CHAPTER 2: LIMIT

2.1 Limit of the Functions

2.2 Infinite Limit
2.3 Limit at Infinity
2.4 Computational Methods of Limit
2.5 Continuity

2.1 Limit of the Function

In this chapter, we will study what will happen to a function when variable x
approaches a certain value. This idea represents a basic concept known as ‘’limit’’.

The concept of limits represents one of the basic ideas that distinguish calculus from
algebra. This concept is a great importance with many applications such as sketching graph
of rational functions.

Limit can be used to describe how a function behaves as the independent variable
moves toward a certain value.

Example A
Given the function
sin 𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥

Where 𝑥 in radians. We know that 𝑓(𝑥) is undefined when 𝑥 = 0 (gives denominator equal
to zero), we still need to know what will happen to the value of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 moves along the
𝑥 −axis approaching 𝑥 = 0 from left and right.

→ → → → →  ← ← ← ← ←
𝑥 −1 −0.1 −0.01 −0.001 −0.0001 0 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1
𝑓(𝑥) 0.8414 0.9983 0.9999 0.9999 0.9999 𝑀𝐸 0.9999 0.9999 0.9999 0.9983 0.8414

The table above shows the values of f (x) when x approaches from the right hand side and left
hand side of 0 respectively.

sin x sin x
Hence we can say lim  1 and lim 1
x0 x x0 x
sin x
This result can be summarized as lim  1.
x0 x

Example B
1  cos 2 x
Evaluate the lim
x0 x
Solution:

→ → → → →  ← ← ← ← ←
𝑥 -1 -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 -0.0001 0 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1
𝑓(𝑥) -1.416 -0.1993 -0.02 -0.002 -0.0002 ME 0.0002 0.002 0.0199 0.1993 1.4161

1  cos 2 x 1  cos 2 x 1  cos 2 x

lim  0 and lim  0 . Therefore, lim  0.
x 0  x x 0 x x 0 x
36 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
Exercise
 x 3  6 x 2  8x 
Evaluate the xlim  
 2 x2
 
Solution:

Definition 2.1 (Right Limit)

If the value of 𝑓(𝑥) tends to a number 𝐿 as x approaches 𝑥0 from the right hand side, then

lim f ( x)  L
x  x0 

Definition 2.2 (Left Limit)

If the value of 𝑓(𝑥) tends to a number 𝐿 as x approaches 𝑥0 from the left hand side, then

lim f ( x)  L
x  x0 

Definition 2.3 (Limit of a Function)

If the limit from the left and right hand side of 𝑓(𝑥) have the same value,

lim f ( x)  lim f ( x)  L , then lim f ( x) is exist and written as lim f ( x)  L

xx0 xx0 xx0 xx0

lim f ( x)  lim f ( x) , then lim f ( x) does not exist (DNE)

xx0 xx0 xx0

Example C

Solution:

lim f ( x)  2 and lim f ( x)  2 .

x 5  x 5

The limit from left and right are same, then

lim f ( x)  2 ⋕
x 5

Practice:

From the graph above, evaluate lim f ( x ) . What if lim f ( x) and lim f ( x ) =?
x 5 x 5 x 0

37 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
Example D

Solution:

lim f ( x )  2 and lim f ( x)  4 .

x4 x 4

The limit from left and right are not same,

then lim f ( x ) does not exist ⋕
x 4

From the graph above, evaluate lim f ( x ) .

x 4

Example E
Solution:

i) lim f ( x)  1 and lim f ( x)  2 .

x 1 x 1

The limit from left and right are not equal,

then lim f ( x ) does not exist. ⋕
x1

ii) lim f ( x)   and lim f ( x)   .

x2 x2
(also call ‘infinite limit’)
The limit from left and right are not equal,
then lim f ( x ) does not exist. ⋕
x 2

From the graph above,

i) Evaluate lim f ( x ) ii) Evaluate lim f ( x )

x1 x 2

Example F

38 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
From the graph above,
i) Evaluate lim f ( x) , lim f ( x ) and lim f ( x)
x 1.5 x 1.5 x1.5

ii) Evaluate lim f ( x) , lim f ( x) and lim f ( x)

x 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5

Solution:

i) lim f ( x)  2 and lim f ( x)  3 .

x 1.5 x 1.5

The limit from left and right are not equal, then lim f ( x) does not exist. ⋕
x1.5

ii) lim f ( x)  3 and lim f ( x)  3 .

x 1.5 x  1.5

The limit from left and right are equal, then lim f ( x)  3 . ⋕
x 1.5

Example F*

3x  1 , x  2
The function f ( x)   .
x  1 , x  2
2

Determine

i) lim f ( x)
x 2

ii) lim f ( x)
x 2

iii) lim f ( x)
x 2

Solution:

Example F**

2 x 2  1 , x0

The function f ( x)   4 x  1 , 0  x  1.
 x3 , x 1

39 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
Determine

i) iv) f ( x)
lim
x 0
f ( x) lim
x 1

ii) v) f ( x)
lim 
f ( x) lim
x  1
x 0

iii) vi) f ( x)
lim
x 0
f ( x) lim
x 1

Solution:

Example F***

 x  2a , x  2

The function f ( x)  3ax  c ,  2  x  1.
3 x  2c , x 1


Find 𝑎 and 𝑐 if lim f ( x) and lim f ( x) is exist.

x 2 x 1

Solution:

40 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
2.2 Infinite Limit

 The basic idea of limit is when the limits from the left and the right limit as 𝑥 approaches
𝑥0 is same, the lim f ( x) is exist. Otherwise, if the limits from the left and right is
x x0

different, the lim f ( x) does not exist.

x x0

 The other case that cause the limit does not exist is
i) rational (linear denominator)
ii) trigonometry (tangent)
(Please do revise on Chapter 1)

 In these two cases, if the function is increase indefinitely (from left or right), then we
write

lim f ( x)   or lim f ( x)  
xx0 xx0

 In these two cases, if the function is decrease indefinitely (from left or right), then we
write

lim f ( x)   or lim f ( x)  
xx0 xx0

Example G
Sketch the following expression and find the limit:
3 1
i) lim iv) lim 
x0 x x 3 x3
3  1 
ii) lim 2 v) lim    2 
 ( x  4)
x0 x x  4 2

iii) lim tan x

x
2

Solution:
3
i) lim
x 0 x

41 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
 3 3
lim   and lim  
x 0 x x 0 x

3
Therefore lim does not exist⋕
x 0 x

3
ii) f ( x) 
x2
3 3
lim 2
  and lim 2  
x0 x x0 x

3
Therefore lim   ⋕
x0 x2

iii) f ( x)  tan x
lim  tan x   and

x
2

lim  tan x  

x
2

Therefore lim tan x does not exist ⋕


x
2

1
iv) f ( x)  
x 3

1
lim   and
x3 x 3
1
lim  
x3 x  3

42 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
v) f ( x)   1
2
( x  4) 2

2.3 Limit at Infinity

Our discussion so far only looks at the behavior of a function as the independent variable
approaches a fixed point on the 𝑥 −axis.

 Now we will take a look for the behavior of the function as the independent variable
moves far away from the origin along the 𝑥 −axis.

 If the limit allow to increase indefinitely, we may write ‘’𝑥 → +∞’’ read ‘’𝑥
approaches positive infinity’’. Whereas,

 If the limit allow to decrease indefinitely, we may write ‘’𝑥 → −∞’’ read ‘’𝑥
approaches negative infinity’’
lim f ( x)  L or lim f ( x)  L
x  x

This idea of limit at infinity always used in reciprocal and trigonometry (tangent) problem.

Example H
Sketch the graph of
1 1
i) f ( x)   3 ii) f ( x) 
x ( x  1) 2

Hence, evaluate lim f ( x ) and lim f ( x )

x  x  

Solution:
i)

lim f ( x)  3
x

lim f ( x)  3
x  

43 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
ii)

lim f ( x)  0
x 

lim f ( x)  0
x  

Example I
1 1
Sketch the graph of f ( x)  and f ( x)  2
x 3 x  32
Hence, evaluate lim f ( x ) and lim f ( x )
x  x  

Solution:

Therefore
1 1
lim 0 lim 0 ⋕
x x  3 and x   x  3

44 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
2.4 Computational Methods of Limit

Theorem 2.1 (Basic Properties of Limits)

Suppose 𝑎, 𝑘 and 𝑛 are real numbers. The limit of each of these expressions is as follows

Limit at Constant Limit at Infinity

a) lim k  k d) lim k  k
xa x

e) lim x  
x
b) lim x  a
x a f) lim x n   , n  1,2,3,...
x

c) lim x  a n n
  n  1,3,5,...
g) lim x  
n
x a ,
x 
 n  2,4,6,...

Theorem 2.2 (Properties of Limits)

Let 𝑘 is a constant, 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) be two functions. If the limits of 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) exist at a
particular point, then

a) lim[𝑘 𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑘 lim 𝑓(𝑥)

b) lim[𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ± lim 𝑔(𝑥)

c) lim[𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

d) lim = , with condition lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑔(𝑥) lim 𝑔(𝑥)

e) lim[𝑓(𝑥)]𝑘 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)]𝑘

f) lim 𝑘√lim 𝑓(𝑥), with condition lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 0 if 𝑘 is even number.

Example J
Evaluate the limits of the following expressions
a) lim (5 x) (d) lim (2 x 2  3x  4)
x0 x2
b) lim (5 x  3) (e) lim ( 4 x  1  2)
x 2 x2

c) lim ( x cos x) (f) x3  8

x0 lim ( )
x3 x2
Solution:
a) lim (5 x)  5 lim ( x) b) lim (5 x  3)  5 lim ( x)  lim (3)
x 0 x 0 x 2 x2 x 2
 5(0)  5(2)  3
0  10  3
7
c) lim ( x cos x)  lim ( x)  lim (cos x) d) lim (2 x 2  3x  4)  2 lim ( x 2 )  3 lim ( x)  lim (4)
x 0 x 0 x 0 x2 x2 x 2 x2
 0(1)  2(2 )  3(2)  4
2

0 6

45 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
e) lim ( 4 x  1  2)  lim ( 4 x  1)  lim (2) f)
x3  8 lim ( x3  8)
x2 x2 x2
lim ( )  x 3
x 3 x  2 lim ( x  2)
 lim (4 x  1)  lim (2)
x2 x2 x 3

 4(2)  1  2 3 8
3

 9 2 32
 3 2 27  8

1 1
 19

PLEASE TAKE A NOTE: We always noted that when the denominator equal to
zero, the function cannot be determine. In order to evaluate the limit, the common factor of
denominator must be cancelled off first. Let’s take a look at the example below.

Example K (Cancelling Common Factor)

Evaluate the limits
x2  6x  9
lim ( )
x3 x 3

Imagine if we substitute 𝑥 = 3 into the function. Denominator will be zero and it is

completely unaccepted. In this case, we must cancel the common factor from denominator
and numerator.

Solution:
x2  6x  9 ( x  3)( x  3)
lim ( )  lim ( ) Factorize the numerator
x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3
( x  3)( x  3)
 lim ( ) Cancelling the numerator and denominator
x 3 x 3
 lim ( x  3)
x 3

 lim ( x)  lim (3)

x 3 x 3

 33
=0 ⋕

Example L
Evaluate the following limit

  2x  8   x  9  3  x  3
a) lim 
x4 x 2  x  12
    
  lim
c) x0   lim
e) x9 
 x   x  9 
 x3  6 x 2  8x  2 x4  x  16 
lim     f) x16 
lim lim
b) x2 x2 d) x0    x  4
   x 

Solution:

46 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
 Question Solution
a)  2x  8  2( x  4) 2 lim (2) 2 2
lim ( )  lim ( )  lim ( )  x4  
x4 x 2  x  12 x4 ( x  4)( x  3) x4 ( x  3) lim ( x  3) 4  3 7
x4

x3  6 x 2  8x x( x 2  6 x  8)
b) lim ( )  lim ( )
x2 x2 x2 x2
x( x  4)( x  2)
 lim ( )
x2 x2
 lim ( x( x  4))
x2

 2(2  4)
 4

x9 3 x 9 3 x 9 3
c) lim ( )  lim ( . )
x 0 x x0 x x9 3
x 99
 lim ( )
x0 x ( x  9  3)

x
 lim ( )
x0 x ( x  9  3)

1 lim (1) 1
 lim ( ) x0

x0 x  9  3 lim ( x  9  3) 6
x0

2.5 Continuity

In this subtopic we will discuss the concept of continuity, which is closely related to the concept
of limits.

Definition 2.4 (Continuity)

A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous at the point 𝑥 = 𝑎 if the following
conditions are satisfied.
(1) lim f ( x)  L exist which mean lim f ( x)  L, lim f ( x)  L
x a xa xa

(2) f (a)  L
(3) lim f ( x)  f (a)
x a

47 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
Example M
Given the graph of 𝑓(𝑥), shown below, determine if 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 0 and
𝑥 = −1.

Solution:
When 𝒙 = 𝟎

Condition 1 lim f ( x)  1 , lim f ( x)  1 , Therefore lim f ( x)  1 (exist) 

x0 x 0  x0

Condition 2 f (0)  1 

Condition 3 lim f ( x)  1  f (0) 

x0

▪ Satisfy all conditions, so f(x) continuous at x=0

When 𝒙 = −𝟏

Condition 1 lim f ( x)  0 , lim f ( x)  0 . Therefore lim f ( x)  0 (exist) 

x1 x1 x 1

Condition 2 f (1) does not exist. 

▪ Not satisfy condition II, so f(x) discontinuous at x= -1

Example N
Given the graph of 𝑓(𝑥), shown below, determine if 𝑓(𝑥)is continuous at 𝑥 = −2, 𝑥 = 0 and
𝑥 = 3.

Solution:
48 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
When 𝑥 = −2
(a) lim  f ( x)  1, lim  f ( x)  2 .Therefore, lim f ( x) does not exist
x2 x2 x  2

[Not satisfy the condition] (you don’t have to check the (b)&(c) conditions)
∴ The function is not continuous at 𝑥 = −2 ⋕

When 𝑥 = 0
(a) lim f ( x)  1, lim f ( x)  1 . Therefore, lim f ( x)  1 (exist)
x0 x0 x0

(b) 𝑓(0) = 1 (exist)

(c) lim f ( x)  f (0)  1
x 0

∴ All conditions satisfied, so continuous at 𝑥 = 0 ⋕

When 𝑥 = 3
(a) lim f ( x)  0, lim f ( x)  0 . Therefore, lim f ( x)  0 (exist)
x3 x3 x3

(b) 𝑓(3) = −1 (exist)

(c) lim f ( x)  f (3)
x 3

0  1 [Not satisfy the condition]

∴ Not continuous at 𝑥 = 3

Example O
Determine whether the piecewise function given below continuous at 𝑥 = −1, 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1.
  1 ,  4  x  1

f ( x)   x , 1  x  1
x2  1 , 1  x  2

Solution:

When 𝑥 = −1
(a) lim  f ( x)  1, lim  f ( x)  1 . Therefore, lim f ( x)  1 (exist)
x1 x1 x1

49 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
 (b) 𝑓(−1) = −1 (exist)
(c) lim f ( x)  f ( 1)
x 1

 1  1 [satisfy all the condition]

∴ Continuous at 𝑥 = −1

When 𝑥 = 0
(a) lim f ( x)  0, lim f ( x)  0 . Therefore, lim f ( x)  0 (exist)
x0 x0 x 0

(b) 𝑓(0) = 0 (exist)

(c) lim f ( x)  f (0)
x 0

 1  1 [satisfy all the condition]

∴ Continuous at 𝑥 = 0

When 𝑥 = 1

(a) lim f ( x)  0, lim f ( x)  1 . Therefore, lim f ( x ) does not exist [Not satisfy the
x 1 x 1 x1

condition]

∴ Not continuous at 𝑥 = 1

Example P
Find the values of 𝑥 which 𝑓(𝑥) is not continuous
3 7x 1
a) b) c) 7 x 2  3x  1
x 1 x  3x  10
2

Solution:
Let the denominator equal to zero and solve for 𝑥

a) 𝑥 − 1 = 0
𝑥=1

3
∴ f ( x)  discontinuous at 𝑥 = 1
x 1

b) 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 0
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 5) = 0
𝑥 = 2 , 𝑥 = −5

7x  1
∴ f ( x)  discontinuous at 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = −5
x  3x  10
2

50 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
c) f ( x)  7 x 2  3 x  1

Quadratic function

∴ f ( x)  7 x 2  3x  1 continuous at all real number 𝑥. There is no 𝑥 that can make this

function discontinuous.

Example Q
Find the values of 𝑥 which 𝑓(𝑥) is not continuous

a) x  4 b) x  c) x  4
2 4
1
x2 x 2
| x 5|

Solution:
Let the denominator equal to zero and solve for 𝑥

a) 𝑥 − 2 = 0, 𝑥 = 2
∴ x  4 discontinuous at 𝑥 = 2
2

x2

b) 𝑥 2 = 0, 𝑥 = 0
∴ x 
4
1
2
discontinuous at 𝑥 = 0
x

c) x  5  0, x  5

∴ x  4 discontinuous at 𝑥 = 5
| x 5|

Example R (PAST YEAR 2013/2014)

 x 2  1, x  3
Given: f ( x )   . Find a, so that f (x) continuous at every value of x .
 2ax, x  3

Solution:
By using Condition 1

lim f ( x)  lim ( x 2  1)  8
x 3 x 3

lim f ( x)  lim 2ax  6a

x 3 x 3

For 𝑓(𝑥) to be continuous for all 𝑥

For lim f ( x ) exist, lim f ( x)  lim f ( x)

x3 x 3 x 3

4
8 = 6𝑎 therefore 𝑎=3

51 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
Example S
 x , x  2
Given: g ( x)   2 . Find 𝑏, so that g (x) continuous at every value of x.
bx , x  2

Solution:
lim g ( x)  lim  ( x)  2
x  2  x  2

lim g ( x)  lim  (bx2 )  b(2)2  4b

x  2  x  2

For 𝑔(𝑥) to be continuous for all 𝑥

For lim g ( x) exist, lim g ( x)  lim g ( x)
x  2 x  2  x  2 

1
4𝑏 = −2 → 𝑏 = −
2

Example T
 x2  1 , x  1
Given: h( x)   . Find 𝑘, so that h(x) continuous at every value of x.
2  k ( x  1) , x  1

Solution:
lim h( x)  lim ( x 2  1)  0
x 1 x 1

lim h( x)  lim (2  k ( x  1))  2  k (0  1)  2  k

x 1 x 1

For ℎ(𝑥) to be continuous for all 𝑥

For lim h( x) exist, lim h( x)  lim h( x)

 
x1 x 1 x 1

2−𝑘 =0→ 𝑘 =2

Tutorial 2
1. From the graph in Figure A below, evaluate lim f ( x) and lim f ( x) .
x 1 x 2

Figure A Figure B

2. From the graph in Figure B above, evaluate lim f ( x) and lim f ( x) .

x 2 x 2

3. From the graph in Figure C below, evaluate lim f ( x) and lim f ( x) .

x 3 x 0.5

52 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
 Figure C Figure D

4. From the graph in Figure D above, evaluate lim f ( x) and lim f ( x) .

x  x  

5. Evaluate the limits of each of the following expressions.

(a) lim 2 x
x 2 x 1  2
(g) lim
(b) lim 2 x
x 0
x 3 x 3
(c) lim  2 x  1  3x  (h) lim
y2 2
x 5 y 2 y2
2x
(d) lim
x  1 3x 2  1
 x9 
(i) lim   1
x 1 1
x 9
 x  3
(e) lim 2x  1  3
x 0 x (j) lim
x3  3
x 1 x 1
(f) lim
(k) lim x  1
2
x 0 x x 1 x  1

6. From the Figure E below, determine whether the function continuous at x  1 and
x  2 .

Figure E Figure F

7. Fom the Figure F above, determine whether the function continuous at x  6 and x  6 .

53 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)
8. At what points are the following functions continuous?
(a)
1
 3x (c) sin x
x2 x
x 1 x  4x  6
3
(b) 2 (d) 2
x  4x  3 x  6x  8

9. Find the value or values of 𝑥 where the following functions are not continuous.
x2  4 x2  4
(a) (c)
x2 x2  x  2
(b)
x4  1 (d) x  5
x2 | x 5|

10. Determine the value of 𝑐 so that

 cx  1 , x  3
f ( x)   2
cx  1 , x  3
is continuous for any of 𝑥.

ANSWER:
1. 1, DNE 6. Not continuous, not continuous 9. (a) 𝑥 = 2 (b) 𝑥 = 0 and 1
2. DNE, DNE 7. Continuous, not continuous (c) 𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 = −1 (d) 𝑥 = 5
3. DNE, DNE 8. (a) all 𝑥 except 𝑥 = 2
4. -3, -3 (b) all 𝑥 except 𝑥 = 3 and 1 10. c=1/3
(c) all 𝑥 except 𝑥 = 0
(d) all 𝑥 except 𝑥 = 4 and 2
5. (a) 4 (b) 0 (c) 18 (d) -1 (e) ½ (f) 1 (g) ¼ (h)1/4 (i) 7 (j) 1 (k) 2
2 3 3

54 NurhanaMohamad_CeDS (2_2019/2020)