01/17/22

L I MI T O F T R ANSC ENDE NTAL

F U NC TI ONS
▪ compute the limits of exponential, logarithmic, and
trigonometric functions using tables of values and graphs
of the functions
sin 𝑡 1−cos 𝑡
▪ illustrate limits involving the expressions , ,
𝑡 𝑡
𝑒 𝑡 −1
and using table of values
𝑡
Limits of Exponential function
Let us consider 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒x, an exponential function in which the base 𝑒 is a Euler
number, whose value is 2.718281...

lim 𝑒 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→0

In evaluating lim 𝑒 𝑥 , it means that we need to evaluate the left-hand limit lim− 𝑒 𝑥
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
and the right-hand limit lim+ 𝑒𝑥 of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒x as x approaches to 0.
𝑥→0
Limits of Logarithmic function
Let us consider 𝑓(𝑥) = loge 𝑥, the base of logarithm is e then it is a natural logarithm (ln).
One of the properties of logarithm state that log, 𝑥 = ln 𝑥. Therefore, 𝑓(𝑥) = loge 𝑥 = ln 𝑥.

Evaluate lim 𝑙𝑛𝑥

𝑥→1

lim 𝑙𝑛𝑥 = 0
𝑥→1

In evaluating lim 𝑙𝑛𝑥, the left-hand limit lim− 𝑓(𝑥) and the right-hand limit
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) of 𝑓(𝑥) = ln 𝑥 as x approaches 0.
𝑥→1
Limits of Trigonometric function
Evaluate lim 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥
𝑥→0

lim 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 1
𝑥→0

In evaluating lim 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥, the left-hand limit lim− 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 and the right-hand limit
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
lim+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 of 𝑓(𝑥) = cos 𝑥 as x approaches 0
𝑥→0
S p e c i a l L i m i t s i n v o l v i n g Tr i g o n o m e t r i c a n d e x p o n e n t i a l f u n c t i o n s

𝑒𝑡 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
lim =1 lim =1 lim =0
𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡
𝑒 3𝑡 −1
Evaluate lim
𝑡→0 𝑡

NOTE: If the exponent of e and the denominator are match as both going to zero in
the limit, then it is 1.
𝑒𝑡 − 1
lim =1
𝑡→0 𝑡
S p e c i a l L i m i t s i n v o l v i n g Tr i g o n o m e t r i c a n d e x p o n e n t i a l f u n c t i o n s

𝑒𝑡 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
lim =1 lim =1 lim =0
𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡
𝑒 3𝑡 −1
Evaluate lim
𝑡→0 𝑡
S p e c i a l L i m i t s i n v o l v i n g Tr i g o n o m e t r i c a n d e x p o n e n t i a l f u n c t i o n s

𝑒𝑡 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
lim =1 lim =1 lim =0
𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑢
Evaluate lim
𝑢→0 5𝑢

NOTE: If the angle of sine and the denominator are match as both going to zero in
the limit, then it is 1.
sin 𝑢
lim =1
𝑢→0 𝑢
S p e c i a l L i m i t s i n v o l v i n g Tr i g o n o m e t r i c a n d e x p o n e n t i a l f u n c t i o n s

𝑒𝑡 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
lim =1 lim =1 lim =0
𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑢
Evaluate lim
𝑢→0 5𝑢
S p e c i a l L i m i t s i n v o l v i n g Tr i g o n o m e t r i c a n d e x p o n e n t i a l f u n c t i o n s

𝑒𝑡 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
lim =1 lim =1 lim =0
𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡
1−cos 5𝑡
Evaluate lim
𝑡→0 𝑡

NOTE: If the angle of cosine and the denominator are match as both going to zero
in the limit, then it is 0.
1 − cos 𝑢
lim =0
𝑢→0 𝑢
S p e c i a l L i m i t s i n v o l v i n g Tr i g o n o m e t r i c a n d e x p o n e n t i a l f u n c t i o n s

𝑒𝑡 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
lim =1 lim =1 lim =0
𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 𝑡
1−cos 5𝑡
Evaluate lim
𝑡→0 𝑡
PROBLEM SET 2
PROBLEM SET 2
PROBLEM SET 2