BICOL UNIVERSITY

POLANGUI CAMPUS
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

MATH 11
CALCULUS 1

MODULE 1

Functions and Limits

Prepared by:

Engr. Norejun D. Osial

Instructor I

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 Introduction
Calculus is the branch of mathematics that deals with the finding and properties of derivatives
and integrals of functions. by methods originally based on the summation of infinitesimal
differences. The two main types are differential calculus and integral calculus. In this course,
we shall focus our attention to differential calculus. We begin by discussing the basics about
functions and continuity.

Functions
When two quantities x and y are related so that for some range of values of x the value of y is
determined by that of x, we say that y is a function of x. If y depends on x, then the variable x
is called the independent variable, and the variable y is called the dependent variable.

For example, for a square with side of length x, the area is given by

𝑦 = 𝑥2, 𝑥>0

Therefore, y is a function of x, the range of values of x being determined by the physical

meaning of the quantities involved.

Function Notation
In general, we write
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
Which is read “f of x”, to convey the fact that y is a function of x, without designating the
particular manner in which y is related to x. Note that any variable can be used to represent the
independent and dependent variables, and letters other than f are used in the same way: we may
write 𝑧 = 𝑤(𝑣), 𝑢 = 𝑠(𝑣), etc.

Domain and Range of a Function

The domain of a function 𝑓(𝑥) is the set of all values for which the function is defined, while
the range of the function is the set of all values that 𝑓 takes.
1
Say for instance, the domain of the function 𝑦 = 𝑥−4 is the set of all real numbers except
𝑥 = 4.

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 Explicit Functions
The independent variable is written explicitly in terms of the dependent variable. Suppose x is
the independent variable, and y the dependent variable. Then y can be isolated on the left side
of the equation, while the right side of the equation has no other variable except of x. In this
course, most functions that we will encounter are explicit functions.
Example of Explicit Function:
𝑦 = 7 − 2𝑥 + 𝑥 2
𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥

Some Examples of Functions

Trigonometric Functions Linear Polynomial
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
𝑦 = sin 𝑥
𝑦 = cos 𝑥
Quadratic Polynomial
𝑦 = tan 𝑥
𝑦 = 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶

Graph of a Function
The curve of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is called the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥). Many properties of the function
are made more vivid by this graphic representation.
For example, the function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 is represented graphically by a parabola as shown below.

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 Classification of Functions

One-valued Functions
When the relation of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is such that there is only one value of y for each admissible x,
then 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be a one-valued function of x. The term single-valued function is also
used.

Many-valued Functions
A many-valued function is a function that assumes two or more distinct values in its range for
at least one point in its domain.
Example:
The equation 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 , 𝑥 ≥ 0, defines a two-valued function whose branches are

𝑦 = √𝑥 , 𝑦 = − √𝑥
The graphs of these functions are respectively the upper (red) and lower (blue) halves of the
parabola shown below:

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 Definition of a Limit
Let 𝑓(𝑥) be a function of x and let a be constant. If there is a number L such that, in order to
make the value of 𝑓(𝑥)as close to L as may be desired, it is sufficient to choose x close enough
to a, but different from a, then we say that the limit of 𝑓(𝑥), as approaches a, is L.
We write,
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎

Which is read “the limit of f(x), as x approaches a, is L.”

Theorems on Limits
To help us evaluate the limits of functions conveniently, we shall need the following theorems
on limits.

Theorem 1
The limit of the sum of two (or more) functions is equal to the sum of their limits:

𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒖(𝒙) + 𝒗(𝒙)] = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒖(𝒙) + 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒗(𝒙)

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

Theorem 2
The limit of the product of two (or more) functions is equal to the product of their
limits:

𝐥𝐢𝐦[𝒖(𝒙)𝒗(𝒙)] = [𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒖(𝒙)] [𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒗(𝒙)]

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂

Theorem 3
The limit of the quotient of two functions is equal to the quotient of their limits,
provided the limit of the denominator is not zeo:

𝒖(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒖(𝒙)

𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝒙→𝒂
𝒙→𝒂 𝒗(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒗(𝒙)
𝒙→𝒂

Note:

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In theorem 3, it is assumed that the limits of the two functions exist. However, even though
neither function separately approaches a limit, the sum, product, or quotient may do so.

Theorem 4
If α is measured in radians,
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶
𝐥𝐢𝐦 =𝟏
𝒂→𝟎 𝜶

Right-Hand and Left-Hand Limits

Once in a while, it is convenient to employ a restricted version of limit as described below.

Right Hand Limit :
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎+

𝑥 → 𝑎+ means that each x involved is greater than a. The independent variable x approaches a
from the right.

Left Hand Limit:

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑀
𝑥→𝑎−

Similarly, 𝑥 → 𝑎− means that each x involved is less than a. The independent variable x
approaches a from the left.

If the ordinary limit exists, the right-hand and left-hand limits each exist and all three have
the same value. If the right- and left-hand limits exist and have the same value, the limit itself
exists and has that value.

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 SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 3, find 𝑓(0), 𝑓(2), 𝑓(−4), 𝑓(−2𝑥).

Since 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 3,
𝑓(0) = 02 − 0 + 3 = 𝟑
In the same way,
𝑓(2) = 22 − 2 + 3 = 𝟓
𝑓(−4) = (−4)2 − (−4) + 3 = 23
𝑓(−2𝑥) = (−2𝑥)2 − (−2𝑥) + 3 = 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3

2. Express the function by a formula and draw the graph, indicating that portion of the
graph which has a meaning in the problem.

a. The amount of $1 at 4% simple interest, as a function of time.

Given:
𝑃 = $1
𝑟 = 4%
Solution:
𝐹 = 𝑃(1 + 𝑟𝑡)
= (1)[1 + (0.04)𝑡]
𝑭 = 𝟏 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝒕

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 b. The volume of a sphere as a function of the radius.
Solution:
The volume of a sphere is given by the following formula
𝟒 𝟑
𝑽= 𝝅𝒓
𝟑

Note: Since the measurement of radius is length, and

length can never be negative, then the graph has a
physical meaning when 𝑟 > 0 only.

3. Evaluate Lim(𝑥 3 + 4𝑥). sin 3𝜃 sin 3𝜃

𝑥→3 lim = 3 lim =𝟑
𝜃→0 𝜃 𝜃→0 3𝜃
Solution:
By Theorem 1, 𝑥+4
5. Evaluate lim .
3 3 𝑥→∞ 𝑥−4
Lim(𝑥 + 4𝑥) = Lim(𝑥 ) + Lim(4𝑥)
𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
Solution:
𝑥+4 𝑥 + 4 1/𝑥
Then Theorem 2 yields lim = lim ∙
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 − 4 𝑥→∞ 𝑥 − 4 1/𝑥

Lim(𝑥 3 + 4𝑥) = (Lim 𝑥) (Lim 𝑥) (Lim 𝑥) 1 + 4/𝑥 1 + 0

𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 = lim = =𝟏
+ (Lim 4) (Lim 𝑥) 𝑥→∞ 1 − 4/𝑥 1−0
𝑥→3 𝑥→3

=3∙ 3 ∙3+4 ∙3
= 27 + 12 = 𝟑𝟗 𝑥 2 −1
6. Evaluate lim 𝑥 2+3𝑥−4.
𝑥→1
sin 3𝜃
4. Evaluate lim .
𝜃→0 𝜃 Solution:
Solution 𝑥2 − 1 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)
lim 2
= lim
Since 𝑥→1 𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 4 𝑥→1 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 4)

sin 3𝜃 sin 3𝜃 (𝑥 + 1) 1 + 1 𝟐
≡3∙ lim = =
𝜃 3𝜃 𝑥→1 (𝑥 + 4) 1+4 𝟓
We take 𝛼 = 3𝜃, in Theorem 4. We have

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Reference:
Differential and Integral Calculus, 6th Edition by Clyde E. Love & Earl D. Rainville

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