ONE-SIDED LIMITS

lim f ( x ) 3? 5?
xc
 One-Sided Limits
In some cases , a function may
approach either of two different
limits, depending on whether the
variable approaches its limit
through values larger or smaller
than that limit.

In such a case, the limit is not

defined or does not exist but the
right-hand and left-hand limits exist.
lim f ( x ) Does Not
xc
Exist (DNE)
The Right-Hand Limit

The right-hand limit of a function

f(x) at a point a is the limit of the
function at a as x approaches a
from decreasing value of a (i.e. as x
approaches a from the right)

lim f ( x )  L
x a
Evaluate:
lim x
x 0
Note: Domain: x > 0

x 5 4 3 2 1 0.5 0.25 .05 0

f (x) 2.236 2 1.73 1.414 1 0.707 0.5 0.224 0

lim x  0
x 0
The Left-Hand Limit

The left-hand limit of a function f(x)

at a point a is the limit of the
function at a as x approaches a
from increasing values of a (i.e. as x
approaches a from the left)

lim f ( x )  L
x a
lim f ( x ) =6
x 1

lim f ( x ) = -2
x 1
 The Two-Sided Limit
The limit exists if and only if :
The right-hand limit and the left-
hand limit both exist and are equal
to L.

lim f ( x )  L lim f ( x )  L
x a x a

Otherwise, the limit DNE.

 2

lim f  x  1
x 1

1 2 3 4

because the left and right

hand limits do not match!

lim f ( x ) = 0 lim f ( x ) = DNE

x 1 x1
lim f ( x ) = 1
x 1 f (1) = 1

 lim f ( x )
2
x 2
1

1 2 3 4

because the left and right

hand limits match.
because the left and right hand
lim f ( x ) = 1 lim f ( x )
limits match.
=1
x 2 x 2
lim f ( x ) = 1
x 2 f (2) = 2

 lim f ( x )
2
x3
1

1 2 3 4

because the left and right

hand limits match.

lim f ( x ) = 2 lim f ( x ) =2
x 3 x3
lim f ( x ) = 2
x 3 f (3) = 2

Evaluate:

2
4x  4x  1
lim
x
1 2x  1
2

1
a  2a
lim 1
x 1 4a
Infinite limits
 1
lim
x 1 x  1

1
lim = -∞
x 1 x  1

1
lim = +∞
x 1 x  1

1
lim = DNE
x 1 x  1
Sometimes, you will not be able to find
a real number value for f(x) because
f(x) increases or decreases without
bound as x approaches c.

We call these infinite limits.

If f(x) increases without bound as
x approaches c, the limit of f(x) is
positive infinity, +∞

If f(x) decreases without bound as

x approaches c, the limit of f(x) is
negative infinity, -∞
Vertical Asymptotes

The line x = c is a
vertical asymptote
for the graph of a
function f if

f (x) → + ∞ or
V.A.
f (x) → - ∞ x=1

as x → c+ or x → c_
 After simplifications, and
the fraction is still of the
form “ " something"
Then: 0
lim f ( x )  or  
x c

lim f ( x )  or  
x c 

Note: for a limit to exist,

one-sided limits should
be equal.
Evaluate the following and find the
equation of the vertical asymptote.

1 1
lim lim  
x -0.1 -0.0001
1/x -10 -10,000
xo x x o x

1
lim   x 0.1 0.0001

x o x
1/x 10 10,000

1
lim = DNE
xo x
Evaluate the following and find the
equation of the vertical asymptote.

1 1
lim 2 lim 2  
x -0.1 -0.0001
1/x 100 100,000
x o x x o x ,000

1
lim 2   x 0.1 0.0001

x o x
1/x 100 100,000
,000

1
lim 2  
x o x
Theorem

1
lim n  
x o x

1   if n is even
lim n  
x o x
  if n is odd
Rules Involving Infinite Limits

Sum Involving Infinite Limits

L + ∞=+ ∞ L - ∞=- ∞

Product Involving Infinite Limits

L ∙+ ∞=+ ∞ L ∙- ∞=- ∞
Quotient Involving Infinite Limits
Evaluate:
 1 
lim 2  2   2  ()  
x 0
 x 
V.A. X=0
  1 5 
lim  3   1  DNE  DNE
x 0 x  1 x 

V.A. X = -1

X=0
  1 5
lim   3   1  ()  
x 0  x  1 x 
  4
 
 1

 5  x  4  x 
lim  3  2 
x 0  x  x  1    4  

V.A. X=0
  x 1   2 1 3
lim  2   2  
x 2  x  x  6 
 2 26 0
+∞ or -∞ ?

 2.001  1  
     
2
 (2.001)  (2.001)  6  

2
V.A. x  x 6  0
( x  3)(x  2)  0
V.A. x  3 x2
  x 1 
lim  2   
x 2  x  x  6 

V.A. x  3 x2
  x2  4   12  4 5 
lim      
x 1
 x 1   11 0 
+∞ or -∞ ?

 0.9992  4  
  
   
 0.999   1 


V.A. x 1
  x2  4 
lim    
x 1
 x 1 

V.A. x 1
  x 1    5 1  6 
lim     
x  5  x  5 
 55 0 
+∞ or -∞ ?

  5.001  1  
    
  5.001  5  

V.A. x  5
  x 1 
lim    
x  5  x  5 

V.A. x  5
 Find the vertical asymptote(s):
x 1 V.A.: x = 1
y
( x  1)3
 x 2  2x  3 ( x  3)( x  1)
y 2 y
x  4x  3 ( x  3)( x  1)

x 1
y
x 1

V.A.: x = 1