16.

2 Limit Theorems
There are theorems that allow us to calculate limits quickly.

Limit Theorems (Part 1)

• If f (x) is equal to a constant k, then lim f ( x)  k

x c

(limit of constant is constant)

m m
• If f (x) = xm, where m is a positive real number, then lim x  c
x c

(limit of x to power is # to power)

Ex 1) Evaluate each limit (Two Truths & a Lie)
a) lim10  10 b) lim x 3  27 c) lim x 5  32
x 3 x 3 x 2

should be –27
Knowing these 2 basic rules, we can combine them to get more intricate
functions utilizing these next rules.

Limit Theorems (Part 2)

If lim f ( x)  L and lim g ( x)  M both exist, then
x c x c

g lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   lim f ( x)  lim g ( x)  L  M (limit of a sum is

x c x c x c
sum of limits)
g lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   lim f ( x )  lim g ( x)  L  M (limit of a diff
x c x c x c
is diff of limits)
g lim  f ( x)  g ( x)   lim f ( x)  lim g ( x)  L  M (limit of product is
x c x c xc
product of limits)

f ( x) lim f ( x) L (limit of a quotient is

g lim  x c  ,M 0 quotient of limits)
x c g ( x ) lim g ( x ) M
x c
These theorems make it easier to evaluate lim( x 2  3 x  5)
x2

Instead of this:
lim( x 2  3 x  5)  lim x 2  lim 3  lim x  lim 5  2 2  3  2  5
x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2

So much writing!  465  5

We can go straight to substituting lim( x 2  3 x  5)  22  3(2)  5  5

x 2

x2  5 42  5 16  5 21
Ex 2) Find lim 2  2  
x 4 x  2 x 4  2(4) 16  8 8
So, what happens if we want the limit at a value that makes the function
undefined? The limit might not exist or you may be able to work some
algebraic magic!

Ex 3) Find the limit

x3 Can’t factor  Asymptote So limit does
a) lim
x 2 x  2 Think about graph at x = –2 not exist

x2  4 ( x  2)( x  2)
b) lim  lim  lim( x  2)  4
x2 x  2 x2 x2 x2

Can factor!

*remember, it is actually undefined here, but it approaches 4*

 1 1
Recall that lim  0 and lim  0
x  x x  x

This helps us evaluate limits that go to positive or negative infinity.

Ex 4) Find the limit.

7
1
x2  7 x x2 x 1
a) lim 2  lim 
x 3 x  2  x 2 x 2 3
3 2
x

1 5
2
 x 3  3
x 5 x x 00
b) lim 3  lim  0
x 4 x  2  x 3 2
4 3 40
x

x
*Note: horizontal asymptote rules & limits compliment each other
f ( x) if degree of f (x) = degree of g(x)  limit is ratio
lim
x  g ( x ) of leading coefficients aka horizontal asymptote
if degree of f (x) < degree of g(x)  limit is 0
aka horizontal asymptote
if degree of f (x) > degree of g(x)  limit is + or –∞
aka no asymptote
Recall a continuous function – don’t lift up your pencil, no holes, etc.
Now, a more formal definition.
A function f (x) is continuous at x = c iff
i) f ( x) is defined at x  c
ii) lim f ( xto be continuous
) exists
x c all 3 must be met!
iii) lim f ( x)  f (c)
x c

Thm: Polynomial functions are continuous at every real number c.

Ex 5) Determine if the function is continuous for all real values of x. If
not, indicate which condition of the definition failed.
 x 2  2, if x  1

f ( x)  1, if x  1
2 x , if x  1

(Draw the graph!)

f (–1) is defined f (–1) = 1

But the limit does not exist
lim f ( x)  3 lim f ( x)  2 not continuous
x1 x1
 Homework
#1602 Pg 863 #1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18–21, 23, 25, 27,
29, 32–34, 36–38