Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws
G.Pugh
Jan 13 2009
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 1 / 15
Limit Laws
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 2 / 15
Assumptions
In the following, suppose:
c represents a constant (a fixed number)
The limits
lim f (x) and lim g(x)
x→a x→a
both exist
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 3 / 15
Sum Law
lim [f (x) + g(x)] = lim f (x) + lim g(x)
x→a x→a x→a
In words: The limit of a sum is the sum of the limits
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 4 / 15
Difference Law
lim [f (x) − g(x)] = lim f (x) − lim g(x)
x→a x→a x→a
In words: The limit of a difference is the difference of the limits
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 5 / 15
Constant Multiplier Law
lim [cf (x)] = c lim f (x)
x→a x→a
In words: The limit of a constant times a function is the constant
times the limit of the function.
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 6 / 15
Product Law
lim [f (x)g(x)] = lim f (x) lim g(x)
x→a x→a x→a
In words: The limit of a product is the product of the limits
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 7 / 15
Quotient Law
f (x)
lim f (x)
lim = x→a provided lim g(x) 6= 0 .
x→a g(x) lim g(x) x→a
x→a
In words: The limit of a quotient is the quotient of the limits
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 8 / 15
Power Law
h in
lim [f (x)]n = lim f (x) where n is a positive integer.
x→a x→a
In words: The limit of a power is the power of the limit
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 9 / 15
Root Law
p q
n
lim f (x) = n lim f (x) where n is a positive integer, and where
x→a x→a
lim f (x) > 0 if n is even.
x→a
In words: The limit of a root is the root of the limit
G.Pugh (VIU) Math 121 - Summary of Limit Laws Jan 13 2009 10 / 15
Particular Limit Results
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Constants
lim c = c
x→a
√ √
Example: lim 2π = 2π
x→3
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Limit of f (x) = x
lim x = a
x→a
Example: lim x = 5
x→5
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Polynomials
Using the Sum, Difference, Constant Multiplier and Power Laws:
If f (x) is a polynomial, (for eg. f (x) = 5x 3 − πx 2 − 12 ), then
lim f (x) = f (a) .
x→a
Example:
1 1 11
lim 5x 3 − πx 2 − = 5(−1)3 − π(−1)2 − = − π −
x→−1 2 2 2
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Rational Functions
Using the previous result and the Quotient Law:
If f (x) and g(x) are polynomials and g(a) 6= 0 then
f (x) f (a)
lim = .
x→a g(x) g(a)
2x 3 − x 2(2)3 − (2) 14
Example: lim = = =2
x→2 3x + 1 3(2) + 1 7
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