BASIC CALCULUS

Lesson 1: THEOREM ON LIMITS OF A FUNCTION/ LIMIT LAWS

I. Overview:

 This lesson will demonstrate key concepts of limits and continuity of a function.

II. Objectives:

 At the end of the lesson, the student is able to:

(1) distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐
(2) illustrate the limit laws
(3) apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions (polynomial, rational, radical)

III. Content Outline:

Please take time to read and understand this part because all graded activities and quizzes will be coming
from these contents.

IV. Lesson Content

THEOREMS ON LIMITS OF A FUNCTION

LIMIT LAWS
L1. Limit of a constant: 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒄 = 𝒄 where c = any constant
𝒙→𝒂

L2. Limit of the identity function: 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 = 𝒂 where a = any real number
𝒙→𝒂

L3. Limit of a constant times a function: 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒄 • 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒄 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

L4. Limit of a Sum/Difference: 𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙) ± 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ± 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙)

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

L5. Limit of a Product: 𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙) • 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) • 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙)

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

𝒇(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)

𝒙→𝒂
L6. Limit of a Quotient: 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = where lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝒙→𝒂 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) 𝑥→𝑎
𝒙→𝒂

L7. Limit of Radical: 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒏√𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒏√𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) where n = any positive integer
𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

and lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 0 if n is even

𝑥→𝑎

L8. Limit of a Power: 𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙)]𝒏 = [𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)]𝒏

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

EXAMPLES: Find the limit of the following problems.

1. lim 2𝑥 + 5
𝑥→3
Solution:
lim 2𝑥 + 5
𝑥→3

= lim 2𝑥 + lim 5
𝑥→3 𝑥→3

= 2(3) + 5
= 11

M.A. SALAZAR, A. CABATAÑA, R. CORNELIO

 5
2. lim
𝑥→3 𝑥+3
Solution:
5
lim
𝑥→3 𝑥+3
lim 5
𝑥→3
=
lim 𝑥 + 3
𝑥→3

5
=
3+3
5
=
6

𝑥 2 −16
3. lim
𝑥→4 𝑥−4
Solution:
𝑥 2 − 16
lim
𝑥→4 𝑥 − 4

(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 4)
= lim
𝑥→4 𝑥−4
= lim (𝑥 + 4)
𝑥→4

=4+4
=8

√𝑥−3
4. lim
𝑥→9 𝑥−9
Solution:

√𝑥 − 3
lim
𝑥→9 𝑥 − 9

√𝑥 − 3 √𝑥 + 3
= lim •
𝑥→9 𝑥 − 9 √𝑥 + 3
𝑥−9
= lim
𝑥→9 𝑥 − 9 (√𝑥 + 3)
1
= lim
𝑥→9 √𝑥 + 3
1
=
√9 + 3
1
=
3+3
1
=
6

M.A. SALAZAR, A. CABATAÑA, R. CORNELIO

 (ℎ−5)2 −25
5. lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
Solution:
(ℎ − 5)2 − 25
lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
ℎ2 − 10ℎ + 25 − 25
= lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
ℎ2 − 10ℎ
= lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
ℎ(ℎ − 10)
= lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
= lim ℎ − 10
ℎ→0
= 0 − 10
= −10

M.A. SALAZAR, A. CABATAÑA, R. CORNELIO