LIMITS

Let’s look at the graph of the following functions:

𝑥2 − 4 |𝑥 − 2|
𝑓(𝑥) = , 𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥−2 𝑥−2

Both functions are undefined at 𝑥 = 2. So, how is the behaviour of each function in
the vicinity of 𝑥 = 2?

Definition Let f be a function defined in the vicinity of 𝑥 = 𝑎, except at a

itself. If the value of 𝑓(𝑥) approaches a real number 𝐿, as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎, then
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.
𝑥→𝑎
Limit from the right: Let f be a function defined in the vicinity of 𝑥 = 𝑎,
except at a itself. If the value of 𝑓(𝑥) approaches a real number 𝐿, as
𝑥 approaches 𝑎 (𝑥 > 𝑎), then
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.
𝑥→𝑎

Limit from the left: Let f be a function defined in the vicinity of 𝑥 = 𝑎, except
at a itself. If the value of 𝑓(𝑥) approaches a real number 𝐿, as 𝑥 approaches
𝑎 (𝑥 < 𝑎), then
lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.
𝑥→𝑎
Example: Evaluate one-sided limits:
|𝑥 2 − 9|
lim
𝑥→3− 𝑥 − 3

|𝑥 2 − 9|
lim
𝑥→3+ 𝑥 − 3

Definition Let f be a function defined in the vicinity of 𝑥 = 𝑎, except at a, then

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 if
𝑥→𝑎
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.
𝑥→𝑎+ 𝑥→𝑎
Infinite Limits

There are three main types of infinite limits:

Infinite limits from the left: Let 𝑓(𝑥) be a function defined at all values in
an open interval (𝑏, 𝑎)
• If the values of 𝑓(𝑥) increase without bound as 𝑥 → 𝑎 (𝑥 < 𝑎),
then limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as x approaches a from the left is positive infinity
lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = +∞.
𝑥→𝑎
• If the values of 𝑓(𝑥) decrease without bound as 𝑥 → 𝑎 (𝑥 < 𝑎),
then limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as x approaches a from the left is negative
infinity
lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞.
𝑥→𝑎

Infinite limits from the right: Let 𝑓(𝑥) be a function defined at all values
in an open interval (𝑎, 𝑐)
• If the values of 𝑓(𝑥) increase without bound as 𝑥 → 𝑎 (𝑥 > 𝑎),
then limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as x approaches a from the right is positive
infinity
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = +∞.
𝑥→𝑎
• If the values of 𝑓(𝑥) decrease without bound as 𝑥 → 𝑎 (𝑥 > 𝑎),
then limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as x approaches a from the right is negative
infinity
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞.
𝑥→𝑎

Two-sided infinite limits: Let 𝑓(𝑥) be a function defined at all values in an

open interval containing 𝑎
• If the values of 𝑓(𝑥) increase without bound as 𝑥 → 𝑎, then limit of
𝑓(𝑥) as x approaches a from is positive infinity
lim 𝑓(𝑥 ) = +∞.
𝑥→𝑎

• If the values of 𝑓(𝑥) decrease without bound as 𝑥 → 𝑎, then limit

of 𝑓(𝑥) as x approaches a from is negative infinity
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞.
𝑥→𝑎