Unit 2: Limit Laws

Lesson 2.1
The Basic Limit Laws
Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Warm Up 2

Learn about It! 5

Limit of a Constant Function 5
Limit of an Identity Function 6
Constant Multiple Law 6
Sum or Difference Law 7
Product Law 7
Quotient Law 8
Power Law 8
Root Law 9

Key Points 15

Key Formulas 16

Check Your Understanding 17

Challenge Yourself 18

Photo Credits 18

Bibliography 19

Key to Try It! 19

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Lesson 2.1

The Basic Limit Laws

Introduction
Have you ever seen the sign shown in the picture? This sign means that vehicles weighing
beyond two tons are not allowed to cross the bridge. Why do bridges have weight limits?
Where do these limits depend? Weight limits depend on the construction of the bridge itself,
its age, the materials used to build it, and some other factors.

In the first unit, you were able to determine the limit of a function using a table of values or
its graph. Suppose you are asked to find the limit of the product of two functions. Getting
the product of two functions, and constructing a table of values or graphing the function can

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 1

Unit 2: Limit Laws

sometimes be time-consuming. Is there a more effective and efficient way of evaluating the
limits of functions?

In this lesson, we are going to discuss the different laws of limits that we can apply to easily
and efficiently find the limit of a function.

Learning Objectives DepEd Competency

In this lesson, you should be able to do the

Illustrate the limit laws
following: (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-3).
• Determine the limit of a function
without using table of values or
using its graph.
• Apply the different limit laws in
evaluating limit of a function.

Warm Up
A Short Way to Limits 15 minutes
This activity will enable the students to discover intuitively a method in finding the limit of a
function given a table of values.

Materials
● calculator
● paper
● pen

Procedure
1. This activity will be done by groups of three students.
2. Complete the table of values of the following functions to find their limits.

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 2

Unit 2: Limit Laws

a. lim 3
𝑥→2

Data Table
Table 2.1.1. Table of values for lim 3
𝑥→2

Left side of 2 Right side of 2

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
1.5 2.5
1.8 2.1
1.9 2.003
1.995 2.0002
1.9999 2.000001

Thus, lim 3 = _____.

𝑥→2

b. lim 2𝑥
𝑥→2

Data Table
Table 2.1.2. Table of values for lim 2𝑥
𝑥→2

Left side of 2 Right side of 2

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
1.5 2.5
1.8 2.1
1.9 2.003
1.995 2.0002
1.9999 2.000001

Thus, lim 2𝑥 = _____.

𝑥→2

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 3

Unit 2: Limit Laws

c. lim (2𝑥 + 3)
𝑥→2

Table 2.1.3. Table of values for lim (2𝑥 + 3)

𝑥→2

Left side of 2 Right side of 2

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
1.5 2.5
1.8 2.1
1.9 2.003
1.995 2.0002
1.9999 2.000001

Thus, lim (2𝑥 + 3) = _____.

𝑥→2

3. Evaluate each given function at 𝑥 = 2.

4. Compare the values of the functions in Step 3 with the limits of the functions in
Step 2.

Guide Questions
1. What is the limit of the function in (a), (b), and (c)?
2. What is the function value of each function at 𝑥 = 2?
3. What can you conclude about evaluating function at 𝑥 = 𝑐 and finding the limit of a
function as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐?

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 4

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Learn about It!

In this lesson, we will illustrate the eight basic limit laws that are useful to easily evaluate the
limit of a given function.

For each of the statements, let 𝑐 be a constant, 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions which may or may not
have 𝑐 in their domains, and the limits of 𝑓 and 𝑔 both exist where lim 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝐿 and
𝑥→𝑐

lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑀.
𝑥→𝑐

How can we determine the limit of a function

without graphing the function or using table of
values?

Limit of a Constant Function

The limit of a constant function is the constant itself. Let 𝑘 be any constant. Then,

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 = 𝒌.
𝒙→𝒄

Examples:
1. lim 2 = 2
𝑥→5

2. lim −1.25 = −1.25

𝑥→1

3. lim 0.63 = 0.63

𝑥→0.1

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 5

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Limit of an Identity Function

The limit of the identity function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is equal to 𝑐.

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 = 𝒄
𝒙→𝒄

Examples:
1. lim 𝑥 = 1.5
𝑥→1.5

2. lim 𝑥 = −92
𝑥→−92

3. lim 𝑥 = 10 000
𝑥→10 000

Constant Multiple Law

The limit of a constant 𝑘 multiplied by a function is equal to 𝑘 multiplied by the limit of the
function.

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 ∙ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ∙ 𝑳

𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

For example, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 5, then:

𝑥→𝑐

1. lim 3 ∙ 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 ∙ lim 𝑓 (𝑥) = 3(5) = 15

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2. lim −2 ∙ 𝑓(𝑥) = −2 ∙ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −2(5) = −10

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
1 1 1 1
3. lim 10 ∙ 𝑓(𝑥) = 10 ∙ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 10 (5) = 2
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 6

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Sum or Difference Law

The limit of the sum or difference of two functions is equal to the sum or difference of the
limits of the two functions.

𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙) ± 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ± 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 ± 𝑴

𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

For example, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 4, then:

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

1. lim [𝑓 (𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −3 + 4 = 1

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2. lim [𝑓 (𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) − lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −3 − 4 = −7

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Product Law
The limit of the product of two functions is equal to the product of the limits of the two
functions.

𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝒈(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 ∙ 𝑴

𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

For example, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 6 and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −8, then

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim [𝑓 (𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 6(−8) = −48

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Remember
The sum or difference and product laws can also be used if there are
more than two functions involved.

For example:
1. lim [𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥) ± ⋯ ± ℎ(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ± lim 𝑔(𝑥) ± ⋯ ± lim ℎ(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2. lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) ∙ … ∙ ℎ (𝑥)] = lim 𝑓 (𝑥) ∙ lim 𝑔(𝑥) ∙ … ∙ lim ℎ(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 7

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Quotient Law
The limit of the quotient of two functions is equal to the quotient of the limits of the two
functions, provided that the limit of the divisor is not equal to zero, i.e. lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0.
𝑥→𝑐

𝒇(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) 𝑳

𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝒙→𝒄 =
𝒙→𝒄 𝒈(𝒙) (
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈 𝒙 ) 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄

provided that 𝑀 ≠ 0

For example, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −25 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −10, then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑓(𝑥) −25 5
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑐
lim = = =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔(𝑥) lim 𝑔(𝑥) −10 2
𝑥→𝑐

Power Law
The limit of the integral power of a function is equal to the integral power of the limit of the
function, provided that the limit of the function is not equal to zero when the exponent is
negative, i.e. lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 0 when 𝑛 < 0.
𝑥→𝑐

𝒏
𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒇(𝒙)]𝒏 = [𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)] = 𝑳𝒏
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

provided that 𝐿 ≠ 0 when 𝑛 < 0.

For example, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −4, then

𝑥→𝑐
3
lim [𝑓(𝑥)]3 = [lim 𝑓 (𝑥)] = (−4)3 = −64.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 8

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Root Law
The limit of the 𝑛th root of a function is equal to the 𝑛th root of the limit of the function, where
𝑛 is a positive integer, and the limit of the function is positive when 𝑛 is even. In symbols:

𝒏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒏√𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒏√𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = √𝑳
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 > 0 when 𝑛 is even

𝑥→𝑐

For example, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 32, then

𝑥→𝑐
5
lim 5√𝑓(𝑥) = 5√ lim 𝑓 (𝑥) = √32 = 2
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

What limit law/s can be used to determine

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟓[𝒈(𝒙)]𝟐?
𝒙→𝒄

Let’s Practice!

Example 1
If lim 𝑓 (𝑥) = −3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 12, find lim [2𝑓(𝑥) + 3𝑔(𝑥)].
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Solution

lim [2𝑓(𝑥) + 3𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 2𝑓 (𝑥) + lim 3𝑔 (𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
Sum Law
= 2 lim 𝑓(𝑥) + 3 lim 𝑔(𝑥) Constant Multiple Law
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
= 2(−3) + 3(12) Substitution
= −6 + 36
= 30
Thus, lim [2𝑓(𝑥) + 3𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝟑𝟎.
𝑥→𝑎

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 9

Unit 2: Limit Laws

1 Try It!
Given the same values in Example 1, find lim [7𝑓(𝑥) − 2𝑔(𝑥)].
𝑥→𝑎

Example 2
Find the value of lim (2𝑥 + 3).
𝑥→−4

Solution

lim (2𝑥 + 3) = lim 2𝑥 + lim 3

𝑥→−4 𝑥→−4 𝑥→−4
Sum Law
= 2 lim 𝑥 + 3 Constant Multiple Law, Limit of a Constant
𝑥→−4
= 2(−4) + 3 Limit of an Identity Function
= −8 + 3
= −5

Thus, lim (2𝑥 + 3) = −𝟓.

𝑥→−4

2 Try It!
Find the value of lim (5 − 4𝑥).
𝑥→−2

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 10

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Tip
The limit of 2𝑥 + 3 as 𝑥 approaches −4 could be determined by
directly substituting the constant that 𝑥 approaches to the given
function. For example:

lim (2𝑥 + 3) = 2(−4) + 3 = −8 + 3 = −𝟓

𝑥→−4

Note that direct substitution may NOT be applicable to some limits

that will be discussed in the next lesson.

Example 3
Given lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0.25 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −2.34, evaluate lim 10𝑓 (𝑥)[𝑔(𝑥)]2 .
𝑥→𝑏 𝑥→𝑏 𝑥→𝑏

Solution

lim 10𝑓 (𝑥)[𝑔(𝑥)]2 = 10 lim 𝑓(𝑥)[𝑔(𝑥)]2 Constant Multiple Law

𝑥→𝑏 𝑥→𝑏

= 10 {lim 𝑓 (𝑥) ∙ lim [𝑔(𝑥)]2 } Product Law

𝑥→𝑏 𝑥→𝑏
2 Power Law
= 10 {lim 𝑓 (𝑥) ∙ [lim 𝑔(𝑥)] }
𝑥→𝑏 𝑥→𝑏

= 10[0.25(−2.34)2 ]
= 10(1.3689)
= 13.689

Thus, lim 10𝑓 (𝑥)[𝑔(𝑥)]2 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟔𝟖𝟗.

𝑥→𝑏

3 Try It!
Using the same values in Example 3, evaluate lim −4[𝑓(𝑥)]3 𝑔(𝑥).
𝑥→𝑏

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 11

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Example 4
Compute lim √5𝑥 + 1.
𝑥→3

Solution

lim √5𝑥 + 1 = √ lim (5𝑥 + 1)

𝑥→3 𝑥→3 Root Law

= √ lim 5𝑥 + lim 1
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
Sum Law

= √5 lim 𝑥 + 1 Constant Multiple Law, Limit of a Constant

𝑥→3

= √5(3) + 1 Limit of an Identity Function

= √15 + 1
= √16
=4

Thus, lim √5𝑥 + 1 = 𝟒.

𝑥→3

4 Try It!
Compute lim √3 − 12𝑥 .
3
𝑥→−2

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 12

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Example 5
1 −2𝑓(𝑥)+𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥)
Assume that lim 𝑓 (𝑥) = 2, lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 16, and lim ℎ(𝑥) = −4, compute lim [𝑓(𝑥)+𝑔(𝑥)]2
.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Solution

lim [−2𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ (𝑥)]

−2𝑓 (𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑐
lim = Quotient law
𝑥→𝑐 [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)]2 lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)]2
𝑥→𝑐

For the numerator, we have

lim [−2𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥)] = lim −2𝑓 (𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥) Sum Law
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
= −2 lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥) ∙ lim ℎ(𝑥) Constant Multiple and Product Law
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
1
= −2 ( ) + 16(−4) Substitution
2
= −1 − 64
= −65

For the denominator, we have

2
lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)]2 = [lim 𝑓 (𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥)] Power Law
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

1 2 Substitution
= [ + 16]
2
33 2
=( )
2
1 089
=
4

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 13

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Get the quotient of the numerator and denominator.

lim [−2𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ (𝑥)]

−2𝑓 (𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑐
lim
𝑥→𝑐 [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)]2
=
lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)]2 Quotient law
𝑥→𝑐
−65 Substitution
=
1 089
4
4
= −65 ( )
1 089
260
=−
1 089

−2𝑓(𝑥)+𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥) 𝟐𝟔𝟎
Thus, lim [𝑓(𝑥)+𝑔(𝑥)]2
= − 𝟏 𝟎𝟖𝟗.
𝑥→𝑐

5 Try It!
𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)+[ℎ(𝑥)]2
Assuming the same values in Example 5, compute lim .
𝑥→𝑐 −2𝑓(𝑥)+4𝑔(𝑥)

Example 6
[𝑓(𝑥)]2+𝑔(𝑥)
If 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥, calculate lim 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
.
𝑥→−5

Solution

[𝑓(𝑥)]2 + 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥
lim = lim Substitution: 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥
𝑥→−5 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→−5 𝑥 (2𝑥)

lim (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥)
𝑥→−5
= Quotient Law
lim 2𝑥 2
𝑥→−5
lim 𝑥 2 + 2 lim 𝑥
= 𝑥→−5 𝑥→−5
Sum Law, Constant Multiple Law
2 lim 𝑥2
𝑥→−5
2
( lim 𝑥) + 2 lim 𝑥
𝑥→−5 𝑥→−5
= 2 Power Law
2 ( lim 𝑥)
𝑥→−5

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 14

Unit 2: Limit Laws

(−5)2 + 2(−5) Limit of an Identity Function

=
2(−5)2
25 − 10
=
2(25)
15
=
50
3
=
10

[𝑓(𝑥)]2+𝑔(𝑥) 𝟑
Thus, lim 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
= 𝟏𝟎.
𝑥→−5

6 Try It!
𝑓(𝑥)−[𝑔(𝑥)]2
Using the same functions in Example 6, find lim .
𝑥→−2 √𝑓 (𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)

Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________

The basic limit laws used in determining the limit of a function without using a table of
values or graph of the function are the following:
● Limit of a Constant Function
● Limit of an Identity Function
● Constant Multiple Law
● Sum or Difference Law
● Product Law
● Quotient Law
● Power Law
● Root Law
_________________________________________________________________________________________

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 15

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Key Formulas
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Limit Laws Formula

Limit of a Constant Function lim 𝑘 = 𝑘

𝑥→𝑐

Limit of an Identity Function lim 𝑥 = 𝑐

𝑥→𝑐

Constant Multiple Law lim 𝑘 ∙ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘 ∙ lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Sum or Difference Law lim [𝑓 (𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ± lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Product Law lim 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Quotient Law lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑐
lim = ,
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔(𝑥) lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐
provided that lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑐

𝑛
Power Law lim [𝑓(𝑥)]𝑛 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] ,
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
provided that lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 0 if 𝑛 < 0
𝑥→𝑐

Root Law lim 𝑛√𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√ lim 𝑓(𝑥) ,

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

provided that lim 𝑓(𝑥) > 0 when 𝑛 is even

𝑥→𝑐

___________________________________________________________________________________________

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 16

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Check Your Understanding

A. Use the basic limit laws to evaluate the following limits.

1. lim (2𝑥 + 1)
𝑥→2

2. lim1(2𝑥 2 − 7)
𝑥→
4

3. lim (𝑥 − 7)2
𝑥→−5

4. lim √7𝑥 + 8
𝑥→4
𝑥−5
5. lim
𝑥→8 2𝑥+1

B. Given lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 5, lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −3, and lim ℎ(𝑥) = −2, compute the
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

following limits.
3𝑓(𝑥)+𝑔(𝑥)
1. lim ℎ(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
2𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)+4
2. lim
𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)+ℎ(𝑥)

3. lim {[𝑓(𝑥)]2 [𝑔(𝑥)]3 − 7ℎ(𝑥)}

𝑥→𝑎
−2𝑓(𝑥)+4𝑔(𝑥)
4. lim
𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥)

√−3𝑓 (𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
5. lim ℎ(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
[𝑓(𝑥)]2 [𝑔(𝑥)]2
6. lim
𝑥→𝑎 ℎ(𝑥)

7. lim {3[𝑓(𝑥)]2 − 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥)}

𝑥→𝑎
−4𝑓(𝑥)+8
8. lim 7−𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
2
9. lim {10𝑓 (𝑥) − 9 [𝑔(𝑥)]3 }
𝑥→𝑎
ℎ(𝑥)−12𝑓(𝑥)
10. lim [𝑔(𝑥)]2
𝑥→𝑎

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 17

Unit 2: Limit Laws

C. Analyze and answer the question below.

𝑓(𝑥)
If the limits of 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) both exist, does lim [𝑔(𝑥)] always exist? Why or why not?
𝑥→𝑎

Challenge Yourself

A. Using the limit laws, prove the following equations given that
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥), 𝑐 is a real number, and the limits lim 𝑓 (𝑥) and lim 𝑔(𝑥) both
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

exist.

1. lim [𝑓 (𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] = 0

𝑥→𝑐
2
2. lim [𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] = [lim 𝑓 (𝑥)]
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

3. lim √𝑓 (𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

B. Suppose that the limits of 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) both exist, and 𝑐 and 𝑘 are both
real numbers. Determine when the limit of the following functions does
not exist.

4. lim [𝑓 (𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)]𝑘

𝑥→𝑐
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑘
5. lim [𝑔(𝑥)]
𝑥→𝑐

Photo Credits
Weight Limit-Bridge by Greg Habermann is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 18

Unit 2: Limit Laws

Bibliography

Edwards, C.H., and David E. Penney. Calculus: Early Transcendentals. 7th ed. Upper Saddle
River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008.

Larson, Ron H., and Bruce H. Edwards. Essential Calculus: Early Transcendental Functions.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008.

Leithold, Louis. The Calculus 7. New York: HarperCollins College Publ., 1997.

Smith, Robert T., and Roland B. Milton. Calculus. New York: McGraw Hill, 2012.

Tan, Soo T. Applied Calculus for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences: A Brief Approach.
Australia: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2012.

Key to Try It!

1. −45
2. 13
3. 0.14625
4. 3
8
5. 21
9√2
6. − 2

2.1. The Basic Limit Laws 19