1 Limit of A Function

Evaluating Limits:
Table of Values
When you ride a car, do you
notice its speed? Do you
notice the movement of the
speedometer? The car may
have different speeds at any
given moment.
Evaluating Limits:
Table of Values
Is it possible to
estimate the speed of
your car in a
particular instance?
OBJECTIVES
Define Estimate the Appreciate the

concept of
limit of a
the limit function table of values
in estimating
of a using tables the limit of a
of values.
function function.
Approaching the Area of
the Unit Circle
Materials:
1. Worksheet
2. Phone/Computer
3. Pen
the Unit Circle
Procedure:
1. Answer Part A of the worksheet. This part
serves as a review on the area of a circle.
the Unit Circle
Procedure:
2. In your phone/computer, open the
GeoGebra applet through this link:
https://www.geogebra.org/m/q59yJf4t
the Unit Circle
Procedure:
3. Explore the applet by changing the
values of radius 𝑟 of the circle and the
number of sides 𝑛 of the inscribed polygon.
Observe the values for the area of the
circle, the area of the inscribed polygon,
and the difference between their areas.
the Unit Circle
Procedure:
4. Set 𝑟 to 1.
the Unit Circle
Procedure:
5. Complete the table in Part B of the
worksheet by changing the values of 𝑛 and
writing the area of the resulting polygon.
Make sure that the radius of the circle is
constant and equal to 1.
the Unit Circle
Guide Questions:
1. What happens to the area of the polygon
as the number of sides 𝑛 increases?
the Unit Circle
Guide Questions:
2. What do you think is the value being
approached by the areas of the polygons
as the number of sides 𝑛 increases?
the Unit Circle
Guide Questions:
3. If you increase the value of 𝑛 further to
larger values, do you think that the area of
the resulting polygon will be equal to your
answer in No. 2? Explain your answer.
the Unit Circle
the Unit Circle
Limit
Limit of a
Function
Limit of a
Function
Limit of a
Function
Limit of a
Function
Limit of a
Function
Intuitive Definition of the
Limit of a Function
Limit of a Function
Let us investigate what happens to the value of the linear function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4
as 𝑥 approaches 2. The given table shows 𝑥-values that are very close to 2
from the left and right sides of the number line. What happens to the value of
𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 2?
Limit of a Function
Suppose the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined when 𝑥 is near 𝑐. If 𝑓(𝑥) gets closer to a
real number 𝐿 as 𝑥 gets closer to 𝑐 (both from left and right of 𝑐), then we say
that “the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is equal to 𝐿.” This is written as
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄
In this case, we say that the limit exists.
The number 𝑐 may or may not be in the domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥).
Limit of a Function
Thus, we can write the limit of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4 as
𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒙 + 𝟒) = 𝟔
𝒙→𝟐
In this case, we say that the limit exists.
The number 𝑐 may or may not be in the domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥).
Example
1. Estimate the limit of the quadratic function 𝒈(𝒙) =
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏𝟒 as 𝑥 approaches 4 using tables of
values.
Example
values.
Solution:
The domain of a quadratic function is the set of real
numbers. Therefore, the limit of the given function at 𝑥
= 4 exists. Using tables, let us find the values of 𝑔(𝑥)
for values of 𝑥 that are very close to 4. Note that we
can use arbitrary 𝑥 values as long as we get as close
as possible to 𝑥 = 4.
Example
values.
Step 1:
Construct two tables with arbitrary 𝑥 values that are
very close to the value𝑥 = 4 from the left and right
sides.
Example
values.
Step 2:
Complete the table by solving the value of 𝑔(𝑥) for
each 𝑥 value.
Example
values.
Step 3:
Estimate the values that are being approached by
𝑔(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 4 from the left and right sides.
Example
values.
Answer:
lim 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟏𝟒 = 𝟔
𝒙→𝟒
Example
2. Estimate lim 𝒙 using tables of values.
𝒙→𝟗
Solution:
Let ℎ(𝑥) = 𝒙. The domain of the radical function ℎ(𝑥)
= 𝒙 is the set containing zero and all positive real
numbers. Thus, we can get the limit as 𝑥 approaches
9 from both sides.
Example
𝒙→𝟗
Step 1:
very close to the value 𝑥 = 9 from the left and right
sides.
Example
𝒙→𝟗
Step 2:
Complete the table by solving the values of ℎ(𝑥) for
each 𝑥 value.
Example
𝒙→𝟗
Step 3:
ℎ(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 9 from the left and right sides.
Example
𝒙→𝟗
Answer:
lim 𝒙 = 𝟑
𝒙→𝟗
Example
sin 𝒙
𝒙→𝟎
Solution:
sin 𝒙 sin 𝒙
Let 𝑚(𝑥) = 𝒙
.
The function 𝑚(𝑥) = is defined
𝒙
everywhere except at 𝑥 = 0. Note that in finding the
limit, we are only concerned about the value being
approached by 𝑚(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches zero. The
function need not be defined at 𝑥 = 0.
Example
sin 𝒙
𝒙→𝟎
Step 1:
very close to 0 from the
left and right sides.
Example
sin 𝒙
𝒙→𝟎
Step 2:
Complete the table by solving the value of function
𝑚(𝑥) for each 𝑥 value.
Example
sin 𝒙
𝒙→𝟎
Step 3:
𝑚(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 0 from
the left and right sides.
Example
sin 𝒙
𝒙→𝟎
Answer:
sin 𝒙
lim =𝟏
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙
Quiz (WW1)
𝒙𝟐 +𝟑𝒙+𝟐
1. Estimate lim using tables of values.
𝒙→−𝟏 𝒙+𝟏
One-Sided
Limits
One-Sided Limits
Left-hand Limit: Suppose the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined when 𝑥 is near
𝑐 from the left. If 𝑓(𝑥) gets closer to 𝑀 as 𝑥 gets closer to 𝑐 from the
left, then we say that “the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 from the
left is equal to 𝑀.” This can be written as
𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄
One-Sided Limits
Right-hand Limit: Suppose the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined when 𝑥 is
near 𝑐 from the right. If 𝑓(𝑥) gets closer to 𝑁 as 𝑥 gets closer to 𝑐
from the right, then we say that “the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐
from the right is equal to 𝑁.” This can be written as
𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑵
𝒙→𝒄
One-Sided Limits
Given a function 𝑓(𝑥) and a number 𝑎, the values of 𝑀 and
𝑁 above may or may not be equal.
1. If the values of 𝑀 and 𝑁 are equal,

then the limit of 𝒇(𝒙) as 𝒙 approaches 𝒄 exists.
2. If the values of 𝑀 and 𝑁 are not equal,

then the limit of 𝒇(𝒙) as 𝒙 approaches 𝒄 does not exist.
Example
4. Estimate the limit of the signum function 𝑠(𝑥) as 𝑥
approaches zero from the left.
Example
Solution:
Since we are looking for the limit of 𝑠(𝑥) as 𝑥
approaches zero from the left, we solve the
left-hand limit.
Example
Step 1:
Construct a table with arbitrary 𝑥 values that are very
close to 0 from the left
side.
Example
Step 2:
Complete the table by solving the value of 𝑠(𝑥) for
each 𝑥 value.
Example
Step 3:
𝑠(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 0
from the left.
Example
Answer:
lim− 𝒔 𝒙 = −𝟏
𝒙→𝟎
Example
5. Given the piecewise function 𝑚(𝑥) below, estimate
lim+ 𝒎 𝒙 using a table of values
𝒙→𝟎
Example
𝒙→𝟎
Step 1:
Construct a table with arbitrary 𝑥 values that are
close to 1 from the right side.
Example
𝒙→𝟎
Step 2:
Complete the table by solving the value of the
function for each 𝑥 value.
Example
𝒙→𝟎
Step 3:
𝑚(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 1 from the right.
Example
𝒙→𝟎
Answer:
lim+ 𝒎 𝒙 = 𝟏
𝒙→𝟎
Example
6. Given the function 𝑓(𝑥) below, estimate lim − 𝒇 𝒙 ,
𝒙→−𝟑
lim + 𝒇 𝒙 , and lim 𝒇 𝒙 .
𝒙→−𝟑 𝒙→−𝟑
Example
𝒙→−𝟑
𝒙→−𝟑 𝒙→−𝟑
Step 1:
very close to the value 𝑥 = −3 from the left and right
sides.
Example
𝒙→−𝟑
𝒙→−𝟑 𝒙→−𝟑
Step 2:
Complete the tables by solving the value of the
function for each 𝑥 value.
Example
𝒙→−𝟑
𝒙→−𝟑 𝒙→−𝟑
Step 3:
𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches −3 from the left and right sides.
Example
𝒙→−𝟑
𝒙→−𝟑 𝒙→−𝟑
Answer:
lim − 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟏, and lim + 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟏.
𝒙→−𝟑 𝒙→−𝟑
Since the one-sided limits are not equal
lim 𝒇 𝒙 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒕.
𝒙→−𝟑
Quiz (WW2)
1. Given the function 𝑔(𝑥) below, estimate
lim− 𝒈(𝒙) , lim+ 𝒈(𝒙), and lim 𝒈(𝒙) using tables of
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙→𝟐
values.
Infinite
Limits
Infinite Limits
Infinite Limits
Suppose the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined when 𝑥 is as
near as possible to 𝑐 on both sides.
If 𝑓(𝑥) increases without bound as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐,

then we write
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = ∞
𝒙→𝒄
Infinite Limits
Suppose the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined when 𝑥 is as
near as possible to 𝑐 on both sides.
If 𝑓(𝑥) decreases without bound as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐,

then we write
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = −∞
𝒙→𝒄
One-Sided Infinite Limits
If 𝑓(𝑥) increases or decreases without bound
as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 from the left, then we write
𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇 𝒙 = ∞
or
𝒙→𝒄
𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇 𝒙 = −∞
𝒙→𝒄
One-Sided Infinite Limits
If 𝑓(𝑥) increases or decreases without bound
as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 from the right, then we write
𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇 𝒙 = ∞
or
𝒙→𝒄
𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇 𝒙 = −∞
𝒙→𝒄
Example
𝟏
7. Estimate lim 𝟐 using
𝒙→𝟑 (𝒙−𝟑)
tables of values.
Example
𝟏
7. Estimate lim 𝟐 using
𝒙→𝟑 (𝒙−𝟑)
tables of values.
Answer:
𝟏
lim 𝟐
= ∞
𝒙→𝟑 (𝒙 − 𝟑)
Example
𝒙+𝟔
8. Estimate lim using
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙−𝟐
tables of values.
Example
𝒙+𝟔
8. Estimate lim using tables
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙−𝟐
of values.
Answer:
𝒙+𝟔
lim does not exist
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙−𝟐
Example
9. Estimate lim
𝝅− tan 𝒙, lim+
tan 𝒙,
𝒙→ 𝝅
𝟐 𝒙→
𝟐
and lim𝝅 tan 𝒙 using tables of
𝒙→
𝟐
values.
Example
9. Estimate lim
𝝅 − tan 𝒙, lim+
tan 𝒙, and lim𝝅
tan 𝒙
𝒙→ 𝝅 𝒙→
𝟐 𝒙→ 𝟐
𝟐
using tables of values.
Answer:
lim
𝝅 − tan 𝒙 = ∞ and lim+
tan 𝒙 = −∞
𝒙→ 𝟐 𝝅
𝒙→
𝟐
Therefore,lim𝝅 tan 𝒙 does not exist.
𝒙→
𝟐
Quiz (WW3)
𝒙−𝟑 𝒙−𝟑
1. Estimate lim− 𝟐 , lim+ 𝟐 ,
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙 −𝟓𝒙+𝟔 𝒙→𝟐 𝒙 −𝟓𝒙+𝟔
𝒙−𝟑
and lim 𝟐 using tables of
𝒙→𝟐 𝒙 −𝟓𝒙+𝟔
values.
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.
THANK YOU!

1 Limit of A Function

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1 Limit of A Function

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Evaluating Limits:

Define Estimate the Appreciate the

1. If the values of 𝑀 and 𝑁 are equal,

2. If the values of 𝑀 and 𝑁 are not equal,

If 𝑓(𝑥) increases without bound as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐,

If 𝑓(𝑥) decreases without bound as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐,

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