Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

11 Zest for Progress

Z Peal of artnership

Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 - Module 2:
Limits of Exponential, Logarithmic, and
Trigonometric Functions

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________

 What I Need to Know
The module contains only one lesson:
 Lesson 3 - Limits of Exponential, Logarithmic, and Trigonometric Functions

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. compute the limits of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions using

tables of values and graphs of the functions; and
2. illustrate limits involving the expressions and using tables of values.

What I Know
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Which represents b in an exponential function of the form f(x) = bx?

A. b = any real number such that b > 0 and b ≠ 1.
B. b = any real number such that b < 0 and b ≠ 1.
C. b = any real number such that b ≠ 0 and b > 1.
D. b = any real number such that b ≠ 0 and b < 1.

2. What methods will be used in computing the limits of exponential functions?

A. Diagrams and Equations
B. Graphs and Equations
C. Ordered Pairs and Diagrams
D. Table of Values and Graphs

lim 4 x ?
3. What is the limit of x→+∞
A. −∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

lim 5 x?
4. What is the limit of x→−∞
A. −∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

0
 1 x
5. What is the limit of lim
x→+∞
() 4
?

A .−∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

6. What is the limit of lim ¿ x?

+¿
x→ 0 log 6 ¿
A. −∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

7. What is the logarithmic form of 42 = 16?

A. log216 = 4
B. log42 = 16
C. log416 = 2
D. log24 = 16

lim e x?
8. What is the limit of x→−∞
A. -∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

9. What is the limit on the given Table of Values?

X -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
f(x) 0.13534 0.36787 1 2.71828 7.3890 20.08554 54.5982 148.4132
9 6

A. -∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

10. What is the limit on the given Table of Values?

X 2 1 0 -1 -3 -5 -7 -9
f(x) 4 2 1 0.5 0.125 0.0312 0.0078 0.00195
5 1

A. -∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

1
 What’s In

Activity 1: Fill Me In

This activity will give you an opportunity to review the past lesson.
Directions: Fill in the blanks with your correct answer. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

-1 0 2 4 5 6

1. lim
x→ 4
x +2 = _______

2. lim
x →2
x −3 = _______

3. lim
x →1
x + 4 = _______

4. lim x 2−4 x +3 = __________

x →3

x 2−4 x+ 3
5. lim = ___________
x →3 x−3

What’s New
Activity 2. Match Me
Directions: Match Column A with Column B by writing the letter of your correct answer
on a separate sheet.

Column A Column B

lim 4 x = +∞
1. x→+∞ a. Limit of Exponential Function
b. Limit of Natural Exponential
sin t Function
2. lim =1
t →0 t
c. Limit of Logarithmic Function
lim e x =+ ∞
3. x→+∞
d. Limit of Trigonometric
Function
x
4. lim
x→−∞
( 34 ) =+ ∞
2
 lim log 2x = +∞.
5. x→+∞

What is it
Limits of Exponential, Logarithmic, and Trigonometric Functions

Limits of Exponential Functions

An exponential function is a function in which the exponent of the expression is a
variable. It is of the form
f(x) = bx
where: b = any real number such that b > 0 and b ≠ 1.
x = any real number
The limits of exponential functions can be computed by using a table of values and
graphs.

Example 1. Consider the exponential function.

f(x) = 2x
lim 2x using a table of values and a graph.
Compute x→+∞

Solution:
a. Construct a table of values. Since x → +∞, let x take on the
number -3, -1, 0, 1, 3, 5, and so on.

x -3 -1 0 1 3 5 7 9
f(x) 0.125 0.5 1 2 8 32 128 512

3
 The graph passes through point (0, 1). The graph increases without bound as x
approaches positive infinity. Notice that in the table of values, as the value of x
increases, the value of f(x) increases too. This means as x → +∞, 2x approaches +∞.
lim 2x = +∞
x→+∞

1 x
Example 2. Find lim
x→ ∞
()
2
using a table of values and a graph.
Solution:
Let x take on the values -2, -1, 0, 1, 3, 5, and so on. Then, for each x, find the
corresponding values of f(x).

x -2 -1 0 1 3 5 7 9
f(x) 4 2 1 0.5 0.125 0.0312 0.00781 0.00195
5

The graph passes through point (0, 1). The graph is asymptotic to the x-axis as x
approaches positive infinity. It can be seen in the table as well as in the graph that x
1 x
→+∞, the function f(x) = ()
2
approaches 0.

1 x
lim
x→ ∞
()
2
=0

lim 2 x using a table of values and a graph.

Example 3. Find x→−∞
Solution:
Let x take on the values 2, 1, 0, -1, and so on. These numbers are decreasing in
values. Then, for each x find the corresponding value of f(x).
x 2 1 0 -1 -3 -5 -7 -9
f(x) 4 2 1 0.5 0.125 0.0312 0.00781 0.00195
5

4
 The graph passes through point (0, 1). It is asymptotic to the x-axis as x
approaches negative infinity. The table of values and the graph show that x approaches
negative infinity, the function approaches 0.

lim 2 x = 0
x→−∞

1 x
Example 4. Find lim
x→−∞
()
2
using table of values and a graph.
Solution:
Since x →−∞ , let x take on values that are approaching negative infinity such as
3, 2, 1, 0, -1, -3, and so on. Then, for each x compute the corresponding value of f(x).

x 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -7 -9 -11
f(x) 0.125 0.2 0.5 1 2 4 8 128 512 2048
5

The graph passes through the point (0, 1). The graph increases without bound as x
approaches negative infinity. In the table of values, as the value of x decreases, the value
of f(x) increases. This means that as x →−∞, the function approaches positive infinity.
1 x
lim
x→−∞ 2
()
=+ ∞

Summary:

1. If b > 1
x
a. lim b =+∞
x→+∞
5

lim b x =0
b. x→−∞
The Natural Exponential Function
The exponential function with base e is frequently used in advanced mathematics.
The natural exponential function is f(x) = ex where e = 2.718281828…
The limit of a natural exponential function can be determined by using table of
values and graphs.

lim e x by using a table of values and by sketching the graph of f(x) = ex.
Example 5. Find x→+∞

Solution:
Construct a table of values similar to the table below.

x -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
f(x) 0.13534 0.36787 1 2.71828 7.3890 20.08554 54.5982 148.4132
9 6

Notice that as the value of x increases, the corresponding value of f(x) rapidly
increases. In the graph, the value of x increases without bound.
6
lim e x =+ ∞
x→+∞

Summary:

lim e x =+ ∞
1. x→+∞

lim e x =0
2. x→−∞

lim e−x =0
3. x→+∞

lim e− x =+∞
4. x→−∞

Limits of Logarithmic Functions

Exponential Functions of the form y = f(x) = bx were graphed in the previous
lesson. The inverse of y = b x which is x = by is also a function. For b > 0 and b ≠ 1, the
logarithmic function y = log b x is equivalent to x = by.

Example 6. Express the following in logarithmic form.

1. 82 = 64
2. 36 = 62
1
3. 25 2 = 5
Solution:
1. log864 = 2
2. log636 = 2
1
3. log255 =
2

lim log 2x by using a table of values and by sketching the graph of f(x) =
Example 7. Find x→+∞
log2x

Solution:
Remember that y = log2x is equivalent to x = 2 y. To construct a table of values for y
= log2x, use x = 2y. Choose values for y and calculate the corresponding value of x.
Let y take on the values -3, -1, 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and so on. Compute the
corresponding value of y for each value of x.

x 0.12 0.5 1 2 8 32 128 512 2048

5
f(x) -3 -1 0 1 3 5 7 9 11
7
 The values of x are increasing rapidly. The values of y are also increasing,
although slowly. Although slowly, y will also approach infinity. This can be seen in the
graph.
Hence, lim log 2x = +∞.
x→+∞

Example 8. Find the limits of the following.

1. lim log 3x
x→+∞

2. lim ¿x
+¿
x→ 0 log 3 ¿

lim ln 4 x
3. x→+∞
Solution:
1. lim log 3x = + ∞
x →+∞

2. lim ¿x = -∞
+¿
x →0 log3 ¿

3. lim ln 4 x = +∞
x →+∞

Summary:

1. lim log bx = + ∞; b > 0

x →+∞

2. lim ¿x = -∞; b>0

+¿
x →0 logb ¿

3. lim ln ¿ x) = +∞
x →+∞

4. lim ¿x) = -∞
+¿
x→ 0 ln ¿¿

8
Limit of Trigonometric Functions

sin(t)
Example 9. Find the limit of as t approaches 0.
t

Solution:
sin t
lim
t →0 t
Construct tables of values. The value of t should be in radians.

t(radians -1.5 -0.8 -0.5 -0.2 -0.08 -0.03 -0.01 -0.001

)
sin(t)
0.66499 0.896695 0.95885 0.993347 0.99893 0.999850 0.99998 0.999999
t 7 1 4 3

t(radians 1.5 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.08 0.03 0.01 0.001

)
sin(t)
0.66499 0.896695 0.95885 0.993347 0.99893 0.999850 0.99998 0.999999
t 7 1 4 3

Take note:
180
radian =
π

Computations:
1800
When t = 1.5, (
sin 1.5 ×
π )
÷ 1.5 = 0.664997

1800
When t = 0.8, (
sin 0.8 ×
π )
÷ 0.8 = 0.896695

1800
When t = 0.5, (
sin 0.5 ×
π )
÷ 0.5 = 0.958851

sin t
Follow this procedure for the other values of .
t
sin t
The sketch of the graph of y= is shown below.
t

It can be observed from the table of values that

sin t
lim = 1.
t →0 t

9
 1−cos t
Example 10. Find the limit lim .
t →0 t

Solution:
Construct tables of values. The value of t should be in radians.

t(radians -1.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.08 -0.03 -0.01 -0.001

)
1−cos t
- -0.244835 -0.099667 -0.039979 -0.014999 -0.005 -0.0005
t 0.619508

t(radians 1.5 0.5 0.2 0.08 0.03 0.01 0.001

)
1−cos t
0.619508 0.244835 0.099667 0.039979 0.014999 0.005 0.0005
t
Computations:

When t = 1.5 [ ( 180π )] ÷ 1.5 = 0.619508

1−cos 1.5 ×

When t = 0.5 [ 1−cos (0.5 × 180π )] ÷ 0.5 = 0.244835

When t = 0.2 [ 1−cos (0.2 × 180π )] ÷ 0.2 = 0.099667
180
When t = 0.08 [ 1−cos ( 0.08 ×
π )]
÷ 0.08 = 0.039979

180
When t = 0.03 [ 1−cos ( 0.03 ×
π )]
÷ 0.03 = 0.014999

180
When t = 0.01 [ 1−cos ( 0.01 ×
π )]
÷ 0.01 = 0.005

When t = 0.001 [ 1−cos (0.001 × 180π )] ÷ 0.001 = 0.0005

It can be observed from the table of values above that as the values of t
1−cos t
approaches zero, the values of also approach zero. This means that the limit of
t
1−cos t
is zero as t → 0.
t
1−cos t
lim = 0.
t →0 t

What’s More
Activity 3: Evaluate Me!
Directions: Evaluate the limit using a table of values.

sin 2 x
1. lim
x →0 x
10
 x(radians -1.5 -0.8 -0.5 -0.2 -0.08 -0.03 -0.01 -0.001
)
sin(2 x)
x

x(radians 1.5 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.08 0.03 0.01 0.001

)
sin(2 x)
x

What I Have Learned

Activity 4: Check Me if I’m Right!
Directions: Read the statement and answer what is asked. Put a check ✔ mark if the
statement is correct and put an X if the statement is wrong.
Limits of Exponential Functions:
If b > 1 If 0 < b < 1
x
_______1) lim b =+∞ ¿¿ ¿ lim b x= 1
x→+∞ x→+ ∞
x
lim b =0
_______2) x→−∞ ________4 ¿ xlim b x =+∞
→−∞
Limits of Natural Exponential Functions:
x
________5 ¿ lim e =+∞ lim log bx = 0; b > 0
________7) x→+∞
x →+∞

¿¿ 6 ¿ lim e x =0 ________8) x→lim ¿ x = -∞;b >0

x→−∞ +¿
0 log ¿ b

Limits of Logarithmic Functions:

Limits of Trigonometric Functions:

sin t
________9)lim =0
t →0 t

1−cos t
_______10) lim =1
t →0 t

What I Can Do
Activity 5: Construct Me!
Directions: Construct the following:
11
 a. construct a table of values
b. graph the function
c. find the indicated limits
lim 3x
x→+∞

Assessment
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Which represents b in an exponential function of the form f(x) = bx?

A. b = any real number such that b > 0 and b ≠ 1.
B. b = any real number such that b < 0 and b ≠ 1.
C. b = any real number such that b ≠ 0 and b > 1.
D. b = any real number such that b ≠ 0 and b < 1.

2. What methods will be used in computing the limits of exponential functions?

A. Diagrams and Equations
B. Graphs and Equations
C. Ordered Pairs and Diagrams
D. Table of Values and Graphs

lim 9 x?
3. What is the limit of x→+∞

A .−∞
B .0
C.1
D.+∞

lim 6 x ?
4. What is the limit of x→−∞
A .−∞
B .0
C.1
D. +∞
1 x
5. What is the limit of lim
x→+∞ 5
()?
A .−∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

6. What is the limit of lim ¿ x?

+¿
x→ 0 log 8 ¿
A .−∞
B. 0
C. 1
12
 D. +∞

7. What is the logarithmic form of 82 = 64?

A. log264 = 8
B. log82 = 64
C. log864 = 2
D. log28 = 64

8. What is the limit of lim ex?

x→ ∞
A .−∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

9. What is the limit on the given Table of Values?

X -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

f(x) 0.13534 0.36787 1 2.71828 7.3890 20.08554 54.5982 148.4132

9 6
A .−∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

10. What is the limit on the given Table of Values?

X 2 1 0 -1 -3 -5 -7 -9

f(x) 4 2 1 0.5 0.125 0.0312 0.0078 0.00195

5 1
A .−∞
B. 0
C. 1
D. +∞

References
Balmaceda, Jose Maria P., et al. 2016. Teaching Guide for Senior High
13
 School. Basic Calculus. Printed in the Philippines by EC-TEC
Commercial, No. 32 St. Louis Compound 7, Baesa, Quezon City,
ectec_com@yahoo.com

Mercado, Jesus P. and Fernando B. Orines. 2016. Next Century

Mathematics - Basic Calculus. Published and distributed by Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc. pp. 42 – 57. 927 Quezon Avenue., Quezon City

Development Team
Writer: Pede I. Casing
Editor:
Reviewer:
Illustrator:
Layout Artist:
Management Team:

14
 Answer Key

What I Know What’s In What's New

1. A
2. D Activity 2: Match Me
3. D
4. B
Activity 1: Fill Me In 1. A
2. D
5. B 3. B
6. A 1. 6 4. A
7. C 2. -1 5. C
8. B
9. D 3. 5
10. B 4. 0
5. 2

What’s More What I have learned Assessment

Activity 3: Evaluate Me 1. A
Activity 4: Check Me if I’m
Right 2. D
Table of Values
3. D
1. /
2. / 4. B
3. X 5. B
4. /
5. / 6. A
6. / 7. C
7. X
8. /
8. B
9. X 9. D
10. X
10. B
Activity 5: Construct Me

15