Limits and Techniques for Evaluating Them

An overview of the definition of a limit, onesided limits, and techniques

for evaluating them, including direct substitution, factoring and
canceling, simplifying techniques, and common limits.
Definition of a Limit
● Limit of a function f(x) as x approaches a
point c is the value that f(x) approaches as x
gets close to c
● Denoted as "lim(x→c) f(x) = L"
One-sided Limits
● Function may have different limits as x
approaches a point from the left or the right
● Denoted as "lim(x→c-) f(x)" (left-hand
limit) and "lim(x→c+) f(x)" (right-hand
limit)
Direct Substitution
● Evaluate limits algebraically by substituting
the value of x into the function and
simplifying the expression
● Works when there are no indeterminate
forms (e.g., 0/0 or ∞/∞)
Indeterminate Forms
● Direct substitution leads to indeterminate
forms like 0/0 or ∞/∞
● Need further techniques to evaluate the
limit
Factoring and Canceling
● Try factoring the numerator and
denominator of a rational function to cancel
out common factors
● Simplification can help evaluate the limit
by using direct substitution
Simplifying Techniques
● Use algebraic simplification techniques like
combining like terms, expanding
expressions, or rationalizing denominators
to simplify the function before evaluating
the limit
Common Limits
● Memorize or familiarize with common limit
values
● Recognizing them can speed up the
evaluation process
● Examples: lim(x→0) sin(x)/x = 1 and
lim(x→∞) (1 + 1/x)^x = e
Thank you for your time 😊