UNIT 1 – EXPLORATION

ON LIMITS
BY: ENGR. RYUICHI T. KISHIMOTO, REE,MSEM
Limit of a Function
-In the study of calculus, the first important concept or idea that must
be introduced is the concept of limit.
-The limit of a function is the cornerstone of both differential and
integral calculus.
-It is one of the fundamental ideas that distinguishes calculus from
other areas of mathematics such as algebra or trigonometry.
- In this lesson, we will investigate the manner in which some
functions vary, and whether they approach specific values under
certain conditions.
Concept of Limits
-Let a function “f” be defined throughout an open interval containing
a real number “a”, except possibility at “a” itself. We are often
interested in the function value of f(x) when x is very close to “a”, but
not necessarily equal to “a”.
-As a matter of fact, in many instances the number “a” is the in the
domain of f. That is, f(a) is undefined.
-We may ask the question: as x gets closer and closer to a, does f(x)
get closer and closer to some number L?
Visual Representation of Limits of a
Function

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒂
One-Sided Limits
-In some cases, a function may approach either of two
different limits, depending on whether the variable its limit
through values larger or smaller than that limit. In such a
case, the limit is defined or does not exist, but the right-
hand and left-hand limits exist.
-Therefore, there are two types of one-sided limits, Right
Hand Limit (RHL) and Left-Hand Limit (LHL)
Notation for RHL and LHL

lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿 lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
Figure 1. Right-hand Limit Figure 2. Left-hand Limit
Properties
of Limits
Please get your pen and paper! Let’s have some examples ☺
 LIMITS FROM TABLES AND GRAPHS

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = −𝟏 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟒 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑫𝑵𝑬

𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟑 𝒙→−𝟐
 LIMITS FROM TABLES AND GRAPHS

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑫𝑵𝑬 f(1) =2

𝒙→𝟐
Let’s try
this ☺