𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙

The Limit of 𝒙
sin 𝑥
In this section, we shall understand the graph of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = as x becomes smaller or
𝑥
becoming closer to zero even if the value of this function does not exist at zero. We will see the behavior of its
graph as x approaches zero from the positive side and the negative side. Thus, we can generalize the limit of this
function through tabular and graphical approaches. This limit can also be further checked through geometric
approach.
In the previous section, we learned how to evaluate limits of trigonometric functions. Thus, if we
sin 𝑥
evaluatelim sin 𝑥, we simply say that the limit is sin 0, which is 0. But how about for lim , where both
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
sin 𝑥
numerator and denominator approach 0. We will illustrate and find the limit of using tabular, graphical and
𝑥
geometric approaches.

Tabular Approach
sin 𝑥
Below is the table of values for 𝑓(𝑥) = as x becomes smaller from both sides. See the next table. For
𝑥
sin 𝑥
each x-value, the equivalent y-value can be obtained by substituting this x-value to using a scientific
𝑥
calculator.
From the left side of 0 from the right side of 0
X f(x) x f(x) Remark: The value of f at x can be
-0.5 0.9588511 0.5 0.9588511 computed using a
scientific calculator where
-0.1 0.9983342 0.1 0.9983342 the mode is in radian. If
-0.01 0.9999833 0.01 0.9999833 x=0.01, then 𝑓(−0.01) =
sin(−0.01)
-0.001 0.9999998 = 0.9999833
0.001 0.9999998 −0.01

-0.0001 0.9999999 0.0001 0.9999999

Observe from the previous tables that as x approaches 0 from both sides, f (x) becomes closer to 1.
Specially, when x is very close to 0, say -0.0001 or 0.0001, the corresponding y-value is 0.999999 which is very
close to 1. This can be checked easily using the graphical approach.
Graphical Approach
sin 𝑥
The graph of if (x) = is shown in figure below. On the graph, there is a “small hole” at x =0 or at the
𝑥
sin 0 0
point (0, 1). This is because the value of y does not exist there, that is, f (0) = = 0 is not defined. Refer to the
0
graph below.
 Here, the value of f (x) becomes closer and closer to 1 from each side. Moreover, its graph is symmetric
with respect to the y-axis. Observe that the values of y are the same at the negative and positive values of x. say,
when x is -0.01 and when x is 0.01, both will yield a y-value of 0.9999833. Also, observe that when x is either
-0.0001 or 0.0001, they y-value is 0.9999999, which is very close to 1.
Based from the numerical values to the graphical approach, we verified that the limit approaches 1 and
sin 𝑥
so we write, lim = 1.
𝑥→0 𝑥

Theorem 16- Trigonometric Limit

sin 𝑥 𝑥
lim =1 lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥

sin 𝑥
Note that does not exist at x=0, but the limit exists when x approaches that number. As we can observe,
𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛0 0 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
= 0 is an indeterminate and thus, the limit of is not an infinity. This is different from the limit of .
0 𝑥 𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠0 1 cos 𝑥
The value of = 0 is undefined and thus, the limit of is either positive or negative infinity depending on
0 𝑥
𝑥 𝑥 1
what side the values of x are coming from. But for sin 𝑥, we can write it as sin 𝑥 = sin 𝑥 . Thus,
𝑥

𝑥 1 lim 1 1
𝑥→0
lim = lim sin 𝑥 = sin 𝑥 = = 1.
𝑥→0 sin 𝑥 𝑥→0 lim 1
𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥

Examples:
𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝑡
1. lim
𝑡→0 𝑡

𝑥
2. lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛4𝑥
𝑥→0

sin2 5𝜃
3. lim 𝜃2
𝜃→0

Solutions:
1. We can write the limit as
𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝑡 3𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝑡 3
lim 𝑡 = lim 3𝑡 Multiply 3
𝑡→0 𝑡→0

3𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝑡 As 𝑡 → 0, 3t → 0
= lim
3𝑡→0 3𝑡

3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑤
= lim Letting w = 3t with constant
𝑤→0 𝑤

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑤 Theorem 2 (Limit of Constant Multiple)

= 3lim
𝑤→0 𝑤
Theorem 16 (Trigonometric Limit)
= 3(1)
=3
𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝑡
Thus, lim 𝑡 = 3
𝑡→0
 2. We can write the limit as
𝑥 4𝑥 4
lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛4𝑥 = lim 4𝑠𝑖𝑛4𝑥 Multiply 4
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

4𝑥
= lim As 𝑥 → 0, 4x → 0
4𝑥→0 4𝑠𝑖𝑛4𝑥

𝑤
= lim 4𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑤 Letting w = 4x with constant
𝑤→0

1 𝑤
= 4 lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑤 Theorem 2 (Limit of Constant Multiple)
𝑤→0

1 Theorem 16 (Trigonometric Limit)

= 4(1)
1
=
4
𝑥 1
Thus, lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛4𝑥 = 4
𝑥→0

3. We can write the limit as

sin2 5𝜃 (𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃)(𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃)
lim = lim
𝜃→0 𝜃2 𝜃→0 (𝜃)(𝜃)

5𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃 5𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃 5
= lim • Multiply 5
𝜃→0 5𝜃 5𝜃

5𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃 5𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃 As 𝜃 → 0, 5𝜃 → 0
= lim •
5𝜃→0 5𝜃 5𝜃

5𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑤 5𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑤 Letting w = 5𝜃 with constant

= lim •
𝑤→0 𝑤 𝑤

= 25(1)(1) Theorem 2 (Limit of Constant Multiple)

= 25
Theorem 16 (Trigonometric Limit)
sin2 5𝜃
Thus, lim = 25
𝜃→0 𝜃2

Practice Exercise
Evaluate the following limits:
2𝑥 2
1. lim sin2 2𝑥
𝑥→0

sin 4𝑥
2. lim sin 7𝑥
𝑥→0