MODULE 12: Limits and Continuity

Source: https://novini.bg/biznes/turizam/291373

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. Determine the different theorems on limits and their applications
2. Familiarize the rules of limits

LESSON PROPER

Definition of Limits
DEFINITION OF LIMITS
Theorems on Limits
Indeterminate Forms
Continuity and Discontinuity A limit is defined as the value approached by a variable quantity that changes in some
prescribed manner. A limit is the value that a function or sequence "approaches" as the input or index
approaches some value.

𝑥 2 −4
Consider the function: 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−2

Note that the function is defined for all values of x except x = 2, since with this value (x = 2) the
denominator become zero. The behavior of the value approached by f(x) as x get closer and closer to 2
can be see table below,

x<2
x 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.99 1.999 1.9999
f(x) 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.99 3.999 3.9999

X>2
x 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.01 2001 2.0001
f(x) 4.3 4.2 4.1 4.01 4.001 4.0001

Evidently, the limit of the given function approaches 4.000 as x approaches 2 whether from
the left (x<2) or from the right (x>2) In symbol, this is written as

𝑥2 − 4
lim =4
𝑥→2 𝑥 − 2

Definition: Let f be a function and a be a constant. The limit of f(x) as x approaches a is L, if | f(x) - L| can be
made as small as small as one pleases, by making |x - a| sufficiently small, but |x - a| > 0.

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎
 𝑥 2 −9 2𝑥 2 −3𝑥−2
Example 1. Find the lim Example 2. Find the lim
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→2 𝑥−2

Solution. Solution.
𝑥 2 −9 (𝑥+3)(𝑥−3) 2𝑥 2 −3𝑥−2 (2𝑥+1)(𝑥−2)
lim = lim lim = lim
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥→2 𝑥−2
= lim 𝑥 + 3 = lim 2𝑥 + 1
𝑥→3 𝑥→2
= (3) + 3 = 2(2) + 1
=6 =5

THEOREMS ON LIMITS
Definition of Limits
Theorems on Limits Theorem 1. If c and d are constants Theorem 5. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐴 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐵
Indeterminate Forms 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
Continuity and Discontinuity then, lim (𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑) = 𝑐𝑎 + 𝑑 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐴
𝑥→𝑎 then, if lim [ ]=
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) 𝐵

Theorem 2. If k is constant Theorem 6. If k is constant

then, lim 𝑘 = 𝑘 then, lim 𝑘 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐾𝐿
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

Theorem 3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐴 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐵 Theorem 7. If n is a constant

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
then, if lim [𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝐴 ± 𝐵 then, lim [𝑓(𝑥)𝑛 ] = 𝐴
𝑥→𝑎
𝑥→𝑎

Theorem 4. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐴 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐵 Theorem 8. If n is a constant

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑛
then, if lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∗ 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝐴 ∗ 𝐵 then, 𝑛√𝑓(𝑥) = √𝐴
𝑥→𝑎

Example 3. Find the lim(4𝑥 − 2)

𝑥→1

Solution.
lim(4𝑥 − 2) = lim 4𝑥 − lim 2
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
= 4(1) − 2
=2

Example 4. Find the lim 5

𝑥→1

Solution.
lim 5 = 5
𝑥→1

𝑥+5
Example 5. Find the lim [ + 𝑥 2]
𝑥→4 3

Solution.
𝑥+5 𝑥+5
lim [ + 𝑥 2 ] = lim + lim 𝑥 2
𝑥→4 3 𝑥→4 3 𝑥→4
(4)+5
= + (4)2
3
9
= + 16
3
= 3 + 16
= 19

𝑥+5
Example 6. Find the lim [ + 𝑥 2]
𝑥→1 3

Solution.
𝑥+5 𝑥+5
lim [ − 𝑥 2 ] = lim − lim 𝑥 2
𝑥→1 3 𝑥→1 3 𝑥→1
(1)+5
= − (1)2
3
= 2−1
=1
 Example 7. Find the lim(3𝑥 − 5)(4𝑥)
𝑥→2

Solution.
lim(3𝑥 − 5)(4𝑥) = (lim 3𝑥 − 5) (lim 4𝑥)
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
= ([3(2) − 5][4(2)]
= (1)(8) = 8

3𝑥−5
Example 8. Find the lim
𝑥→2 4𝑥

Solution.
3𝑥−5 lim 3𝑥−5
lim = 𝑥→2
𝑥→2 4𝑥 lim 4𝑥
𝑥→2
3(2)−5
=
4(2)
6−5
=
8
1
=
8

Example 9. Find the lim(3𝑥 − 5)2

𝑥→2

Solution.
lim(3𝑥 − 5)2 = [3(2) − 5]2
𝑥→2
= 12
=1

Example 10. Find the lim √3𝑥 − 5

𝑥→2

Solution.
lim √3𝑥 − 5 = √3(2) − 5
𝑥→2
= √6 − 5
= √1
=1

𝑥−9
Example 11. Find the lim
𝑥→9 √𝑥−3

Solution.
𝑥−9 𝑥−9 (√𝑥+3)
lim = lim
𝑥→9 √𝑥−3 𝑥→9 √𝑥−3 (√𝑥+3)
(𝑥−9)(√𝑥+3)
= lim
𝑥→9 (𝑥−9)
= lim √𝑥 + 3
𝑥→9
= √9 + 3
=3+3
=6

𝟎 ∞
RULES IN EVALUATING LIMITS INVOLVING INDETERMINATE FORMS 𝟎 AND ∞.
Definition of Limits
Theorems on Limits 0
Indeterminate Forms Rule 1. To evaluate the limit of a function which by subscription takes the form , find the common factors
Continuity and Discontinuity 0
of the numerator and after dividing out the common factor, evaluate the limit of the result.

𝑥 3 −27
Example 12. Evaluate lim
𝑥→3 𝑥−3
 Solution.
𝑥 3 −27 (𝑥−3)(𝑥 2 +3𝑥+9)
lim = lim
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3
= lim 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 9
𝑥→3
= (3)2 + 3(3) + 9
= 27

𝑥 2 −9
Example 13. If f(x)= , find lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥 3 −3𝑥 2 +𝑥−3 𝑥→3

Solution.
𝑥 2 −9 (𝑥+3)(𝑥−3)
lim = lim (𝑥 2
𝑥→3 𝑥 3 −3𝑥 2 +𝑥−3 𝑥→3 +1)(𝑥−3)
𝑥+3
= lim
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 +1
(3)+3
=
𝑥 2 +1
6 3
= =
10 5

∞
Rule 2. To evaluate an algebraic function which takes the form as x increases without limit , divide the
∞
numerator and denominator by the highest power of x increase without limit.

𝑥 2 +4𝑥−4
Example 14. Evaluate lim
𝑥→∞ 4𝑥 3 +1

Solution.
𝑥2 4𝑥 4
𝑥 2 +4𝑥−4 + −
𝑥3 𝑥3 𝑥3
lim = lim 3 1
𝑥→∞ 4𝑥 3 +1 𝑥→∞ 4𝑥
+
𝑥3 𝑥3
0+0−0
=
4+0
=0

𝑥 2 −2𝑥
Example 15. Evaluate lim
𝑥→ ∞ 3𝑥 2 −4

Solution.
𝑥2 2𝑥
𝑥 2 −2𝑥 −
𝑥2 𝑥2
lim = lim 2
𝑥→ ∞ 3𝑥 2 −4 𝑥→ ∞ 3𝑥 − 4
𝑥2 𝑥2
1−0
=
3−0
1
=
3

CONTINUITY AND DISCONTINUITY

Definition of Limits
Theorems on Limits
Indeterminate Forms
A. Continuity
Continuity and Discontinuity A function f(x) is said to be continues at x = a, if the following conditions are met.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) is defined at 𝑥 = 𝑎, that is, 𝑓(𝑎) is defined
2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) =a definite number.
𝑥→𝑎
3. 𝑓(𝑎) = lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎
B. Discontinuity
A function f(x) is said to be discontinues at x = a, if one or more of the conditions for continuity
is not met

Types of Discontinuity
a. Removable Discontinuity- If the two graphs meets at a hole.
b. Essential Discontinuity (Jump Discontinuity)- If the two graphs doesn’t meet
c. Essential Discontinuity (Infinite Discontinuity)- If the two graph at infinity.
 Activity Sheet 12

Name: Date:
Course, Year, Section: Professor:

I. Evaluate each limit. (Use an extra sheet of paper for your answer and solution).

lim 3 √𝑥+1−2
1. 𝑥→2
16. lim
𝑥−3
𝑥→3

tan 𝑥
2. lim 𝑥 17. lim
𝑥→4 𝑥→0 𝑥

sin 4𝑥
3. lim 𝑥 2 18. lim
𝑥→2 𝑥→0 𝑥

2𝑥
4. lim 4𝑥 2 + 3 19. lim
𝑥→2 𝑥→0 sin 3𝑥

𝑥 2 +𝑥+2 𝑠𝑖𝑛9𝑥
5. lim 20. lim
𝑥→1 𝑥+1 𝑥→0 sin 7𝑥

1
6. lim tan 𝑥 21. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥→8+ 𝑥+8

−3
7. lim (𝑥 cos 𝑥) 22. lim
𝑥→𝜋 𝑥→5− 𝑥+5

𝑥−5
8. lim sin2 𝑥 23. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥→5+ 𝑥 2 −25

𝑥 3 −1 2−𝑥
9. lim 24. lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→2+ 𝑥 2 −4

𝑥 2 +𝑥−6 √𝑥−3
10. lim 25. lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥+3 𝑥→9− 𝑥−9

𝑥−4 𝑥
11. lim 26. lim
𝑥→4 𝑥 2 −16 𝑥→−3− √𝑥 2 −9

𝑥 2 +𝑥−6 |𝑥|
12. lim 27. lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 −9 𝑥→0− 𝑥

√𝑥+5−3 |𝑥−10|
13. lim 28. lim
𝑥→4 𝑥−4 𝑥→10+ 𝑥−10

√𝑥+5−√5 (𝑥+∆𝑥)2 +𝑥+∆𝑥−(𝑥 2 +𝑥)

14. lim 29. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 ∆𝑥→10+ ∆𝑥

3−𝑥 √𝑥+1−2
15. lim 30. lim
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 −9 𝑥→3 𝑥−3
 1 1
− 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+4
31. lim− 𝑥+∆𝑥 𝑥 46. lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 𝑥→4 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−8

𝑥+2
,𝑥 ≤ 3 𝑥
𝑥
32. lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = {12−2𝑥 47. lim 2 |
𝑥 2 −4
|
𝑥→3 ,𝑥 > 3 𝑥→2−
3

2
𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 6, 𝑥 ≤ 2 𝑥
33. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = { 48. lim 2 |
𝑥 2 −4
|
𝑥→2 −𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 2, 𝑥 > 2 𝑥→2+

𝑥 3 + 1, 𝑥 < 1 1
34. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = { 49. lim
𝑥→−2− 𝑥+2
𝑥→1 𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 ≥ 1

𝑥, 𝑥 ≤ 1 1
35. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = { 50. lim
𝑥→1 1 − 𝑥, 𝑥 > 1 𝑥→−2+ 𝑥+2

tan 𝜋𝑥
36. lim (5[[𝑥]] − 1)
𝑥→4 −
51. lim
𝑥→−2− 4

1 tan 𝜋𝑥
37. lim
𝑥→4 − 𝑥−4
52. lim
𝑥→−2+ 4

1 2𝑥
38. lim
𝑥→4 + 𝑥−4
53. lim
𝑥→0 sin 3𝑥

−1 sin 9𝑥
39. lim
𝑥→4 − 𝑥−4
54. lim
𝑥→0 sin 7𝑥

−1 1−cos 2𝑥
40. lim
𝑥→4 + 𝑥−4
55. lim
𝑥→0 sin 3𝑥

1 𝑥2
41. lim− (𝑥−4)2 56. lim
𝑥→4 𝑥→0 sin2 3𝑥

1 tan4 2𝑥
42. lim 57. lim
𝑥→4 + (𝑥−4)2 𝑥→0 4𝑥 2

−1 3𝑥+5
43. lim
𝑥→4 − (𝑥−4)2
58. lim
𝑥→∞ 5𝑥 2 −1

−1 3𝑥 2 +5
44. lim
𝑥→4 + (𝑥−4)2
59. lim
𝑥→∞ 5𝑥−1

𝑥 3𝑥 2 −5
45. lim 2 |
𝑥 2 −4
| 60. lim
𝑥→−2− 𝑥→0 5𝑥 2 −1

61. Consider the graph below

a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) e. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0− 𝑥→0

b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) f. lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→0+ 𝑥→1

c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) g. lim 𝑓(0)

𝑥→1− 𝑥→0

d. lim 𝑓(𝑥) h. lim 𝑓(1)

𝑥→1+ 𝑥→1
 62. Consider the graph below
a. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2−
e. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2+
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2+
f. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2
g. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0−
d. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2−
h. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0+

II. Show the steps to determine if the following functions is continuous or discontinuous. If it is discontinuous, determine its type.

√𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
1. Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) = {𝑥 2 − 2, 𝑖𝑓 2 ≤ 𝑥 < 3 3. Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
2𝑥 − 5, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 3
Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 0.
Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 2.
Step 1. Step 1.

Step 2. Step 2.

Step 3. Step 3.

Decision. Decision.

𝑥 2 −1 2, 𝑥 ≤ −3
2. Suppose ℎ(𝑥) = 4. Suppose 𝑘(𝑥) = {
𝑥−1 𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 > −3

Determine if ℎ(𝑥) is continuous at 1. Determine if 𝑘(𝑥) is continuous at -3.

Step 1. Step 1.

Step 2. Step 2.

Step 3. Step 3.

Decision. Decision.