J. K.

SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

CHAPTER 12
Limits and Continuity
Limits:
Type I

f ( x) f (a)
Lt f ( x) = f (a ) Lt = ; if g (a ) ≠ 0
x→a g ( x) g (a )
x→a

Type II

f ( x)
Lt & g (a) = 0 , then cancel the common terms from numerator and denominator using
x→a g ( x)
algebraic treatments.

f ( x) p( x) p (a)
The reduced form would be: xLt = Lt =
→a g ( x) x →a q ( x) q (a )

Type III

f ( x)
Lt , Divide numerator and denominator by the highest power of x, and then put 1/x = 0.
x →∞ g ( x)

Type IV(Standard Limits)

ex −1 e mx − 1 e mx − 1
• Lt =1 Lt =m Lt =1
x →0 x x →0 x x → 0 mx

a x −1 a mx − 1 a mx − 1
Lt = log e a Lt = m.log e a Lt = log e a
x →0 x →0 x →0
• x x mx

log(1 + x) log(1 + mx) log(1 + mx)

• Lt =1 Lt =m Lt =1
x →0 x x →0 x x →0 mx
xn − an xn − an n.a n −1 n n −m
Lt = n.a n −1 Lt = = .a
• x →a x − a x →a x m − a m m.a m −1 m
x x
 1  a
• Lt 1 +  = e Lt 1 +  = e a
x →∞
 x x →∞
 x
1 a 1
• Lt (1 + x ) x = e; Lt (1 + x ) x = e a ; Lt (1 + ax ) x = e a
x →0 x →∞ x→0

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

Type – I

Lt x − x + 3
2
1)
x→2 x+4

a) 3/6

b) 3/5

c) 1/5

d) 5/6

Lt 4 x 6 + 9 x3 + 7
5
2)
x→13x + x + 1

a) 4

b) 5

c) 6

d) 2

Type II

Lt x2 + x − 6
2
3)
x→2 x − x − 2

a) 6/3

b) 5

c) 5/3

d) 3/5

4) x −3
Lt
x→9 x−9

a) 1/6

b) 1/5

c) 1/9

d) 1/7

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2 + 3x − 2 − 5 x
5) Lt
x→0 4x

1
a)
2 2

1
b)
2

c) 2

d) None of the above

1− 1- x2
6) Lt
x→0 x2

1
a)
3

2
b)
5

1
c)
2

d) None of the above

(2z + 3k ) 3 − 4k 2 z
7) Lt
k→0 2 z(2z − k )2

a) 1
b) 2
c) -1
d) -2

8) 1 + x − 1 + x2
Lt
x→0 1 − x2 − 1 − x

a) 0
b) 2
c) 1
d) -1

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Lt x 3 − 3x + 2
2
9)
x → 1 x − 4x + 3

a) 0

b) 1

c) 2

d) 4

10) Lt x3 − 2x2 + 1
7 5

x → 1 x − 3x + 2

a) 0

b) 1

c) 2

d) 4

Type – III – Limits, When the variable tends to Infinity

Lt x 3 + 3x + 2
2
11)
x→∞ x + x − 4

a) 0

b) 1

c) 2

d) 4

1+ x
12) Lt
x → ∞ 1− x

a) 0

b) - 1

c) 1

d) 2

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13) Lt 3h + 2xh + x3 h3
2 2 3

h → ∞ 4 − 3xh − 2x h

1
a)
x

1
b) −
2x

1
c)
3x

d) None of the above

(1 + 2x 2 )(3 − x 4 )
14) Lt
x → ∞ (1 + x 2 )(5 + x 4 )

a) -2

b) 2

c) 1

d) –1

(1 + x )(1 − x 3 )(2 + 3x + x 2 )
15) Lt
x→∞ (5 − x 5 )(6 + x )

a) 0

b) 1

c) 2

d) -1

16) Lt 1 + 2 + 32+ ... + x

x→∞ x

a) 1
2

b) 1
3

c) 1
4

d) None of the above

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Lt 1 + 2 + 33 + ... + x
2 2 2 2
17)
x→∞ x

a) 1
4

b) 1
2

c) 1
3

d) 2
5

13 + 23 + 33 + ... + x3
18) Lt
x→∞ x4
a) 1
3

b) - 1
4

c) 1
4

d) None of the above

2 3
19) Lt 1 + 1 +  1  +  1  + ...t n
n→∞ 2 2 2

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 5

Type – IV - Definition

For each of the following functions (from Q No. 20 to25),evaluate the following limit:
f (x + h) − f (x )
Lt
h→0 h

20) f(x) = 1
x

1
a)
x
1
b)
x2
1
c) -
x2
d) None of the above
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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

21) f(x) = 12
x

1
a)
x3
2
b)
x3
1
c) -
x3
−2
d)
x3

22) f(x) = x

1
a)
2x
1
b)
2 x

1
c)
x

d) None of the above

23) f(x) = 1
x

1
a)
2 x
−1
b)
2 x
−1
c)
2x x
d) None of the above

2
24) f(x) = ax + bx + c

a) ax
b) 2ax
c) 2ax + b
d) None of the above

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

25) f(x) = c ( c = constant)

a) 0
b) 1
c) c
d) none of the above

Type – V – Standard Limits

26) Lt 7 − 1
11x

x→0 x

a) 11.log7e
b) 7.loge7
c) 11.loge7
d) 11.loge11

27) Lt e − 1
4x

x→0 x

a) 0
b) 4
c) 8
d) – 4

−x
28) Lt 2 − 1
x→0 x

a) - loge2
b) log 3
c) loge 2
d) none of the above

−2 x − 1
29) Lt e
x→0 x

a) 1
b) 2
c) -1
d) -2
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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

3
x −3a
30) Lt 2 2
x→a
x3 − a3

1
2 −3
a) a
3
1
1
b) a 3
3
1
1 -3
c) a
2

d) None of the above

e αx − e β x
31) Lt
x →0 x

a) α + β

b) α . β

c) α - β

d) none of the above

32) Lt 3 − 2
x x

x→0 x

a) loge(3.2)

b) loge  2 
3

c) loge  3 
2
d) none of the above

e αx + e β x − 2
33) Lt
x →0 x

a) α + β

b) α . β

c) α - β

d) none of the above

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

34) Lt e − e 2− e + 1
5x 3x 2x

x→0 x

a) 3

b) 2

c) 6

d) -6

35) Lt 6 − 3 2− 2 + 1
x x x

x→0 x

a) loge3 + loge2

b) loge3 - loge2

c) loge6

d) loge3 . loge2

( x + h )2 − e x 2
36) Lt e
h→0 h

2
a) e x
2
b) xe x

c) 2 xe x
2
d) 2 xe x

log(x + h) − log x
37) Lt
h→0 h

a) x

b) 1

1
c)
x

d) None of the above

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

log x − 1
38) Lt
x→e x − e

a) e

1
b)
e

2
c)
e

d) e2

log(2x − 3)
39) Lt
x→2 2(x − 2)

e) 1

f) 2

g) -1

h) None of the above

(x + h)n − x n
40) Lt
h→0 h

i) n. xn-1

j) n.an-1

k) an-1

l) n2.an-1

x
41). Lt  1 + a 
x → ∞ x

a) e

b) ea

c) e3

d) e4a

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( x + 6)
42) Lt  x + 6 
x → ∞ x + 1
a. e
b. e2
c. e3
d. e5

43) Lt xe − ae
a x

x→a x−a
a. ea
b. ea( 1 +a)
c. 1+a
d. ea (1 –a)

44) Lt {1 + x}
1
4x
x→0

a. e
1
b. e 2
1
c. e 4
d. e4

45) Lt {1 + ax}x
1

x→0

a. e
b. e2a
c. e3a
d. ea

46) Lt ax − b = 4 , find a & b.

2

x→2 x−2
a. 1, 2
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 1
d. 1, 4

47) Lt ax + bx − 2 = 3 , find a & b.

2

x→1 x−1
a. 1, 1
b. 1, 2
c. 1, 3
d. 1, 4

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

CONCEPT OF CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION

A function f ( x) is said to be Continuous at a particular point, x =a , if it satisfy the following

conditions:

lim f ( x) = lim f ( x) = f (a )
x→a− ↓ x→a+ ↓ ↓

Left hand = Right hand =Functional

Limit (LHL) Limit (RHL) Value

Note1: Equality of RHL and LHL is treated as a condition for existence of limit i.e, limit
of a function will exist if LHL=RHL

Note2: For Continuity, equality of the functional value at that point is also necessary.

Note3: For all Continuous functions, limit must exist, but existence of limit, is not a
sufficient condition for continuity of a function.

Note4: Sum, difference , product and quotient of all continuous functions are always
continuous.

Note5: All polynomials are continuous.

f ( x)
Note6: If a given function is of the form , where both f ( x) and g ( x) are
g ( x)
polynomials in x, it will be everywhere continuous except at the points at which it is
undefined i.e; points of discontinuity of such functions are the points where g ( x) =0.

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Example: In each of the following cases, discuss continuity of the functions at x=5

x 2 − 25
i) f ( x) =
x −5

x 2 − 25 2x
Solution: LHL= lim− = lim− = 2 × 5 = 10
x →5 x −5 x →5 1

x 2 − 25 2x
RHL= lim+ = lim+ = 2 × 5 = 10
x →5 x−5 x →5 1

25 − 25 0
f (5) = = (undifined )
5−5 0

sin ce, LHL = RHL ≠ f (5), f ( x)is discontinuous atx = 5, although the limit has existed.

x 2 − 25
ii) f ( x) = , when x ≠ 5
x −5
=10, when x=5

Solution: LHL=10=RHL taken from(i)

Given , f (5) = 10 since, LHL=RHL= f (5), f ( x) is continuous at x = 5

x 2 − 25
iii) f ( x) = , when x ≠ 5
x −5

=2, when x = 5

Solution: LHL=RHL=10 taken from(ii)

Given , f (5) = 2 since, LHL=RHL≠ f (5), f ( x ) is discontinuous at x = 5

( x 2 − 3x + 2)
Example 2: Find the points of discontinuity of the function, f ( x) =
( x 2 − 5 x + 6)

Solution: The given function will be continuous at all points, except at the points at which it is
undefined i.e the points at which its denominator is 0. ( x 2 − 5 x + 6) = 0

⇒ ( x − 2)( x − 3) = 0
Points of discontinuity are 2 and 3
⇒ x = 2,3

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WORKING CODES for Q. No. 1 to 18

Mark C : if function is continuous at the given point

Mark D : if function is discontinuous at the given point

Mark X : if nothing can be said about the continuity of the function at the given point

Mark Y : if function is neither continuous nor discontinuous at the given point

x2 − 9
1) f(x) = , Check continuity at x = 3
x −3

a) C

b) D

c) X

d) Y

x2 − 9
2) f(x) = , x ≠ 3; Check continuity at x=3
x −3

6, when ,x = 3

a) X

b) Y

c) D

d) C

x2 − 9
3) f(x) = , x ≠ 3;Check continuity at x = 3
x −3

1, when,x = 3

a) C

b) X

c) D

d) Y

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

x + 1, x ≥ 1
4) f(x) = , Check continuity x = 1
2 x + 1, x < 1

a) C

b) X

c) D

d) Y

x2 , x > 2
5) f(x) = 4, x = 2 Check continuity at x = 2
2 x, x < 2

a) C

b) D

c) X

d) Y

4 x + 3, x ≠ 4
6) f(x) = , Check continuity at x = 4
3 x + 7, x = 4

a) X

b) Y

c) C

d) D

x 2 ,0 < x < 1
7) f(x) = x, 1 ≤ x < 2
Check continuity at x = 2
1 3
x ,2≤ x <3
4

a) C

b) X

c) D

d) Y

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

2
3 + 2 x, -
≤x<0
3
8) f(x) = 3 − 2 x, 0 ≤ x < 3 Check continuity at x = 0
2
3
− 3 − 2 x, x ≥
2

a) D

b) Y

c) C

d) X

2
3 + 2 x, -
≤x<0
3
3
9) f(x) = 3 − 2 x, 0 ≤ x < 3 Check continuity at x =
2 2
3
− 3 − 2 x, x ≥
2

a) C

b) D

c) X

d) Y

10) f(x) = x , Check continuity at x = 0

a) D

b) C

c) X

d) Y

x−3
, x≠3
11) f ( x) = x−3 , Check continuity at x = 3
= 1, when x = 3

a) X

b) Y

c) D

d) C
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( x − 2)
x+ ,x ≠ 2
12) f ( x ) = x−2 Check continuity at x = 2
= -1, when x = 2

a) D

b) C

c) X

d) Y

13) f(x) = x − 1 + 2x, Check continuity at x = 1

a) D

b) C

c) X

d) Y

(for Q. No. 14 and15)

Find the points of discontinuity of the following functions:

2x 2 − 6x + 5
14) f(x) =
12 x 2 + x − 20
4
a) −
3
5
b)
4
4
c)
3
d) Both of a) and b) above

3x 2 − 4 x
15) f(x) =
x3 + x 2 − x − 1
a) ± 1
b) 1
c) -1

d) None of the above

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J. K. SHAH CLASSES Limits and Continuity

= x + 1, x ≤ 1
16. Given f(x) , for what value of a, will f(x) be continuous at x = 1?
= 4 − ax, x > 1
a) 2
b) 1
c) 3
d) 4

= x + 1, x ≤ 1
17. Given f(x) , for what value of a, will f(x) be continuous at x = 1?
= 3 − ax 2 , x > 1

a. 2
b. 1
c. 8
d. 6

2x2 − 8
18. Given f(x) = is undefined at x = 2. What value must be assigned to f(2), if f(x) is
x−2
to be continuous at x = 2 ?

a. 6

b. 2

c. 8

d. 1

1
19. Given f(x) = [log(1 + 3x) − log(1 + 2 x)] is undefined at x = 0. What value must be
x
assigned to f(0), if f(x) is to be continuous at x = 0 ?

a. -1

b. 0

c. 1

d. None of the above

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