Lesson 1:

Limits of a
Function

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Topic 1.1:
Limits of a
Function

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 Consider a function of a single variable .
Consider a constant which the variable will
approach may or may not be in the domain
of ). The limit, to be denoted by , is the
unique real value that will approach as
approaches . In symbols, we write this
process as

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 Consider

Approaching 2 from its left Approaching 2 from its right

1 4 2.5 8.5
1.4 5.2 2.2 7.6
1.7 6.1 2.1 7.3
1.9 6.7 2.03 7.09
1.997 6.991 2.009 7.027
1.9999 6.9997 2.0005 7.0015
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 Observe that as values of get closer and
closer to , the values of get closer and closer
to . This behavior can be shown no mater
what set of values, or what direction, is taken
in approaching . In symbols,

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 HALIMBAWA 1: Investigate

  from the left   from the right

-1.5 3.25 -0.5 1.25

-1.2 2.44 -0.8 1.64
-1.01 2.0201 -0.99 1.9801
-1.0001 2.00020001 -0.9999 1.99980001
 
Hence,

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 HALIMBAWA 2: Investigate

− +¿ ¿
 
𝟎  
𝟎

-0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

-0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
-0.00009 0.00009 0.00009 0.00009
-0.000001 0.000001 0.000001 0.000001
 
Hence,

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 HALIMBAWA 3: Investigate

− +¿ ¿
 
𝟏  
𝟏

0.5 1.5
0.88 1.17
0.996 1.003
0.9999 1.0001
 
Hence,

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 HALIMBAWA 4: Investigate

If

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𝒙< 𝟒  
𝒙≥ 𝟒

3.7 4.3
3.85 4.1
3.995 4.001
3.99999 4.0001

 Insuch a case, we say that the limit of a

function . In symbols,
.

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Remark 1: We do not say that “equals DNE”, nor
do we write , because “DNE” is not a value. In the
previous example, “DNE” indicated that the
function moves in different directions as its
variable approaches from the left and from the
right.

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Remark 2:
• If approaches from the left, or through values
less than , then we write
• If approaches from the right, or through values
greater than , then we write
Furthermore, we say

iff

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 In other words, for a limit to exist, the limits from
the left and from the right must both exist and be
equal to . Therefore,
whenever .

These limits and , are also referred to as one-sided

limits, since you only consider values on one side
of .

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 LOOKING AT THE GRAPH
OF

Consider again

Hence, the graph clearly

confirms that

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Consider again

Hence, the graph clearly

confirms that

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 Consider again

Hence, the graph clearly confirms that

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 Consider again

provided . Hence, the graph of

is also the graph of ,
excluding the point where .

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 Consider again

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 HALIMBAWA 5: Consider the function
whose graph is shown below.
 Determine the ff.

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 Topic 1.2:
The Limit of a Function
 

at versus the Value of

the Function at
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 Hb 1. Consider

Approaching 2 from its left Approaching 2 from its right

1 4 2.5 8.5
1.4 5.2 2.2 7.6
1.7 6.1 2.1 7.3
1.9 6.7 2.03 7.09
1.997 6.991 2.009 7.027
1.9999 6.9997 2.0005 7.0015
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In comparison, . So, in this example
and are equal.
Hb 2.

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This, however, is not always the case.
Hb 3. Consider the function

Hence, and are not the same.

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Hb 4. Consider the function
Determine what is being asked.

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Practice Exercise
1. Consider the function whose graph is shown below.

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Complete the table.

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2. Consider the function whose graph is shown below.

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Complete the table.

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