Handout 4

Limits

Definition of the Limit of a Function

A quantity 𝐿 is the limit of a function 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 if, as the input values of 𝑥 approach 𝑎
(but not equal to 𝑎), the corresponding output of 𝑓(𝑥) get closer to 𝐿. Note that the value of the
limit is not affected by the output value of 𝑓(𝑥) at 𝑎. Both 𝑎 and 𝐿 must be real numbers. The limit
of a function can also be written as:

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎

Examples
For the following limits, define 𝑎, 𝑓(𝑥), and 𝐿.

1. lim (3𝑥 + 5) = 11
𝑥→2

2. lim (2𝑥 2 − 4) = 46
𝑥→5

𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9
3. lim ( )=0
𝑥 → −3 𝑥−3

Left-Hand and Right-Hand Limits

The left-hand limit of a function 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the left is equal to 𝐿, denoted by:

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿,
𝑥→𝑎−

are the values of 𝑓(𝑥) can get as close to the limit 𝐿 by taking values of 𝑥 sufficiently close to 𝑎 such
that 𝑥 < 𝑎 and 𝑥 ≠ 𝑎.

The right-hand limit of a function 𝑓(𝑥), as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the right, is equal to 𝐿, denoted by:

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿,
𝑥→𝑎+

are the values of 𝑓(𝑥) can get as close to the limit 𝐿 by taking values of 𝑥 sufficiently close to 𝑎
such as 𝑥 > 𝑎 and 𝑥 ≠ 𝑎.

Both 𝑎 and 𝐿 for the two limits must be real numbers.

Example:
Determine the left-hand and the right-hand limits of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 ≠ 7.

Two-Sided Limits

The limit of a function 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 is equal to 𝐿 that is:

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿,
𝑥→𝑎
if and only if

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥).

𝑥→𝑎− 𝑥→𝑎
 In other words, the left-hand limit of a function 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 is equal to the right-hand
limit of the same function as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎. If such a limit exist, we refer to the limit as a two-sided
limit. Otherwise, we say that the limit does not exist.

Steps on how to find the limits of a function as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 using graph.

1. Examine the graph to determine whether a left-hand limit exists.

2. Examine the graph to determine whether a right-hand limit exists.
3. If the two one-sided limits exist and are equal, then there is a two-sided limit—what we
normally call a “limit.”

Example:
Determine the following limits for the function 𝑓.
1. lim− 𝑓(𝑥) 4. lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2 𝑥→2

2. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) 5. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→2 𝑥→2

3. lim 𝑓(𝑥) 6. lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→2 𝑥→2

7. lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0

8. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0

9. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0

10. lim− 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→2

11. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→2

12. lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→2

13. lim− 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→4

14. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→4

15. lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→4

Finding the Limits Using a Table

Steps on how to find the limits of a function as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 using graph.
 1. Choose several input values that approach 𝑎 from both the left and right. Record them in a
table.
2. Evaluate the function at each input value. Record them in the table.
3. Determine if the table values indicate a left-hand limit and a right-hand limit.
4. If the left-hand and right-hand limits exist and are equal, there is a two-sided limit.

Example:
Numerically estimate the limits of the following expression using a table.
𝑥2
1. lim ( )
𝑥→4 𝑥 − 4

𝑥 3 − 125
2. lim ( )
𝑥→5 𝑥−5
𝑥+1
3. lim | |
𝑥→0 𝑥
sin (5𝑥)
5. lim ( )
𝑥→0 𝑥
2 sin 𝑥
6. lim ( )
𝑥 → 0 4 sin 𝑥

7 tan 𝑥
7. lim ( )
𝑥→0 3𝑥

Properties of Limits
Let 𝑎, 𝑘, 𝐴 and 𝐵 represent real numbers, and 𝑓 and 𝑔 are functions, such that lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐴 and
𝑥→𝑎
lim 𝑓(𝑔) = 𝐵. For limits that exist and finite, the properties are:
𝑥→𝑎

Constant 𝑘 lim 𝑘 = 𝑘
𝑥→𝑎

Constant times a function lim [𝑘 ⋅ 𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑘 lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝐴

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Sum of Functions lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑔)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑓(𝑔) = 𝐴 + 𝐵

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑧

Difference of Functions lim [𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑔)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) − lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐴 − 𝐵

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Product of Functions lim [𝑓(𝑥) ⋅ 𝑓(𝑔)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ⋅ lim 𝑓(𝑔) = 𝐴 ⋅ 𝐵

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐴

Quotient of Functions lim [𝑓(𝑔)] = 𝑥→𝑎 = 𝐵 where 𝐵 ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑎 lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
𝑛
Power of Limits lim [𝑓(𝑥)]𝑛 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝐴𝑛 where 𝑛 is a positive integer
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

𝑛
Roots of Limits lim 𝑛√𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝐴
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Evaluating Limits

1. lim (2𝑥 + 5)
𝑥→3

2. lim (−2𝑥 + 2)
𝑥→−12

3. lim (−16𝑦 − 1)
𝑦→−4

Evaluating Limits of Function Containing a Polynomial

1. Use the properties of limits to break up the polynomial into individual terms.
2. Find the limits of the individual terms.
3. Add the limits together.
4. Alternatively, evaluate the function for a.
4. lim (5𝑥 2 )
𝑥→3

5. lim (𝑥 3 − 5)
𝑥→4

6. lim (2𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 + 1)
𝑥→5

Evaluating Limits of a Power

𝑛
Apply lim [𝑓(𝑥)]𝑛 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] where 𝑛 is a positive integer.
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

7. lim (3𝑥 + 1)5

𝑥→2

8. lim (10𝑥 + 36)3

𝑥→−4

Evaluating Limits of a Quotient

1. Factor the numerator and denominator completely.
2. Simplify by dividing any factors common to the numerator and denominator.
3. Evaluate the resulting limit, remembering to use the correct domain.

𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8
9. lim ( )
𝑥→2 𝑥−2
𝑥 2 − 11𝑥 + 28
10. lim ( )
𝑥→7 7−𝑥
1 1
−
11. lim ( 𝑥 5)
𝑥→5 𝑥 − 5

1 1
+
12. lim ( 5 𝑥 )
𝑥→−5 10 + 2𝑥

Evaluating Limits of a Function Containing a Root

0
1. If the quotient as given is not in indeterminate (0) form, evaluate directly.
2. Otherwise, rewrite the sum (or difference) of two quotients as a single quotient, using the least common
denominator (LCD).
3. If the numerator includes a root, rationalize the numerator; multiply the numerator and denominator by the
conjugate of the numerator. Recall that 𝑎 ± √𝑏 are conjugates.
4. Simplify.
5. Evaluate the resulting limit.

√25 − 𝑥 − 5
13. lim ( )
𝑥→0 𝑥

√16 − ℎ − 4
14. lim ( )
ℎ→0 ℎ
4−𝑥
15. lim ( )
𝑥→4 √𝑥 − 2
𝑥−3
16. lim ( )
𝑥→3 √𝑥 − √3
Evaluating Limits of a Function with Absolute Value
1. Try factoring or finding the LCD.
2. If the limit cannot be found, choose several values close to and on either side of the input where the function
is undefined.
3. Use the numeric evidence to estimate the limits on both sides.

|𝑥 − 7|
17. lim ( )
𝑥→7 𝑥−7
6−𝑥
18. lim ( )
𝑥→6 |𝑥 − 6|