Functions, Limits, and Continuity

PART 2: LIMITS

First Semester AY 2018-2019

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
University of the Philippines Baguio
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Overview

Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems

Graphical Introduction to Limits of Functions
Limit Theorems

One-sided Limits

Infinite Limits
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Graphical Introduction to Limits of Functions

Consider the function f

defined by

y = f (x) = x2 − x + 2.

Let us observe what happens to

the function value f (x) as we let
the values of x approach 2.
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Definition of the Limit of a Function

Let f be a function defined at every number in some open interval

containing a, except possibly at the number a itself. The limit of
f (x) as x approaches a is L, written as

lim f (x) = L
x→a

if the following statement is true:

Given any ε > 0, however small, there exists a δ > 0 such that

if 0 < |x − a| < δ then |f (x) − L| < ε

Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 1: Limit of a Linear Function

If m and b are any constants, then

lim(mx + b) = ma + b.
x→a

Example

lim (3x + 5) = 3 · 2 + 5 = 11
x→2
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 1: Limit of a Linear Function

If m and b are any constants, then

lim(mx + b) = ma + b.
x→a

Example

lim (3x + 5) = 3 · 2 + 5 = 11
x→2
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 2: Limit of a Constant

If c is a constant, then for any real number a, we have

lim c = c.
x→a

LT 3: Limit of the Identity Function

lim x = a.
x→a
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 4: Limit of the Sum and Difference of Two Functions

If lim f (x) = L and lim g(x) = M, then

x→a x→a

lim[f (x) ± g(x)] = L ± M.

x→a

LT 5: Limit of the Sum and Difference of n Functions

If lim f1 (x) = L1 , lim f2 (x) = L2 , . . . , and lim fn (x) = Ln , then
x→a x→a x→a

lim[f1 (x) ± f2 (x) ± . . . ± fn (x)] = L1 ± L2 ± . . . ± Ln .

x→a
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 6: Limit of the Product of Two Functions

If lim f (x) = L and lim g(x) = M, then
x→a x→a

lim [f (x) · g(x)] = L · M.

x→a

LT 7: Limit of the product of n Functions

If lim f1 (x) = L1 , lim f2 (x) = L2 , . . ., and lim fn (x) = Ln , then
x→a x→a x→a

lim[f1 (x) · f2 (x) · . . . · fn (x)] = L1 · L2 · . . . · Ln .

x→a
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 8: Limit of the nth Power of a Function

If lim f (x) = L, and n is any positive integer, then

x→a

lim [f (x)]n = Ln .
x→a
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 9: Limit of the Quotient of Two Functions

If lim f (x) = L and lim g(x) = M, where M 6= 0, then

x→a x→a

f (x) L
lim = .
x→a g(x) M
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 10: Limit of the nth Root of a Function

If n is a positive integer and lim f (x) = L, then

x→a
q √
n
lim n f (x) = L
x→a

with the restriction that if n is even, L ≥ 0.

Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Theorem

If a is any real number except zero, then

1 1
lim = .
x→a x a

Theorem

If a > 0 and n is a positive integer, or if a ≤ 0 and n is an odd

positive integer, then
√ √
lim n x = n a.
x→a
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Theorem

I lim f (x) = L if and only if lim[f (x) − L] = 0

x→a x→a

I lim f (x) = L if and only if lim f (t + a) = L

x→a t→0

I (Uniqueness) If lim f (x) = L1 and lim f (x) = L2 , then

x→a x→a

L1 = L2 .
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Examples

Evaluate the following limits, if they exist.

1. lim (−4)
x→5
2. lim (4x + 3)
x→1
x2 − 9
3. lim
x→3 x − 3
4. lim x2
x→1
5. lim (x2 + 2x − 1)
x→2
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Exercises

x−1
1. If G(x) = , why does G(1) does not exist? Show that
x2 − 1
lim G(x) does exist and find the limit. Support your answer
x→1
graphically.
x
2. If H(x) = √ , why does H(0) not exist? Show
x+1−1
lim H(x) does exist and find the limit. Support your answer
x→0
graphically.
(
x2 − 9, if x 6= 3,
3. If f (x) = find lim f (x), and show that
4, if x = 3, x→3
lim f (x) 6= f (3).
x→3
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Exercises

The domain of the function f

with graph shown on the right
is (−∞, 2].

A. Determine f (x) piecewise.

√ f (−1), f (0), f (1), and

B. Find
f ( 3).
C. Evaluate the limits, if they
exist, at x = −1,√x = 0,
x = 1, and x = 3.
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Overview

Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems

One-sided Limits
Definition
Examples

Infinite Limits
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Definition of the Right-Hand and Left-Hand Limits

I Let f be a function defined at every number in some open

interval (a, c). The limit of f (x) as x approaches a from the
right is L+ , written as

lim f (x) = L+ .
x→a+

I Let f be a function defined at every number in some open

interval (d, a). The limit of f (x) as x approaches a from the
left is L− , written as

lim f (x) = L− .
x→a−
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Definition of the Right-Hand and Left-Hand Limits

I Let f be a function defined at every number in some open

interval (a, c). The limit of f (x) as x approaches a from the
right is L+ , written as

lim f (x) = L+ .
x→a+

I Let f be a function defined at every number in some open

interval (d, a). The limit of f (x) as x approaches a from the
left is L− , written as

lim f (x) = L− .
x→a−
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Remarks

I We refer to lim f (x) as the two-sided limit to distinguish it

x→a
from one-sided limits.
I LTs 1-10 remain valid when “x → a” is replaced by
“x → a+ ” or “x → a− ”.
I If the right-hand and left-hand limits of f as x → a both
exist and are equal, then we say that lim f (x) exists and
x→a
denote the common value as L.
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Illustration

Recall Example 8 from Functions as Mathematical Models. We

had the function C defined as the total cost (in dollars) of an order
of x pounds of product:
(
2x, if 0 ≤ x ≤ 10,
C(x) =
1.80, if 10 < x.

Sketch the graph of the function C and determine the left-hand

and right-hand limits of C as x approaches 10, if they exist.
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 1

Let g be defined by
(
|x|, if x 6= 0,
g(x) =
2, if x = 0.

Sketch the graph of g, and find lim g(x) if it exists.

x→0
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 2

Let h be defined by
(
4 − x2 , if x ≤ 1,
h(x) =
2 + x2 , if 1 < x.

Sketch the graph of h, and find lim h(x) if it exists.

x→1
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 3

Let f be defined by
|x − 3|
f (x) = .
x−3
Sketch the graph of f , and find lim f (x) if it exists.
x→3
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 4

Let f be defined by

x√+ 5,
 if x < −3,
f (x) = 9 − x , if − 3 ≤ x ≤ 3,
2

3 − x, if 3 < x.


Sketch the graph of f , and find lim f (x), lim f (x), if they exist.
x→−3 x→3
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 5

Given (
3x + 2, if x < 4,
f (x) =
5x + k, if 4 ≤ x,
find the value of k such that lim f (x) exists.
x→4
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 6

Given (
kx − 3, if x ≤ −1,
f (x) =
x2 + k, if − 1 < x,
find the value of k such that lim f (x) exists.
x→−1
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 7

Given 
2x − a, if x < −3,

f (x) = ax + 2b, if − 3 ≤ x ≤ 3,

b − 5x, if 3 < x,


find the values of a and b such that lim f (x) and lim f (x) exist.
x→−3 x→3
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 8

The domain of f is [−1, 5].

Evaluate the following:
lim f (x);
x→−1+
lim f (x); lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→0− x→0+ x→0
lim f (x); lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→2− x→2+ x→2
lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→3− x→3+
lim f (x);
x→3
lim f (x).
x→5−
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example 9

The domain of f is [0, 5].

Evaluate the following:
lim f (x);
x→0+
lim f (x); lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→1− x→1+ x→1
lim f (x); lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→2− x→2+ x→2
lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→4− x→4+
lim f (x);
x→4
lim f (x).
x→5−
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Overview

Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems

One-sided Limits

Infinite Limits
Definition and Limit Theorems
Vertical Asymptote
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Function Values Increasing Without Bound

Let f be a function defined at every number in some open inter-

val I containing a, except possibly at the number a itself. As x
approaches a, f (x) increases without bound, which is written

lim f (x) = +∞.

x→a
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Function Values Decreasing Without Bound

Let f be a function defined at every number in some open inter-

val I containing a, except possibly at the number a itself. As x
approaches a, f (x) decreases without bound, which is written

lim f (x) = −∞.

x→a
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 11: Infinite Limits

If r is any positive integer, then

1
(i) lim r = +∞;
x→0 x
+
(
1 −∞ if r is odd
(ii) lim r =
x→0 x
−
+∞ if r is even
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 12: Infinite Limits

If a ∈ R and if lim f (x) = 0 and lim g(x) = c where c is any

x→a x→a
constant not equal to 0, then
(i) if c > 0 and if f (x) → 0 through positive values of f (x),
then
g(x)
lim = +∞
x→a f (x)

(ii) if c > 0 and if f (x) → 0 through negative values of f (x),

then
g(x)
lim = −∞
x→a f (x)
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

LT 12: Infinite Limits

(iii) if c < 0 and if f (x) → 0 through positive values of f (x),

g(x)
lim = −∞
x→a f (x)

(iv) if c < 0 and if f (x) → 0 through negative values of f (x),

g(x)
lim = +∞
x→a f (x)

The theorem is also valid if “x → a” is replaced by “x → a+ ” or

“x → a− ”.
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example

Evaluate the following limits.

−x + 2 x2 − 3
1. lim 2 4. lim
x→2−
(x − 2) x→0+ x3 + x2
√
[[x]] − x 3 + x2
2. lim 5. lim
x→3− 3 − x x→0+ x
√
[[x2 ]] − x 3 + x2
3. lim 6. lim
x→1− x2 − 1 x→0 x2
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Theorem
(i) If lim f (x) = +∞, and lim g(x) = c, where c is any
x→a x→a
constant, then

lim [f (x) + g(x)] = +∞

x→a

(ii) If lim f (x) = −∞, and lim g(x) = c, where c is any

x→a x→a
constant, then

lim [f (x) + g(x)] = −∞

x→a

The theorem is also valid if “x → a” is replaced by “x → a+ ” or

“x → a− ”.
1 1
Example. Evaluate lim + .
x→2+ x − 2 x + 2
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Theorem
(i) If lim f (x) = +∞, and lim g(x) = c, where c is any
x→a x→a
constant, then

lim [f (x) + g(x)] = +∞

x→a

(ii) If lim f (x) = −∞, and lim g(x) = c, where c is any

x→a x→a
constant, then

lim [f (x) + g(x)] = −∞

x→a

The theorem is also valid if “x → a” is replaced by “x → a+ ” or

“x → a− ”.
1 1
Example. Evaluate lim + .
x→2+ x − 2 x + 2
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example

Evaluate the following limits.

 
1 1
7. lim − 2
x→0+ x x
 
2 3
8. lim −
x→−4− x2 + 3x − 4 x+4
 
1 3
9. lim − 2
x→2− x − 2 x −4
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Theorem

If lim f (x) = +∞, and lim g(x) = c, where c is any constant ex-
x→a x→a
cept 0, then
(i) if c > 0, lim f (x) · g(x) = +∞;
x→a
(ii) if c < 0, lim f (x) · g(x) = −∞.
x→a
The theorem is also valid if “x → a” is replaced by “x → a+ ” or
“x → a− ”.
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Theorem

If lim f (x) = −∞, and lim g(x) = c, where c is any constant ex-
x→a x→a
cept 0, then
(i) if c > 0, lim f (x) · g(x) = −∞;
x→a
(ii) if c < 0, lim f (x) · g(x) = +∞.
x→a
The theorem is also valid if “x → a” is replaced by “x → a+ ” or
“x → a− ”.
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example

Evaluate the following limits.

"√ #
4 − x2 x − 3
10. lim ·
x→2− x−2 x+2
" #
5 x−3
11. lim ·
x→2− (x − 3)2 x + 2
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Vertical Asymptote

The line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph of the function

f if at least one of the following statement is true.
(i) lim f (x) = +∞
x→a+
(ii) lim f (x) = −∞
x→a+
(iii) lim f (x) = +∞
x→a−
(iv) lim f (x) = −∞
x→a−
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example

Find the vertical asymptote of the graph of each function. Apply

your answers to sketch the graph of each function.
2
12. f (x) =
x−4
−2
13. f (x) =
x+3
−2
14. f (x) =
(x + 3)2
5
15. f (x) = 2
x + 8x + 15
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example

The domain of f is [−4, 4].

Evaluate the following:
lim f (x);
x→−4+
lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→−2− x→−2+
lim f (x);
x→0
lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→2− x→2+
lim f (x); lim f (x); lim f (x);
x→3− x→3+ x→3
lim f (x).
x→4−
Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Example

Given
1 1
f (x) = , and g(x) = ,
x−2 2−x

A. Show that neither lim f (x) nor lim g(x) exists.

x→2 x→2
B. Define f (x) + g (x).
C. Show that lim [f (x) + g(x)] exists.
x→2
D. From the results of parts (a) and (c)

lim [f (x) + g(x)] 6= lim f (x) + lim f (x)

x→2 x→2 x→2

Does this fact contradicts LT for the sum of two functions?

Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems One-sided Limits Infinite Limits

Remark

In general, the limit theorems for sum, difference, multiplica-

tion and quotient of two functions or n functions to be true, the
limits must exist.