One Sided Limits

We can take a look at limits from both sides of a value to see what happens:
• lim+ f ( x) is called _____________________ or __________________________
x →a
or ________________________

• lim f ( x) is called ______________________ or __________________________

x →a −
or ________________________

Note 1: If lim− f ( x) = lim+ f ( x) , then we say _____________________________.

x →a x →a

Note 2: If lim f ( x) = f (a) , then we say the function is ______________________________.

x →a

(Smooth curve – no holes or jumps)

Based on the graph determine:

i) lim − f ( x) ii) lim + f ( x) iii) lim− f ( x)

x →−12 x →−9 x →5

iv) lim − f ( x) v) lim + f ( x) vi) lim+ f ( x)

x →−9 x →−6 x →0

vii) lim − f ( x) viii) lim + f ( x) ix) lim+ f ( x)

x →−6 x →−3 x →2

x) lim − f ( x) xi) lim− f ( x) xii) lim+ f ( x)

x →−3 x →0 x →5

xiii) lim + f ( x) xiv) lim− f ( x)

x →−12 x →2

State if the following limits exist. Give the value if they do.

i) lim f ( x) ii) lim f ( x) iii) lim f ( x)

x →−12 x→5 x → −3

iv) lim f ( x) v) lim f ( x) vi) lim f ( x)

x →−6 x →−9 x→2

vii) lim f ( x) viii) lim f ( x) ix) lim f ( x)

x→0 x →− x→
Continuity Summary:

Continuous lim f ( x) = lim+ f ( x) = f (a)

x →a − x →a

Removable Discontinuity lim f ( x) = lim+ f ( x)  f (a) , since f (a ) = L

x →a − x →a
(hole in graph)

Jump Discontinuity (or “Break”) lim f ( x)  lim+ f ( x) , Therefore lim f ( x) does not exist
x →a − x →a x →a

Infinite Discontinuity lim f ( x) =  and lim+ f ( x) = 

x →a − x →a

Endpoint Discontinuity (i) lim f ( x) = k , lim− f ( x) = d . n. e.

x →a + x→a

(ii) lim f ( x) = d . n. e. , lim− f ( x) = k

x→a + x →a

Example:
 x+3 , x  (−  ,0

Given the function f ( x ) =  − x + 2 , x  ( 0,2)
( x − 2) 2 , x   2 , )


a) Graph y = f ( x)

b) Evaluate each limit and determine

the type of discontinuity, if one exists.

i) lim f ( x )
x →0

ii) lim f ( x)
x →2