Calculus 1- Differential Calculus

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CHAPTER 2
LIMITS and CONTINUITY

INTRODUCTION
We are now done with the study of functions. In this chapter, we will explore the
principle that differentiates Calculus from other branches of Mathematics. That is, the
principle of limits.
What is a limit? Why do we need to learn about it? Without limits, there is no
Calculus. Calculus is a branch of Mathematics that deals with the differentiation and
integration of functions. Both concepts of differentiation and integration are based on
limits. The notion of limits makes it possible to study instantaneous rate of change which
is the focus of Differential Calculus.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this chapter, it is expected that the students can
1. explain the concept of limits;
2. explain the value of limits in Calculus;
3. discuss the properties of limits;
4. solve and analyze mathematical expressions involving limits;
5. enumerate the characteristics of continuous functions; and
6. explain the role of continuous functions in Calculus.

LIMITS
Assuming, you travelled from point A to point B. If it took you 20 minutes to travel
from A to B, and the distance between the two locations is 10 kilometers, then your
velocity can be computed using the formula 𝑣 = 𝑠 𝑡 , where 𝑣, 𝑠, and 𝑡 are the velocity,
distance, and time, respectively. So,
𝑣 = = x = 30 kph

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 This result is your average velocity. However, when we travel from one place to
another, our velocity is not constant. We cannot avoid slowing down or stopping at
times. And using this concept, there’s no way for us to determine our speed while we
are still on our way. Good thing is, our vehicles have the capacity to determine it
through the speedometer.
The speedometer uses the concept of limits to give us the information that we
need. That’s just one! There are lots of real life applications of limits especially in the
field of Engineering.
In this lesson, we will apply the concept of limits in functions.

Definition:
Let’s begin with its definition. Mathematically, it is written as shown below.
= 𝐿 read as “the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) is 𝐿 as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎.”
Again, one of its applications is finding the instantaneous velocity. By the way,
what is the difference between average velocity and instantaneous velocity?

Rate of Change (Average vs. Instantaneous Velocity)

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = =
𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 =

The formula for average velocity is change in distance over change in time as
shown in the first equation. Adding a limit with the value of time 𝑡 approaching zero, the
result will be the instantaneous velocity.

Understanding the Concept

To understand the concept of limits, let’s have an example. A car travelled from
Point A to Point B with varying speed for 𝑡𝑓 amount of time as shown in Fig. 2.1. If the
distance from Point A to Point B is 𝑠𝑓, what is its average speed?
What is its instantaneous velocity at 𝑡𝑖.

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 Assuming that the velocity at locations
1 to 8 are known, and listed in the table
shown, the velocity at 𝑡𝑖 can be
approximated.

To find the velocity at 𝑡𝑖 , choose an

interval that includes the location of 𝑡𝑖 . It
could be the interval between 1 and 8, 2 and
5, or 2 and 3, but not 4 and 6. The
approximated velocity will be the average of

For interval 1 and 8,

v = = 17.5 kph
For interval 1 and 8,

v = = 29.5 kph
For interval 2 and 3,

v = = 40.0 kph
Based on Fig. 2.1, the velocity at 𝑡𝑖 is around 43 𝑘𝑝ℎ. It can be observed that the
shorter the interval, the closer will be the approximated velocity from the actual velocity.

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 Hence, a limit at 𝑡 → 0 is added to the equation to get the right value. This
expression 𝑡 → 0 means the value of the variable 𝑡 approaches zero but will never be
zero.

Properties of Limits
Without a doubt, water is useful to us. That is because we know its properties
and we know how to use it. To be able to make use of the powerful concept of limits, we
should know and apply the properties of limits. In this lesson, we will apply the
properties of limits in dealing with functions.

Six Properties of Limits

For us to be able to deal with expressions with limits, we must know its
properties. There are six important properties of limits.
1. Constant Function Rule
=C where s, C are real numbers
2. Constant Multiple Rule
=k where k is constant
3. Sum and Difference Rule

4. Product Rule
= ., 0
5. Quotient Rule
=
6. Power Rule
=[

Limits Involving Trigonometric Functions

for all real numbers c
for all real numbers c
for all real numbers c + k

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Examples 2.1. Find the limits of the following if it exists.
1. = +3 -
= (2)2 + 3(2) – 2 = 8
2. =
= = , since cos = -1
=
=-5
4. , substituting 0 for x, it shows that cos x approaches 1 and sin x – 3
approaches -3.

=-

5. = ; multiplying the numerator and denominator by 4 = * ; but = 1 (see )

= 4* 1 = 4
6. ; but sec x = ; reciprocal function
=
= = ; that is
which is equal to * resulted to
= *
=
= 1.0
Self-Activity 1. Find the limits of the following if it exists.

1.
2.

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 3.
4.
5.

Rules for Limits of Functions at Infinity

In the previous lesson, we only limit the value of 𝑎 to real numbers. But what if
the limit is approaching infinity? That is, our 𝑎 = ∞. Then, we need some rules to follow.
In this lesson, we will enumerate and apply the rules when our limit is
approaching infinity.

Rules for Limits of Functions at Infinity

When the limit is approaching infinity, the following six rules are followed:
Rule 1. =k where k is constant

Rule 2. = 0 where p is a positive constant

Rule 3. =0 where b is a constant greater than 1

Rule 4. =

Rule 5. = .

Rule 6. =

Examples 2.2. Find the limits of the following if it exists.

1. = -5

= 3 – 5(0)

=3

2. = =0

3. = undefined

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 Notice that problem No. 3 becomes /. An infinity over an infinity is not equal to
one. Such fraction is undefined. Solving these kind of problems requires different
techniques. There are two methods we can use to solve this problem. First, by dividing
each term by the variable with the largest exponent. Second, is to apply the Leading
Terms Rule.
First Method: Dividing each term by the variable with he highest degree.

The above rules can now be applied. Thus, it will become

Second Method: Leading Terms Rule

The leading term is the term with the highest degree. In the given example, the
leading term in the numerator is 𝑥 3 and 2𝑥 3 for the denominator.
= =

We now have enough knowledge and tools to solve functions with limits
approaching infinity.

Self-Activity 2. Find the limits of the following if it exists.

1.

2.

3.

4.

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Continuity
A continuous function is a function whose value vary continuously with the
inputs and do not jump from one value to another without passing the values in
between. In other words, it is continuous at every point of its domain.
A function is continuous on an interval if and only if it is continuous at every
point of the interval. Polynomials, Rational Functions, Trigonometric Functions and Root
Functions are examples of continuous functions.

Continuity Test
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if and only if it satisfies the following
conditions:
1. 𝑓(𝑐) exists (𝑐 is within the domain of 𝑓)

2. exists (the function 𝑓 is a real number at a limit as 𝑥 → 𝑐)

3. (the limit equals the function value)

Illustration:
Find the points at which the function on the figure below is continuous and the
points which it is discontinuous.

From the given figure, we can say that the function 𝑓 is continuous from 0 to ∞,
except at 𝑥 = 1, 𝑥 = 2, and 𝑥 = 4. It is discontinuous at 𝑥 < 0.

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Check using the continuity test.

@ x = 1, does not exist

@ x = 2, but = 2
@ x = 4, does not exist

Self-Activity 3.1. Determine visually if the function is continuous or discontinuous in the

interval [𝑎, 𝑏].

Self-Activity 3.2. 3 Determine if the following functions are continuous or

discontinuous.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1 in the interval [−5, 5]

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 2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−1 𝑥 in its domain.
3. 𝑓(𝑡) = 2 𝑡−2 in the interval (−∞, ∞)
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = ln(𝑥) in the interval (0, ∞)
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥| − 1 in the interval (−∞, ∞)

Summary
 The limit of a function is the value the function approaches as the index of the limit approaches
an assigned value.
 The concept of limits can be used to determine the instantaneous rate of change of quantities.
 The limit of a constant will still be the constant.
 A continuous function is a function whose value vary continuously with the inputs and do not
jump from one value to another without passing the values in between.  A function is
continuous on an interval if and only if it is continuous at every point of the interval. Carry-on
Task (30 pts.

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