BasCal – Long Exam 1 Reviewer

Coverage

Limits and Continuity

1. Limits of a function using table of values
2. Graphical Approach to Limits of Functions  If the limit of the function from left and from right
3. Definition of the Limit of a Function are different, then the limit does not exist.
4. Properties of limits and their applications in
evaluating limits of algebraic functions (2) Find the limit of a function using table of values
(a) evaluation of one-sided limits
(b) infinite limits 1) 𝐟(𝒙)= 𝒙𝟐 − 𝐱 + 𝟐
(c) limits at infinity
5. Limits of exponential, logarithmic, and x F(x) x F(x)
trigonometric functions using tables of values or
graphs of the functions
6. Evaluation of limits involving the expressions 1.9 3.71 2.050 4.1525
1.95 3.8525 2.010 4.0301

7. Continuity of a Function at a Number 1.99 3.9701 2.005 4.0150

8. Continuity on an Interval 1.999 3.9971 2.001 4.0030
9. Different types of discontinuity (hole/removable,
From the table of values, we see that as x is closer to 2 the
jump/essential, asymptotic/infinite)
value of f(x) is closer to 4
10. Intermediate Value Theorem
lim 𝒙𝟐 − 𝐱 + 𝟐 = 4
The derivative and Differentiation
𝒙→2
11. The Tangent Line and the Derivative
12. Theorems on Differentiation of Algebraic
Functions and Higher-Order Derivatives “the limit of the function 𝐟(𝒙)= 𝒙𝟐 − 𝐱 + 𝟐 as x approaches
13. The Derivative of a Composite Function and the 2 is equal to 4”
Chain Rule
2) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (x+2)
LIMITS 𝒙→4
Module 1.1: Introduction to Limits
x F(x) x F(x)
(1) Define the limit of a function
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)= 𝑳 3 5 5 7
𝒙→𝒂 3.5 5.5 4.7 6.7
 Let 𝒇 be a function defined on some open
interval containing the number a except possibly 3.7 5.7 4.5 6.5
at a itself. Then the limit of 𝒇 as 𝒙 approaches 𝒂
3.9 5.9 4.1 6.1
is 𝑳, written as
 “The value of 𝒇 gets closer and closer to one and 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (x+2) = 6 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (x+2) = 6
only one number 𝑳 as x takes values that are 𝒙→4- 𝒙→4+
closer and closer to a”
 The limit of a function refers to the value that the 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (x+2) = 6
function approaches, not the actual value (if 𝒙→4
any). “the limit of the function 𝐟(𝒙)= 𝒙+2 as x approaches 4 is
equal to 6”
(3) Find the limit of a function using graphical function
 𝒙→1
(b) lim f(x) = 1
𝒙→−𝟐
(c) lim f(x) = 4
𝒙→3+
(d) lim f(x) = 0
𝒙→3−
(e) lim f(x) = 3
𝒙→0
(f) lim f(x) = 1
𝒙→6
(g) lim f(x) = 1
𝒙→−𝟐
(a) 1
Graph the given piecewise function
(b) -6
1) f(x) =
(c) DNE
x+1 if x<4
(d) 4 2
(x-4) + 3 if x≥4

(a) lim f(x) = 4

𝒙→3
(b) lim f(x) = 3
𝒙→4
(c) lim f(x) = 4
𝒙→5
(d) f(3) = 4

Summary of concepts about limits:

1. The limit of a function is a value of the function as
the input of the function gets closer or
approaches some number.
2. Limits are used to define continuity, integrals, and
(a) -∞ derivatives.
(b) -2 3. The limit of a function is always concerned with
(c) DNE the behavior of the function at a particular point.
(d) -8 4. The limit of a function exists if and only if the Left-
Hand Limit is equal to the Right-Hand Limit.

Exercise

(a) lim f(x) = 2

 (a) lim f(x) = -1 Direct substitution property
𝒙→0  If a function f is a polynomial or rational function
(b) lim f(x) = 3 and a is the domain of f, then
𝒙→-3 lim f(x) = f(a)
(c) lim f(x) = -1 𝒙→a
𝒙→-2+
Evaluate the following using limit laws:
(d) lim f(x) = DNE
𝒙→-∞
1) lim (2x2 – 8x)
(e) lim f(x) = DNE
𝒙→-1
𝒙→+∞
= lim (2x2) – lim (8x)
𝒙→-1 𝒙→-1
= 2 (-1)2 – 8 (-1)
LIMITS
=2+8
Module 1.2: Limit Theorems
= 10
(1) Limit Laws
2) lim {(x+5)(x-2)}
𝒙→1
= [lim (x+5)][lim (x-2)]
𝒙→1 𝒙→1
= (1+5)(1-2)
= -6

3) lim x+3/2-x
𝒙→-2
= lim (x+3) / lim (2–x)
𝒙→-2 𝒙→-2
= (-2+3) / (2+2)
=¼

4) lim (4x3 – x2 – 8x)

𝒙→-1
= lim (4x3) – lim (x2) – lim (8x)
𝒙→-1 𝒙→-1 𝒙→-1
3 2
= 4(-1) – (-1) – 8(-1)
=3
 5) lim 4/5
𝒙→-1
= 4/5

Points to remember in evaluating limits of rational

functions:
1. Substitute. Plug the value of a into the function. If
the answer is a real number, then the limit is the
function value itself.
2. If we plug in a and we get the indeterminate form:
0/0, then we need to simplify the function by:
a. Factoring
b. Conjugate method (for radicals)

6) lim (x – 2)2 – 4 / x
𝒙→0
= lim x2 – 4x + 4 – 4 / x
𝒙→0
= lim x(x – 4) / x
𝒙→0
= lim (x – 4)
(1.1) One Sided Limits
𝒙→0
 In some cases , a function may approach either
= -4
of two different limits, depending on whether the
variable approaches its limit through values
7) lim x2 + x – 2 / x – 1
larger or smaller than that limit.
𝒙→1
 In such a case, the limit is not defined or does not
= lim (x – 1) (x + 2) / x – 1
exist, but the right-hand and left-hand limits exist.
𝒙→1
= lim (x + 2)
𝒙→1
= (1 + 2)
=3

8) lim (√x – 3 )/ x – 9
𝒙→9
= lim (√x – 3 )/ x – 9 (√x+3/√x+3) - If the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit
𝒙→9 both exist and are both equal to L, then (the
= lim x – 9 / (x – 9)(√x+3) two-sided limit) exists and is equal to L.
𝒙→9 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)= 𝑳
= lim 1 / (√x+3) 𝒙→𝒂
𝒙→9 - If the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit
= 1/6 both exist but are not equal, or if one of
these exists while the other does not, then
the two-sided limit does not exist.
 Left-hand limit
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)= 𝑳
𝒙→𝒂-
the left-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches a is
equal to L if we can make the values of f(x)
arbitrarily close to L by taking x to be sufficiently
close to a and x is less than a.
 Right-hand limit (b) lim f(x)
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)= 𝑳 𝒙→0-
𝒙→𝒂+ = lim x + 2
the right-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches a is =2
equal to L if we can make the values of f(x)
arbitrarily close to L by taking x to be sufficiently (c) lim f(x)
close to a and x is greater than a. 𝒙→0
=2
1) lim √x – 3
𝒙→3+ (1.2) Infinite Limits (Vertical Asymptotes)
= √3.0001 – 3  𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)= +∞
= √0.0001 𝒙→𝒂
= 0.01 means that the values of f(x) can be made
=0 arbitrarily large by taking x sufficiently close to a
on either side but not equal to a.
2) lim √x – 4  𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)= -∞
𝒙→4- 𝒙→𝒂
= √3.999 – 4 means that the values of f(x) can be made
= √-0.001 arbitrarily small by taking x sufficiently close to a
= undefined on either side but not equal to a.
 Infinite limit theorem
3) piecewise Let r be any positive integer
f(x) = 1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 1/xr= +∞
x–1 if x<1 𝒙→0+
x2 if x≥1 2.1 𝐥𝐢𝐦 1/xr= +∞ if r is even
𝒙→0-
(a) lim f(x) 2.2 𝐥𝐢𝐦 1/xr= -∞ if r is odd
𝒙→1+ 𝒙→0-
= lim x2  Other theorems
= 12 Let lim f(x) = c ≠ 0
=1 lim g(x) = 0
1. lim f(x)/g(x) = +∞
(b) lim f(x) 𝒙→a
𝒙→1- - If c is positive and g(x) 0+
= lim x – 1 - If c is negative and g(x) 0-
=1–1 2. lim f(x)/g(x) = -∞
=0 𝒙→a
- If c is positive and g(x) 0-
(c) lim f(x) - If c is negative and g(x) 0+
𝒙→1
= DNE 1) lim 2x + 1 / x – 3
𝒙→3-
4) piecewise = 2(3) + 1 / x – 3
f(x) = =7/x–3
x+2 if x<0 = 7 / 2.9 – 3
√x2 + 4 if x≥0 = 7 (c=positive) / -0.1 (g(x)=negative)
= -∞
(a) lim f(x) or
𝒙→0+ = 7 / 2.9 – 3 = -70
= lim √x2 + 4 = 7 / 2.999 – 3 = -7000
=2 = -∞
 2) lim x + 1 / x – 1 =0–0+0/4–0
𝒙→1+ = 0/4
= (1) + 1 / x – 1 =0
= 2 / (1.01) – 1
= 2 (c=positive) / 0.01 (g(x)=positive 3) lim (3x + 1/x2)
= +∞ 𝒙→+∞
or lim (3x ) + lim (1/x2)
= 2 / (1.01) – 1 = 200 𝒙→+∞ 𝒙→+∞
= 2 / (1.0001) – 1 = 20,000 = 3(+∞) + 0
= +∞ = +∞

(1.2) Limits at Infinity 4) lim (3x + 4) / (√2x2 – 5)

 Let f be a function defined on some open interval 𝒙→-∞
(a,∞) = (3x + 4 / √x2) / (√2x2 – 5 / √x2)
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)= 𝑳 = (3x / √x2 + 4 / √x2) / (√2x2 – 5 / √x2)
𝒙→∞
means that the values of f(x) can be made as property:
close to L as we like by taking x sufficiently large. √x2 = |x| = -x if x<0
 Let f be a function defined on some open interval √x2 = |x| = x if x≥0
(a,∞)
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)= 𝑳 𝒙→-∞ = (3x/-x + 4/-x) / (√2x2/√x2 –
𝒙→-∞ 5/√x2)
means that the values of f(x) can be made as = (-3 – 4/x) / (√2 – 5/x2)
close to L as we like by taking x sufficiently small.
 Theorem lim (-3 – 4/x) / (√2 – 5/x2)
Let r be any positive integer. 𝒙→-∞
1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 1/xr = 0
𝒙→+∞ = -3 – 0 / √2 – 0
2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 1/xr = 0 = -3 / √2
𝒙→-∞

1) lim 4x – 3 / 2x + 5
𝒙→+∞
(divide by highest power and distribute values)
= (4x/x – 3/x) / (2x/x + 5/x)
= (4 – 3/x) / (2 + 5/x)
lim (4 – 3/x) / (2 + 5/x)
𝒙→+∞
=4–0/2+0
=4/2
=2

2) lim 2x2 – x + 5 / 4x3 – 1

𝒙→-∞
(divide by highest power)
= (2x2 – x + 5 / x3) / (4x3 – 1 / x3)
(distribute values)
= (2x2/x3 – x/x3 + 5/ x3) / (4x3/x3 – 1/x3)
= (2/x – 1/x2 + 5/x3) / (4 – 1/x3)
lim (2/x – 1/x2 + 5/x3) / (4 – 1/x3)
𝒙→-∞
 Exponential functions (Graphical/Substitution)

1) lim ex
𝒙→0
=1
2) lim ex
𝒙→1
=e

LIMITS Logarithmic functions (Graphical/Substitution)

Module 1.3: Limit of Transcendental Functions
evaluate the limit of exponential, logarithmic and
trigonometric functions.

Recall:
 Exponential function
If 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1, the exponential function with
base 𝑏 is defined by
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏𝑥 𝑥∈ℝ
 Logarithmic function
Let 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1, If 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥, the 𝑦 is called the
logarithm of 𝒙 to the base 𝒃, denoted by
𝑦 = log𝑏 𝑥 1) lim ln 𝑥
Determination of limits: Table of values, Graphical, or 𝒙→1
Substitution =0
2) lim log 𝑥
𝒙→1
=0
3) lim ln 𝑥
𝒙→e
=1
4) lim log 𝑥
𝒙→3
= 0.477
5) lim ln 𝑥
𝒙→0+
= -∞
6) lim log 𝑥
𝒙→0+
= -∞
Trigonometric functions (Graphical/Substitution)

1) lim sin 𝑥
𝒙→0
=0
2) lim sin 𝑥
𝒙→π/2
=1
3) lim sin 𝑥
𝒙→π
=0

1) lim cos 𝑥
𝒙→0
=1
2) lim cos 𝑥
𝒙→π/2
=0
3) lim cos 𝑥
𝒙→π
= -1

Evaluation
Evaluating the theorems (using table of values)

(1) (2)
(3) Applying the theorems (the numerator x should also be the
denominator x)
 Continuity of a Function at a Number (discontinuity)
A function f is said to be continuous at a if the following
three conditions are satisfied:
1. f(a) exists
2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists
𝑥→𝑎
3. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑥→𝑎

If one or more of these three conditions fails to hold at 𝑎,

the function 𝑓 is said to be discontinuous at 𝑥 = 𝑎.

1) piecewise
c(x) =
x if 0 ≤ x ≤ 10
9/10 x if x > 10

determine if c(x) is continuous at 10

c(10) = 10

lim c(x) = undefined

𝒙→10
(get the one sided limits)

lim c(x)
CONTINUITY 𝒙→10+
Module 2: Continuity = lim 9/10x
=9
h(x) = 1/x
Is it continuous at x = 0? lim c(x)
𝒙→10-
= 10

discontinuous at 10

2) f(x) = 2x2 + x – 3 / x – 1
x≠1

f(1) = not defined

 lim h(x) = +∞
f(x) = (2x + 3)(x-1) / (x-1)
𝒙→0+
f(x) = (2x + 3)
 lim h(x) = -∞
2(1) + 3 = 5
𝒙→0-
The function is discontinuous at x = 0
discontinuous at (1,5)
Is the function continuous at x = 2? YES
3) piecewise
 c(x) =
x if 0 ≤ x ≤ 10
0.7x+3 if x > 10

determine if c(x) is continuous at 10

c(10) = 10

lim c(x) = 10
𝒙→10
(get the one sided limits)

lim c(x)
𝒙→10+
= lim 0.7x + 3
= 10

lim c(x)
𝒙→10-
= 10

lim c(x) = c(x) = 10

𝒙→10

continuous at 10
(1)

(2)
 Continuity of a Function at a Number (aymptotic or infinite
discontinuity)

Continuity of a Function at a Number (removable

discontinuity)
A function 𝑓 𝑥 is said to have a removable discontinuity
at 𝑥 = 𝑎 if
1. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists
𝑥→𝑎
2. either 𝑓(𝑎) does not exist or lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑥→𝑎
It is said to be removable because the discontinuity may
𝑓(𝑎) so that it will equal lim 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑥→𝑎

Removable discontinuity is also called hole discontinuity.

Continuity of a Function at a Number (jump discontinuity)

A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have an essential discontinuity at

𝑥 = 𝑎 if lim 𝑓(𝑥) DNE.
𝑥→𝑎

1. if lim 𝑓(𝑥) DNE.

𝑥→𝑎
because the limits from the left and right of 𝑥 = 𝑎 both
exists but are not equal, then 𝑓 is said to have a jump
discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑎.
Find the values of the constants 𝑐 and 𝑘 that make the
function continuous at every number.

Continuity on Interval

Intermediate-Value Theorem
DERIVATIVES
Module 3.1: Tangent Lines, Rates of Change, and the
Derivative

line L = tan line

green = tan line

bold black line

slope of tan line → negative reciprocal slope of tan line

(slope of normal line)
e.g. 5 → -1/5
DERIVATIVES
Module 3.2: Theorems on Differentiation Rules for
Derivative of Algebraic functions and Higher Order
Derivatives
DERIVATIVES
Module 3.3: Chain Rule
The Derivative of a Composite Function and the Chain
Rule