Lesson 2

Limit of a Function
Outline
• Limit of a Function
• Limit Theorems
• Techniques in Evaluating Limits
The Limit of a Function
Using Desmos,
2
graph the function
𝑥 −4
𝑓 𝑥 = .
𝑥−2
Drag the cursor along the graph of
𝑓 𝑥 to the point 𝐴.
Starting from the left of 𝐴, what
happens to the 𝑦-value as we
approach 𝐴?
What if we approach 𝐴 from its right?
What is the 𝑦-value at 𝐴?
The Limit of a Function
• Let 𝐼 be an open interval containing 𝑥 = 𝑐.
• Suppose that 𝑓 𝑥 is defined at every 𝑥 ∈ 𝐼, but not
necessary at 𝑥 = 𝑐.
• If 𝑓 𝑥 approaches a number 𝐿 as the value of 𝑥
approaches 𝑐 then we say
__________________________________________.
• In symbol,
One-Sided Limits
Right-Hand Limit:
• If 𝑓(𝑥) approaches a number 𝐿 as the value of 𝑥 moves closer to 𝑐 from
the right then we say that 𝑳 is the right-hand limit of 𝒇(𝒙), as 𝒙 → 𝒄
from the right.
• In symbol,

Left-Hand Limit:
• If 𝑓(𝑥) approaches a number 𝐿 as the value of 𝑥 moves closer to 𝑐 from
the left then we say that 𝑳 is the left-hand limit of 𝒇(𝒙), as 𝒙 → 𝒄 from
the left.
• In symbol,
Theorems About One-Sided Limit and
Limits of a Function

1. The limit of a function, if exists, is ________.

2. The lim 𝑓 𝑥 exists if and only if its one-sided
𝑥→𝑐
limits as 𝑥 → 𝑐 _________ and have __________.
3. Moreover, if lim 𝑓 𝑥 exists then
𝑥→𝑐
Outline
• Limit of a Function
• Limit Theorems
• Techniques in Evaluating Limits
Limit Theorems
The most accurate way of computing the limits is by using Limit
Theorems.
These theorems will allow us to perform _______________ in evaluating
limits.
Limit of a constant: lim 𝑘 =
𝑥→𝑐
Example 3:
Evaluate the following limits:
1. lim 7 3. lim1 𝜋
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
2. lim −2 4. lim 7
𝑥→100 𝑥→5
Limit Theorems
Algebraic Laws:
• Addition Law: lim 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥→𝑐

• Subtraction Law: lim 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑔 𝑥 =

𝑥→𝑐

• Multiplication Law: lim 𝑓 𝑥 𝑔 𝑥 =

𝑥→𝑐

𝑓 𝑥
• Division Law: lim =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔 𝑥
Limit Theorems
Constant Multiple Rule: lim 𝑘𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥→𝑐
Power Law: lim 𝑥 𝑛 =
𝑥→𝑐
Example 5:
Evaluate the following limits.
1. lim 𝑥 3 4. lim 3𝑥 4
𝑥→3 𝑥→−2
2. lim 5𝑥 2
𝑥→2
2 −2
3. lim 𝑥
𝑥→4 3
Example 5
Limit Theorems
Composite Power Law: lim 𝑓 𝑥 𝑛 =
𝑥→𝑐
Example 6:
Evaluate the following limits.
1. lim 2𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 1 3
𝑥→3
2. lim 10 − 3𝑥 + 𝑥 2
𝑥→2
Example 6
Outline
• Limit of a Function
• Limit Theorems
• Techniques in Evaluating Limits
Evaluating Limit of Polynomial
Functions
Theorem: If 𝑓 𝑥 is a polynomial function then lim 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥→𝑐
The above theorem means that we can use _______________ to evaluate
the limit of polynomial functions.
Example 6:
Evaluate the following limits:
1. lim 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 3. lim 5 − 2𝑥 2
𝑥→2 𝑥→3
3
2. lim 4𝑥 + 2 2𝑥 − 7 4. lim 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3
𝑥→−1 𝑥→5
Example 6
Technique in Computing Piecewise
Functions
If 𝑐 is at the endpoint of the domain of the function, evaluate the limit of
piecewise function at 𝑥 = 𝑐,
• _____________________________
• _____________.
Example 7:
2𝑥 𝑥 < −1
Let 𝑔 𝑥 = ቐ 𝑥 + 1 −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2 , compute (a) lim 𝑔 𝑥 , (b)
2 𝑥→−1
𝑥 −1 𝑥>2

lim1𝑔 𝑥 , (c) lim 𝑔 𝑥 , and (d) lim 𝑔 𝑥

𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→4
Example 7
Example 7
Example 7
 𝒇 𝒙
Techniques in Evaluating the Limit of
𝒈 𝒙
𝑓 𝑥
To evaluate the lim ,
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔 𝑥
1. Substitute 𝑥 = 𝑐 to 𝑔 𝑥 and 𝑓 𝑥 .
𝑓 𝑥 𝑓 𝑐
2. If 𝑔 𝑐 ≠ 0, then lim = .
x→𝑐 𝑔 𝑥 𝑔 𝑐
3. If 𝑔 𝑐 = 0 and 𝑓 𝑐 = 0, then the limit is indeterminate. It can
be solve factoring.
𝑓 𝑥
4. If 𝑔 𝑐 = 0 and 𝑓 𝑐 ≠ 0, then the lim either DNE, ∞, or −∞.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔 𝑥
Example 8
Evaluate the following limits.
2𝑥 𝑥−16
1. lim 5. lim
𝑥→5 4𝑥−3 𝑥→16 𝑥−4
2𝑥−10 𝑥− 5
2. lim 2 6. lim
𝑥→5 𝑥 −25 𝑥→5 𝑥−5
𝑥 2 +1 𝑥−7
3. lim 7. lim
𝑥→−4 3−2𝑥 𝑥→7 3𝑥−5−4
3𝑥 2 +5𝑥−2
4. lim 2
𝑥→−2 𝑥 +5𝑥+6
Example 8
Example 8
Example 8
Example 8
Example 8
• FIN.