LIMIT OF A FUNCTION

The concept of limit of a function is very important in the subject of calculus. In fact, the subject
of calculus was evolved through the process of finding a limit. Let us now understand the
concept of limit.

Meaning of 𝒙 → 𝒂

For a given function 𝑓(𝑥), 𝑥 → 𝑎 means the behavior of 𝑓(𝑥)for values of 𝑥 around 𝑎.

Let us discuss the behavior of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3 around 𝑥 = 4, i.e. let us give values
which are near 4 to find the corresponding values of 𝑓. We can give values which are greater
than 4 as well as values which are less than 4. Hence we form two tables as follows

𝑥 4.5 4.2 4.1 4.01 4.001

𝑓(𝑥) 12 11.4 11.2 11.02 11.002

𝑥 3.4 3.7 3.9 3.99 3.999

𝑓(𝑥) 9.8 10.4 10.8 10.98 10.998

Studying the corresponding values of f in the first table that, 𝑓(𝑥)starts at 12 and reduces
progressively to reach 11.002 and in the second table, 𝑓(𝑥) starts at 9.8 and increases to reach
10.998 finally. In both cases, it can be seen that, as 𝑥 is brought near 4, 𝑓(𝑥) also approaches 11.

Therefore as 𝑥 is brought near 4 from either side of 4, we say that 𝑥 approaches 4 or 𝑥 tends to 4.
This is denoted by 𝒙 → 𝟒. In this case, as 𝑥 approaches 4, we see that 𝑓(𝑥) approaches 11 and
this can be written symbolically as: As 𝑥 → 4, 𝑓(𝑥) → 11

Definition of limit of a function

From the above example, we see that 𝑓(𝑥) → 11, when 𝑥 → 4. The number 11, is called the
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (2𝑥
limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 → 4. This is written in notation as 𝑓 (𝑥) = 11 or + 3) = 11
𝑥→4 𝑥→4

1
The limiting value ‘l’of a function 𝑓 (𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches a value ‘a’ (i.e. 𝑥 → 𝑎) means that
𝑓 (𝑥) can be brought as near ‘𝑙’ as we like by brining 𝑥 sufficiently near ‘a’ without making 𝑥 =
𝑎.

𝑙𝑖𝑚
This is denoted as 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑙.
𝑥→𝑎

Standard limits

𝑙𝑖𝑚
If we are asked to find 𝑓 (𝑥), we cannot follow the procedure of making tables and
𝑥→𝑎
checking the limit every time as it will be very difficult to calculate the various values of 𝑓.
Hence we assume the following results as standard formulae.

1. Limits of constant functions

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚
If 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑘, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑘 is a constant, then 𝑘 = 𝑘 i. e. if 𝑓(𝑥) = 2, then 2=2
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Thus the limit of a constant is equal to the constant.

𝑙𝑖𝑚
2. Limits of the function 𝑥 𝑘 , 𝑥 𝑘 = 𝑎𝑘
𝑥→𝑎

𝑙𝑖𝑚
Example: 𝑥 3 = 23 = 8;
𝑥→2

𝑙𝑖𝑚 4
𝑥 = 34 = 81
𝑥→3

3. Limits of the function 𝒙

𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥 = 𝑎,
𝑥→𝑎

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚
Example: 𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 = −3
𝑥→2 𝑥 → −3

4. Limits of the function 𝒌𝒙

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑘𝑥 = 𝑘𝑎, Example: 3𝑥 = 3(5) = 15
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→5

2
Illustrative example

Evaluate the following:

𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 2 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 2

i) + 2) ii) − 1) iii) − 4𝑥 + 2)
𝑥→3 𝑥 → −2 𝑥→2

Solution

𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 2
i) + 2) = 3 + 2 = 5 (ii) − 1) = (−2)2 − 1 = 4 − 1 = 3
𝑥→3 𝑥 → −2

𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 2
iii) − 4𝑥 + 2) = (2)2 − 4(2) + 2 = 4 − 8 + 2 = −2
𝑥→2

5. Limits of the functions 𝒇(𝒙). 𝒈(𝒙)

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚
[𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
= 𝑓(𝑎). 𝑔(𝑎)

Illustrative example

𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥
Find + 3)(𝑥 2 − 5)
𝑥→2

Solution

𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 2

+ 3)(𝑥 2 − 5) = + 3) . − 5) = (2 + 3)(22 − 5) = −5
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2

6. Limits of rational functions

𝑔 (𝑥)
If 𝑓(𝑥) = , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛
ℎ(𝑥)

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 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑎) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→𝑎
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = ℎ(𝑎), provided either ℎ(𝑥) ≠ 0 or both ℎ(𝑥) ≠
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
ℎ(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
𝑙𝑖𝑚
0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑎

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚

Note: If ℎ(𝑥) = 0 or both ℎ(𝑥) ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0, reduce the rational
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
function to its simplest form.

Illustrative example

Evaluate the following:

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 2 −1 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥2 −4
i) { } ii) { }
𝑥 → −1 𝑥+1 𝑥 → 2 𝑥−2

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥2 −7𝑥+10 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥3 −1

iii) { } iv) { }
𝑥 → 2 𝑥2 −4 𝑥 → 1 𝑥−1

𝑙𝑖𝑚 9−𝑥 𝑙𝑖𝑚 9−𝑥 2

v) { } vi) { }
𝑥 → 2 3−√𝑥 𝑥 → 3 4−√𝑥2 +7

Solution
0
i) Substituting 𝑥 = −1 into the expression will give 0. Therefore we have to first

reduce the expression to its simplest form.

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 2 −1 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥−1)(𝑥+1)
i) { 𝑥+1 } = { 𝑥+1
𝑥 → −1 𝑥 → −1
𝑙𝑖𝑚 {𝑥
= − 1} − 1 − 1 = −2
𝑥 → −1

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 2 −4 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥−2) (𝑥+2)

ii) { } = { 𝑥−2
𝑥 → 2 𝑥−2 𝑥→2
𝑙𝑖𝑚 {𝑥
= + 2} = 2 + 2 = 4
𝑥→2

4
 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 2 −7𝑥+10
iii) { }
𝑥 → 2 𝑥 2 −4
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 2)
= { }
𝑥 → 2 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 − 5 2−5 3
= { }= = −
𝑥 →2 𝑥+2 2+2 4

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 3 −1 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥−1)(𝑥 2 +𝑥+1

iv) { 𝑥−1 } = { }
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1

𝑙𝑖𝑚 {𝑥 2
= + 𝑥 + 1} = 12 + 1 + 1 = 3
𝑥→1

v) Rationalize the denominator first

𝑙𝑖𝑚 9 − 𝑥 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (9 − 𝑥)(3 + √𝑥) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (9 − 𝑥)(3 + √𝑥)

{ }= { } = { }
𝑥 → 9 3 − √𝑥 𝑥 → 9 (3 − √𝑥)(3 + √𝑥) 𝑥→9 (9 − 𝑥)
𝑙𝑖𝑚
= {3 + √𝑥) = 3 + √9)
𝑥→9
=3+3=6
vi) Rationalise the denominator first
𝑙𝑖𝑚 9−𝑥 2
{ }
𝑥 → 3 4−√𝑥 2 +7
𝑙𝑖𝑚 (9 − 𝑥 2 )(4 + √𝑥 2 + 7)
= { }
𝑥 → 3 4 − √𝑥 2 + 7)(4 + √𝑥 2 + 7)
2 2
𝑙𝑖𝑚 (9 − 𝑥 )(4 + √𝑥 + 7)
= { }
𝑥→3 16 − (𝑥 2 + 7)
2 2
𝑙𝑖𝑚 (9 − 𝑥 )(4 + √𝑥 + 7)
= { }
𝑥→3 (9 − 𝑥 2 )
𝑙𝑖𝑚
= (4 + √𝑥 2 + 7)
𝑥→3
= 4 + √32 + 7 = 4 + 4 = 8
7. Limits involving infinity

The limits of a function 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches infinity or becomes very large is denoted as
𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑓(𝑥).
𝑥→∞

5
 𝑙𝑖𝑚 1
i) = 0, if the index n is positive.
𝑥→∞ 𝑥𝑛

1 1
Note that ∞ = ∞𝑛 = 0

𝑙𝑖𝑚 1
For example, =0
𝑥→∞ 2𝑥

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑛
ii) 𝑥 , does not exist if the index n is positive
𝑥→∞
𝑔(𝑥) 𝑙𝑖𝑚
iii) If 𝑓(𝑥) = ℎ(𝑥), then 𝑓(𝑥)can be found by first dividing the numerator and
𝑥→∞
denominator by the variable with the highest index or power of 𝑥.

Illustrative example

Evaluate the following:

𝑙𝑖𝑚 5𝑥 2 −1 𝑙𝑖𝑚 7𝑥
i) (2𝑥 2 +1) ii) ( )
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 → ∞ 𝑥−4

𝑙𝑖𝑚 2𝑥 3 −7𝑥+3 𝑙𝑖𝑚 3𝑥

iii) ( ) iv) ( )
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 3 +2 𝑥 → ∞ 𝑥+2

Solution

i) Dividing the numerator and denominator by the highest power of 𝑥 i.e. 𝑥 2

5𝑥 2 1
2 − 2
2
𝑙𝑖𝑚 5𝑥 − 1 𝑙𝑖𝑚
( 2 )= ( 𝑥2 𝑥 )
𝑥 → ∞ 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥→∞ 2𝑥 1
2 + 2
𝑥 𝑥

1
5− 2
𝑙𝑖𝑚
( 𝑥 )=5+0=5
𝑥 → ∞ 2+ 1 2+0 2
𝑥2
7𝑥
𝑥
𝑙𝑖𝑚 7𝑥 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 4
ii) (𝑥−4) = ( −𝑥 )
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑥

6
 𝑙𝑖𝑚 7 7
= ( )= =7
𝑥→∞ 4 1 − 0
1−𝑥
2𝑥3 7𝑥 3
𝑙𝑖𝑚 2𝑥 3 −7𝑥+3 𝑙𝑖𝑚 3 − 3+ 3
iii) ( 𝑥 3 +2 ) = ( 𝑥 𝑥3 𝑥 2 𝑥 )
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ +
𝑥3 𝑥3

7 3
2− 2 +
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 𝑥3
𝑥 →∞ 1+ 2
𝑥3
2−0+0
= =2
1+0

3𝑥
𝑙𝑖𝑚 3𝑥 𝑙𝑖𝑚
iv) (𝑥+2) = ( 𝑥 )
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 → ∞ 𝑥𝑥+𝑥2

𝑙𝑖𝑚 3 3
= ( )= =3
𝑥 →∞ 1+2 1+0
𝑥

THE INDETERMINATE FORMS 𝟎⁄𝟎 AND ∞⁄∞

Suppose we want to know the value of the limit

ln 𝑥 lim ln 𝑥
𝑥→1
lim . We cannot use to evaluate the limit since the limit of the
𝑥→∞ 𝑥−1 lim (𝑥−1)
𝑥→1
denominator is 0. In fact as 𝑥 approaches 1, both numerator and denominator
0
approaches 0 and is not defined.
0

In general, if we have a limit of the form

𝑓(𝑥)
lim . Where both 𝑓(𝑥) → 0 and 𝑔(𝑥) → 0 as 𝑥 → 𝑎, then this limit may not
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥)
0
exist and is called indeterminate form of type . To evaluate indeterminate forms
0
we apply the 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule which is stated in the following theorem.

7
Theorem (𝑳′ 𝑯𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍′ 𝒔 Rule)

Suppose 𝑓 and 𝑔 are differentiable 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝟎 on an open interval 𝑰 that contains 𝒂

(except possibly at 𝒂). Suppose that

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ±∞ and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = ±∞

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Or that
0 ∞
(In other words, we have an indeterminate form of type or ) then
0 ∞

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓′(𝑥)
lim . = lim .
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎 𝑔′(𝑥)

If the limit on right side exist (or is ∞ 𝑜𝑟 − ∞).

Thus 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule says that the limit of a quotient of functions is equal to
the limit of the quotient of their derivatives, provided that the given conditions are
satisfied. 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule is also valid for one side limit and for limits at infinity
or negative infinite; that is,

𝑥 → 𝑎 can be replace by any of the symbols 𝑥 → 𝑎+ , 𝑥 → 𝑎− , 𝑥 → ∞, or 𝑥 → −∞.

Example 4.3.2
ln 𝑥
Find lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1

Solution

since

lim ln 𝑥 = ln 1 = 0 and lim(𝑥 − 1) = 1 − 1 = 0

𝑥→1 𝑥→1

We can apply 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule;

d 1
ln 𝑥 [ln 𝑥] 1 1
dx 𝑥
lim = lim𝑑 = lim = lim = =1
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1 [𝑥−1] 𝑥→1 1 𝑥→1 𝑥 1
𝑑𝑥

8
Example 4.3.3
𝑒𝑥
Calculate lim
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2

Solution

We have lim 𝑒 𝑥 = ∞ and lim 𝑥 2 = ∞ so 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule gives

𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞

𝑑
𝑒𝑥 [𝑒 𝑥 ] 𝑒𝑥
𝑑𝑥
lim = lim 𝑑 = lim
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 𝑥→∞ [𝑥 2 ] 𝑥→∞ 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥

Since 𝑒 𝑥 → ∞ and 2𝑥 → ∞ as 𝑥 → ∞, the limit on the right side is also

indeterminate, but a second application of 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule gives
𝑑
𝑒𝑥 [𝑒 𝑥 ] 𝑒𝑥
𝑑𝑥
lim = lim 𝑑 = lim =∞
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 𝑥→∞ [2𝑥] 𝑥→∞ 2
𝑑𝑥

Example 4.3.4
ln 𝑥
Calculate lim 3
𝑥→∞ √𝑥

Solution
3 ln 𝑥
since 𝑥 → ∞ and √𝑥 → ∞ as 𝑥 → ∞, 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule gives lim 3 =
𝑥→∞ √𝑥
𝑑 1
[ln 𝑥]
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
lim 𝑑 3 = lim 1 −2⁄3
𝑥→∞ [ √𝑥 ] 𝑥→∞ 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 3

0
Note that the limit on the right side is now indeterminate of type . But instead of
0
applying 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule a second time , we simplify the expression and see
that a second application is unnecessary
1
𝑥 𝑥 −1 𝑥 2⁄3 𝑥 −1⁄3 3
lim 1 −2⁄3 = lim 1 = lim 1 = lim =0
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑥 −2⁄3
3 3 3

Example 4.3.5

9
 cos 𝑥+2𝑥−1
Find lim
𝑥→0 3𝑥

Solution

Since lim cos 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 1 = 0 and lim 3𝑥 = 0

𝑥→0 𝑥→0

We can apply 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule;

d
cos 𝑥+2𝑥−1 [cos 𝑥+2𝑥−1]
dx
lim = lim 𝑑
𝑥→0 3𝑥 𝑥→0 [3𝑥]
𝑑𝑥

− sin 𝑥+2
= lim
𝑥→0 3

− sin 0+2
=
3

2
=
3

INDETERMINATE PRODUCT

If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = ∞ (𝑜𝑟 − ∞), then it is not clear what the of
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥), if any, will be. This kind of limit is called an indeterminate form of
𝑥→𝑎
type [0. ∞]. We can deal it by writing the product 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) as a quotient.
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑜𝑟 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = .
1⁄𝑔(𝑥) 1⁄𝑓(𝑥)

0
This convert the given limit into an indeterminate form of type 𝑜𝑟 ∞⁄∞ so that
0
′ ′
we can use 𝐿 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠 Rule.

Example 4.4.1

Evaluate lim+ 𝑥 ln 𝑥
𝑥→0

10
Solution

Since 𝑥 → 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ln 𝑥 → −∞ 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 → 0+ (that is, 𝑥 approaches 0 from the right

hand side of 0), the given limit is indeterminate. Thus writing the product 𝑥 ln 𝑥 as

ln 𝑥
𝑥 ln 𝑥 =
1 ⁄𝑥
ln 𝑥
We can now apply 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule; lim+
𝑥→0 1⁄𝑥

Is indeterminate of the form ∞⁄∞.

d 1
ln 𝑥 [ln 𝑥]
′ ′ dx 𝑥
Thus, by 𝐿 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠 Rule; lim = lim 𝑑 = lim 1
𝑥→0+ 1⁄𝑥 𝑥→0+ [1⁄𝑥] 𝑥→0+ 𝑥2
𝑑𝑥

= lim+(−𝑥) = −0 = 0
𝑥→0

Example 4.4.2

Find lim (2𝑥 − 𝜋) sec 𝑥.

𝑥→𝜋⁄2

Solution
𝜋
Since lim (2𝑥 − 𝜋) sec 𝑥 = 2 ( ) − 𝜋 = 0 and lim sec 𝑥. =
𝑥→𝜋⁄2 2 𝑥→𝜋⁄2
lim 1⁄cos 𝑥 = ∞, the indeterminate form is [0. ∞]. Hence we begin by writing
𝑥→𝜋⁄2

(2𝑋−𝜋) 2𝑥−𝜋
(2𝑥 − 𝜋) sec 𝑥. = = .
1⁄sec 𝑥 cos 𝑥

Since the last expression has the indeterminate form 0⁄0 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝜋⁄2,
𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule may be applied as follows.
𝑑𝑦
[2𝑥−𝜋] 2 2
𝑑𝑥
lim (2𝑥 − 𝜋) sec 𝑥 = lim 𝑑 = lim =
𝑥→𝜋⁄2 𝑥→𝜋⁄2 [cos] 𝑥→𝜋⁄2 − sin 𝑥 − sin(𝜋⁄2)
𝑑𝑥

2
= = −2
−1

11
Example 3
2
Find lim 𝑥 3 𝑒 −𝑥 .
𝑥→∞

Solution
2
Since lim 𝑥 3 = ∞ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 lim 𝑒 −𝑥 = 0, the indeterminate form is ∞. 0.
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞

Hence we begin by writing

3 −𝑥 2
𝑥3 𝑥3
𝑥 𝑒 = 2 = 𝑥2
1⁄𝑒 −𝑥 𝑒 .

Since the last expression has the indeterminate form ∞⁄∞ as 𝑥 approaches
infinity, 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule may be applied as follow.

𝑑 3
𝑥3 [𝑥 ]
lim 2 = lim 𝑑𝑥
𝑥→∞ 𝑒 𝑥 . 𝑥→∞ 𝑑 2
[𝑒 𝑥 ].
𝑑𝑥
3𝑥 2 3𝑥
= lim 2 = lim 2
𝑥→∞ 2𝑥𝑒 𝑥 . 𝑥→∞ 2𝑒 𝑥 .

Since the limit on the right side is still indeterminate of type ∞⁄∞ we apply
𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule again;

𝑑
3𝑥 [3𝑥]
lim 𝑥 2 = lim 𝑑𝑥
𝑥→∞ 2𝑒 . 𝑥→∞ 𝑑 2
[2𝑒 𝑥 ].
𝑑𝑥
3
= lim 2
𝑥→∞ 4𝑥𝑒 𝑥 .

= 0.

INDETERMINATE DIFFERENCES

12
If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞ and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = ∞, then the limit lim[ 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] is called an
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
indeterminate form of type ∞ − ∞. Will the answer be ∞ or will it be −∞ or will it
be a finite number? To find out, we try to convert the difference into a quotient (for
instead, by using a common denominator, or rationalization, factoring out a
0 ∞
common factor) so that we have indeterminate form 𝑜𝑟 .
0 ∞

Example 4.5.1

Compute lim (sec 𝑥 − tan 𝑥).

𝑥→(𝜋⁄2)−

Solution

First notice that lim (sec 𝑥) = ∞ and lim (tan 𝑥) = ∞, so that limit is
𝑥→(𝜋⁄2)− 𝑥→(𝜋⁄2)−
indeterminate of the form ∞ − ∞. Here we use a common denominator:
1 sin 𝑥
lim −(sec 𝑥 − tan 𝑥) = lim (
− cos 𝑥
− ).
𝑥→(𝜋⁄2) 𝑥→(𝜋⁄2) cos 𝑥

1−sin 𝑥
= lim ( ).
𝑥→(𝜋⁄2)− cos 𝑥

0
Since this limit has the indeterminate form 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝜋⁄2, we can apply
0
𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule

𝑑
1 − sin 𝑥 [1 − sin 𝑥]
lim ( ) = lim − 𝑑𝑥
𝑥→(𝜋⁄2)− cos 𝑥 𝑥→(𝜋⁄2) 𝑑
[cos 𝑥]
𝑑𝑥
− cos 𝑥 cos(𝜋⁄2)
= lim =
𝑥→(𝜋⁄2)− − sin 𝑥 sin(𝜋⁄2)

0
= .
1

= 0.

13
Example 4.5.2
1 1
Find lim ( − )
𝑥→0 𝑒 𝑥 −1 𝑥

Solution
1 1
Since lim ( ) = ∞ and lim (𝑥) = ∞ the indeterminate form is ∞ − ∞,
𝑥→0 𝑒 𝑥 −1 𝑥→0
however if the difference is written as a single fraction, then
1 1 𝑥−𝑒 𝑥 +1
lim ( − ) = lim 𝑥
𝑥→0 𝑒 𝑥 −1 𝑥 𝑥(𝑒 −1)
𝑥→0

This gives us the indeterminate of the form 0⁄0 and so we apply the 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠
Rule as follow
𝑑
𝑥−𝑒 𝑥 +1 [𝑥−𝑒 𝑥 +1]
𝑑𝑥
lim = lim 𝑑
𝑥→0 𝑥(𝑒 𝑥 −1) 𝑥→0 [𝑥(𝑒 𝑥 −1)]
𝑑𝑥

1−𝑒 𝑥
= lim
𝑥→0 𝑒 𝑥 −1+𝑥𝑒 𝑥

This limit is still indeterminate of the 0/0 and so we apply 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule again
𝑑
1−𝑒 𝑥 [1−𝑒 𝑥 ] −𝑒 𝑥 −𝑒 𝑥
𝑑𝑥
lim = lim 𝑑 = lim = lim
𝑥→0 𝑒 𝑥 −1+𝑥𝑒 𝑥
𝑥→0 [𝑒 𝑥 −1+𝑥𝑒 𝑥 ] 𝑥→0 𝑒 𝑥 +𝑒 𝑥 +𝑥𝑒 𝑥 𝑥→0 2𝑒 𝑥 +𝑥𝑒 𝑥
𝑑𝑥

−𝑒 0 1
= =−
2𝑒 0 2

INDETERMINATE POWERS

The following indeterminate forms arise from the limit

lim 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) ;
𝑥→𝑎

1. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0 type 00

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞ and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0 type ∞0
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

14
 3. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = ±∞ type 1∞
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Each of these three cases be treated either by taking natural logarithm;

Let 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) , then they are ln 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑛 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) ln 𝑓(𝑥) which is of

type 0. ∞

Example 4.6.1

lim +(1 + sin(4𝑥))cot 𝑥

𝑥→(0)

solution

First notice that 𝑥 → 0+ , we have 1 + sin(4𝑥) → 1 and cot 𝑥 → ∞, so the given

limit is indeterminate of type 1∞ . Let
𝑦 = (1 + sin(4𝑥))cot 𝑥

Then

ln 𝑦 = cot 𝑥𝑙𝑛 (1 + sin(4𝑥)

So 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule gives

ln(1+sin(4𝑥))
lim + ln 𝑦 = lim +
𝑥→(0) 𝑥→(0) 1⁄cot 𝑥

𝑑 4 cos(4𝑥)
ln(1+sin(4𝑥)) ln(1+sin(4𝑥))
𝑑𝑥 1+sin 4𝑥
= lim + = lim 𝑑 = lim
𝑥→(0) tan 𝑥 𝑥→(0)+ [tan 𝑥] 𝑥→(0) 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑥
+
𝑑𝑥

4 cos(4(0))
1+sin(4(0))
= lim =4
𝑥→(0)+ 1⁄𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 (0)

So far we have computed the limit of ln 𝑦, but what we want is the limit of y. To
find this we use the fact that if lim + ln 𝑦 = 𝐿 then lim +𝑦 = 𝑒 𝐿 :
𝑥→(0) 𝑥→(0)

lim (1 + sin(4𝑥))cot 𝑥 = lim + 𝑦 = 𝑒4

𝑥→(0)+ 𝑥→(0)

15
Example 4.6.2
Find lim +𝑥 𝑥
𝑥→(0)

solution
Notice that this limit is indeterminate of the form 00 , since 0𝑥 = 0 for any 𝑥 > 0
but 𝑥 0 = 1 for any 𝑥 ≠ 0
Let
𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 then ln 𝑦 = 𝑥 ln 𝑥.
So 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule gives
ln 𝑥
lim +𝑦 = lim +
𝑥→(0) 𝑥→(0) 1⁄𝑥
𝑑
[ln 𝑥]
𝑑𝑥
= lim 𝑑
𝑥→(0)+ [1⁄𝑥]
𝑑𝑥

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

=0

Therefore
lim +𝑥 𝑥 = lim +𝑦 = 𝑒 0 = 1
𝑥→(0) 𝑥→(0)

Example 4.6.3
Find lim (1 + 3𝑥)1⁄2𝑥
𝑥→0

Solution
The indeterminate form is 1∞ . Let
1 ln(1+3𝑥)
𝑦 = (1 + 3𝑥)1⁄2𝑥 then ln 𝑦 = ln(1 + 3𝑥) =
2𝑥 2𝑥

The last expression has the indeterminate form 0/0 at 𝑥 = 0. By 𝐿′ 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 ′ 𝑠 Rule

16
 ln(1 + 3𝑥)
lim ln 𝑦 = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 2𝑥
𝑑 2
ln(1+3𝑥) 3
𝑑𝑥 1+3𝑥
= lim 𝑑 = lim =
𝑥→0 [2𝑥] 𝑥→0 2 2
𝑑𝑥

lim (1 + 3𝑥)1⁄2𝑥 = lim 𝑦 = 𝑒 3⁄2

𝑥→0 𝑥→0

Continuity

Definition of Continuity

A function is said to be continuous at c if:

1. 𝑓 (𝑐) is defined
𝑙𝑖𝑚
2. 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡
𝑥 →𝑐
𝑙𝑖𝑚
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑥 →𝑐

Example 1

Determine whether the function 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 − 1 is continuous at 𝑥 = 2

Solution

𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝑓 (2) = 23 + 2(2) − 1 = 8 + 4 − 1 = 11

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 3 𝑙𝑖𝑚 3 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚

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

= 23 + 2(2) − 1 = 8 + 4 − 1 = 11

𝑙𝑖𝑚
Since 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(2), 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 →2

Example 2

17
 𝑥+1
Given the function 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −1 determine whether f is continuous at 𝑥 = 3

Solution

𝑥+1
𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥2 − 1

3+1 4 1
𝑓(3) = = =
32 − 1 8 2

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥+1 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥+1

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

𝑙𝑖𝑚
1 1 1 1
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 →3
= ( ) = = =
𝑥 →3 𝑥−1 𝑙𝑖𝑚 3−1 2
𝑥 → 3 (𝑥 − 1)

𝑙𝑖𝑚
Since 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(3) 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 3
𝑥 →3

Example 3

Given the function

5 − 𝑥 −1 ≤ 2
𝑔(𝑥) = { Determine whether the function g is continuous
𝑥2 − 1 2 < 𝑥 ≤ 3

Solution

The polynomial functions 5 – 𝑥 and 𝑥 2 − 1 are continuous on the intervals [-1, 2] and [2, 3],
respectively. By taking the limits when 𝑥 = 2

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 2

𝑔 (𝑥) = (5 − 𝑥) = 3 and − 𝑔 (𝑥) = − 1) = 3
𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2 𝑥 → 2+

𝑙𝑖𝑚
Since the two limits are equal, we have 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(2) = 3
𝑥 →𝑥

Thus g is continuous at x= 2 and consequently it is continuous on the entire interval [1, 3]

18
Example 4

𝑥 2 −2𝑥−3
The function h is defined on the set of real numbers R by ℎ (𝑥) = determine whether or
𝑥−3

not the function h is continuous at 𝑥 = 3

32 − 2(3) − 3 9 − 6 − 3 0
ℎ (𝑥) = = = (𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑)
3−3 3−3 0

𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3
ℎ (𝑥) =
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3 𝑥−3

𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥

= ( )= + 1) = 3 + 1 = 4
𝑥 →3 𝑥−3 𝑥 →3

𝑙𝑖𝑚
Therefore, ℎ (𝑥) = 4
𝑥 →3

𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 ℎ)𝑥) ≠ ℎ(3), 𝑡he function h is not continuous at 𝑥 = 3
𝑥 →3

Properties of continuous function

If the functions f and g are continuous at c, then the following functions are also continuous at c

1. 𝑓 ± 𝑔
2. 𝑎𝑓, where a is any constant
3. 𝑓𝑔
4. 𝑓/𝑔 𝑖𝑓 𝑔(𝑐) ≠ 0
5. 𝑓 (𝑔(𝑥)), Provided f is continuous at 𝑔 (𝑐)

19