Essential Calculus: Limits of Functions, RL1.1.1

Essential Calculus
Limits of Functions, RL1.1.1
Dr Mayank Goel
Department of Mathematics
BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa Campus
Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Introduction to Limits Limit Definition Evaluation of Limits Limit Principles Examples
Outline
1 Introduction to Limits
2 Limit Definition
3 Evaluation of Limits
4 Limit Principles
5 Examples

Motivation: Behavior of the function
Sometimes we can not find the function value at a point directly but it
is useful to see what happens to the function when we move closer to
that point.
x2 − 1
Let’s consider an example f (x) = .
x −1
(x − 1)(x + 1)
For x 6= 1, we can easily write f (x) = = x + 1.
x −1
0×1 0
But for x = 1 we can not do the same as = is undetermined.
0 0
So, instead of trying to work it out for x = 1, lets try approaching it
closer and closer to 1

that point.
x2 − 1
x −1
(x − 1)(x + 1)
x −1
0×1 0
0 0

that point.
x2 − 1
x −1
(x − 1)(x + 1)
x −1
0×1 0
0 0

that point.
x2 − 1
x −1
(x − 1)(x + 1)
x −1
0×1 0
0 0

that point.
x2 − 1
x −1
(x − 1)(x + 1)
x −1
0×1 0
0 0

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result
Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
x−1 gets closer to 2 as x gets
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.6 1.6 closer to 1.
0.9 1.9
0.99 1.99 Conclusion
0.999 1.999 We can not give value exactly at
··· ··· x = 1 but as we get closer and
closer to x = 1 the answer get
closer and closer to 2.

Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.9 1.9

Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.9 1.9

Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.9 1.9

Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.9 1.9

Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.9 1.9

Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.9 1.9

Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.9 1.9

Observation
x x 2 −1 x2 − 1
0.3 1.3 x −1
0.9 1.9

Left Hand Limit and Right Hand Limit

So, when we ignore what happen to the function f at x = x0 but if f
approaches to some number L as we get closer and closer to x = x0
is represented by the word ”Limit”. And is written as
lim f (x) = L
x→x0
Question: Testing from the one side is not sufficient (why ?)

In previous example
x 2 −1
x x−1
1.5 2.5
1.2 2.2
1.1 2.1
1.01 2.01
1.001 2.001
··· ···


lim f (x) = L
x→x0

In previous example
x 2 −1
x x−1
1.5 2.5
1.2 2.2
1.1 2.1
1.01 2.01
1.001 2.001
··· ···


lim f (x) = L
x→x0

In previous example
x 2 −1
x x−1
1.5 2.5
1.2 2.2
1.1 2.1
1.01 2.01
1.001 2.001
··· ···


lim f (x) = L
x→x0

In previous example
x 2 −1
x x−1
1.5 2.5
1.2 2.2
1.1 2.1
1.01 2.01
1.001 2.001
··· ···


lim f (x) = L
x→x0

In previous example
x 2 −1
x x−1
1.5 2.5
1.2 2.2
1.1 2.1
1.01 2.01
1.001 2.001
··· ···


lim f (x) = L
x→x0

In previous example
x 2 −1
x x−1
1.5 2.5
1.2 2.2
1.1 2.1
1.01 2.01
1.001 2.001
··· ···


lim f (x) = L
x→x0

In previous example
x 2 −1
x x−1
1.5 2.5
1.2 2.2
1.1 2.1
1.01 2.01
1.001 2.001
··· ···


lim f (x) = L
x→x0

In previous example
x 2 −1
x x−1
1.5 2.5
1.2 2.2
1.1 2.1
1.01 2.01
1.001 2.001
··· ···

To calculate limx→x0 f (x)

Limit approaching from left to right is known as left hand limit
(LHL) and is expressed as
limx→x − f (x).
0
Limit approaching from right to left is called right hand limit

(RHL) and is expressed as
limx→x0+ f (x).
We say limx→x0 f (x) exists and is equal to L iff

RHL = LHL = L, where L is a finite number.


limx→x − f (x).
0

limx→x0+ f (x).



limx→x − f (x).
0

limx→x0+ f (x).



limx→x − f (x).
0

limx→x0+ f (x).


Evaluation of Limits
Question: Can we always evaluate the limits of a function using

calculator as done in previous example ?
Answer is No.
Consider a function f (x) = sin πx , x 6= 0, where x is in radian.
RHL LHL
x f (x) x f (x)
0.1 0 -0.1 0
0.01 0 -0.01 0
0.001 0 -0.001 0
0.0001 0 -0.0001 0
··· ··· ··· ···
It appears that limx→0 sin πx should be 0 but in fact it is not true.

To calculate LHL of a function f as x tends to a
lim f (x) = lim f (x0 − h)

x→x0− h→0
To calculate RHL of a function f as x tends to a
lim f (x) = lim f (x0 + h)

x→x0+ h→0
Justification ?
x 2 −1
Let’s consider previous example again i.e. limx→1 x−1
LHL = limx→1− f (x) = limh→0 f (1 − h)

(1−h)2 −1
= limh→0 (1−h)−1


x→x0− h→0

x→x0+ h→0
Justification ?
x 2 −1

(1−h)2 −1
= limh→0 (1−h)−1


x→x0− h→0

x→x0+ h→0
Justification ?
x 2 −1

(1−h)2 −1
= limh→0 (1−h)−1


x→x0− h→0

x→x0+ h→0
Justification ?
x 2 −1

(1−h)2 −1
= limh→0 (1−h)−1


x→x0− h→0

x→x0+ h→0
Justification ?
x 2 −1

(1−h)2 −1
= limh→0 (1−h)−1


x→x0− h→0

x→x0+ h→0
Justification ?
x 2 −1

(1−h)2 −1
= limh→0 (1−h)−1

Now since h 6= 0 and hence (1 − h) − 1 6= 0, so it is totaly right to

rewrite the above as
((1 − h) − 1)((1 − h) + 1)
limh→0 = lim ((1 − h) + 1),
(1 − h) − 1 h→0
Finally, taking the limit h → 0, we have LHL = 2
(1+h)2 −1
Similarly, RHL = limx→1+ f (x) = limh→0 f (1 + h) = limh→0 (1+h)−1
= limh→0 ((1 + h) + 1) = 2,
x 2 −1
Since, LHL = RHL = 2, hence limx→1 x−1 =2


((1 − h) − 1)((1 − h) + 1)
limh→0 = lim ((1 − h) + 1),
(1 − h) − 1 h→0
(1+h)2 −1
= limh→0 ((1 + h) + 1) = 2,
x 2 −1


((1 − h) − 1)((1 − h) + 1)
limh→0 = lim ((1 − h) + 1),
(1 − h) − 1 h→0
(1+h)2 −1
= limh→0 ((1 + h) + 1) = 2,
x 2 −1

Example
Find limit as x → 0 of
sin x
f (x) = ,
x
where x is in radian.
RHL of a function f as x tends to 0 is
lim f (x) = lim f (0 + h)

x→0+ h→0
sin (0 + h) sin h
= lim = lim
h→0 0+h h→0 h
1
= lim [h − h3 /3! + h5 /5! − · · · ] = lim [1 − h2 /3! + h4 /5! − · · · ] = 1
h→0 h h→0

Example
sin x
f (x) = ,
x

x→0+ h→0
sin (0 + h) sin h
= lim = lim
h→0 0+h h→0 h
1
= lim [h − h3 /3! + h5 /5! − · · · ] = lim [1 − h2 /3! + h4 /5! − · · · ] = 1
h→0 h h→0

Example
sin x
f (x) = ,
x

x→0+ h→0
sin (0 + h) sin h
= lim = lim
h→0 0+h h→0 h
1
= lim [h − h3 /3! + h5 /5! − · · · ] = lim [1 − h2 /3! + h4 /5! − · · · ] = 1
h→0 h h→0

Example
sin x
f (x) = ,
x

x→0+ h→0
sin (0 + h) sin h
= lim = lim
h→0 0+h h→0 h
1
= lim [h − h3 /3! + h5 /5! − · · · ] = lim [1 − h2 /3! + h4 /5! − · · · ] = 1
h→0 h h→0

Example
sin x
f (x) = ,
x

x→0+ h→0
sin (0 + h) sin h
= lim = lim
h→0 0+h h→0 h
1
= lim [h − h3 /3! + h5 /5! − · · · ] = lim [1 − h2 /3! + h4 /5! − · · · ] = 1
h→0 h h→0

Example
sin x
f (x) = ,
x

x→0+ h→0
sin (0 + h) sin h
= lim = lim
h→0 0+h h→0 h
1
= lim [h − h3 /3! + h5 /5! − · · · ] = lim [1 − h2 /3! + h4 /5! − · · · ] = 1
h→0 h h→0

Example
sin x
f (x) = ,
x

x→0+ h→0
sin (0 + h) sin h
= lim = lim
h→0 0+h h→0 h
1
= lim [h − h3 /3! + h5 /5! − · · · ] = lim [1 − h2 /3! + h4 /5! − · · · ] = 1
h→0 h h→0

Similarly, LHL
sin (0 − h) − sin h
lim = lim =1
h→0 0−h h→0 −h
Since LHL = RHL and is finite, so limit exits and it is 1, i.e.
sin x
lim = 1.
x→0 x

Similarly, LHL
lim = lim =1
h→0 0−h h→0 −h
sin x
lim = 1.
x→0 x

Similarly, LHL
lim = lim =1
h→0 0−h h→0 −h
sin x
lim = 1.
x→0 x

Similarly, LHL
lim = lim =1
h→0 0−h h→0 −h
sin x
lim = 1.
x→0 x

Similarly, LHL
lim = lim =1
h→0 0−h h→0 −h
sin x
lim = 1.
x→0 x

Example
sin x
Find limx→0 .
|x|
(
sin x
−x , x <0
Function can be rewritten as f (x) = sin x
x , x >0
LHL
lim f (x) = lim f (0 − h)
x→0− h→0
sin (0 − h)
= lim
h→0 −(0 − h)
− sin h
= lim = −1
h→0 h

Example
sin x
Find limx→0 .
|x|
(
sin x
−x , x <0
x , x >0
LHL
x→0− h→0
sin (0 − h)
= lim
h→0 −(0 − h)
− sin h
= lim = −1
h→0 h

Example
sin x
Find limx→0 .
|x|
(
sin x
−x , x <0
x , x >0
LHL
x→0− h→0
sin (0 − h)
= lim
h→0 −(0 − h)
− sin h
= lim = −1
h→0 h

Example
sin x
Find limx→0 .
|x|
(
sin x
−x , x <0
x , x >0
LHL
x→0− h→0
sin (0 − h)
= lim
h→0 −(0 − h)
− sin h
= lim = −1
h→0 h

Example
sin x
Find limx→0 .
|x|
(
sin x
−x , x <0
x , x >0
LHL
x→0− h→0
sin (0 − h)
= lim
h→0 −(0 − h)
− sin h
= lim = −1
h→0 h

Similarly, RHL
sin (0 + h)
lim f (x) = lim f (0 + h) =
x→0+ h→0 (0 + h)
sin h
= lim =1
h→0 h
Since LHL 6= RHL, so limit does not exits.

Similarly, RHL
sin (0 + h)
lim f (x) = lim f (0 + h) =
x→0+ h→0 (0 + h)
sin h
= lim =1
h→0 h

Similarly, RHL
sin (0 + h)
lim f (x) = lim f (0 + h) =
x→0+ h→0 (0 + h)
sin h
= lim =1
h→0 h

Similarly, RHL
sin (0 + h)
lim f (x) = lim f (0 + h) =
x→0+ h→0 (0 + h)
sin h
= lim =1
h→0 h

Similarly, RHL
sin (0 + h)
lim f (x) = lim f (0 + h) =
x→0+ h→0 (0 + h)
sin h
= lim =1
h→0 h

Limit Principles
If limx→x0 f (x) = L1 and limx→x0 g(x) = L2 , then we have the following

1 For any constant c, limx→x0 c = c
n
2 limx→x0 [f (x)]n = [limx→x0 f (x)] = Ln1
1/n 1/n
3 limx→x0 [f (x)]1/n = [limx→x0 f (x)] = L1 here L1 ≥ 0
4 limx→x0 [f (x) ± g(x)] = limx→x0 f (x) ± limx→x0 g(x) = L1 ± L2
5 limx→x0 [f (x) × g(x)] = limx→x0 f (x) × limx→x0 g(x) = L1 × L2
h i
f (x) limx→x0 f (x) L1
6 limx→x0 g(x) = limx→x g(x) = L2
0
7 For a constant c, limx→x0 c × f (x) = c × limx→x0 f (x) = c × L1

Limit Principles

n
1/n 1/n
h i
0

Limit Principles

n
1/n 1/n
h i
0

Limit Principles

n
1/n 1/n
h i
0

Limit Principles

n
1/n 1/n
h i
0

Limit Principles

n
1/n 1/n
h i
0

Limit Principles

n
1/n 1/n
h i
0

Limit Principles

n
1/n 1/n
h i
0

Examples
Example
Find
√
2x − 1
limx→1 .
3x + 5
√
limx→1 2x − 1
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
p
limx→1 (2x − 1)
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
√
2 limx→1 x − limx→1 1
=
3 limx→1 x + limx→1 5
√
2×1−1
=
3×1+5
= 1/8
Examples
Example
Find
√
2x − 1
limx→1 .
3x + 5
√
limx→1 2x − 1
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
p
limx→1 (2x − 1)
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
√
=
√
2×1−1
=
3×1+5
= 1/8
Examples
Example
Find
√
2x − 1
limx→1 .
3x + 5
√
limx→1 2x − 1
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
p
limx→1 (2x − 1)
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
√
=
√
2×1−1
=
3×1+5
= 1/8
Examples
Example
Find
√
2x − 1
limx→1 .
3x + 5
√
limx→1 2x − 1
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
p
limx→1 (2x − 1)
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
√
=
√
2×1−1
=
3×1+5
= 1/8
Examples
Example
Find
√
2x − 1
limx→1 .
3x + 5
√
limx→1 2x − 1
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
p
limx→1 (2x − 1)
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
√
=
√
2×1−1
=
3×1+5
= 1/8
Examples
Example
Find
√
2x − 1
limx→1 .
3x + 5
√
limx→1 2x − 1
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
p
limx→1 (2x − 1)
=
limx→1 (3x + 5)
√
=
√
2×1−1
=
3×1+5
= 1/8
Examples
Example
Find limx→0 f (x), where
(
0, x =0
f (x) = |x| .
x , elsewhere

0,
 x =0
Function can be rewritten as f (x) = −1, x < 0 .

1, x >0


= limh→0 −1 = −1

Examples
Example
(
0, x =0
f (x) = |x| .
x , elsewhere

0,
 x =0

1, x >0


= limh→0 −1 = −1

Examples
Example
(
0, x =0
f (x) = |x| .
x , elsewhere

0,
 x =0

1, x >0


= limh→0 −1 = −1

Examples
RHL = limx→0+ f (x) = limh→0 f (0 + h)

= limh→0 1 = 1
Limit does not exists.
Observation
Limit of the function does not
depends upon the value of the
function at that point.

Examples

= limh→0 1 = 1
Observation

Examples

= limh→0 1 = 1
Observation

Find the limit

1
1 limx→0 x
Answer: LHL = −∞, RHL = ∞, so limit does not exists

Find the limit

1
1 limx→0 x
Answer: LHL = −∞, RHL = ∞, so limit does not exists

Find the limit

1
2 limx→0 x2
Answer: LHL = ∞, RHL = ∞, so limit does not exists

Find the limit

1
2 limx→0 x2
Answer: LHL = ∞, RHL = ∞, so limit does not exists

Find the limit

| sin x|
3 limx→0 sin x
Answer: LHL = −1, RHL = 1, limit does not exists

Find the limit

| sin x|
3 limx→0 sin x
Answer: LHL = −1, RHL = 1, limit does not exists

Find the limit

4 limx→0 sin πx
Answer: limit does not exists

Find the limit

4 limx→0 sin πx
Answer: limit does not exists

THANK YOU

Essential Calculus: Limits of Functions, RL1.1.1

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Essential Calculus

Limits of Functions, RL1.1.1

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Motivation: Behavior of the function

for increasing values of x to 1, function f (x) gives the following result

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Left Hand Limit and Right Hand Limit

Question: Testing from the one side is not sufficient (why ?)

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Left Hand Limit and Right Hand Limit

Question: Testing from the one side is not sufficient (why ?)

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Left Hand Limit and Right Hand Limit

Question: Testing from the one side is not sufficient (why ?)

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Left Hand Limit and Right Hand Limit

Question: Testing from the one side is not sufficient (why ?)

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Left Hand Limit and Right Hand Limit

Question: Testing from the one side is not sufficient (why ?)

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Left Hand Limit and Right Hand Limit

Question: Testing from the one side is not sufficient (why ?)

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus

Left Hand Limit and Right Hand Limit

Question: Testing from the one side is not sufficient (why ?)

Dr Mayank Goel Essential Calculus