B.

Limits and Continuity of Functions

1.Limits of Functions
2.Limits Theorems
3.Continuity of Functions
Limit of a Function
Application
Example 1. 37/40
A person earning $15 per hour is paid only for the actual time on
the job. How close to 8 hours must a person work in order to earn
within 25 cents of $120?
SOLUTION:
15𝑥 is earned by working x hours
𝑥 − 8 < 𝛿 → 15𝑥 − 120 < ∈
15𝑥 − 120 ≤ 0.25
15(𝑥 − 8) ≤ 0.25
0.25 1
𝑥−8 < =
15 60
Thus, within 1 min of 8 hours.
Example 2. 40/41
A circular sign is to be constructed so that its circumference is
within 0.1 ft of 6𝜋 ft. How close to 3 ft must the radius of the sign be?
SOLUTION:
When the radius is r ft, the circumference is 2𝜋𝑟 ft.
2𝜋𝑟 − 6𝜋 < 0.1
2𝜋 𝑟 − 3 < 0.1
0.1
𝑟−3 < = 0.0159
2𝜋

Thus, within 0.0159 ft.

Example 3. 39/41
A fence is to be built around a square flower garden. How close to
10 ft must the length of each side of the garden be in order for the
total length of material to be between 39.96 ft and 40.04?
SOLUTION:
When the side is x ft, the fence is 4x ft.
39.96 < 4𝑥 < 40.04 x − 10 < 0.01
−0.04 < 4𝑥 − 40 < 0.04
−0.04 < 4 𝑥 − 10 < 0.04 Thus, within 0.01 ft.
4 𝑥 − 10 < 0.04
0.04
𝑥 − 10 <
4
PRACTICE EXERCISE 4
Ex. 1.4 pp. 39-41, Leithold
nos. 43, 44
 LIMIT THEOREMS

Properties of Limit of a
Function
Limit Theorem 1. Limit of a Linear Function
If m and b are any constants, then

EXAMPLE 1.

EXAMPLE 2.
Limit Theorem 2. Limit of a Constant
If c is a constant, then for any number a

EXAMPLE 1.

EXAMPLE 2.
Limit Theorem 3. Limit of the Identity Function
For any number a, then

EXAMPLE 1.

EXAMPLE 2.
Limit Theorem 4. Limit of the Sum &
Difference of Two Functions
, then

EXAMPLE.
Limit Theorem 5. Limit of the Sum &
Difference of n Functions

EXAMPLE.
Limit Theorem 6. Limit of the Product
of Two Functions
, then

EXAMPLE.
Limit Theorem 7. Limit of the Product of
n Functions

EXAMPLE.
Limit Theorem 8. Limit of the Quotient of Two
Functions
, then

EXAMPLE.
Limit Theorem 9. Limit of the nth Power of a
Function

EXAMPLE.
Limit Theorem 10. Limit of the nth Root of a
Function

EXAMPLE.
 Limits of Polynomial and Rational Functions
Find the limit
1. lim 4𝑥 2 + 3 =𝟒 ∙ 𝟐𝟐 + 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟔 + 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟗
𝑥→2

𝑥 2 +𝑥+2 𝟏𝟐 +𝟏+𝟐 𝟒
2. lim = = =𝟐
𝑥→1 𝑥+1 𝟏+𝟏 𝟐
Limit Theorem 11. Limits of Polynomial and
Rational Functions
If p is a polynomial and c is a real number, then
lim 𝑝 𝑥 = 𝑝 𝑐 .
𝑥→𝑐
If r is a rational function given by
𝑝 𝑥
𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝑞 𝑥
𝑐 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑞 𝑐 ≠ 0, then
𝑝 𝑐
lim 𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐 = .
𝑥→𝑐 𝑞 𝑐
NOTE: This direct substitution property is valid for all polynomial and
rational functions with nonzero divisors.
More Examples
Theorems on Limits
Example 1
Find the limit and when appropriate, indicate the limit theorems
being applied.
𝟐 ∙ 𝟓𝟐 − 𝟑 ∙ 𝟓 + 𝟒 = 𝟑𝟗
Example 2
Find the limit and when appropriate, indicate the limit theorems
being applied.
𝟑+𝟏 𝟐
=
𝟑 𝟑
Example 3
Find the limit and when appropriate, indicate the limit theorems
being applied.
𝒙 𝒙
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 = 𝟎
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙 𝒙→𝟎
Example 4
Find the limit and when appropriate, indicate the limit theorems
being applied.
𝑥 −2
lim
𝑥→4 𝑥 − 4

𝒙 −𝟐 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = =
𝒙→𝟒 𝒙−𝟐 𝒙+𝟐 𝒙→𝟒 𝒙 + 𝟐 𝟒+𝟐 𝟒
Example 5
Find the limit and when appropriate, indicate the limit theorems
being applied.
𝑥 3 + 27
lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥 + 3
𝒙 + 𝟑 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟗
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟗
𝒙→−𝟑 𝒙+𝟑 𝒙→−𝟑

𝟐
= −𝟑 −𝟑∙𝟑+𝟗=𝟗
EXERCISES-1
Find the limit and when appropriate,
indicate the limit theorems being applied
EXERCISES-2
Find the limit and when appropriate,
indicate the limit theorems being applied
𝑥 2 −4
1.lim 2
𝑥→2 𝑥 −8𝑥+12 - 1
1
2. lim 𝑥 1 − - 1
𝑥→0 𝑥
3
𝑥−1
3. lim 1/3
𝑥→1 𝑥−1

𝑥−1 2 −1
4. lim - 2
𝑥→0 𝑥
One-sided Limits
The Right – Hand Limit
The right – hand limit of a function f(x) at a point a is the limit of
the function as x approaches a from decreasing values of a, (i.e. as x
approaches a from the right).
We write the right – hand limit by the notation
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
The Left– Hand Limit
The left – hand limit of a function f(x) at a point a is the limit of
the function as x approaches a from increasing values of a, (i.e. as x
approaches a from the left).
We write the left – hand limit by the notation

lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
DEFINITION OF LIMIT OF A
FUNCTION
A Review
 Definition of Limit of a Function
Let f be a function defined at every number in some open
interval containing a, except possibly at the number a itself. The limit
of f(x) as x approaches a, written as

If the following statement is true:

Given any , however small,
there exists a such that
if then .
 Definition of The Right-Hand Limit of a
Function
Let f be a function defined at every number in some open
interval (a,c), except possibly at the number a itself. The limit of f(x)
as x approaches a from the right , written as
lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎

If the following statement is true:

Given any , however small,
there exists a such that
if 0 < 𝑥 − 𝑎 < 𝛿 then .
Definition of The Left-Hand Limit of a Function
Let f be a function defined at every number in some open
interval (d,a), except possibly at the number a itself. The limit of f(x)
as x approaches a from the right , written as

lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎
If the following statement is true:
Given any , however small,
there exists a such that
if 0 < 𝑎 − 𝑥 < 𝛿 then .
EXAMPLE 1
Explore the behavior of f(x) = lxl for x near 0 but not equal to 0
using a table and a graph.
x -0.01 -0.001 0.0001 0.1
f(x) 0.01 0.001 0.0001 0.1
Answer the ff. questions:
a). 0
b). 0
c).
0
EXAMPLE 2
Explore the behavior of for x near 0 but not equal to 0
using a table and a graph.
x -0.1 -0.0001 0.0001 0.1
h(x) -1 -1 1 1

Answer the ff. questions:

a). 1
b). -1
c). DNE
EXAMPLE 3
Let
Answer the ff. questions:
a). Give the domain of g(x) [𝟎, ∞)
b). Sketch the graph of g.
c). By observing the graph of g(x), and using a table determine the ff:
0

No limit

DNE
 Discuss what you think are the necessary conditions for the limit of
the function f(x) to exist as x approaches a.
1. f must be defined at every number in some open interval (a,c) or (d, a).
2. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
MORE EXAMPLES
ONE-SIDED LIMITS
EXAMPLE 4

-1 -1 -1
EXAMPLE 5

The domain of f is [0,5]

Find the ff:
a). lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 4
𝑥→0
b) lim− 𝑓 𝑥 No limit
𝑥→0
EXAMPLE 6
The domain of f is [0,5]
Find the ff:
a). f(1) 1
b). lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 2
𝑥→1
c). lim− 𝑓 𝑥 2
𝑥→1
d). lim 𝑓(𝑥) 2
𝑥→1
EXAMPLE 7
The domain of f is [0,5]
Find the ff:
a). f(2) 3
b). lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 1
𝑥→2
c). lim− 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→2 3
d). lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2 DNE
Example 8
Without sketching the graph and using only
−2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0
the equation 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ
2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0
Evaluate the ff:
a). f(0) 2 e). f(5) 2
b). lim− 𝑓(𝑥) -2 f). lim− 𝑓(𝑥) 2
𝑥→0 𝑥→5
c). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) g). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) 2
𝑥→0 2 𝑥→5
d). lim 𝑓(𝑥) DNE h). lim 𝑓(𝑥) 2
𝑥→0 𝑥→5
Example 9
𝑥 2 , 𝑥 ≤ −2
Given 𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, −2 < 𝑥 < 2
2𝑥 − 6, 𝑥 ≥ 2
Find the values of a and b such that lim 𝑓(𝑥) and lim 𝑓(𝑥) both exist.
𝑥→2 𝑥→−2
SOLUTION:

lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = lim+ 2𝑥 − 6 = −2; lim + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = −2𝑎 + 𝑏

𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→−2
lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = lim− 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 2𝑎 + 𝑏 lim − 𝑥 2 = −2 2 = 4
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→−2

2𝑎 + 𝑏 = −2 1 𝟑
−2𝑎 + 𝑏 = 4 (2) 𝐚 = − ;𝐛 = 𝟏
𝟐
INFINITE LIMITS
Function Values Increasing without Bound
f is a function defined at every number in open interval I as x
approaches a, f(x) increases without bound
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = +∞
𝑥→𝑎
If for N > 0 there exists a 𝛿 > 0 such that
If 0 < 𝑥 − 𝑎 < 𝛿 then f(x) > N
Function Values Decreasing without Bound
f is a function defined at every number in open interval I as x
approaches a, f(x) decreases without bound
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞
𝑥→𝑎
If for N < 0 there exists a 𝛿 > 0 such that
If 0 < 𝑥 − 𝑎 < 𝛿 then f(x) < N
ACTIVITY 1
Which of these functions have vertical asymptote/s?
Name the asymptote if any.
𝑥 2 −16
1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−4
𝑥−4
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 −16 𝐱 = −𝟒
4𝑥 2 −9
3. 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥+3
3
4. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−5 𝐱=𝟓
−2
5. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2 𝐱 =0
ACTIVITY 1-continued
Which of these functions have vertical asymptote/s?
Name the asymptote if any.
4−𝑥 2
6. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−2
𝑥 −4
7. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−4

𝑥−3
8. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+2
2𝑥+1 𝑥−3
9. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−3 𝑥+2
2−4𝑥 3
10. 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 3
5𝑥 +3𝑥
Answer the following
1. How do you know if a rational function has vertical asymptote/s?
2. How do you determine/name the vertical asymptote/s of a rational
function?
ACTIVITY 2
1
Let 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥2
a). What is the vertical asymptote of f?
b). Sketch the graph of f.
c). Evaluate the ff:
i). lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0
ii). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0
iii). lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0
 𝟏
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐
ACTIVITY 2 𝒙
y
a). What is the vertical asymptote
4 of f? x = 0
3 b). Sketch the graph of f.
2 c). Evaluate the ff:
1 i). lim− 𝑓(𝑥) +∞
𝑥→0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 O 1 2 3 4 x ii). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) +∞
𝑥→0
-1
iii). lim 𝑓(𝑥) +∞
-2
𝑥→0

-3

-4

-5
ACTIVITY 3
1
Let g 𝑥 =
𝑥3
a). What is the vertical asymptote of f?
b). Sketch the graph of f.
c). Evaluate the ff:
i). lim− 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→0
ii). lim+ 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→0
iii). lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→0
 𝟏
ACTIVITY 3 Let g 𝒙 =
𝒙𝟑
y
a). What is the vertical
4
asymptote of g? x = 0
3
b). Sketch the graph of g.
2
1 c). Evaluate the ff:
𝑦= 3
1
𝑥 i). lim− 𝑔(𝑥) −∞
O
𝑥→0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 x

ii). lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) +∞

-1 𝑥→0
-2
iii). lim 𝑔(𝑥) 𝐃𝐍𝐄
𝑥→0
-3

-4

-5
 y
y

4
4

3
3

2
2

1
1

O -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 O 1 2 3 4 x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 x

-1 -1

-2 -2

-3 -3

-4 -4

-5 -5

1 1
𝑦= 2 𝑦=
𝑥 𝑥3
Make a generalization on the ff:
1
a). lim+ 𝑟 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑 +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥
1
b). lim+ 𝑟 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛
𝑥→0 𝑥 +∞
1
c). lim− 𝑟 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑
𝑥→0 𝑥 −∞
1
d). lim− 𝑟 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥
Limit Theorem 12
If r is any positive integer, then
1
i). lim+ 𝑟 = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥
1 −∞, 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑
i). lim− 𝑟 =ቊ
𝑥→0 𝑥 +∞, 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛
Definition of a Vertical Asymptote
The line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph of f if at least
one of the ff is true:

i). lim− 𝑓(𝑥)=+∞

𝑥→𝑎
ii). lim− 𝑓(𝑥) =−∞
𝑥→𝑎
iii). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) =+∞
𝑥→𝑎
iv). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = − ∞
𝑥→𝑎
ACTIVITY 4
2𝑥
Let f 𝑥 =
𝑥−3
a). What is the vertical asymptote of f?
b). Complete the table:
x → 3 ←
f(x)
c). Evaluate the ff:
i). lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→3
ii). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→3
iii). lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→3
ACTIVITY 4
a). What is the vertical
asymptote of f? x = 3
b). Complete the table:

c). Evaluate the ff:

i). lim− 𝑓(𝑥) −∞
𝑥→3
ii). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) +∞
𝑥→3
iii). lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑫𝑵𝑬
𝑥→3
ACTIVITY 5
𝟐
Let f 𝒙 = − 𝟐
𝒙 −𝟒
a). What is the vertical asymptote of f? 𝐱=𝟐
b). Complete the table:
x → 2 ←
f(x)
c). Evaluate the ff:
i). lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2
ii). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2
iii). lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2
ACTIVITY 6
2
Let f 𝑥 = − 2
𝑥 −4
a). What is the vertical asymptote of f? 𝐱 = −𝟐
b). Complete the table:
x → -2 ←
f(x)

c). Evaluate the ff:

i). lim − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2
ii). 𝑙𝑖𝑚 + 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2
iii). 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2
ACTIVITY 5 & 6 a). What is/are the vertical
asymptote/s of f? 𝐱 = ±𝟐
b). Complete the table:
c). Evaluate the ff:
i). lim− 𝑓(𝑥) +∞
𝑥→2
ii). lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) −∞
𝑥→2
iii). lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑫𝑵𝑬
𝑥→2
d)Evaluate the ff:
i). lim − 𝑓(𝑥) +∞
𝑥→−2
ii). lim + 𝑓(𝑥) −∞
𝑥→−2
iii). lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑫𝑵𝑬
𝑥→−2
Examples
Without graphing and without making tables of values, determine the ff limits if they exist
5 𝟏
1. lim− 2 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 −
(𝟓) ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 − 𝟐 = 𝟓 ∙ +∞ = +∞
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝒙→𝟑 𝒙→𝟑 𝒙−𝟑

5 𝟏
2. lim+ = 𝐥𝐢𝐦+(𝟓) ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝟓 ∙ +∞ = +∞
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 2 𝒙→𝟑 𝒙→𝟑+ 𝒙−𝟑 𝟐

5
3. lim
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 2
+∞
𝑥−1 𝒙−𝟏 𝟏
4. lim − 2 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = −∞
𝑥→−1 𝑥 −1 𝒙→−𝟏− 𝒙−𝟏 𝒙+𝟏 𝒙→−𝟏− 𝒙+𝟏

𝑥−1 𝒙−𝟏 𝟏
5. lim + = 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ = 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ = +∞
𝑥→−1 𝑥 2 −1 𝒙→−𝟏 𝒙−𝟏 𝒙+𝟏 𝒙→−𝟏 𝒙+𝟏

𝑥−1
6. lim + 𝑫𝑵𝑬
𝑥→−1 𝑥 2 −1
Examples-continued
Without graphing and without making tables of values, determine the ff limits if
they exist
𝑥−3 𝟏
7. lim − 𝑥+2 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒙 − 𝟑 ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒙+𝟐 = −𝟓 −∞ = +∞
𝑥→−2 𝒙→−𝟐 𝒙→−𝟐

𝑥−3 𝟏
8. lim + 𝑥+2 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒙 − 𝟑 ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒙+𝟐 = −𝟓 +∞ = −∞
𝑥→−2 𝒙→−𝟐 𝒙→−𝟐

4−𝑥 2 𝟏
9. lim− 𝟐
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝟒 − 𝐱 ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦− = +𝐜 ∙ −∞ = −∞
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝐱→𝟐 𝐱→𝟐 𝐱−𝟐
4−𝑥 2 𝟏
10. lim+ = 𝒍𝒊𝒎+ 𝟒 − 𝒙𝟐 ∙ 𝒍𝒊𝒎− = +𝒄 ∙ +∞ = +∞
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙−𝟐
 4−𝑥 2 −∞
9. lim−
𝑥→2 𝑥−2
4−𝑥 2 +∞
10. lim+
𝑥→2 𝑥−2

4−𝑥 2
• lim −
𝑥→−2 𝑥−2
4−𝑥 2
• . lim +
𝑥→−2 𝑥−2
Limit Theorem 11. Limits of Polynomial and
Rational Functions
If p is a polynomial and c is a real number, then
lim 𝑝 𝑥 = 𝑝 𝑐 .
𝑥→𝑐
If r is a rational function given by
𝑝 𝑥
𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝑞 𝑥
𝑐 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑞 𝑐 ≠ 0, then
𝑝 𝑐
lim 𝑟 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐 = .
𝑥→𝑐 𝑞 𝑐
NOTE: This direct substitution property is valid for all polynomial and
rational functions with nonzero divisors.
Limit Theorem 12
If r is any positive integer, then
1
i). lim+ 𝑟 = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥
1 −∞, 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑
i). lim− 𝑟 =ቊ
𝑥→0 𝑥 +∞, 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛
PRACTICE EXERCISE #4
EXERCISE 1.7, PAGE 69, Leithold
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