ lim −(𝑥 2 + 4)
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
3
= √−(2)2 + 4
3
= √−8
= -2
More Examples:
1) Find the 𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟓).
𝒙→𝟐
𝟐𝒙
2) Find the 𝐥𝐢𝐦 .
𝒙→𝟑 𝟖𝒙−𝟓
2𝑥 lim 2𝑥
Solution: lim 8𝑥−5 = 𝑥→3
lim (8𝑥−5)
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
2 lim 𝑥
= 𝑥→3
8 lim 𝑥− lim 5
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
2(3)
= 8(3)−5
6
= 24−5
6
= 19
𝟐𝒙𝟐 −𝟓𝒙+𝟑
3) Find the 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙−𝟏
.
𝒙→𝟏
(Hint: This is a function whose limit cannot be determined immediately by limit theorems,
0
because the limit will result to” ", but in this case, the limit of the function can still be
0
calculated by factoring or by rationalizing).
2𝑥 2 −5𝑥+3 (2𝑥−3)(𝑥−1)
Solution: lim 𝑥−1
= lim (𝑥−1)
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
= lim (2𝑥 − 3)
𝑥→1
= 2 lim 𝑥 − lim 3
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
= 2(1) – 3
= -1
(Source: Jose Maria P. Balmaceda,et.al, Basic Calculus Teacher’s Guide. Pasig City:
Department of Education, 2016, 3-37.)
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Let’s Practice
x f(x) x f(x)
1 0 3 -2
1.5 2.5
1.99 2.01
1.999 2.001
𝒙
𝟐. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙+𝟐 =
𝒙→𝟏
x f(x) x f(x)
0 0 2 0.5
0.5 1.5
0.99 1.01
0.999 1.001
Directions: Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below. Based on the
graph, fill in the table with the appropriate values.
-2
-1
7
Let’s Do More
Directions: Identify what limit laws are used to determine the limit of the given
functions. Write your answer on the box provided.
1
1. lim 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→1
2. lim (2𝑥)3 = -8
𝑥→−1
3. lim −1 = −1
𝑥→123456
4. lim 2(3𝑥 − 1) = −2
𝑥→0
5. lim √2𝑥 + 5 =
𝑥→2
Directions: Find the limits of the following functions and write it on the space
provided. Then, locate the limits of the functions in the table below and circle the
answer. Keep working until you have circled answers in a line horizontally, vertically
or diagonally.
a. lim (2𝑥 + 1) = ___ f. lim 1 = ___
𝑥→2 𝑥→0.0001
b. lim 𝑥 = ___ g. lim (𝑥 + 5) = ___
𝑥→3 𝑥→4
𝑥 2 −𝑥−2 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+9
c. lim 𝑥−2
= ___ h. lim = ___
𝑥→7 𝑥→2 𝑥−3
𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3 𝑥 3 −8𝑥 2 +18𝑥−8
d. lim 𝑥−3
= ___ i. lim 𝑥−4
= ___
𝑥→3 𝑥→4
e. lim √2𝑥 − 6 = ___ j. lim 𝑓(𝑥) ; 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2 , 𝑥 ≤ 3 =____
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
-4 , x > 3
8 7 -2 0 -4
DNE 9 3 7 UNDEFINED
1 UNDEFINED 5 -1 4
-3 1⁄ 4 2 3
2
DNE
0 8 DNE 9
8
Let’s Sum It Up
A. Directions: Samantha wants to attend the Basic Calculus class in Sta. Monica High
School, but before she can attend she needs to decipher the code in Ms. Santos’ class by
finding the limits of the following functions. Can you help her?
Code:
1 2 3 2 4 5 6 7 6 8 9 10 4 2 5 9
1.lim 𝑥 A. 1
𝑥→9
𝑥
2. lim 𝑥+6 C. -2
𝑥→3
1
3. lim (1 + 3√𝑥) F.
𝑥→8 5
4. lim −12 1
𝑥→4 I.
3
√2𝑥+5
5. lim L. 9
𝑥→2 1−3𝑥
1
6. lim 𝑥 M. 3
𝑥→5
7. lim
√𝑥 2 +3 N. 2
𝑥→−1 𝑥 2 +1
−3
√2𝑥− √6−𝑥 O.
8. lim 4+𝑥 2 5
𝑥→2
T. -12
9. lim √𝑥
𝑥→4
𝑥 3 −𝑥+2 U. 0
10. lim 𝑥 3 +5𝑥2 −3𝑥−1
𝑥→0
Let’s Assess
Directions: Read each question carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the space
provided before the number.
1. Which of the following is the notation of “the limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L”?
A. lim 𝐿 = 𝑓(𝑥) C. lim 𝑐 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑓(𝑥)
B. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 D. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝐿
9
2. Determine the 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 by completing the table below. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝒙→𝟒 𝑥→𝑐
√𝑥−6
8. Which of the following is the lim ?
𝑥→15 √𝑥 2 −36
√6 −3
A. C.
3 21
√2 −1
B. 3 D. 7
10
Answer Key
Let’s Try
1. A 2. C 3. B 4. C 5. B
6. C 7. A 8. D 9. A 10. D
Let’s Practice
Let’s Do More
1. Identity Theorem a. 5
2. Power Theorem b. 3
3. Constant Theorem c. 8
4. Multiplication Theorem d. 4
5. Radical/Root Theorem e. 0
f. 1
g. 9
h.-1
i. 2
j.DNE
Let’s Sum It Up
L I M I T O F A F U N C T I O N
Let’s Asses
1. B 2. C 3. D 4. B 5. D
6. C 7. A 8. C 9. D 10. A
11
References
Book
Balmaceda, Jose Maria P., Vergara, Thomas Herald M., De Lara, Mark Lester
T., Sato, Riuji J., Borja, Genesis John G. et al. Basic Calculus Teacher’s
Guide. Pasig City: Department of Education, 2016.
12
FEEDBACK SLIP
4. Was there any part of this CLAS that you found difficult?
If yes, please specify what it was and why.
None
NAME OF SCHOOL:
Date Returned:
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