Limits of Algebraic

Functions

Basic Calculus
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Whenever you throw a
ball upward, what do you
notice? Due to gravity,
any object thrown
vertically upward, after
reaching a maximum
height, will go back
down.

2
 The function that represents the height of
the ball after some time is an example of an
algebraic function, specifically, a polynomial
function.

3
 

In this lesson, we will verify if the limit of

algebraic functions (polynomial, rational, and
radical) is the same as the value of the
function at .

4
 Learning Competency
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

Apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of

algebraic functions (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-4).

5
 Algebraic Functions

Algebraic functions are functions that can be expressed

using the operations addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, and raising to a fractional power. In this lesson,
limits of three kinds of algebraic functions will be
discussed. These are polynomial, rational, and radical
functions.

6
 Limit of a Polynomial Function

 
A polynomial function is a function that can be written in
the form

where (the highest exponent of the variable) is a

nonnegative integer known as the degree and , , …, (the
coefficients of the variable) are real numbers.

7
 Limit of a Polynomial Function

 
What limit laws are we going to use to evaluate ?

Sum Law
¿  lim 𝑥 2+ lim 𝑥 +lim (−5 ¿ )¿  Power Law
( 𝑥→ 1 ) 𝑥→ 1 𝑥→ 1

¿ 12+1 − 5
   Substitution ()
 
¿ −3
8
 Limit of a Polynomial Function

 
Theorem 2.2.1

The limit of a polynomial function as approaches is equal

to. In symbols,

9
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
A rational function is a function that can be written in the
form , where and are both polynomials, and is not equal
to zero.

Some examples of rational functions are ,

, and .

10
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
What limit laws are you going to use to evaluate ?

  lim ( 3 𝑥 +2 )
3 𝑥 +2
lim =
𝑥→ 2
Quotient Law
𝑥 →2 5 𝑥 −1 lim ( 5 𝑥 −1 )
𝑥→2
  lim 3 𝑥 +lim 2
𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2
¿
lim 5 𝑥 − lim 1 Sum and Difference Law
𝑥→2 𝑥→ 2

Limit of a Constant Function

11
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
What limit laws are you going to use to evaluate ?

  3 𝑥 +2 3 ( 2 )+ 2 Limit of an Identity Function

lim =
𝑥 →2 5 𝑥 − 1 5 (2) −1
  6 +2
¿
10 − 1

12
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
Theorem 2.2.2

The limit of a rational function as approaches is equal to,

provided . In symbols,

13
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
Consider the function and solve its limit as approaches 1
using table of values.

14
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
Based on the table, we have and . Since , then we can say
that .

We can verify this by looking at the graph of on the next

slide.

15
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
Notice that the graph
goes upward without
bound from the left and
the right with the
vertical asymptote. .
This means that the left-
and right-hand limits
are the same.

16
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
Let us consider another function and solve its limit as
approaches 0 using table of values.

17
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
Based on the table, we have and . Since, we can say that
does not exist.

We can verify this by looking at the graph of on the next

slide.

18
 Limit of a Rational Function

 
The graph goes upward
without bound from the
right, and downward
without bound from the
left with the vertical
asymptote . This means
that the left- and right-
hand limits are not equal.

19
Remember

Given a rational function of the form ,

 
where is a positive integer, and and are
both polynomials, the following statements
are always true for any real number ,
provided and .

1. If and is even, then .

2. If and is even, then .
3. If is odd, then does not exist.

20
  Evaluating Limits of Indeterminate form of Type by Factoring Technique

 
What is the function value at of the function ?

21
  Evaluating Limits of Indeterminate form of Type by Factoring Technique

 
Indeterminate form of type happens when there is
common factor between the numerator and denominator
whose value is zero at .

22
  Evaluating Limits of Indeterminate form of Type by Factoring Technique

 
To evaluate limits of indeterminate form of rational
functions of type by factoring, we follow these general
steps:
 
1. Factor the numerator and denominator and simplify
the expression by eliminating the common factors.

2. Evaluate the limit of the resulting expression.

23
 Let’s Practice!
 
Evaluate .

− 𝟏𝟏𝟗
 

24
 Let’s Practice!
 
If and , find .

∞
 

25
 Let’s Practice!
 
Evaluate .

  𝟑𝟓
−
𝟖
26
 Limit of a Radical Function

 
A radical function is a function having a polynomial
under the radical sign. Some examples of rational
functions are , , and .

27
 Limit of a Radical Function

 
What limit laws are you going to use to evaluate ?

lim
  √7 𝑥+1= lim ( 7 𝑥+1 )
√  
Root Law
𝑥→ 5 𝑥→5
   
Sum Law

 ¿
√ 7 lim 𝑥 +1
𝑥→ 5
Constant Multiple Law, Limit of a Constant
Function, Limit of an Identity Function
 

¿ √ 7 ( 5 ) +1
28
 Limit of a Radical Function

 
Theorem 2.2.3

If , where is a polynomial in , then for any real number .

29
  Evaluating Limits of Indeterminate form of Type by Rationalizing Technique

 
What is the function value at of the function ?

30
  Evaluating Limits of Indeterminate form of Type by Rationalizing Technique

 
To evaluate limits of indeterminate form of radical
functions of type by rationalizing, we follow these three
cases, and evaluate the simplified expression.
 
1. Rationalize the denominator if only the denominator
has a radical expression.
2. Rationalize the numerator if only the numerator has a
radical expression.
3. Rationalize both numerator and denominator if the
two have radical expressions.
31
 Let’s Practice!
 
Evaluate .

32
 Let’s Practice!
 
Evaluate .

33
 Check Your Understanding

Evaluate the following limits.

 
1.
2.
3. )

34
 Check Your Understanding

Analyze and solve the following problem.

 
An object was thrown vertically upward at a speed of .
Determine the limit of the function that represents the
height of the object after seconds as time approaches 3
seconds.

35
 Let’s Sum It Up!
 
● The limit of a polynomial function as
approaches is equal to.

● The limit of a rational function as approaches

is equal to, provided .

36
 Let’s Sum It Up!
 
● The limit of a radical function , where is a polynomial
in , as approaches is for any real number .

● We can use factoring and rationalizing technique to

evaluate indeterminate forms of functions of type .
To verify if the function is indeterminate, evaluate it at .

37
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Limit of a
find the limit of
Polynomial Function
polynomial functions.

Use this formula to

Limit of a Rational
find the limit of rational
Function
functions where and
are both polynomials
and .
38
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Limit of a Radical
find the limit of radical
Function
functions where is a
polynomial in , and
when is even.

39
Bibliography
Balmaceda, Jose Maria P. Basic Calculus. Quezon City: Commission on Higher Education, 2016.
 
Edwards, C.H., and David E. Penney. Calculus: Early Transcendentals. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008.
 
Larson, Ron H., and Bruce H. Edwards. Essential Calculus: Early Transcendental Functions. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 2008.
 
Leithold, Louis. The Calculus 7. New York: HarperCollins College Publ., 1997.
 
“Limits of Polynomial and Rational Functions.” CK-12 Foundation. Retrieved 14 January 2020 from
https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-calculus-concepts/section/2.5/.
 
Smith, Robert T., and Roland B. Milton. Calculus. New York: McGraw Hill, 2012.
 
Tan, Soo T. Applied Calculus for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences: A Brief Approach. Australia:
Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2012.

40