Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021

Unit I: Limits and Continuity

Lesson 4: Limits at Infinity

Introduction

In the last lesson, we investigated infinite limits and vertical asymptotes. There, we let x approaches a
certain number and the result was that values of f(x) became arbitrarily large (positive or negative). In this
lesson, we let x becomes arbitrarily large (positive or negative) and see what happens to f(x).

Learning Objectives

After studying this completing this module with 80% to 100% accuracy, you are expected to:

a) illustrate the limits at infinity;

b) apply the limits at infinity theorem in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions
(polynomial, rational and radical).

Limits at Infinity

Let’s begin by investigating the behavior of the function f defined by

𝑥2 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 +1

The table below gives values of this function correct up to six decimal places, and the graph of f has been
drawn below.

x f(x)

0 -1
±1 0
±2 0.6
±3 0.8
±4 0.882353
±5 0.923077
±10 0.980198
±50 0.999200
±100 0.999800
±1000 0.999998

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021

As x becomes larger in magnitude, you can see that values of f(x) get closer and closer to 1. In fact, it
seems that we can make the values of f(x) as close as we like to 1 by taking x sufficiently large. This
situation is expressed symbolically by writing

𝑥2 − 1
lim =1
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 + 1

Here is a general definition of this type of limit:

Finite Limits as x tends to ±∞

a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, with a number L if f(x) is arbitrarily close to L for all sufficiently large
𝑥→∞
positive x.
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, with a number L if f(x) is arbitrarily close to L for all sufficiently
𝑥→−∞
large-magnitude negative x.

Geometric illustrations of the definition are shown below. Notice that there are many ways for the graph
f to approach the line y = L (which is called a horizontal asymptote).

The line y = L is called a horizontal asymptote of the curve y = f(x) if either

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 or lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿

𝑥→∞ 𝑥→−∞

𝑥 2 −1
For instance, the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 +1 has the line y = 1 as a horizontal asymptote because

𝑥2 − 1
lim =1
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 + 1

An example of a graph with two horizontal asymptotes is 𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥.

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021

Graph of 𝑦 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥

In fact,

𝜋
lim tan−1 𝑥 = −
𝑥→−∞ 2

𝜋
lim tan−1 𝑥 =
𝑥→∞ 2

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
So, 𝑦 = − 2 and 𝑦 = are horizontal asymptotes. (This follows from the fact that the lines 𝑥 = ± 2 are
2

vertical asymptotes of the graph of tan.)

1 1
A. Find lim and lim .
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 𝑥→−∞ 𝑥

1
Observe that when x is a large positive number, 𝑥 is a small positive number. For instance,

1 1 1
= 0.01 = 0.0001 = 0.000001
100 10 000 1 000 000

1
In fact, by taking x large enough, we can make 𝑥 as close to 0 as we please. Therefore,

1
lim =0
𝑥→∞ 𝑥

1
Similar reasoning shows that when x is a large-magnitude negative number, 𝑥 is a small negative number.

So, we also have

1
lim =0
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥

1
It follows that the line 𝑦 = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 .

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021

By this example, we obtain the following important rule for calculating limits.

If r>0 is a rational number, then

1
lim =0
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 𝑟

If r>0 is a rational number, such that xr is defined for all x, then

1
lim =0
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥 𝑟

Note: The limits as 𝑥 → ±∞ of a quotient of polynomials or other linear combinations of powers are the
limits of the quotient of the highest-degree terms.

• If the numerator and the denominator have the same degree, we divide the numerator by xn, where
n is the degree of the numerator and the denominator.
• If the numerator and the denominator are of different degrees, we find the limits of the quotient as
𝑥 → ±∞ by dividing the numerator and the denominator by xn, where n is the lower of the two
degrees.

3−2𝑥 4 3−2𝑥 4
B. Find lim and lim
𝑥→∞ 1+𝑥 2 +𝑥 4 𝑥→−∞ 1+𝑥 2 +𝑥 4

Since the term of highest degree in the numerator is -2x4 and the term of highest degree in the denominator
is x4, we can anticipate that

3 − 2𝑥 4 −2𝑥 4
lim = lim = lim (−2) = −2
𝑥→±∞ 1 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 4 𝑥→±∞ 𝑥 4 𝑥→±∞

To verify this, we divide the numerator and the denominator of the given function by x4, for x≠0

3
3 − 2𝑥 4 −2
= 𝑥4
1 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥4 1 1
+ +1
𝑥4 𝑥2
3 1 1
Then, since 𝑥 4 , 𝑥 4 and 𝑥 2 tend to become 0 as 𝑥 → ±∞,

3 − 2𝑥 4 −2
lim = = −2
𝑥→±∞ 1 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 4 1

The line y=-2 is a horizontal asymptote of the graph.

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
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Let’s have another illustration of limits at infinity. Imagine a point on the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 in the graph below.
As x increases through all positive values, the point moves to the right and rises higher and higher so that
it is eventually above any horizontal line no matter how high it is. We say that 𝑥 3 tends to ∞ as x tends to
∞ and write

lim 𝑥 3 = ∞
𝑥→∞

Similarly, as the x-coordinate of the point decreases through all negative values, the point moves to the
left and drops lower and lower so that it is eventually beneath any horizontal line no matter how low it is.
We say that 𝑥 3 tends to −∞ as x tends to −∞ and write

lim 𝑥 3 = −∞
𝑥→−∞

These lead us to the definition of limits at infinity of polynomial functions.

Limits at Infinity of Polynomial Functions (x tends to ±∞)

a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞ if f(x) is an arbitrarily large positive number for all sufficiently large
𝑥→∞
positive x.
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ if f(x) is an arbitrarily large-magnitude negative number for all
𝑥→∞
sufficiently large positive x.
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ if f(x) is an arbitrarily large positive number for all sufficiently
𝑥→−∞
large-magnitude negative x.
d. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞ if f(x) is an arbitrarily large-magnitude negative number for all
𝑥→−∞
sufficiently large-magnitude negative x.

Parts (a) and (b) of this definition apply only if f is defined on an interval (a, ∞) for some number a, and
parts (c) and (d) apply only if f is defined on (-∞, b) for some b.

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021
4 3 4 3
A. Find lim (2𝑥 − 11𝑥 ) and lim (2𝑥 − 11𝑥 ).
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→−∞

We can expect that the limits as 𝑥 → ±∞ of 2𝑥 4 − 11𝑥 3 will be those of its highest degree term 2𝑥 4 , so
that

lim (2𝑥 4 − 11𝑥 3 ) = lim 2𝑥 4 = ∞

𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞

lim (2𝑥 4 − 11𝑥 3 ) = lim 2𝑥 4 = ∞

𝑥→−∞ 𝑥→−∞

To verify these conclusions, we factor out the highest power of 2𝑥 4 − 11𝑥 3 , which is 𝑥 4 , for 𝑥 ≠ 0

11
2𝑥 4 − 11𝑥 3 = 𝑥 4 (2 − )
𝑥

11
This quantity tends to ∞ as 𝑥 → ∞ and as 𝑥 → −∞ because 2 − tends to 2 and 𝑥 4 tends to ∞. Properties
𝑥

of the function 𝑦 = 2𝑥 4 − 11𝑥 3 can also be seen from its graph below.

𝑥 2 +𝑥
B. Find lim .
𝑥→∞ 3−𝑥

To evaluate the limit of the function, we divide the numerator and the denominator by the highest power
of x in the denominator which is just x

𝑥2 + 𝑥 𝑥+1
lim = lim = −∞
𝑥→∞ 3 − 𝑥 𝑥→∞ 3
𝑥−1

3
because 𝑥 + 1 → ∞ and 𝑥 − 1 → −1 as 𝑥 → ∞.

Through these examples, we can arrive at the following guidelines in evaluating limits at infinity:

• If the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator, then the limit is zero.
• If the degree of the numerator is equal to the degree of the denominator, then the
limit is the ratio of coefficients of the highest degree.
• If the degree of the numerator is greater than the degree of the denominator, then the infinite
limits exist.

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Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021

Key Concepts

Limit Theorem

If r>0 is a rational number, then

1
lim =0
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 𝑟

If r>0 is a rational number, such that xr is defined for all x, then

1
lim =0
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥 𝑟

Limits at Infinity of Polynomial Functions (x tends to ±∞)

a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞ if f(x) is an arbitrarily large positive number for all sufficiently large positive
𝑥→∞
x.
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ if f(x) is an arbitrarily large-magnitude negative number for all sufficiently
𝑥→∞
large positive x.
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ if f(x) is an arbitrarily large positive number for all sufficiently large-
𝑥→−∞
magnitude negative x.
d. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞ if f(x) is an arbitrarily large-magnitude negative number for all sufficiently
𝑥→−∞
large-magnitude negative x.

Learning Activity
Tutorial Videos

Here are some YouTube videos you can watch to help you to have a better understanding about
the lesson.

✓ Limits at Infinity
https://youtu.be/nViVR1rImUE
https://youtu.be/NmLljBAg82o

Practice Problem

Evaluate the limit of the following functions.

( x3 − 5 x 2 + 7 )
2
1. lim 2 x − 2 x + 3 6. lim
x →−  x 2 + 4 x + 4 x→ − 

2. lim x3 + 3 x + 6
x → + x5 + 2 x 2 + 9
7. lim
x→ − 
( 13 t 5
+ 2t 3 − t 2 + 8 )

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021

3
3. lim x + 2 x + 3 8. lim 2 x3
x →−  5 x 2 + 1 x → +  3x 2 − 8

1 +5
2 9. lim x3
4. lim x + 4 x − 3 x → +  3 + 7 − 10
x → −  3x + 5 x3 x

3 10. lim x3
5. lim 5 x x → −  1 x3 − 7 x − 4
x→ −  5x2 − 3 5

References

YouTube Videos

➢ NancyPi (2018, May 16) How to Find the Limit at Infinity (NancyPi)
https://youtu.be/nViVR1rImUE
➢ The Organic Chemistry Tutor (2018, February 22) Limits at Infinity & Horizontal Asymptotes
https://youtu.be/NmLljBAg82o

Got some questions and

clarifications? You may message
your subject teachers in Canvass
inbox or MS Teams. Or you can
post it on our discussion board.

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Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021

Enrichment Activity

I. Evaluate the given limits below. (2pts each)

2 x 2 + 3x + 1
1. lim
x →− 3x3 − 1

4 x3 − x 2 + 6
2. lim
x →+ 3 x 3 − 2 x + 3

x −1
3. lim
x →+ 3 x − 2 x + 1
4

4 x5 + 3x − 8
4. lim 3
x →+  x + 12 x 2 − 2 x − 5

5. lim ( 2 x 4 + 4 x − 3)
x →−

1
+6
6. lim x3
x→ +  3 7
3
+ − 12
x x

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
SY 2020 – 2021

NAME: _______________________________________ SECTION: ______________

PRE - CALCULUS
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY #3
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