LIMITS: AN INTUITIVE MOTIVATION

2 1
Consider the function given by ( ) =
1

Note that for the given function , the value of can never be
equal to 1. But can approach the value 1 from the left and
from the right.

As approaches 1 from the left, the function also approaches

a certain value. We call this value the limit of as approaches
1 from the left, denoted
lim ()
1

In this case,
lim () = 2
1
Similarly, the limit of as approaches 1 from the right,
denoted
lim+ () = 2
1

Remark:

()

exists and is equal to L if and only if

() = + () =

 2 1
The limit of the function ( ) = as approaches 1 is 2
1
that is,
lim () = 2
1
Definition of a Limit of a Function (laymans POV)

The limit of the function f as x approaches a value, say a,

denoted by
lim ()

is the value that the function f approaches as gets closer to
the value a from the left and from the right.

lim f ( x) - limit of the function as approaches from

x a
the left

lim f ( x) - limit of the function as approaches from

x a
the right
y=f(x)

x
a
 Determining Limits of a function through Graphs

1.
y

y=f(x)

2.
y

x x

y=g(x) y=h(x)
y y

x
a a
Note:

the limit of a function as approaches does not have to

be the value of the function at =

That is, it is not always the case that

() = ()

3.
y

y=F(x)

4.
y

y=m(x)

5.
y

y=g(x)

6. Given the graph of the function below, determine
the following: (Note: the line x=1 is not part of the function f)
y

 lim + () = _____ (0) = ______
4

lim () = _____ lim+ () = _____

1
4

lim () = _____ lim () = _____

1
4

lim + () = _____ lim () = _____

1
2

lim () = _____ (1) = ____

1
lim+ () = _____
(1) = _____ 2

lim () = _____ lim () = _____

2
0

lim+ () = _____ lim () = _____

2
0

lim () = _____ (2) = ______

0