Cover slide

Limits
Limits

Limit is the value that a function "approaches"

as the input "approaches" some value.

❑ Limit of a function 𝑓 𝑥 is said to exist finitely as 𝑥 → 𝑎 when

lim − 𝑓 𝑥 = lim + 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿 (finite)s

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Left hand Right hand

limit limit

Note: lim − 𝑓 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑎 − ℎ ; ℎ > 0

𝑥→𝑎 ℎ→0

lim + 𝑓 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑎 + ℎ ; ℎ > 0

𝑥→𝑎 ℎ →0
Note:

❑ For polynomial functions, we can directly substitute the value of 𝑥.

❑ Also for trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential and

inverse trigonometric functions, we can directly
substitute the value of 𝑥 in their respective domain.

Remember: lim 𝑎 𝑥 = 0 ; 0 < 𝑎 < 1

𝑥→∞

Example:

• lim ln 𝑥 + 2 • lim1 sin−1 𝑥

𝑥→0 𝑥→
2

• lim𝜋 sin 2𝑥 • lim 2 𝑥

𝑥→ 𝑥→2
2
 cos 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≥ 0
Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ , if lim 𝑓 𝑥 exists,
𝑥+𝑘, 𝑥 < 0 𝑥→0

then 𝑘 is equal to _______.

 cos 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≥ 0
Given : 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ
𝑥+𝑘, 𝑥<0

To find : lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→0

𝑅. 𝐻. 𝐿. = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = lim+ cos 𝑥 = 1

𝑥→0 𝑥→0

𝐿. 𝐻. 𝐿. = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = lim− 𝑘 + 𝑥 = 𝑘
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

Given that lim 𝑓 𝑥 exists

𝑥→0

⇒ 𝐿. 𝐻. 𝐿. = 𝑅. 𝐻. 𝐿.

⇒𝑘=1
 cos 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≥ 0
Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ , if lim 𝑓 𝑥 exists,
𝑥+𝑘, 𝑥 < 0 𝑥→0

then 𝑘 is equal to _______.

1
 2
−
The value of lim 9 𝑥2 is:
𝑥→0

a 𝟎

b 𝟏

c 𝟗

d Does not exist

 2
−
To find: lim 9 𝑥2
𝑥→0

2
−
lim+
𝑅. 𝐻. 𝐿 = 𝑥→0 9 𝑥2 =0

2
∵ 𝑥 → 0+ , − → −∞
𝑥2

2
− 2
𝐿. 𝐻. 𝐿 = lim− 9 𝑥 =0
𝑥→0

2
∵ 𝑥 → 0− , − → −∞
𝑥2

∴ 𝐿. 𝐻. 𝐿. = 𝑅. 𝐻. 𝐿. = 0
 2
−
The value of lim 9 𝑥2 is:
𝑥→0

a 𝟎

b 𝟏

c 𝟗

d Does not exist

The set of values of 𝑎 for which 𝑎2 − 𝑎 − 2 < 0 and lim 𝑎 𝑥
= 0 is:
𝑥→∞

a −𝟏, 𝟎

b 𝟎, 𝟏

c −𝟏, 𝟐

d −𝟏, 𝟏
Given : 𝑎 2 − 𝑎 − 2 < 0 and lim 𝑎 𝑥
=0
𝑥→∞

⇒ 𝑎 + 1 𝑎 − 2 < 0 and 𝑎 < 1

⇒ −1 < 𝑎 < 2 and −1 < 𝑎 < 1

∴ 𝑎 ∈ −1, 1
The set of values of 𝑎 for which 𝑎2 − 𝑎 − 2 < 0 and lim 𝑎 𝑥
= 0 is:
𝑥→∞

a −𝟏, 𝟎

b 𝟎, 𝟏

c −𝟏, 𝟐

d −𝟏, 𝟏
Algebra of Limits
Algebra of Limits

Let lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙, and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑚. If 𝑙 and 𝑚 are finite, then :
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

❑ lim {𝑓 𝑥 ± 𝑔 𝑥 } = 𝑙 ± 𝑚
𝑥→𝑎

❑ lim {𝑓 𝑥 ∙ 𝑔 𝑥 } = 𝑙 ∙ 𝑚
𝑥→𝑎

𝑓 𝑥 𝑙
❑ lim 𝑔 𝑥
=
𝑚
,𝑚 ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑎

❑ lim 𝑘𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘 lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑙 , 𝑘 is a constant

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
The value of lim is:
𝑥→−1 𝑥 + 3

a 𝟑

b −𝟑

c 𝟏

d Limit does not exist

 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
To find: lim
𝑥→−1 𝑥+3

𝑓 𝑥 lim 𝑓 𝑥
We know that, lim = 𝑥→𝑎 lim 𝑔 𝑥 ≠ 0
; 𝑥→𝑎
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔 𝑥 lim 𝑔 𝑥
𝑥→𝑎

𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 lim 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
⇒ lim = 𝑥→−1
𝑥→−1 𝑥+3 lim 𝑥 + 3
𝑥→−1

1−1 −6
=
−1 + 3

= −3
 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
The value of lim is:
𝑥→−1 𝑥 + 3

a 𝟑

b −𝟑

c 𝟏

d Limit does not exist

Indeterminate Forms
Indeterminate Forms

Whose value can’t be directly determined by substituting value of 𝑥.

We have 7 indeterminate forms :

Note:

Forms like :

❑ ∞×∞→∞ ❑ ∞∞ → ∞

❑ ∞+∞→∞ →0+
❑ exact 0 =0
𝑎
❑ = 0 (if 𝑎 is finite)
∞ −
❑ (exact 0)→0 = not defined
∞
❑ → ±∞
→0
are not indeterminate forms.
exact 0
❑ =0
→0

❑ → 0+ ∞
=0
Methods to Solve Indeterminate Forms

❑ Factorization/Rationalization

❑ Using Substitution
 𝑥+1−1
The value of lim 𝑥
is:
𝑥→0

a 𝟐
𝟑

𝟏
b −
𝟐

c 𝟏

𝟏
d 𝟐
 𝑥+1−1 0
To find: lim form
𝑥→0 𝑥 0

= lim 𝑥 + 1 −1
×
𝑥+1+1
[Using rationalisation]
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥+1+1

𝑥+1−1
= lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥+1+1

1
= lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 + 1 +1

1
=
2
 𝑥+1−1
The value of lim 𝑥
is:
𝑥→0

a 𝟐
𝟑

𝟏
b −
𝟐

c 𝟏

𝟏
d 𝟐
 𝑥3 − 𝑥2 ln 𝑥 + ln 𝑥 − 1
The value of lim 𝑥2 − 1
is:
𝑥→1

𝟐
a 𝟑

b 𝟑
𝟐

c 𝟓
𝟒

d 𝟕
𝟒
 𝑥3 − 𝑥2 ln 𝑥 + ln 𝑥 − 1 0
To find: lim 𝑥2 − 1
form
𝑥→1 0

= lim 𝑥3 −1− 𝑥2 −1 ln 𝑥
𝑥→1 𝑥2 −1

𝑥−1 𝑥2 +1+𝑥 − 𝑥−1 𝑥 +1 ln 𝑥

= lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥+1

𝑥2 + 1 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1 ln 𝑥
= lim
𝑥→1 𝑥+1

3
=
2
 𝑥3 − 𝑥2 ln 𝑥 + ln 𝑥 − 1
The value of lim 𝑥2 − 1
is:
𝑥→1

𝟐
a 𝟑

b 𝟑
𝟐

c 𝟓
𝟒

d 𝟕
𝟒
Standard Limits
Standard Limits

sin 𝑥 sin−1 𝑥
❑ lim =1 ❑ lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥
tan 𝑥 tan −1 𝑥
❑ lim =1 ❑ lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥
𝑥→0 𝑥

Note:

sin 𝑎𝑥 tan 𝑎𝑥 𝑎
❑ lim = lim =
𝑥→0 𝑏𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑏𝑥 𝑏

sin−1 𝑎𝑥 tan−1 𝑎𝑥 𝑎
❑ lim = lim =
𝑥→0 𝑏𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑏𝑥 𝑏
Standard Limits

𝑥 𝑛 − 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑥 − 1
❑ lim = 𝑛𝑎 𝑛−1 ❑ lim = ln 𝑎
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥 − 𝑎 𝑥→0 𝑥
e𝑥 − 1 ln 1 + 𝑥
❑ lim =1 ❑ lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥

Note:

ⅇ 𝑎𝑥 − 1 𝑎 ln 1 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑎
❑ lim = ❑ lim =
𝑥→0 𝑏𝑥 𝑏 𝑥→0 𝑏𝑥 𝑏

𝑎 𝑘𝑥 − 1 𝑘
❑ lim = ln 𝑎
𝑥→0 𝑚𝑥 𝑚
 1 − cos 2𝑥
Statement 𝐼 ∶ lim does not exist
𝑥→0 𝑥

1−cos 2𝑥
Statement 𝐼𝐼 ∶ 𝑓 𝑥 = is not defined at 𝑥 = 0
𝑥

Both 𝑰 and 𝑰𝑰 are individually true and

a 𝑰𝑰 is the correct explanation of 𝑰

Both 𝑰 and 𝑰𝑰 are individually true and

b 𝑰𝑰 is not the correct explanation of 𝑰

c 𝑰 is true but 𝑰𝑰 is false

d 𝑰 is false but 𝑰𝑰 is true

 1 − cos 2𝑥
Statement 𝐼 ∶ 𝑥→0
lim does not exist
𝑥

1 − cos 2𝑥 2 sin 𝑥
Let 𝐿 = lim = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥

2 sin 𝑥 2 sin 𝑥
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim−
𝑥
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = 𝑥→0
lim+
𝑥
𝑥→0

− 2 sin 0−ℎ − 2 sin 0+ℎ

= lim = lim
ℎ→0 0−ℎ ℎ→0 0+ℎ

2 sin ℎ 2 sin ℎ
= lim − = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ

=− 2 = 2

∴ 𝐿𝐻𝐿 ≠ 𝑅𝐻𝐿

Hence, the limit for the function does not exist.

 1−cos 2𝑥
Statement 𝐼𝐼 ∶ 𝑓 𝑥 = is not defined at 𝑥 = 0
𝑥

Statement 𝐼𝐼 is also true, but it is not the correct explanation of statement 𝐼.

As for limit to exist, it is not necessary that function be defined at that point.
 1 − cos 2𝑥
Statement 𝐼 ∶ lim does not exist
𝑥→0 𝑥

1−cos 2𝑥
Statement 𝐼𝐼 ∶ 𝑓 𝑥 = is not defined at 𝑥 = 0
𝑥

Both 𝑰 and 𝑰𝑰 are individually true and

a 𝑰𝑰 is the correct explanation of 𝑰

Both 𝑰 and 𝑰𝑰 are individually true and

b 𝑰𝑰 is not the correct explanation of 𝑰

c 𝑰 is true but 𝑰𝑰 is false

d 𝑰 is false but 𝑰𝑰 is true

 1 − cos 𝑥2
The value of lim is:
𝑥→0 1 − cos 𝑥

𝟏
a 𝟐

b 𝟐

c 𝟐

d Does not exist

 1 − cos 𝑥2
To find: lim
𝑥→0 1 − cos 𝑥

𝑥2
2 sin 2
2
= lim 2 𝑥
𝑥→0 2 sin
2

𝑥2
2 sin
2
= lim 2 𝑥
𝑥→0 2 sin 2

𝑥2
sin 𝑥2
= lim 2
𝑥 ∵ sin is always positive
𝑥→0 2 sin2 2
2

2 sin 𝑥
= = 2 ∵ lim =1
2 𝑥→0 𝑥
 1 − cos 𝑥2
The value of lim is:
𝑥→0 1 − cos 𝑥

𝟏
a 𝟐

b 𝟐

c 𝟐

d Does not exist

 tan 𝑥−1 +1− 𝑥
The value of lim+ is:
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 1−𝑥

(where ⋅ denotes greatest integer function)

a −𝟏

b 𝟎

c 𝟏

d Does not exist

 tan 𝑥−1 +1− 𝑥
To find: lim
𝑥→1+ 𝑥−1 1−𝑥

tan 1+ℎ −1 +1− 1+ℎ

= lim
ℎ→0 1+ℎ−1 1−1−ℎ

tan ℎ+1−1
= lim
ℎ→0 −ℎ

tan ℎ
= lim −
ℎ→0 ℎ

= −1 × 1

= −1
 tan 𝑥−1 +1− 𝑥
The value of lim+ is:
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 1−𝑥

(where ⋅ denotes greatest integer function)

a −𝟏

b 𝟎

c 𝟏

d Does not exist

THANK YOU
P US H YO URS E L F
TO B E GRE A T