Limits and Continuity of a

Function
(Module 1)
Mat051
AY 2020-2021 (1st semester)

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College of Science and Mathematics of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.
 LIMITS AND CONTINUITY OF FUNCTIONS

The limit concept is considered to be the most essential concept in calculus. It

is used to define continuity, derivatives and integrals.

Consider the function defined by . When , an

indeterminate. Let’s look at how the values of the function behaves when
gets closer and closer to .

⺁ ⺁
1 3 2.5 4.5
1.5 3.5 2.4 4.4
1.6 3.6 2.3 4.3
1.7 3.7 2.2 4.2
1.8 3.8 2.1 4.1
1.9 3.9 2.01 4.01
1.99 3.99 2.001 4.001
1.999 3.999 2.0001 4.0001

Here, we can see that as gets closer and closer to , the value of the
function ⺁ gets closer and closer to 4.

A “hole” or a skip

Figure 1 Graph of the function

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If we say that is the limit of ⺁ as approaches the number , it means
that the value of ⺁ can be made close to by taking close to . In other
words, we can make the absolute difference of ⺁ and , written ,
very small by making the absolute difference of and or very small.
This is formally stated in the following definition.

Definition Let be a function which is defined at all on the open interval

containing , except possibly at itself. The limit of ⺁ as approaches
is , written
lim

if for every , however small, there exists a such that

whenever .

The following example uses the definition to prove that the given function has
the indicated limit.

Example Prove that the lim t.

Solution: We need to show that for every there exists a such

that
t whenever .
Now, t
Hence, we must show that
whenever

or equivalently, whenever .

Choose . Then we have

whenever
or, equivalently,
t whenever

This proves that lim t.

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Limit Theorems

1. If lim and lim , then .

2. If and are constants, then lim ᔠ ᔠ .

3. If is a constant, then for any real number , lim

4. For any real number , lim .

5. If lim and lim , then

lim ᔠ ⺁ lim ᔠ lim ᔠ

6. If lim and lim , then

lim f1 ( x)  f 2 ( x)  lim f1 ( x)  lim f 2 ( x)  L1  L2

xa xa xa

7. If lim and is any positive integer, then we have

lim lim ⺁

8. If lim , then

lim lim ⺁ ,

provided n
L R .

9. If lim and lim ,  , then

lim
lim
lim 

10. If and are two functions such that ⺁ for all

, and if lim exists, then lim exists.

Moreover, lim lim .

Example Evaluate the following limits.

ᔠ ᔠ
1. lim ᔠ

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 Solution
ᔠ ᔠ ⺁ ᔠ ⺁ᔠ
lim
ᔠ ⺁ ᔠ
t
ᔠ
2. lim
Solution
t t
ᔠ ᔠ
lim

is undefined, so apply Theorem 10 above,

t
ᔠ
lim
t t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
lim
t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
t t
t
ᔠ
lim
t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

lim
t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

ᔠ
3. lim
Solution
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
lim lim
ᔠ ᔠ
ᔠ
lim
ᔠ ᔠ

ᔠ
lim
ᔠ ᔠ
ᔠ
lim
ᔠ ᔠ

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 lim
ᔠ ᔠ

lim
ᔠ ᔠ
tᔠ
4. lim ᔠ
Solution
t
ᔠ ᔠ ⺁ ᔠ ᔠ ⺁
lim lim
ᔠ ᔠ
lim ᔠ ᔠ

ᔠ ⺁ᔠ

Exercises

t t t
1. lim

2. lim ᔠ
t
3. lim tᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
t
ᔠ
4. lim

5. lim
t
6. lim

7. lim
t t
ᔠ
8. lim
tᔠ
t
9. lim
ᔠ
t t t t
10. lim

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ONE-SIDED LIMITS

Consider the function

if
ᔠ if

Its graph is shown below

approaches

approaches

approaches

if
Figure 2 Graph of the function
ᔠ if

Notice that as approaches from the left, ⺁ gets closer to but when
ᔠ
approaches from the right, ⺁ gets closer to . In symbols, means
that approaches through values greater than and means that
approaches through values less than . We shall now define one-sided
limits formally.

Definition (Right-Hand Limit)

Let be a function which is defined for every in some open interval
⺁. Then the limit of ⺁ as approaches form the right is , written
limᔠ

if for every , however small, there exists a such that

whenever .

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Definition (Left-Hand Limit)
Let be a function which is defined for every in some open interval
⺁. Then the limit of ⺁ as approaches form the left is , written
lim

if for every , however small, there exists a such that

whenever .

Remark The limit theorems discussed earlier still hold if “ ” is replaced

ᔠ
by “ ” or “ ”.

The following theorem gives a relationship between the ordinary limit and the
one-sided limits.

Theorem

lim exists if and only if limᔠ and lim both exist and are equal.

Moreover,
lim limᔠ lim

Example Evaluate the following limits.

1. limᔠ
Solution Since approaches 0 from the right, it takes on positive
values, that is, , so
limᔠ limᔠ

2. lim
ᔠ

Solution
⺁ ᔠ ⺁
lim lim
ᔠ ⺁ t ⺁

⺁ ᔠ ⺁
lim
⺁ t ⺁

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 ᔠ ⺁
lim
t ⺁

ᔠ ⺁
t ⺁

ᔠ
3. lim
ᔠ

Solution Note that approaches -1 from the left. That is, ᔠ takes
on negative values, so
ᔠ ᔠ ⺁ and
ᔠ ᔠ
lim lim
ᔠ ᔠ

ᔠ
4. Given ,
t

determine if lim exists.

Solution We need to find the limit of from the left and from the right
and see if they are equal. Now,
limᔠ limᔠ ᔠ ᔠ t

lim lim t t

Since the left-hand side and right-hand side limits are not the same, the

lim does not exist.

Exercises
A. Evaluate the following limits.
t
1. lim

2. lim
t t

3. lim
t tᔠ

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 ᔠ
4. lim
ᔠ

5. limᔠ t t
⺁
t
6. lim t

7. lim

B. In problems 1 to 3, find (a) limᔠ and (b) lim . In each case,

determine if lim exists.

1.
t

2.

C. Given ,
ᔠ
find the following

1. lim ᔠ 4. lim ᔠ

2. lim 5. lim

3. lim if it exists⺁ 6. lim if it exists⺁

INFINITE LIMITS

Consider the function defined by . Its graph below shows that as

gets closer and closer to , the value of the function ⺁ gets bigger and
bigger, it increases without bound. We use ᔠ to denote this increase, that is,

lim ᔠ .

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 Figure 3 Graph of

In the same way, if the value of the function ⺁ decreases without bound as
approaches , then we say that the limit is . The following are the formal
definitions of infinite limits.

Definition ᔠ Limit⺁

Let be a function which is defined at all on the open interval

containing , except possibly at itself. We say that ⺁ increases without
bound as approaches , written
lim ⺁ ᔠ

if for every positive number , there exists a such that

whenever .

Definition Limit⺁
Let be a function which is defined at all on the open interval
containing , except possibly at itself. We say that ⺁ decreases without
bound as approaches , written
lim ⺁

if for every positive number , there exists a such that

whenever .

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Theorem
If is a positive integer, then

limᔠ ᔠ

if is odd
lim
ᔠ if is even

Theorem

If , and if lim ⺁ and lim ⺁ , where is a constant not equal

to zero, then
(1) If and if through positive values of ⺁, then
⺁
lim ᔠ

(2) If and if through negative values of ⺁, then

⺁
lim

(3) If and if through positive values of ⺁, then

⺁
lim

(4) If and if through negative values of ⺁, then

⺁
lim ᔠ

Theorem

If lim ⺁ ᔠ and lim ⺁ , where is a real number, then

lim ᔠ ⺁ ᔠ

Theorem

If lim ⺁ ᔠ and lim ⺁ , where is a nonzero real number, then

(1) If , then lim ⺁ ᔠ

(2) If , then lim ⺁

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Theorem

If lim ⺁ and lim ⺁ , where is a nonzero real number, then

(1) If , then lim ⺁

(2) If , then lim ⺁ ᔠ

Example
Evaluate the following limits.

1. limᔠ

Solution
positive
limᔠ
approaches 0 through positive values
of

limᔠ ᔠ

2. limᔠ

Solution

Notice that limᔠ and limᔠ resulting to . So

we’ll find an equivalent function as follows,

limᔠ limᔠ

limᔠ

ᔠ
limᔠ

ᔠ
limᔠ

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 ᔠ
Now, as , through positive values, that is

limᔠ ᔠ

3. limᔠ

Solution Notice that limᔠ ᔠ and

limᔠ ᔠ . But there’s no way we can subtract (or add) both infinite

values. So, transforming the function,

limᔠ limᔠ

limᔠ

ᔠ
Now, as , through positive values. This results to

limᔠ

ᔠ
4. limᔠ

Solution From the first factor of the function, notice that limᔠ ᔠ

ᔠ
and from the second factor limᔠ . Thus,
ᔠ
limᔠ

Exercises

1. lim
t ᔠt t

2. limᔠ t

3. lim
ᔠ
ᔠ t
ᔠ

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 ᔠ
4. limᔠ ᔠ
t t

5. lim t t ᔠ t

t
6. lim

7. lim
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠt

t
t
8. limᔠ

t⺁ ᔠ ⺁
9. lim
t ᔠ

10. lim ᔠ
ᔠ t

11. lim
ᔠ

12. lim t

LIMITS AT INFINITY

Definition Limit at ᔠ ⺁
Let be a function which is defined at every number in some open
interval ᔠ ⺁. The limit of ⺁ as increases without bound is ,
lim ⺁
ᔠ

if for any , there exists a number such that ⺁ ,

whenever .

Definition Limit at ⺁
Let be a function which is defined at every number in some open
interval ⺁. The limit of ⺁ as decreases without bound is ,
lim ⺁

if for any , there exists a number such that ⺁ ,

whenever .

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Theorem
If is a positive integer, then

lim
ᔠ

lim

Example
Evaluate the following limits.
t ᔠ
1. lim
ᔠ

Solution:

t ᔠ t ᔠ
lim lim
ᔠ ᔠ

t ᔠ
lim
ᔠ

t ᔠ
lim
ᔠ

2. lim

Solution:

lim lim

Note that since . Thus,

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 lim lim

lim

ᔠ
lim

ᔠ
lim

3. lim ᔠ
ᔠ

Solution:

ᔠ ᔠ
lim ᔠ lim ᔠ
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

ᔠ
lim
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
ᔠ
lim
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
lim
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

lim
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

lim
ᔠ
ᔠ ᔠ

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Exercises
tᔠ
1. lim
ᔠ t tᔠ ᔠ

ᔠ
2. lim
ᔠ ᔠ

ᔠ ᔠ
3. lim
ᔠ ᔠ
t
t tᔠ
4. lim
ᔠ

5. lim t ⺁

6. lim
ᔠ t ᔠ

7. lim
ᔠ ᔠ

8. lim
ᔠ ᔠ
tᔠ ᔠ
9. lim
ᔠ t t

ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
10. lim
ᔠ ᔠ

ᔠt⺁ ⺁
11. lim
ᔠ

ᔠ t
12. lim
ᔠ ⺁

Continuity of a Function

Definition (Continuity at )
The function is said to be continuous at the number if the following three
conditions are satisfied
1. exists;

2. lim exists

3. lim ⺁

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If one or two of these conditions fail to hold, then we say that the function is

discontinuous. If is discontinuous at a number but lim exists, then

either lim ⺁ or ⺁ does not exist. If this happens, then we say that

the discontinuity is removable. If the discontinuity at is not removable, then it

is called an essential discontinuity.

Theorem
If and are two functions which are continuous at , then ᔠ ,

and are continuous at . If ⺁ then is also continuous at .

Example
Determine if the given function is continuous at the indicated number . If it is
discontinuous at , determine if the discontinuity is removable or essential.

if
1. ;
if
Solution:

lim ⺁ does not exist since

limᔠ ⺁ limᔠ limᔠ

lim lim lim

Therefore, the function is discontinuous and the discontinuity is

essential.

if
2. ;
if
Solution:

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 lim ⺁ lim

ᔠt
lim

lim ᔠt

lim ⺁

Therefore, is continuous at

t
ᔠ
3. ;

Solution: Examining each condition for continuity, we have

is not defined
t
ᔠ
lim lim
t
ᔠ

t t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
t t t
ᔠ
t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ
ᔠ
t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

⺁
t t
ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ ᔠ

lim lim
t

Therefore, the function is not continuous

continuos at . However, since the

lim exists, the discontinuity is removable. To make it continuous

at , the function can be redefined as,

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 t
ᔠ
if

if
t

Exercises
Determine if the given function is continuous at the indicated number . If it is
discontinuous at , determine if the discontinuity is removable or essential.
ᔠ
1. ;

at and at
ᔠ t
2. t t;
t
at t and at t

3. ; at

ᔠt⺁ ⺁
4. ; at

ᔠ
5. ; at
t

6. if ; at
if
t ᔠt
if
7. ᔠ ; at
if
ᔠ
if
ᔠ
8. if ; at
if
9. ᔠ
at

10. at

11. at
t ᔠ

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 12. ᔠ at
13. Let be defined by
ᔠ ᔠ
if and
if

For what value of is a continuous function at ?

14. For what values of and is , defined by
if t
ᔠ if t
if

continuous at t and ?

Intermediate Value Theorem

Theorem (Intermediate Value Theorem)

Suppose that is continuous on the closed interval e and is any number
between ⺁ and ⺁. Then there is a number such that .

The intermediate value theorem says that a function must take on every value
between its endpoints at least once provided the function is continuous on a
compact interval. It means that a continuous function on e cannot skip
over any values between ⺁ and ⺁. Otherwise, the graph of would need
to jump across the line , something that continuous functions cannot do.
A function may take on a given value more than once. Although these
geometric representations make the IVT seem reasonable, the proof is more
complicated than one might imagine and an interested reader may refer to an
advanced calculus or real analysis text.

The following result is a special case of the Intermediate Value Theorem. It is

also the basis of a Root-Finding algorithm called the Bisection Method.

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Corollary
Suppose that is continuous on e and . Then there exists
⺁ such that .

Example
Use the Intermediate Value Theorem to verify that the following functions
have zero/s in the given interval. Then use the method of bisections to find an

interval of length t that contains the zero.

1. t t
2. t
3. cos
4. ᔠ

Squeeze Theorem and Limits Involving Sine and Cosine

Example
sin
1. Show that lim .

Solution: It can be seen that

t
sin , for all and

t
sin , for all .

Since sin sin , we have

sin
, for all

By Squeeze Theorem,
sin sin
lim lim lim lim

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 cos
2. Show that lim .

Solution: For all ,

cos cos

Thus,
cos
, for all and
cos
, for all .

Let

and

Hence, for
cos

Now,
lim lim

By Squeeze Theorem,
cos
lim

Example
Evaluate the following limits.
sin
1. lim ᔠ

Solution This limit is of the form .

sin sin
lim lim
ᔠ ᔠ
sin
lim
ᔠ
sin
lim lim ᔠ
sin where
lim lim
ᔠ note

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 t

t
cos
2. lim

Solution:
cos cos ᔠ cos
lim lim
ᔠ cos
cos
lim
ᔠ cos
sin
lim
ᔠ cos
sin
lim lim
ᔠ cos

ᔠ
tan
3. lim

Solution:
tan sin
lim lim
cos
sin
lim lim
cos

cos

Exercises
Evaluate the following limits.
sin
1. lim
sin t ᔠ ⺁
2. lim ᔠ

3. lim t cot t

tan
4. lim

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 cos ⺁
5. lim t t

6. lim csc

cot
7. lim t

tant
8. lim t

cos
9. lim
sin
10. lim
sin cos sin
11. lim t

cos sin
12. lim

13. lim ttan

sin
14. lim

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