LESSON 3

LIMITS OF ALGEBRAIC
FUNCTIONS
Learning Outcome
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

 apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of

algebraic functions.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.1 Limits of Polynomial Functions

 Evaluating limits of polynomial functions

involves direct substitution of for every variable .
The process is called c-substitution.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples: Evaluate the following limits.
1.

2.

3.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.2 Limits of Rational Functions

where and are polynomials,

Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples: Evaluate the following limits.
1.

2.

3.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Evaluating Limits of Rational Functions
Using Other Techniques
 Some limits of rational functions cannot be
solved using -substitution because leads to .
 is considered in Calculus as indeterminate because
it has no definite or definable value.
 In this case, is a common factor which may be
cancelled to simplify the rational function.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.2.1 Factoring Method
Examples: Evaluate the following limits.

1.

2.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.2.1 Factoring Method
Examples: Evaluate the following limits.

3. 4.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.2.2 Rationalization Method
Examples: Evaluate the following limits.
1.

2.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.3 Limits of Radical Functions

where is any real number, is a positive integer,

and if is even.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples: Evaluate the following limits.
1.

2.

3.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
SW/HW
Evaluate the following limits using algebraic
manipulations.
1.
2.
3.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.4 One-Sided Limits
Recall: The limit exists if the resulting function
values from both sides approach the same
number.

Try: Evaluate:
1.
2.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.4 One-Sided Limits

Based on the examples, we consider separate

evaluation of limit for cases when approaches
through numbers greater than and through
numbers less than .
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.4.1 Two Types of One-Sided Limits

1. Left-hand Side Limit – Let be a function

defined at every number in some open
interval (). Then the limit of as approaches
from the left is written as
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.4.1 Two Types of One-Sided Limits

2. Right-hand Side Limit – Let be a function

defined at every number in some open interval
(). Then the limit of as approaches from the
right is written as
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.4.2 Existence of Limit
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.4.3 Solving One-Sided Limits
 Check first if the function is defined when
evaluated from the left or from the right of .
 If it is not defined, the limit DNE (does not
exist)
 If it is defined, substitute the value of to
variable
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples
1. Given evaluate:
a.
b.
c.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples
2. Given evaluate:
a.
b.
c.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.5 The Case of Piecewise Functions

Piecewise functions are functions that are

represented by different expressions
corresponding to a certain part of its domain.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples
1. Let ,evaluate:
a.
b.
c.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples
2. Let evaluate:
A. 1. 2. 3.
B. 1. 2. 3.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Example 3

Refer to your book, letter A, pg. 19

Limits of Algebraic Functions
SW/HW
 Answer letter B(1-10), pg. 20
 Answer letter C(1-5), pgs. 45-46.

*Note: No need to sketch the graph.

Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.6 Infinite Limits
Recall:
 How to evaluate the limit of a rational function
that leads to ?

Answer:
 By factoring and rationalization.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.6 Infinite Limits
Consider:
 How to evaluate the limit of a rational function
that leads to ?

Try:
 Given , evaluate
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.6 Infinite Limits
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.6 Infinite Limits
Vertical Asymptote
The line is a vertical asymptote of the graph if
at least one of the following statements is true:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.6 Infinite Limits
Vertical Asymptote
Example:
If , what is the vertical asymptote?

Answer:
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.6.1 Evaluation of Infinite Limits
 Check first if the function is defined when
evaluated from the left and from the right of .
 If it is not defined, the limit DNE (does not exist)
 If it is defined, substitute the value of to variable
 If the result is a , the limit is infinite.
 Determine whether the sign of infinity is positive
or negative.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples
Evaluate the following limits:
1.
2.
3.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Properties of Infinite Limits
1. Sum and Difference
Let be a constant value.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Properties of Infinite Limits
2. Product
Let be a constant value.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Properties of Infinite Limits
3. Quotient
Let be a constant value.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Properties of Infinite Limits
4. Indeterminate Forms Quotient:
Sum:


Product:
Limits of Algebraic Functions
3.6.2 Limits at Infinity
Let be any real number and be any positive
rational number, then

1.
2.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Examples
Evaluate the indicated limits:
1.
2.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
Other Examples
Evaluate the indicated limits.
1.
2.
3.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
SW/HW
Evaluate the following limits:

1. 4.
2. 5.
3.
Limits of Algebraic Functions
SW/HW
Evaluate the following limits:

1. 4.
2. 5.
3.
 3
END OF PRESENTATION