CHAPTER I

FUNCTIONS, LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

One of the most useful tools in modeling real – life problems and situations is the concept
of function. For instance, if we want to determine the dimension of a rectangular field enclosed by
400m of fence, then we can express the area (A) as a function of its length (l) or width (w) .
Similarly, the concept of function is used to model the total cost of a product C(x) as a function of
the amount of product ordered (x) . This function is used as a rule that describes the relationship
between the dependent and independent variables.
In the study of Differential Calculus, functions are used to present the concept of
differentiation which is based on the notion of limits. In this chapter, we shall learn functions and
their graphs, operations on functions, definition of limits and how limit theorems are used to
evaluate limits of a function. Also, this chapter presents one–sided limits, limits at infinity and
infinite limits, and continuity of functions on an open or closed intervals.

1.1. FUNCTIONS
A function is a set of ordered pairs (x, y) in which no two distinct ordered pairs have the same
first number. Symbols such as f , g , and h are used to denote functions unless stated otherwise. If
the function is expressed in terms of the variable x , f (x), g(x) , and h(x) are used to denote this
function. For instance, in the finding the area of circle, A(r) = r2 is used to describe the
relationship between the area and the radius of the given circle. Here, it can be observed that the
area, A is expressed as a function of r and the value of A depends on the value of r . So, we say
that A is the dependent variable and r is the independent variable.

a.) f(x) = 3x – 1 b.) x2 + y2 = 16 c.) f(x) = x2 + 2

Another way to determine whether a relation is function or not is by using the vertical line
test. Given the graph of a function, draw vertical lines overlaying the graph. If the vertical lines
pass through exactly one point on the graph, then it is a function. If it passes through two or more
points, then it is not a function.
To evaluate function, a straight forward substitution is used. For instance, given a function,
f(x) = x2 + 2, if we wish to find f (−3) we shall replace x by -3 and perform the operation leading
us with f (−3) =11.
Let f be a function defined by f(x) = x2 - 2x + 3

find a.) f (2)

b.) f (1/2)

c.) f (−1)
d.) f (2x)

e.) f (x + h)

1.1.1. Domain and Range

The set of all admissible values of x is called the domain, and the set of all the resulting
values of y is called the range of the function.

a.) f (x) = 2x + 3

b.) g(x) =√𝑥

c.) f(x) =√𝑥 2 − 9

d.) y = 3√𝑥

1.1.2. Graph of Functions

If f is a function, then the graph of f is the set of all points (x, y) in the plane 2 R for which
(x, y) is an ordered pair in f.
To facilitate the graphing of a function, the following steps are suggested:
1. Identify the domain and range and the properties of the function.
2. Choose suitable values of x from the domain of a function and solve for its corresponding
value of y .
3. Determine the behaviour of x and y .
4. Plot the points (x, y) on the plane.
5. Smoothly trace the curve.

Example. Sketch the graph of the following functions:

a.) f (x) = 2x +3 b.) f (x) = √𝑥 + 3

c.) f (x)= √25 − 𝑥 2 d.) f (x) = √𝑥 2 − 4

2 1
e.) f (x) = 𝑥 f.) f (x) = 𝑥2

g.) y = 2x

𝑝(𝑥)
Rees, R., (2003). Suppose that f(x) = is a rational function in lowest terms and a is
𝑞(𝑥)
some real number where q(x)  0. From this definition, we set the rules to determine the asymptote
of a function. Suppose that the rational function

is in lowest terms.

If q(a) = 0 , then x = a is a vertical asymptote .

If n  m , then the x −axis is a horizontal asymptote.

𝑎
If n = m , then the horizontal asymptote is the line y = 𝑏 𝑛 .
𝑚

If n  m , then the graph of f has no horizontal asymptote.