Date: 15/03/2021

Class: #21

Syllabus Topic: Limits and Continuity

Title: Evaluating Limits

Evaluating Limits

The three (3) methods used to evaluate limits are:

1. Direct Substitution
2. Factorisation
3. Conjugate Method (Rationalizing)

In some cases a combination of the methods are required to evaluate the given limit

Direct Substitution
To find lim 𝑓(𝑥) by direct substitution, we substitute 𝑥 = 𝑎 into 𝑓(𝑥) and we arrive
𝑥→𝑎
at the value where lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎).
𝑥→𝑎

Example
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥 → 𝑎+

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3
𝑥→4
Factorisation Method

Example 1
𝑥 2 −3𝑥
Let us look at lim 𝑓(𝑥) where 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 −9

Using Direct Substitution

32 − 3(3) 9 − 9 0
𝑓(3) = = =
32 − 9 9−9 0

This value is considered to be indeterminate therefore another method must be used to

evaluate the limit; the factorization method.

𝑥 2 −3𝑥
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→3 𝑥 → 3 𝑥 2 −9

𝑥(𝑥 − 3)
= lim
𝑥→3 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3)

𝑥
= lim
𝑥→3 (𝑥 + 3)

3
=
(3 + 3)

3
=
6

1
=
2

Example 2
2𝑥−10
Find the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −25 as 𝑥 → 5.

2𝑥−10
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→5 𝑥 → 5 𝑥 2 −25

2(𝑥 − 5)
= lim
𝑥→5 (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 5)
 2
= lim
𝑥→5 (𝑥 + 5)

2
=
(5 + 5)

2
=
10

1
=
5

Example 3
𝑥 2 −1
Find the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = as 𝑥 → 2.
𝑥+1

𝑥 2 −1
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→2 𝑥 → 2 𝑥+1

(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)
= lim
𝑥→2 (𝑥 + 1)

= lim (𝑥 − 1)
𝑥→2

= 2−1

= 1

Example 4
5𝑥+2
Find the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 2 −13𝑥−6 as 𝑥 → 5.

5𝑥 + 2
Now 𝑓(𝑥) =
5𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 − 6

Factorising the denominator

5𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 − 6

= 5𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 6
= 5𝑥(𝑥 − 3) + 2(𝑥 − 3)

= (5𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 − 3)

Therefore;

5𝑥+2
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→5 𝑥 → 5 5𝑥 2 −13𝑥−6

5𝑥 + 2
= lim
𝑥→5 (5𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 − 3)

1
= lim
𝑥→5 (𝑥 − 3)

1
=
(5 − 3)

1
=
2

Questions in the form (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 − (𝑐 − 𝑏)2

(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 − (𝑐 − 𝑏)2
= (𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 ) − (𝑐 2 + 2𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏 2 )

= (𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐 + 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 − 𝑏)

Example 1

1 2 1 2
Find the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = (5𝑥 + 𝑥) − (2𝑥 − 𝑥) as 𝑥 → 0.

1 2 1 2
Now 𝑓(𝑥) = (5𝑥 + ) − (2𝑥 − )
𝑥 𝑥

1 1 1 1
= (5𝑥 + − 2𝑥 + ) (5𝑥 + + 2𝑥 − )
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
 1 1
= (5𝑥 + − 2𝑥 + ) (5𝑥 + 2𝑥)
𝑥 𝑥

2
= 7𝑥 (3𝑥 + )
𝑥

14𝑥
= 21𝑥 2 +
𝑥

= 21𝑥 2 + 14

Therefore;

1 2 1 2
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim (5𝑥 + 𝑥) − (2𝑥 − 𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

= lim (21𝑥 2 + 14)

𝑥→0

= 21(0)2 + 14

= 14

Example 2

1 2 1 2
Find the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥 − 𝑥) − (𝑥 + 𝑥) as 𝑥 → 0.

(𝑎 − 𝑏)2 − (𝑐 + 𝑏)2
= (𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2 ) − (𝑐 2 + 2𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏 2 )

= (𝑎 − 𝑏 − 𝑐 − 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑏)

1 2 1 2
Now 𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥 − ) − (𝑥 + )
𝑥 𝑥

1 1 1 1
= (2𝑥 − − 𝑥 − ) (2𝑥 − + 𝑥 + )
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
 1 1
= (2𝑥 − − 𝑥 − ) (2𝑥 + 𝑥)
𝑥 𝑥

2
= 3𝑥 (𝑥 − )
𝑥

6𝑥
= 3𝑥 2 −
𝑥

= 3𝑥 2 − 6

Therefore;

1 2 1 2
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim (2𝑥 − 𝑥) − (𝑥 + 𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

= lim 3𝑥 2 − 6
𝑥→0

= 3(0)2 − 6

= −6

Example 3

1 2 1 2
Find the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = (3𝑥 + 𝑥) − (𝑥 − 𝑥) as 𝑥 → 0.

(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 − (𝑐 − 𝑏)2
= (𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐 + 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 − 𝑏)

1 2 1 2
Now 𝑓(𝑥) = (3𝑥 + ) − (𝑥 − )
𝑥 𝑥

1 1 1 1
= (3𝑥 + − 𝑥 + ) (3𝑥 + + 𝑥 − )
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

1 1
= (3𝑥 + − 𝑥 + ) (3𝑥 + 𝑥)
𝑥 𝑥
 2
= 4𝑥 (2𝑥 + )
𝑥

8𝑥
= 8𝑥 2 +
𝑥

= 8𝑥 2 + 8

Therefore;

1 2 1 2
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim (3𝑥 + ) − (𝑥 − )
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥

= lim (8𝑥 2 + 8)
𝑥→0

= 8(0)2 + 8

= 8

Example 4

1 2 1 2
Find the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥 + 𝑥) − (3𝑥 − 𝑥) as 𝑥 → 0.

(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 − (𝑐 − 𝑏)2
= (𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐 + 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 − 𝑏)

1 2 1 2
Now 𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥 + ) − (3𝑥 − )
𝑥 𝑥

1 1 1 1
= (2𝑥 + − 3𝑥 + ) (2𝑥 + + 3𝑥 − )
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

1 1
= (2𝑥 + − 3𝑥 + ) (2𝑥 + 3𝑥)
𝑥 𝑥
 2
= 5𝑥 (−𝑥 + )
𝑥

10𝑥
= −5𝑥 2 +
𝑥

= −5𝑥 2 + 10

Therefore;

1 2 1 2
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim (2𝑥 + ) − (3𝑥 − )
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥

= lim −5𝑥 2 + 10
𝑥→0

= −5(0)2 + 10

= 10

Limit Theorems

Law 1

lim 𝑘 = 𝑘 where 𝑘 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

𝑥→𝑎

Law 2

lim 𝑥 = 𝑎
𝑥→𝑎

Law 3

lim 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛
𝑥→𝑎

Law 4

lim (𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ± lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
Law 5

lim (𝑘𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑘 lim 𝑓(𝑥), where 𝑘 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Law 6

lim 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) × lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Law 7

lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎
lim = where lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) lim 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎
𝑥→𝑎

Law 8
𝑛
lim (𝑓(𝑥))𝑛 = (lim 𝑓(𝑥))
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Law 9

𝑛
lim √𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√ lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Example

𝑓(𝑥)
Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 4𝑥 − 1, using the limit laws evaluate lim .
𝑥→0 𝑔(𝑥)

lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎
lim = where lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) lim 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎
𝑥→𝑎

lim(3𝑥 + 2)
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→0
lim =
𝑥→0 𝑔(𝑥) lim(4𝑥 − 1)
𝑥→0
 𝑓(𝑥) 3(0) + 2
lim =
𝑥→0 𝑔(𝑥) 4(0) − 1

2
=
−1

= −2

Conjugate Method (Rationalizing)

This method will be demonstrated through the use of the following examples.

Example 1
𝑥−5
Evaluate lim𝑓(𝑥) = lim .
𝑥→5 𝑥→5 √𝑥 +4−3

𝑥−5
Now
√𝑥 + 4 − 3

Rationalizing the denominator gives

𝑥−5 √𝑥 + 4 + 3
×
√𝑥 + 4 − 3 √𝑥 + 4 + 3

(𝑥 − 5)(√𝑥 + 4 + 3)
=
(𝑥 + 4) − 9

(𝑥 − 5)(√𝑥 + 4 + 3)
=
(𝑥 − 5)

= √𝑥 + 4 + 3

Therefore;

𝑥−5
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→5 𝑥→5 √𝑥+4−3
 = lim √𝑥 + 4 + 3
𝑥→5

= √5 + 4 + 3

= √9 + 3

= 6

Example 2

√9 + 𝑥 2 − 3
Evaluate lim𝑓(𝑥) = lim .
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥

√9 + 𝑥 2 − 3
Now
𝑥

Rationalizing gives

√9 + 𝑥 2 − 3 √9 + 𝑥 2 + 3
×
𝑥 √9 + 𝑥 2 + 3

9 + 𝑥2 − 9
=
𝑥(√9 + 𝑥 2 + 3)

𝑥2
=
𝑥(√9 + 𝑥 2 + 3)

𝑥
=
(√9 + 𝑥 2 + 3)

Therefore;

√9+𝑥 2 −3
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥

𝑥
= lim
𝑥→0 (√9 + 𝑥 2 + 3)
 0
=
(√9 + 02 + 3)

0
=
(√9 + 3)

0
=
6

= 0

Example 3
3−𝑥
Evaluate lim𝑓(𝑥) = lim .
𝑥→3 𝑥→3 2 − √𝑥 + 1

3−𝑥
Now
2 − √𝑥 + 1

Rationalizing the denominator gives

3−𝑥 2 + √𝑥 + 1
×
2 − √𝑥 + 1 2 + √𝑥 + 1

(3 − 𝑥)(2 + √𝑥 + 1)
=
4 − (𝑥 + 1)

(3 − 𝑥)(2 + √𝑥 + 1)
=
(3 − 𝑥)

= 2 + √𝑥 + 1

Therefore;

3−𝑥
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim 2−√𝑥+1
𝑥→3 𝑥→3

= lim 2 + √𝑥 + 1
𝑥→3

= 2 + √3 + 1
 = 2 + √4

= 4

Example 4

3 − √𝑥 2 + 5
Evaluate lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim .
𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2 𝑥+2

3 − √𝑥 2 + 5
Now
𝑥+2

Rationalizing gives

3 − √𝑥 2 + 5 3 + √𝑥 2 + 5
×
𝑥+2 3 + √𝑥 2 + 5

9 − (𝑥 2 + 5)
=
(𝑥 + 2)(3 + √𝑥 2 + 5)

4 − 𝑥2
=
(𝑥 + 2)(3 + √𝑥 2 + 5)

(2 + 𝑥)(2 − 𝑥)
=
(2 + 𝑥)(3 + √𝑥 2 + 5)

(𝑥 − 2)
=
(3 + √𝑥 2 + 5)

Therefore;

3−√𝑥 2 +5
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥 → −2 𝑥→−2 𝑥+2

(2 − 𝑥)
= lim
𝑥 → −2 (3 + √𝑥 2 + 5)
 2 − (−2)
=
3 + √(−2)2 + 5

4
=
3 + √4 + 5

4
=
3 + √9

4
=
6

2
=
3

Special Limits (Trigonometric)

sin 𝑥
1. lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥

cos 𝑥 − 1
2. lim =0
𝑥→0 𝑥

tan 𝑥
3. lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥

Example 1

sin 8𝑥
Evaluate lim𝑓(𝑥) = lim .
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥

sin 8𝑥
Now
𝑥
8
Multiplying by gives
8

sin 8𝑥 sin 8𝑥
=8 ×
𝑥 8𝑥
Therefore;

sin 8𝑥
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥

sin 8𝑥 sin 8𝑥 sin 𝑥

= 8 lim 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚
𝑥→0 8𝑥 8𝑥 𝑥

=8 ×1

=8

Example 2

−7 sin 6𝑥
Evaluate lim𝑓(𝑥) = lim .
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥

−7 sin 6𝑥
Now
𝑥

Multiplying by 6 gives

−7 sin 6𝑥 −42 sin 6𝑥

×6=
𝑥 6𝑥

Therefore;

−7 sin 6𝑥
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥

sin 6𝑥 sin 6𝑥 sin 𝑥

= −42 lim 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚
𝑥→0 6𝑥 6𝑥 𝑥

= −42 × 1

= −42
Example 3

sin 3𝑥 − 4𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
Evaluate lim𝑓(𝑥) = lim .
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 2𝑥

sin 3𝑥 − 4𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
lim𝑓(𝑥) = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 2𝑥

sin 3𝑥 4𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
= lim [ − ]
𝑥→0 2𝑥 2𝑥

sin 3𝑥
= lim [ − 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥]
𝑥→0 2𝑥

sin 3𝑥
= lim [ ] − 2lim (cos 𝑥)
𝑥→0 2𝑥 𝑥→0

3
sin 3𝑥
= lim [ 2 × ] − 2lim(cos 𝑥)
𝑥→0 3 2𝑥 𝑥→0
2

3 sin 3𝑥
= lim [ × ] − 2lim(cos 𝑥)
𝑥→0 2 3𝑥 𝑥→0

3 sin 3𝑥
= lim − 2lim(cos 𝑥)
2 𝑥→0 3𝑥 𝑥→0

3
= ( × 1) − (2 × 1)
2

3
= −2
2

1
=−
2