Week 2 - Updated

THE CONCEPT OF LIMIT
The Limit: Informal Idea
In this section, we develop the notion of limit using some

common language and illustrate the idea with some
simple examples.
Slide 1
MTH-112 Calculus 1
Fall 2023
Lecture 3&4

Suppose a function f is defined for all x in an open interval
containing a, except possibly at x = a.
If we can make f (x) arbitrarily close to some number L

(i.e., as close as we’d like to make it) by making x
sufficiently close to a (but not equal to a), then we say
that L is the limit of f (x), as x approaches a, written
Slide 3

For instance, we have
since as x gets closer and closer to 2, f (x) = x2 gets closer

and closer to 4.
Slide 4
2.1 Evaluating a Limit
Slide 6
1.2 THE CONCEPT OF LIMIT
Slide 7
Slide 8
Since the two one-sided limits

of f (x) are the same, we
summarize our results by saying
that
Slide 9
We can also determine the limit algebraically.
Slide 10
2.2 A Limit That Does Not Exist
Slide 11
Slide 12
2.4 A Limit Where Two Factors Cancel
Slide 12
From the left:
Slide 21
From the right:
Conjecture:
Slide 22
Slide 23
Algebraic cancellation:
Likewise:
Slide 24
Slide 17
From the right:
Conjecture:
Slide 26
From the left:
Conjecture:
Slide 27
Conjecture:
Slide 28
A limit exists if and only if both corresponding one-sided

limits exist and are equal. That is,
In other words, we say that

if we can make f (x) as close as we might like to
L, by making x sufficiently close to a (on either side of a),
but not equal to a.
Slide 21
2.3 Determining Limits Graphically
Use the graph to determine
Slide 14
2.3 Determining Limits Graphically
Slide 15
Determining Limits Graphically
Use the graph of f(x) to answer the following questions.
Slide 24
Determining Limits Graphically
Solution
(a) 3
(b) 2
(c) Undefined
(d) 2
Slide 25
Determining Limits Algebraically
Slide 26
Determining Limits Algebraically
Solution
(a) 2
(b) 1
(c) 3
(d) DNE
(e) 0
(f) DNE
Slide 27
1.3 COMPUTATION OF LIMITS
3.9 A Limit for a Piecewise-Defined Function
(Consider one-sided limits.)
Slide 28
3.9 A Limit for a Piecewise-Defined Function
Slide 28
For any constant c and any real number a,
For any real number a,
Slide 30
3.1
Slide 31
3.1 Finding the Limit of a Polynomial
Slide 32
3.1 Finding the Limit of a Polynomial
Slide 6
3.3 Finding a Limit by Factoring
Slide 7
Notice right away that
since the limit in the denominator is zero.
Slide 8
Slide 9
3.3
Slide 37
3.4 Evaluating the Limit of an nth Root of a
Polynomial
Slide 38
3.4 Evaluating the Limit of an nth Root of a
Polynomial
Slide 13
Evaluate the Indicated Limit
Notice that both the numerator and the denominator

approach 0 as x approaches 0.
Slide 40
Evaluate the Indicated Limit
Slide 20
3.4
Slide 42
3.5 (Squeeze Theorem)
Slide 43
3.8 Using the Squeeze Theorem to Verify the
Value of a Limit
Slide 24
Value of a Limit
Slide 25
Value of a Limit
Slide 26
Limits and Continuity
1
1.5 LIMITS INVOLVING INFINITY
Slide 47
LIMITS INVOLVING INFINITY;
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.1 A Simple Limit Revisited
Slide 48
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
We write
It is important to note that while the

limits do not exist, we say that they
“equal” ∞ and −∞, respectively, only
to be specific as to why they do not
exist.
Slide 49
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
The graph approaches the vertical

line x = 0 as x → 0.
We say that the line x = 0 is a
vertical asymptote.
Finally, since the one-sided limits

do not agree, we say
Slide 50
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.2 A Function Whose One-Sided Limits Are
Both Infinite
Slide 51
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.2 A Function Whose One-Sided Limits Are
Both Infinite
Since both one-sided limits agree

(i.e., both tend to ∞), we say that
This one concise statement says

that the limit does not exist, but
also that there is a vertical
asymptote at x = 0, where f(x)→∞
as x → 0 from either side.
Slide 52
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.1
It may at first seem contradictory to say that does
not exist and then to write
However, since ∞ is not a real number, there is no

contradiction here. We say that
to indicate that as x → 0+, the function values are

increasing without bound.
Slide 53
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.2
Mathematicians try to convey as much information as
possible with as few symbols as possible. For instance,
we prefer to say rather than
does not exist, since the first statement not only says that
the limit does not exist, but also says that increases
without bound as x approaches 0, with x > 0 or x < 0.
Slide 54
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
Use the graph of f(x) to answer the following questions.
Slide 55
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
Use the graph of f(x) to answer the following questions
Slide 56
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.4 Another Case Where Infinite One-Sided
Limits Disagree
Slide 57
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
Limits Disagree
There appears to be a vertical

asymptote at x = −2. Further, the
function appears to tend to ∞ as
x →−2+, and to −∞ as x →−2−.
Slide 58
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
Limits Disagree
Verify the signs of the one-sided limits:
There is indeed a vertical asymptote at x = −2 and
Slide 59
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
Limits at Infinity
We are also interested in examining the limiting behavior of
functions as x increases without bound (written x → ∞) or
as x decreases without bound (written x → −∞).
Slide 60
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
Limits at Infinity
Returning to , we can see that as
In view of this, we write
Similarly,
The graph appears to approach

the horizontal line y = 0, as x →
∞ and as x → −∞. We call y = 0 a
horizontal asymptote.
Slide 61
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.6 Finding Horizontal Asymptotes
Slide 62
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.6 Finding Horizontal Asymptotes
As
so,
The line y = 2 is a horizontal asymptote.

Slide 63
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.1
Slide 64
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.2
Observe that you can make similar statements regarding

the value of , but be careful: the answer will
change depending on whether n is even or odd. (We leave

this as an exercise.)
Slide 65
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.7 A Limit of a Quotient That Is Not the
Quotient of the Limits
Slide 66
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
You might be tempted to write
Slide 67
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
When a limit has the form ∞/∞, the actual value of the
limit can be anything at all.
For this reason, we call ∞/∞ an indeterminate form,

meaning that the value of the limit cannot be determined
solely by noticing that both numerator and denominator
tend to ∞.
Slide 68
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
Slide 69
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
Slide 70
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.8 Finding Slant Asymptotes
Using our rule of thumb, we have
Slide 71
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.8 Finding Slant Asymptotes
Performing long division:
The third term tends to 0 as x → ∞, so the function

values approach those of the linear function
y=
For this reason, we say that the graph has a slant (or
oblique) asymptote.
Slide 72
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.9 Two Limits of an Exponential Function
Slide 73
1.5
ASYMPTOTES
5.9 Two Limits of an Exponential Function
Slide 74

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THE CONCEPT OF LIMIT

The Limit: Informal Idea

In this section, we develop the notion of limit using some

The Limit: Informal Idea

If we can make f (x) arbitrarily close to some number L

The Limit: Informal Idea

since as x gets closer and closer to 2, f (x) = x2 gets closer

Since the two one-sided limits

We can also determine the limit algebraically.

From the left:

From the right:

From the right:

From the left:

A limit exists if and only if both corresponding one-sided

In other words, we say that

(Consider one-sided limits.)

For any constant c and any real number a,

For any real number a,

Notice right away that

since the limit in the denominator is zero.

Evaluate the Indicated Limit

Notice that both the numerator and the denominator

Evaluate the Indicated Limit

3.5 (Squeeze Theorem)

1.5 LIMITS INVOLVING INFINITY

It is important to note that while the

The graph approaches the vertical

Finally, since the one-sided limits

Since both one-sided limits agree

This one concise statement says

However, since ∞ is not a real number, there is no

to indicate that as x → 0+, the function values are

we prefer to say rather than

Use the graph of f(x) to answer the following questions.

Use the graph of f(x) to answer the following questions

There appears to be a vertical

There is indeed a vertical asymptote at x = −2 and

In view of this, we write

The graph appears to approach

The line y = 2 is a horizontal asymptote.

Observe that you can make similar statements regarding

change depending on whether n is even or odd. (We leave

You might be tempted to write

For this reason, we call ∞/∞ an indeterminate form,

Using our rule of thumb, we have

Performing long division:

The third term tends to 0 as x → ∞, so the function

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