Lecture-2

Chapter-2: Limit
Q1. Define limit. What are the differences between 𝐿𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑎).
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Limit: A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a limit ℓ at x tends to a if for every positive number 𝜀 > 0, we can
determine another small positive number 𝛿 > 0, such that |𝑓(𝑥) − ℓ| < 𝜀for all values of x which satisfying the
inequality 0 < |𝑥 − 𝑎| ≤ 𝛿 i.e, 𝑎 − 𝛿 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎 + 𝛿 and it is denoted by 𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = ℓ.
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Right hand Limit: A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a right hand limit ℓ at x tends to a if for every positive
number 𝜀 > 0, we can determine another small positive number 𝛿 > 0, such that |𝑓(𝑥) − ℓ | < 𝜀for all values of
x which satisfying the inequality 0 < 𝑥 − 𝑎 ≤ 𝛿 i.e, 𝑎 < 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎 + 𝛿 and it is denoted by 𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = ℓ or,
→
𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑎 + ℎ) = ℓ .
ℎ→
Left hand Limit: A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a left hand limit ℓ at x tends to a if for every positive number
𝜀 > 0, we can determine another small positive number 𝛿 > 0, such that |𝑓(𝑥) − ℓ | < 𝜀for all values of x which
satisfying the inequality 0 < 𝑎 − 𝑥 ≤ 𝛿 i.e, 𝑎 − 𝛿 < 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎 and it is denoted by 𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = ℓ or, 𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑎 −
→ ℎ→
ℎ) = ℓ .

2nd Part: The statement 𝐿𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) is a statement about the value of 𝑓(𝑥) when x has any arbitrary value near to a
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except a. But 𝑓(𝑎) stands for the value of 𝑓(𝑥) when x is exactly equal to a or else by substitution of a for x in
the expression 𝑓(𝑥) when it exists.

𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 > 0
Q2. A function is defined as 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 0 , find the value of 𝐿𝑡 𝑓(𝑥).
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−𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 < 0

Solution: Right hand limit: 𝐿𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿𝑡 𝑥 = 0

→ →
Left hand limit: 𝐿𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿𝑡 (−𝑥) = 0
→ →
Since R.H.L=L.H.L, So limit exist and 𝐿𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 Ans.
→

𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 < 1
H.W. 3. A function is defined as 𝜑(𝑥) = 2.5 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 1 , Does 𝐿𝑡 𝜑(𝑥) exist?
→
𝑥 + 2 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 > 1
H.W. 4. Evaluate 𝐿𝑡 + + + ⋯⋯+ .
→∞
 Chapter-3: Continuity
𝑥𝑆𝑖𝑛(1/𝑥)𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≠ 0
1. Define Continuity. A function is defined as𝑓(𝑥) = Show that𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at
0  𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 = 0.
Ans: Continuity: A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous at x=a if its limit exists at that point and equal to its
functional value at x=a i.e, 𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎). or, 𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑎 + ℎ) = 𝑙𝑡 𝑓(𝑎 − ℎ) = 𝑓(𝑎).
→ → ℎ→ ℎ→
2nd Part: Right hand limit (R.H.L): 𝐿𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿𝑡 𝑥𝑆𝑖𝑛(1/𝑥) = 0
→ →
Left hand limit(L.H.L): 𝐿𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿𝑡 𝑥𝑆𝑖𝑛(1/𝑥) = 0
→ →
and functional value (F.v): when 𝑥 = 0 then 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 or 𝑓(0) = 0.
Since R.H.L=L.H.L=F.V
Hence 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at𝑥 = 0.
𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 < 1
2. A function is defined as 𝜑(𝑥) = 2.5 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 1 , Is 𝜑(𝑥) continuous at 𝑥 = 1?
𝑥 + 2 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 > 1
Solution: R.H.L: 𝐿𝑡 𝜑(𝑥) = 𝐿𝑡 (𝑥 + 2) = 3
→ →
L.H.L: 𝐿𝑡 𝜑(𝑥) = 𝐿𝑡 𝑥 = 1
→ →
Since R.H.L≠L.H.L
Hence 𝜑(𝑥) is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 1.

⎧ −𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 0 < 𝑥 <

⎪
H.W. 3. A function is defined as 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = Show that 𝑓(𝑥) is discontinuous at 𝑥 = .
⎨
⎪ − 𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛  < 𝑥 < 1
⎩
−𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 ≤ 0
H.W. 4. A function is defined as 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 0 < 𝑥 < 1, show that it is continuous at 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1.
2 − 𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 ≥ 1
⎧3 + 2𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟  − ≤  𝑥 < 0
⎪
H.W. 5. A function is defined as 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 − 2𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 < , Show that 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at𝑥 = 0
⎨
⎪−3 − 2𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≥
⎩
and discontinuous at 𝑥 = .

6. Find the points of discontinuity of the following functions: (i) H.W. (ii)
Solution: The function is undefined at the point where 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 12 = 0
Or, 𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 12 = 0
Or, 𝑥(𝑥 − 6) − 2(𝑥 − 6) = 0
Or, 𝑥 = 2, 6.
Hence the points of discontinuity are 𝑥 = 2, 6.