2 Calculus Limits

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

Concept of a Limit
As the argument (the independent variable or input) of a function approaches a particular value,
the dependent variable approaches some other value called the limit. The important word here
is approaches. When finding a limit, we’re interested in what happens to the function as the
argument gets closer and closer to a certain value without actually reaching it.

Example:
Let’s look at an infinite sequence S that starts with 1 and then keeps getting smaller:
S = 1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, . . .
As we move along in S from term to term, we get closer and closer to 0, but we never get all the
way there. If we choose some small positive number r, no matter how tiny, we can always find a
number in S (if we’re willing to go out far enough) smaller than r but larger than 0. Because of
this fact, we can say, “If n is a positive integer, then the limit of S, as n gets endlessly larger, is 0.”
We write this symbolically as

Another Example

What's the answer folks?
lim f ( x)  4
x 2
lim g ( x)  4
x 2
Another example

Here’s what its says

The notation
We can say: The limit of f of x as x approaches c is L
lim f ( x)  L
x c

What is its relation to calculus?
Derivatives and definite
integral are both limits and
you will find out why later
on the slides!!

Limit of Linear Function
lim(mx  b)  ma  b
xa
This means you simply have to substitute

a for x to evaluate the limit.

One sided limit from positive direction (Right)
y  f ( x)
f ( x)  L L
written: xlim
a 
if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily

close to L by taking x to be sufficiently close
to the right of a.

One sided limit from negative direction (left)
The left-hand limit of f (x), as x approaches a, y  f ( x)
equals M
M
written: lim f ( x)  M
x a a
if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily

close to L by taking x to be sufficiently close
to the left of a.

Formal Definition

Example:

Example:
lim f ( x)  L if and only if lim f ( x)  L and lim f ( x)  L.

x a x a x a
Thus, for the function in the previous example,

the limit as x approaches 3 does not exist.

Another Example:
 x  1, if x  0
2. Let f ( x)   Find the limits:
 x  1, if x  0.
a) lim f ( x)  lim ( x  1)  0  1  1
x 0 x 0
b) lim f ( x)  lim(

x  1)  0  1  1
x 0 x 0
c) lim f ( x)  lim(

x
x 1
 1)  11  2
x 1
d) lim f ( x)  lim(

x  1)  1  1  2
x 1 x 1
Continuity of a function

A function f is continuous at the point x = a if the following are true:
i) f (a) is defined
f(a)
ii) lim f ( x) exists
xa
a
iii) lim f ( x)  f (a)
xa

At which value(s) of x is the given function discontinuous?

x 9
2
2. g ( x)  4
x3 2
Continuous everywhere
-6 -4 -2 2 4
-2
except at x  3 -4
-6
-8
g (3) is undefined -10

3
1, if x  0 2
4. F ( x)  
1, if x  0
1
lim F ( x)  1 and lim F ( x)  1

-10 -5 5 10
x 0 x 0 -1
Thus F is not cont. at x  0. -2
-3
F is continuous everywhere else

Limit of continuous function

If f(x) is continuous
lim f ( x)  f (a )
xa
This is precisely the condition for continuity. Again, this

means that you simply have to substitute a for x to
evaluate the limit.

If f and g are continuous at x = a, then
f ( x)
f ( x)  g ( x), f ( x) g ( x) and (where g ( x)  0) are continuous at x  a.
g ( x)
A polynomial function y = P(x) is continuous at every point x.
A rational function R( x)  p( x) q( x) is continuous

at every point x in its domain.

Example:
f ( x)  sin x and g ( x)  cos x
1
1
0.5
0.5
-10 -5 5 10
-10 -5 5 10
-0.5
-0.5
-1 -1
limsin x  sin c and limcos x  cos c

x c x c
since the sine and cosine functions are continuous everywhere

Another one:
10 10
8 8
y  ax , a  1 6
y  a , 0  a 1
x 6
4 4
2 2
-6 -4 -2 2 4 6 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6
-2 -2
lim a  a x c
x c
since exponential functions are continuous everywhere
Theorems on Limit:

Theorems on Limit:
If c is any number, lim f ( x)  L and lim g ( x)  M , then
x a x a
a) lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   L  M b) lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   L  M
x a x a
c) lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   L  M
x a
d)
x a 
lim f ( x)
g ( x)  L
M
, ( M  0)
e) lim  c  f ( x)   c  L
lim  f ( x)   Ln
n
x a f)
x a
g) lim c  c h) lim x  a
x a
x a
i) lim x  an n
j) lim f ( x)  L , ( L  0)
x a x a

Yet another example:
Ex. lim x  1
x 3
lim2
x 2
 lim1
x 3 x 3
   lim1
2
 lim x
x 3 x 3
 32  1  10
2x 1 lim  2 x  1 2 lim x  lim1

Ex. lim 
 x 1
 x 1 x 1
x 1 3 x  5 lim  3 x  5  3lim x  lim 5
x 1 x 1 x 1
2 1 1
 
35 8
Another one:
1. Suppose lim f ( x)  4 and lim g ( x)  2. Find
x 3 x 3
a) lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   lim
x 3
f ( x)  lim g ( x)
x 3
x 3
 4  (2)  2
b) lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   lim
x 3
f ( x)  lim g ( x)
x 3
x 3
 4  (2)  6
 2 f ( x)  g ( x)  lim 2 f ( x)  lim g ( x) 2  4  (2) 5
c) lim    x 3 x 3
 
lim f ( x)  lim g ( x) 4  (2)
x 3
 f ( x) g ( x)  x 3 x 3
4

Limits at what?

This is what it might look like
lim x 
f ( x) and lim f
x 
( x )

Sample sample
Consider f ( x)  2
1
x 1
limx + f(x) = 0
limx - f(x) = 0

Again!
The function converges to a

single value (1), called the
limit of f.
We write,
limx + f(x) = 1

Again and Again!
The function converges to a

single value (0), called the
limit of f.
We write,
limx + f(x) = 0

Not Again!
The function converges at +

and diverges at -.
We write,
limx + f(x) = 0

Just like a wave it goes forever!

An example of a function that
neither converges or diverges.

More examples
lim f (x)  3.
x
Not this wave it will

make you sleep forever!

Words of wisdom
Infinity is not a number. It

represents a concept of
“unboundedness” or
“limitlessness” (even if these
words don’t really exist)

Same rules

This is how it goes
If
lim f ( x)  
x 
then
k
lim 0
x  f ( x)

Then:
For k=1 and f(x)=xn,
1 1
For all n > 0, lim n  lim n  0
x  x x  x
1
provided that n is defined.
x

Lets give it a try!
3x  5 x  1
2 3  5  1
2 Divide
x x
lim  lim by x 2
x  2  4x 2 x  2 4
2
x

lim 3  lim 5
x  x 
 x  lim 1
x 
 x   3 0 0   3
2
lim 2
x 
 x
2  lim 4
x 
04 4

Lets try another one!
 2 x  3x  2 
3 2
1. lim  3 
 x  x  100 x  1 
x  2
 2 x3 3x 2 2   3 2 
 3
 3  3   2  x  x3 
 lim  3 x 2 x x   lim  
x  x
  x  100 x  1  x  1 100 1
 3   1  2  3 
x x 3
x 3
x 3
  x x x 
2
 2
1
Lastly!
4. lim
x 
 x 1  x
2

 lim 

  x2  1  x  2

x 1  x 
 lim 
 x 2
 1  x 2



x 
 1 x 1  x  x 
 x 1  x 
2 2
 
 1  1 1
 lim      0
x 
 x 2
1  x   

What it means to be limitless

Remember this:
Limits does not exist If and only If
lim f ( x)   lim f ( x)  
xa xa

A clear example:
lim f (x)  
x2
lim f (x)  
x2
Therefore
lim f (x) Does not exist!
x2

20
Lets make it simple! 15
10
For all n > 0, -8 -6 -4 -2

-5
2
-10
1
lim  -15
 x  a
n
x a -20
40
30
20
1 10
lim   if n is even
 x  a
n -2 2 4 6
x a -10
-20 20
15
10
1
lim   if n is odd -8 -6 -4 -2 2
 x  a
n -5
x a
-10
-15
-20

Here is how
Find the limits
 3 2  1 2 
 3x  2 x  1 
2
 x x  3   
1. lim   = lim   
x 0
 2x 2
 x 0  2  2
  40
 2x  1   2x 1 
2. lim  
x 3  2 x  6 
= lim    
x 3  2( x  3) 
20
-8 -6 -4 -2 2
-20

There is a difference between
a limit that is infinite
and
a limit that does not exist

Sadly Agnes Unicorns does not exist!

How sad!

Asymptotes

Now What?
The line y  L is called a horizontal asymptote
of the curve y  f ( x) if eihter
lim f ( x)  L or lim f ( x)  L.
x  x 
The line x  c is called a vertical asymptote

of the curve y  f ( x) if eihter
lim f ( x)   or lim f ( x)  .

x c x c

Lets give it a try!
x2  1 Therefore the line y  1
1. f ( x)  2 (iii) lim f ( x)  1.
x 
x 1 is a horizonatl asymptote.
10
(i) lim f ( x) 
x 1
 7.5
Therefore the line x  1 5
2.5
is a vertical asymptote.
(ii) lim f ( x)  .

-4 -2 2 4
-2.5
x 1
-5
Therefore the line x  1
-7.5
is a vertical asymptote.
-10

Here's another one
(iii) lim f ( x)  0.
x 1 x 
2. f ( x)  2
x 1 Therefore the line y  0
 x 1  is a horizonatl asymptote.
(i) lim f ( x)  lim  2  10
x 1 x 1
 x 1 
7.5
 x 1   1  1
= lim    lim    . 5
x 1
 ( x  1)( x  1)  x1  x  1  2 2.5
Therefore the line x  1
is NOT a vertical asymptote. -4 -2 2 4
-2.5
(ii) lim f ( x)  . -5
x 1
-7.5
Therefore the line x  1
is a vertical asymptote. -10

Indeterminate form and
l’hospital’s rule

Indeterminate form
Indeterminate forms occur when substitution in the limit
results in 0/0. In such cases either factor or rationalize
the expressions.
0
x5 Notice form
Ex. lim 2
x 5 x  25 0
x5
 lim Factor and cancel
x5  x  5  x  5 
common factors
1 1
 lim 
x 5  x  5  10

What to do?
 x 3  ( x  3)( x  3) 
a) lim  
 = lim  
 x 9   ( x  9)( x  3) 
x 9 x 9
 x 9   1  1
 lim    lim   6
x 9 ( x  9)( x  3)
 
x 9
 x 3
 4  x2   (2  x)(2  x) 
b) lim  2  = lim 
x 2 2 x  x 3
  x2  x 2 (2  x) 
 2 x 
= lim  
 x 
x 2 2
2  (2) 4
  1
(2) 2
4
L’Hopital’s Rule
Indeterminate forms other than 0/0 are (+or-)∞/ (+or-)∞.
If factoring doesn’t work, use L’Hôpital’s Rule. (it is assumed at this

point that you are already familiar with differentiation)
If f(a)/g(a) is an indeterminate form,
f ( x) f ' ( x)
lim  lim
xa g ( x) xa g ' ( x)
This rule still applies if a is replaced by + or - ∞.

Example!
e 1
2x
0
lim (in the form )
x 0 ln(1  x ) 0
2x
2e
 lim (by L' Hospital's Rule)
x 0 1 /(1  x)
2(1)
 2
1

Ain’t over yet!
ln(sin x) 
lim (in the form )
x 0 ln x 
1
 cos x
 lim sin x
(by L' Hospital's Rule)
x 0  1
x
x
 lim  cos x  11  1
x 0  sin x

Yet another one!
4 / 3
x
lim
x   sin(1 / x )
4 / 3
x 0
lim 
x   sin(1 / x ) 0
4 / 3 7 / 3 1/ 3
x (4 / 3) x (4 / 3) x 0
lim    0
x  sin(1 / x) (1 / x ) cos(1 / x) cos(1 / x) 1
2

Here's how!
1 1 
• Find the following limit. xlim   
0  x

sin x 
• This is of the form 

1 1   sin x  x 
• Lets rewrite the equation as xlim    
0  x

sin x   x sin x 
• This is of the form 0/0, so we will use L’Hopital’s Rule.
 sin x  x  cos x  1 0  sin x 0

lim    lim   lim  0
x 0  x sin x  x 0 x cos x  sin x 0 x 0  x sin x  2 cos x 2

Useful theorems
sin 
lim 1
 0 
1  cos 
lim 0
 0 
You can use L’Hôpital’s Rule to prove these theorems.

Squeeze Theorem

Squeeze Theorem (a.k.a. Sandwich Theorem)
If f ( x)  g ( x)  h( x) when x is near a, and if

lim f ( x)  lim h( x)  L, then lim g ( x)  L
x a x a x a

Example: Show that lim x 2 sin 
x 0
 x   0.
Note that we cannot use product rule because lim sin 

x 0
 x  DNE!
 
But  1  sin 
x  
 1 and so  x 2  x 2 sin   x 2 .
x
Since lim x 2  lim( x 2 )  0, we use the Squeezing Theorem to conclude
x 0 x 0
 x   0.
lim x 2 sin 
x 0

Limits of Certain Function

Trigonometric Functions
Tangent and secant are continuous everywhere in their

domain, which is the set of all real numbers
x  
2
,  3
2
,  5
2
,  7
2
, y  sec x
15
30
y  tan x 20
10
5
10
-6 -4 -2 2 4 6
-6 -4 -2 2 4 6
-5
-10
-10
-20
-15
-30

Examples
a) lim  sec x   b) lim  sec x 

x   2  2
x 
c) lim tan x   d) lim tan x  

 

 

x  3 x  3
2 2
e) lim cot x   f) lim tan x  1

x 
x  4
cos x 0
g) lim cot x  xlim  0
x  3 
2
 3  sin x
2 1

Do more exercises
at home

Thank You for Listening

2 Calculus Limits

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

2 Calculus Limits

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

This means you simply have to substitute

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

if we can make the value f (x) arbitrarily

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

lim f ( x)  L if and only if lim f ( x)  L and lim f ( x)  L.

Thus, for the function in the previous example,

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

g (3) is undefined -10

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

lim F ( x)  1 and lim F ( x)  1

Thus F is not cont. at x  0. -2

F is continuous everywhere else

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

This is precisely the condition for continuity. Again, this

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

A polynomial function y = P(x) is continuous at every point x.

A rational function R( x)  p( x) q( x) is continuous

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

limsin x  sin c and limcos x  cos c

since the sine and cosine functions are continuous everywhere

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

2x 1 lim  2 x  1 2 lim x  lim1

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

The function converges to a

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

The function converges to a

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

The function converges at +

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

Not this wave it will

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

Infinity is not a number. It

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

AERO BOARD PREP 2014 CALCULUS JGG DECENA

Limits does not exist If and only If