BASIC CALCULUS LESSON GUIDE

LIMITS OF A FUNCTION
Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to
▪ illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and the graph of the function.
▪ distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐);
𝑥→𝑐
▪ illustrate the limit laws; and
▪ apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions (polynomial, rational, and radical).
_______________________
1. The Limit of a Function
Limits describe how a function behaves near a point, instead of at that point.
Consider the function, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1
If 𝑥 is a number less than 2 but closest to 2, then: If 𝑥 is a number greater than 2 but closest to 2, then:
x 1.5 1.75 1.95 1.99 1.999 1.9999 1.99999 x 2.75 2.5 2.25 2.01 2.001 2.0001 2.00001
f(x) 2 2.5 2.9 2.98 2.998 2.9998 2.99998 f(x) 4.5 4 3.5 3.02 3.002 3.0002 3.00002
𝑦 approaches the value 3. 𝑦 approaches the value 3.
Therefore, if 𝑥 remains greater than or less than to 2 but closest to 2, 𝑦 approaches the value 3, then 3 is the limit of 𝑦.
Graphically,
Definition:
Consider a function 𝑓 of a single variable 𝑥 and a constant 𝑐 which the variable 𝑥 will approach.
Then, the limit 𝐿, is the unique real value that 𝑓(𝑥) will approach as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐. In other
words, as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐, 𝑓(𝑥) approaches 𝐿 and therefore the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐
is 𝐿. In symbols,
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄

Consider lim 2𝑥 − 1 = 3. In this expression, “𝑙𝑖𝑚” means to compute the limit, and the symbol
𝑥→2
𝑥 → 2, read as “𝑥 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 2” means to assign values to 𝑥 close to 2 but not equal to 2.

One-sided limit
Considering the function, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1
▪ If 𝑥 is a number greater than 2 but closest to 2, then 𝑦 ▪ If 𝑥 is a number less than 2 but closest to 2, then 𝑦
approaches the value 3. approaches the value 3.
✓ in symbols, lim+ 2𝑥 – 1 = 3 ✓ in symbols, lim− 2𝑥 – 1 = 3
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
✓ when the values of 𝑥 are those that are greater than 𝑐; that is, ✓ when the values of 𝑥 are those that are less than 𝑐; that is,
approaching 𝑐 from its right, we are dealing with the approaching 𝑐 from its left, we are dealing with the
right-hand limit, denoted by lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿. left-hand limit, denoted by lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 .
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
✓ lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 is read as the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 ✓ lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 is read as the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
from the right is 𝐿 from the left is 𝐿
✓ In dealing with the right-hand limit, we evaluate the limit of ✓ In dealing with the left-hand limit, we evaluate the limit of
𝑓(𝑥) by choosing 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 greater than 𝑐 but close to 𝑐. 𝑓(𝑥) by choosing 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 less than 𝑐 but close to 𝑐.

MUST REMEMBER!!!
▪ If the limit of the function exists, its right-hand and left-hand limits exist, and the three limits will have the same value. Conversely,
▪ if the right-hand and the left-hand limits exist and are equal, then the limit of the function exists and will have the same value.
▪ In other words, for a limit 𝐿 to exist, the limit from the left and the limit from the right must both exist and be equal to 𝐿.
▪ Therefore, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐷𝑁𝐸 (Does Not Exist) whenever 𝑙𝑖𝑚− 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑙𝑖𝑚+ 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
▪ We do not say that the 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) “equals DNE” nor do we write “𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑫𝑵𝑬”, because DNE is not a value.
𝑥→𝑐 𝒙→𝒄
▪ DNE indicates that the function moves in different directions as its variable approaches 𝑐 from the left and from the right.
✓ In symbols, we say that 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄
✓ if and only if 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 and 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄− 𝒙→𝒄+

TRY 1 !!!
𝑥−1
1. Use table of values to evaluate the lim . 2. Given the graph of the function 𝑔(𝑥),
𝑥→1 𝑥 2 −1
find the following:
a. lim 𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥<1 0.5 0.9 0.99 0.999 0.9999 𝑥→−1
𝑓(𝑥) b. lim 𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥→0

𝑥>1 1.5 1.1 1.01 1.001 1.0001 c. lim 𝑔(𝑥) =

𝑥→2
𝑓(𝑥)
d. lim 𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥→1
𝑥−1
lim =
𝑥→1 𝑥 2 − 1
2. The Limit of a Function at 𝒄 versus the Value of the Function at 𝒄

MUST REMEMBER!!!
▪ The value of the lim 𝑓(𝑥) is not the same from the value of the function at 𝑥 = 𝑐, that is 𝑓(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐
▪ The limit is NOT evaluated at 𝑐 but rather at points near 𝑐.
Thus, the limit may be evaluated at values not included in the domain of the function 𝑓.
✓ There are functions whose limits are not equal to the function value at 𝒙 = 𝒄, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ≠ 𝒇(𝒄).
𝒙→𝒄
✓ The 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) is NOT NECESSARILY the same as 𝒇(𝒄).
𝒙→𝒄

TRY 2 !!! Evaluate the limit and the function value at 𝑥 = 𝑐.

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 1 ; 𝑥 = 2 𝑥 2 + 1, 𝑥 < 1 4𝑥 − 5, 𝑥 ≤ 2
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = {
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = { 1, 𝑥=1 3𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 , 𝑥 > 2
√𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 > 1

3. Limit Theorems
Making table of values sometimes requires very tiresome calculations. Also, a graph may be difficult to sketch. Thus, we are going to apply
the Limit theorems to compute the limit of a function.

MUST REMEMBER!!!
1. The limit of a constant 𝑘 is itself. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 = 𝒌
𝒙→𝒄
2. The limit of 𝑥 as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is equal to 𝑐. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 = 𝒄
𝒙→𝒄

▪ For the remaining theorems, we will assume that the limits of 𝑓 and 𝑔 both exist as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 and that they are 𝐿 and 𝑀,
respectively.
In other words, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 and 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑴.
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

3. The Constant Multiple Theorem:

The limit of a multiple of a function is simply that multiple of the limit of the function.
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 ∙ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ∙ 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
4. The Addition Theorem:
The limit of a sum of functions is the sum of the limits of the individual functions. Also, the limit of a difference of functions is
the difference of their limits.
𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙)) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 + 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙)) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 − 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
5. The Multiplication Theorem:
The limit of a product of functions is equal to the product of the limits.
𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝒈(𝒙)) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 ∙ 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
6. The Division Theorem:
The limit of a quotient of functions is equal to the quotient of the limits of the individual functions, provided the denominator
limit is not equal to zero.
𝒇(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) 𝑳
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝒙→𝒄 = , 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝑴 ≠ 𝟎
𝒙→𝒄 𝒈(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒈(𝒙) 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄
7. The Power Theorem:
The limit of an integer power 𝑝 of a function is just that power of the limit of the function.
𝒑 𝒑
𝐥𝐢𝐦(𝒇(𝒙)) = (𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙)) = 𝑳𝒑
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
8. The Radical/Root Theorem:
If 𝑛 is a positive integer, the limit of the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of a function is just the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of the limit of the function, provided the 𝑛𝑡ℎ
root of the limit is a real number. If 𝑛 is even, the limit of the function must be positive.
𝒏 𝒏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 √𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒏√𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = √𝑳
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

TRY 3 !!! Evaluate the limit.

Let 3. lim 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1 10. lim =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔(𝑥)
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 4. lim 𝑥 = 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐
𝑥→−3 11. lim =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑓(𝑥)
lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 5 5. lim 5𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 2
12. lim(𝑓(𝑥)) =
𝑥→𝑐
lim ℎ(𝑥) = 9 3
6. lim 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥→𝑐 −2
𝑥→𝑐 5
13. lim(𝑓(𝑥)) =
lim 𝑖(𝑥) = 27 𝑥→𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 7. lim(𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)) =
𝑥→𝑐
1. lim 1 = 14. lim √ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥→𝑐
𝑥→𝑐 8. lim(𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)) =
𝑥→𝑐 3
2. lim(−3) = 15. lim √𝑖(𝑥) =
𝑥→𝑐 9. lim(𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑥→𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
 TRY 4 !!! Calculate the limit of the given function.

1. lim (2𝑥 + 3) =
𝑥→−1

2. lim(2𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 1) =
𝑥→1

(𝑥+3)(𝑥 2 − 2)
3. lim =
𝑥→1 (𝑥 2 +1)
3
4. lim √𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 6 =
𝑥→−2

TRY 5 !!! Evaluate the limit.

3
Let lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 , lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 12, and lim ℎ(𝑥) = −3
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

1. lim(−4 𝑓(𝑥)) =
𝑥→𝑐

2. lim √12 𝑓(𝑥) =

𝑥→𝑐

3. lim(𝑔(𝑥) − ℎ(𝑥)) =
𝑥→𝑐

4. lim(𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)) =
𝑥→𝑐
ℎ(𝑥)+𝑔(𝑥)
5. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
=
𝑥→𝑐
𝑓(𝑥)
6. lim (ℎ(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥)) =
𝑥→𝑐

TRY 6 !!! Use the Limit Laws and the graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔 to evaluate the following limit if they exist.

1. lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 5𝑔(𝑥)] =

𝑥→−2

2. lim[𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] =
𝑥→1

𝑓(𝑥)
3. lim 𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥→0

4. Limits of Polynomial, Rational and Radical Functions

In this lesson, we will show how limit theorems are used in evaluating algebraic functions such as polynomial, rational, and radical functions.

MUST REMEMBER!!! (DIRECT SUBSTITUTION PROPERTY)

Theorem 2 Theorem 3
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓 𝑏𝑒 𝑎 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝐿𝑒𝑡 ℎ 𝑏𝑒 𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚
𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 𝑥 𝑛−2 + ⋯ + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑔(𝑥)
𝐼𝑓 𝑐 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑓, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠.
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) 𝐼𝑓 𝑐 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑐) ≠ 0, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛
𝑥→𝑐
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑐)
lim ℎ(𝑥) = lim =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑐)

TRY 7 !!! Evaluate the limit.

1. lim 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 6
𝑥→−2

2. lim 2𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 − 1
𝑥→1

3. lim 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9
𝑥→1
2𝑥 + 1
4. lim
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 1
3𝑥 − 1
5. lim
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 2

6. lim √4𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 6
𝑥→−1
MUST REMEMBER!!! (STARTEGY FOR FINDING LIMITS)
1. Learn to recognize which limits can be evaluated by direct substitution.
2. If the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑎𝑠 𝑥 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑐 CANNOT be evaluated by direct substitution, try to find a function 𝑔 that agrees
with 𝑓 for all 𝑥 other than 𝑥 = 𝑐.
3. Apply lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐
4. Use a graph or table of values to reinforce your conclusion.

TRY 8 !!! Find the limit of the given function.

1. lim (2𝑥 + 3)
𝑥→−1

2. lim (2𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 1)
𝑥→1

(𝑥+3)(𝑥 2 − 2)
3. lim (𝑥 2 +1)
𝑥→1
3
4. lim √𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 6
𝑥→−2
2 − √4 − 𝑥
5. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥

𝑥 3 +8
6. lim √
𝑥→−2 𝑥+2

𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 4
7. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = { , 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥 2 − 7, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 4 𝑥→4

2𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≠ 3
8. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = { , 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 lim 𝑓(𝑥)
1, 𝑥 = 3 𝑥→3

𝑓(𝑥+∆𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥)
9. 𝐼𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
10. 𝐼𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 12, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 lim
ℎ→0 ℎ

TRY 9 !!! Consider the graph of the function ℎ(𝑥):

1. What is the value of ℎ(−2)? ____________________

2. What is the value of lim − ℎ(𝑥)? ____________________

𝑥→−2

3. What is the value of lim + ℎ(𝑥)? ____________________

𝑥→−2

4. What is the value of lim ℎ(𝑥)? ____________________

𝑥→−2

5. What is the value of ℎ(6)? ____________________

6. What is the value of lim− ℎ(𝑥)? ____________________

𝑥→6

7. What is the value of lim+ ℎ(𝑥)? ____________________

𝑥→6

8. What is the value of lim ℎ(𝑥)? ______________________

𝑥→6