S2 Q3 BASIC CALCULUS FORMULA CARD

Lesson 1. Lesson 2.
THE LIMIT OF A FUNCTION ILLUSTRATION OF LIMIT LAWS
LIMIT OF A FUNCTION BASIC LIMIT THEOREMS/LAWS/RULES
𝑓 = function of a single
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 variable 𝑥 Constant Rule
lim 𝑘 = 𝑘
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥 = variable 𝑥→𝑐
𝑐 = constant
The limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 𝐿 = limit
Identity Rule
lim 𝑥 = 𝑐
is 𝐿. 𝑥→𝑐

ONE-SIDED LIMITS Suppose lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿

𝑥→𝑐

𝑓 = function of a single
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿1 variable 𝑥 lim 𝑘 • 𝑓(𝑥)
−
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥 = variable 𝑥→𝑐
𝑐 = constant Constant Multiple
The limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 𝐿1 = limit from the left Rule = 𝑘 • lim 𝑓(𝑥)
from the left is 𝐿1. 𝑥→𝑐

𝑓 = function of a single =𝑘 •𝐿
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿2 variable 𝑥
+ Suppose lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑀
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥 = variable 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
𝑐 = constant
The limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 𝐿2 = limit from the right lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)]
from the left is 𝐿2.
𝑥→𝑐
Addition Rule = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥)
TWO-SIDED LIMITS
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 =𝐿 +𝑀
𝑥→𝑐
lim [𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)]
if and only if 𝑥→𝑐
Subtraction Rule = lim 𝑓(𝑥) − lim 𝑔(𝑥)
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
− +
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
=𝐿 −𝑀
lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐷𝑁𝐸
𝑥→𝑐 lim [𝑓(𝑥) • 𝑔(𝑥)]
𝑥→𝑐
whenever Multiplication Rule = lim 𝑓(𝑥) • lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐
−
𝑥→𝑐
+ =𝐿 •𝑀
𝑓(𝑥)
LIMIT OF A FUNCTION VALUE OF THE FUNCTION
lim [ 𝑔(𝑥) ]
𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑐) lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 Division Rule 𝑥→𝑐
= lim 𝑔(𝑥)
lim 𝑓(𝑥) has nothing to do with 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
𝐿
= 𝑀
;𝑀 ≠ 0
S2 Q3 BASIC CALCULUS FORMULA CARD
FOR RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Suppose lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐 - If the answer after substituting is indeterminate, it is not
the limit.
𝑝
lim (𝑓(𝑥)) ● To find the limit,
𝑥→𝑐 - Factor out common factors in the numerator and
𝑝 denominator.
Power Rule
= ( lim 𝑓(𝑥)) or
𝑥→𝑐
𝑝 - Rationalize the function, then factor out common factors.
= 𝐿
INFINITE LIMITS
Suppose lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, 𝐿 > 0 if 𝑛 is even
𝑥→𝑐 The limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is positive infinity, denoted by

lim
𝑛
𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥) =+ ∞
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Radical Rule if the value of 𝑓(𝑥) increases without bound whenever the values
= 𝑛 lim 𝑓(𝑥) of 𝑥 get closer and closer to 𝑐.
𝑥→𝑐 The limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is negative infinity, denoted by
𝑛
= 𝐿 lim 𝑓(𝑥) =− ∞
𝑥→𝑐
Lesson 3.
LIMITS OF POLYNOMIAL, RATIONAL, AND if the value of 𝑓(𝑥) decreases without bound whenever the values
of 𝑥 get closer and closer to 𝑐.
RADICAL FUNCTIONS
THEOREMS THEOREM FOR INFINITE LIMITS

Let 𝑓 be a polynomial function of the form Suppose lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 ≠ 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0. If
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
𝑛 𝑛−1 𝑛−2
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛𝑥 + 𝑎𝑛−1𝑥 + 𝑎𝑛−2𝑥 +... + 𝑎1𝑥 + 𝑎0 i. 𝐿 > 0 and 𝑔(𝑥) approaches 0 through positive values as 𝑥
approaches 𝑐, then
If 𝑐 is a real number, then
𝑓(𝑥)
lim 𝑔(𝑥)
=+ ∞
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) 𝑥→𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 ii. 𝐿 > 0 and 𝑔(𝑥) approaches 0 through negative values as 𝑥
approaches 𝑐, then
Let ℎ be a rational function of the form
𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) lim =− ∞
ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑐
𝑔(𝑥)

where 𝑓 and 𝑔 are polynomial functions. If 𝑐 is a real number and Suppose lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 ≠ 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0. If
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
𝑔(𝑐) ≠ 0, then
i. 𝐿 < 0 and 𝑔(𝑥) approaches 0 through positive values as 𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑐)
lim 𝑔(𝑥)
= 𝑔(𝑐)
approaches 𝑐, then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑓(𝑥)
lim 𝑔(𝑥)
=− ∞
INDETERMINATE FORM 𝑥→𝑐
𝑓(𝑥) ii. 𝐿 < 0 and 𝑔(𝑥) approaches 0 through negative values as 𝑥
If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0, then lim 𝑔(𝑥)
is called an approaches 𝑐, then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
0
indeterminate form of type 0 . 𝑓(𝑥)
lim 𝑔(𝑥)
=+ ∞
NOTE: Indeterminate form is never a final answer. 𝑥→𝑐
S2 Q3 BASIC CALCULUS FORMULA CARD
THEOREM FOR ONE-SIDED INFINITE LIMITS
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏𝑥
If 𝑛 is any positive integer, then

lim
1 lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏𝑥 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏𝑐
𝑛 =+ ∞
+ 𝑥 𝑥→𝑐
𝑥→0
1 +∞ 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛
lim 𝑛 = {
−∞ 𝑖𝑓 𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑
LIMITS OF NATURAL EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
− 𝑥
𝑥→0 𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 , 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅
THEOREM FOR LIMITS AT INFINITY
𝑥 𝑐
If 𝑘 is any real integer and 𝑛 is a positive integer, then lim 𝑒 = 𝑒
𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑘 = 𝑘
𝑥→∞
THEOREM FOR LIMITS OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
1
lim 𝑛 = 0 Let 𝑥 be an expression defined as an angle of the trigonometric
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 function and 𝑐 be any real constant, then (provided the limit exists)

LIMITS OF RATIOS OF POLYNOMIALS lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑐

𝑥→𝑐
𝑓(𝑥)
lim 𝑔(𝑥) lim 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑐
𝑥 → ±∞ 𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑐
deg of 𝑓(𝑥) < deg of 𝑔(𝑥) The limit is zero. 𝑥→𝑐

deg of 𝑓(𝑥) = deg of 𝑔(𝑥) The limit is obtained by

dividing the leading terms of Lesson 5.
the polynomials. SOME TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
deg of 𝑓(𝑥) > deg of 𝑔(𝑥) The limit is either ∞ or − ∞. It SOME SPECIAL LIMITS
is dependent upon the 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑥
degrees and the coefficients lim 𝑥
=1 lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
=1
of the leading terms of the 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
polynomials.
𝑥
𝑒 −1 𝑥
NOTE: The polynomials must be written in descending order. lim =1 lim 𝑥 =1
𝑥 𝑒 −1
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
Lesson 4. 1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
LIMITS OF EXPONENTIAL, LOGARITHMIC, lim 𝑥
=0
AND TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS 𝑥→0

LIMITS OF EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS Lesson 6.

If 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1, the exponential function with base 𝑏 is defined by CONTINUITY OF FUNCTIONS AT A POINT
𝑥 CONTINUITY AT A POINT
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 , 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅
A function 𝑓 is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if:
𝑥 𝑐
lim 𝑏 = 𝑏 lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

LIMITS OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS THREE CONDITIONS OF CONTINUITY

𝑦
Let 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1. If 𝑏 = 𝑥 then 𝑦 is called the logarithm of 𝑥 to A function 𝑓 is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if it satisfies the three
the base 𝑏, denoted by conditions:
S2 Q3 BASIC CALCULUS FORMULA CARD
Lesson 8.
a. 𝑓(𝑐) exists;
TYPES OF DISCONTINUITIES
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists; and
𝑥→𝑐 REMOVABLE DISCONTINUITY
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) =𝑓(𝑐) A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 if
a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists; and
If one or more of these conditions fail to hold at 𝑐, then 𝑓 is
discontinuous at 𝑐. 𝑥→𝑐
b. 𝑓(𝑐) ≠ lim 𝑓(𝑥)
Lesson 7. 𝑥→𝑐
CONTINUITY OF FUNCTIONS ON AN It is said to be removable because the discontinuity may be
INTERVAL removed by redefining 𝑓(𝑐) so that it will be equal to lim 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑥→𝑐

ONE-SIDED CONTINUITY In other words, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, a removable discontinuity, is

𝑥→𝑐
A function 𝑓 is said to be continuous from the left at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if:
remedied by the redifinition, 𝑓(𝑐) = 𝐿, then it will be continuous.

𝑓(𝑐) = lim 𝑓(𝑥)

− JUMP DISCONTINUITY
𝑥→𝑐
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a jump discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if
A function 𝑓 is said to be continuous from the right at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if:
a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑐) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑐
−
𝑥→𝑐
+
+
𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐷𝑁𝐸 because the limits from the left and right at 𝑥 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
CONTINUITY ON AN INTERVAL exist but are not equal.
A function 𝑓 is said to be continuous:
a. everywhere if 𝑓 is continuous at every real number. In INFINITE DISCONTINUITY
this case, we also say that 𝑓 is continuous on 𝑅.
b. on (𝑎, 𝑏) if 𝑓 is continuous at every point 𝑥 in (𝑎, 𝑏). A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have an infinite discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if
c. on [𝑎, 𝑏) if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏) from the right at 𝑎.
d. on (𝑎, 𝑏] if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏) from the left at 𝑏.
e. on [𝑎, 𝑏] if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏] and [𝑎, 𝑏).
a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐷𝑁𝐸
f. on (𝑎, + ∞) if 𝑓 is continuous at all 𝑥 > 𝑎. 𝑥→𝑐
g. on [𝑎, + ∞) if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, + ∞) and from the
right at 𝑎. because either lim 𝑓(𝑥) =± ∞ or lim 𝑓(𝑥) =± ∞
− +
h. on (− ∞, 𝑏) if 𝑓 is continuous at all 𝑥 < 𝑏. 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
i. on (− ∞, 𝑏] if 𝑓 is continuous on (− ∞, 𝑏) and from the
left at 𝑏.
Lesson 9.
INTERMEDIATE AND EXTREME VALUE
CONTINUITY OF POLYNOMIAL, ABSOLUTE VALUE, THEOREMS
RATIONAL, AND SQUARE ROOT FUNCTIONS
a. Polynomial functions are continuous everywhere. INTERMEDIATE VALUE THEOREM (IVT)
b. The absolute value function 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥| is continuous
everywhere. If a function 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous over a closed interval [𝑎, 𝑏], then
c. Rational functions are continuous on their respective for every 𝑚 between 𝑓(𝑎) and 𝑓(𝑏), there is a value 𝑐 ∈ [𝑎, 𝑏]
domains. such that 𝑓(𝑐) = 𝑚.
d. The square root function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 is continuous on
[0, + ∞). EXTREME VALUE THEOREM (IVT)
If a function 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous over a closed interval [𝑎, 𝑏], then
𝑓(𝑥) is guaranteed to reach a maximum and a minimum on [𝑎, 𝑏].
An extreme value of 𝑓, or extemum, is either a minimum or
maximum value of the function.

● A minimum value of 𝑓 occurs at some 𝑥 = 𝑐 if

𝑓(𝑐) ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) for all 𝑥 ≠ 𝑐 in the interval.
● A maximum value of 𝑓 occurs at some 𝑥 = 𝑐 if
𝑓(𝑐) ≥ 𝑓(𝑥) for all 𝑥 ≠ 𝑐 in the interval.
S2 Q3 BASIC CALCULUS FORMULA CARD
Lesson 10.
INTRODUCTION TO DERIVATIVES
EQUATION OF THE TANGENT LINE
To find the equation of the tangent line to the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥):

1. Find the value of 𝑥1.

2. Find the value of 𝑦1 Then find the point of tangency.
3. Find the slope of the tangent line by computing
𝑦−𝑦 𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥 )
𝑚 = lim 𝑥−𝑥1 or 𝑚 = lim 𝑥−𝑥1
1
.
𝑥 → 𝑥1 1 𝑥 → 𝑥1
4. Substitute the value of the slope 𝑚 and the coordinates
of the known point 𝑃(𝑥1,𝑦1) in the point-slope form
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑇𝐿(𝑥 − 𝑥1). Convert it to slope-intercept form.

NOTE: The slope of the tangent line is equal to the derivative.

THE EQUIVALENT DEFINITION OF THE DERIVATIVE

Let 𝑓 be a function defined on an open interval 𝐼 ⊆ 𝑅, and let
𝑥 ∈ 𝐼. The derivative of 𝑓 with respect to 𝑥 is defined to be

𝑓(𝑥+∆𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓'(𝑥) = lim ∆𝑥
∆𝑥 → 0
If this limit exists.
Similarly, if we let ℎ = ∆𝑥

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓'(𝑥) = lim ℎ
ℎ→0

DIFFERENTIABILITY
The function 𝑓(𝑥) is differentiable at 𝑥 = 𝑐, if 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous
− +
and 𝑓'(𝑥 ) = 𝑓'(𝑥 ).