Im-Eng Math 1-03

Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:Eng Math 1-1stSEM-2020-2021
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Bayombong Campus
DEGREE PROGRAM BSCE COURSE NO. Eng Math 1

SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE Calculus 1
YEAR LEVEL BSCE 1 TIME FRAME 4 hrs WK NO. 2 IM NO. 1
I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

Chapter 1. Limits
II. LESSON TITLE

1. The Limit Properties
2. One-Sided Limit
3. Infinite Limits
4. Limits at Infinity
5. Continuity
III. LESSON OVERVIEW

The topic in this chapter is that of Limits. Define and introduce the notation of the limit, take a conceptual
look at limits and try to get a grasp on just what they are and what they can tell us, discuss the properties
of limits that we’ll need to use in computing limits. Introduce the concept of one-sided limits, take a look
at limits that have a value of infinity or negative infinity and limits at infinity and introduce the concept of
continuity and how it relates to limits. At the end of this chapter, students will be given assignments and
seat work to be answered within its class time.
IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Explain the meaning of limits and discuss the properties of limits that we’ll need to use in computing
limits.
2. discuss the differences between one-sided limits and limits as well as how they are related to each
other.
3. describe limits that have a value of infinity or negative infinity, limits in which the variable gets very
large in either the positive or negative sense.
4. Explain the concept of continuity and how it relates to limits.
V. LESSON CONTENT
CHAPTER 1. LIMITS
Differential Calculus
Differential Calculus is a branch of Calculus involving application such as the determination of
maximum and minimum points and rate of change.
Limits
Calculus simply will not exist without limits because every aspect of it is in the form of a limit in
one sense or another. To illustrate this notion, consider a secant line whose slope is changing until it will
become a tangent (or the slope of the curve) at point P (Figure 1). Then we can say that the slope of the
curve at any point P is the limit of the slope of the secant through P.
Two goals for calculus

1. Given any curve, Find the slope (tangent) of a curve at a point.
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 1 of 15

Figure 1. Tangent or slope of a curve as limit of the slope of secant

𝑃 ↔ 𝑄 is a secant line, as 𝑄 approaches 𝑃, the secant more closely approximates a tangent.
Note that 𝑄 can′t be equal to 𝑃.
2. Given any curve, find the area under a curve between two points
Figure 2. Area of a region bounded by a curveas the limit of the sum of areas of approximating
rectangles.
Another is by considering the area of a region bounded by curve shown in Figure 2 (a), (b), and
(c). The area can be approximated by summing up the areas of series of rectangles. As the number of
rectangles increases, the sum of their areas will be close enough to the area in (c). We can then say that
the area of the region bounded by a curve is the limit of the sum of areas of approximating rectangles.
Therefore, limit can be define as a number such that the value of a given function remains
arbitrarily close to this number when the independent variable is sufficiently close to a specified point.
LIMIT OF A FUNCTION
Definition: Let f be a function which is defined at every number in some interval I containing 𝑎, except
possibly at the number 𝑎 itself. The limit of f (x) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 is L (some number), written
as
lim f ( x)  L .
x a
provided we can make 𝑓(𝑥) as close to 𝐿 as we want for all 𝑥 sufficiently close to 𝑎, from both sides,
without actually letting 𝑥 be 𝑎.
If 𝒑(𝒙) is a polynomial then,

lim p ( x)  p ( a )
xa
Theorems on Limits (properties of limits)

Assume that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥) exist and 𝑐 is constant. Then,
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
1. If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑐, then, lim 𝑐 = 𝑐, where: 𝑎 is any number

𝑥→𝑎
In other words, the limit of a constant is just the constant.
2. lim 𝑥 = 𝑎,
𝑥→𝑎
3. lim 𝑐 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐 lim 𝑓(𝑥),

In other words, we can “factor” a multiplicative constant out of a limit.
4. lim [𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ± lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
So, to take the limit of a sum or difference all we need to do is take the limit of the individual parts
and then put them back together with the appropriate sign. This is also not limited to two functions.
This fact will work no matter how many functions we’ve got separated by “+” or “-”.
5. lim [𝑓(𝑥)] [𝑔(𝑥)] = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] [lim 𝑔(𝑥)]

We take the limits of products in the same way that we can take the limit of sums or differences.
Just take the limit of the pieces and then put them back together. Also, as with sums or differences,
this fact is not limited to just two functions.
𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎
6. lim 𝑔(𝑥) = , provided lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑎 lim 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎
𝑥→𝑎
As noted, we only need to worry about the limit in the denominator being zero when we do the
limit of a quotient. If it were zero we would end up with a division by zero error and we need to avoid
that.
𝑛
7. lim [𝑓(𝑥)]𝑛 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] , where 𝑛 is any real number
In this property n can be any real number (positive, negative, integer, fraction, irrational, zero, etc.).
8. lim 𝑛√𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√ lim 𝑓(𝑥) , provided 𝑛√ lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑖s a real number.

Examples:
`Use the basic properties of limits to calculate the following limits:

1. lim 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 5
𝑥→3
Solution: First, we will use theorem 4 to break up the limit into three separate limits. We will
then use theorem 3 to bring the constants out of the second limits. Doing this gives us,
lim 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 5 = lim 𝑥 2 + lim 7𝑥 − lim 5

𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
= lim 𝑥 2 + 7 lim 𝑥 − lim 5

𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
We can now use Theorem 1 and 2
= 32 + 7(3) − 5
= 25
Note: Every time you substitute the value of 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 (𝑥 → 𝑎), remove the word limit.
Another Solution: Direct substitution. Using lim p ( x )  p ( a )

xa

lim 𝑝(𝑥) = lim 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 5

𝑥→3 𝑥→3
= 32 + 7(3) − 5
= 25
𝑥 2+4𝑥−12
2. lim
𝑥→2 𝑥 2−2𝑥
Solution: First let’s notice that if we try to substitute in 𝑥 = 2 we get,
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 12 (2)2 + 4(2) − 12 0
lim = =
𝑥→2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 (2)2 − 2(2) 0
So, we can’t just plug in 𝑥 = 2 to evaluate the limit. So, we’re going to have to do something
else.
The first thing that we should always do when evaluating limits is to simplify the function as
much as possible. In this case that means factoring both the numerator and denominator.
Doing this gives,
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 12 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 6)
lim = lim
𝑥→2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 𝑥→2 𝑥 (𝑥 − 2)
So, upon factoring we saw that we could cancel an 𝑥 = 2 from both the numerator and the
denominator. Upon doing this we now have a new rational expression that we can plug 𝑥 =
2 into because we lost the division by zero problem. Therefore, the limit is,
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 12 (𝑥 + 6) 8
lim 2
== lim = =4
𝑥→2 𝑥 − 2𝑥 𝑥→2 𝑥 2
On a side note, the 0/0 we initially got in the previous example is called an indeterminate
form. This means that we don’t really know what it will be until we do some more work.
Typically, zero in the denominator means it’s undefined. However, that will only be true if
the numerator isn’t also zero. Also, zero in the numerator usually means that the fraction is
zero, unless the denominator is also zero.
𝑥 2−2𝑥+1
3. lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
𝑥 2−2𝑥+1 (1)2−2(1)+1 0
lim = =
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 1−1 0
So, we can’t just plug in 𝑥 = 1 to evaluate the limit. So, we’re going to have to do something
else.
much as possible. In this case that means factoring the numerator leaving the denominator
as it is, as we can’t factor it any further. Doing this gives,
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 1)
lim = lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1
= lim 𝑥 − 1 = 1 − 1 = 0
𝑥→1
√𝑥−2
4. lim
𝑥→4 𝑥−4

√𝑥 − 2 √4 − 2 0
lim = =
𝑥→4 𝑥 − 4 4−4 0
much as possible. In this case that means rationalizing the term that is hard for you to simplify,
as we can’t factor both the denominator and numerator. In this case, rationalize the numerator,
you must multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the numerator.
Remember to find the conjugate all you have to do is change the sign between the two terms.
Doing this gives,
√𝑥 − 2 √𝑥 − 2 √𝑥 + 2 (√𝑥 − 2)(√𝑥 + 2)
lim = lim ∙ = lim
𝑥→4 𝑥 − 4 𝑥→4 𝑥 − 4 √𝑥 + 2 𝑥→4 (𝑥 − 4)(√𝑥 + 2)
(√𝑥 − 2)(√𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 − 2√𝑥 + 2√𝑥 − 4

= lim = lim
𝑥→4 (𝑥 − 4)(√𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 − 4)(√𝑥 + 2)
𝑥→4
𝑥−4 1 1 1
= lim = lim = =
𝑥→4 (𝑥 − 4)(√𝑥 + 2) 𝑥→4 √𝑥 + 2 √4 + 2 4
𝑥 2−3𝑥−10
5. lim
𝑥→5 𝑥 2−10𝑥+25
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 0
lim =
𝑥→5 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25 0
much as possible. In this case that means factoring both the numerator and denominator.
Doing this gives,
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 + 2) 5 + 2 7
lim 2
= lim = lim = = , 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑏𝑒𝑟 lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑥→5 𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 25 𝑥→5 (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 5) 𝑥→5 (𝑥 − 5) 5 − 5 0 𝑥→𝑎
Note:
0
 if 0, factor and simplify
 if you can’t simplify the “problem”, then check with “sign analysis”, because the limit
might not exist.
By sign analysis:
(𝑥 + 2)
lim
𝑥→5 (𝑥 − 5)
Let let 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 5, graph, then get the higher value for 𝑥: in this case 0 >
−2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 6 > 5. Thus 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 6, then substitute the new 𝑥 values to 𝑥 → 𝑎.
(𝑥+2) 2
when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 lim (𝑥−5) = −5 (negative sign)
𝑥→0
(𝑥+2) 8
when 𝑥 = 6, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 lim (𝑥−5) = 1 (positive sign)
𝑥→6
Since it has negative sign and positive sign, it means they go to different direction, thus,
limit does not exist.

3 5𝑥+7
6. lim √𝑥 2+1
𝑥→1
Solution: First, we will use Theorem 8
3 5𝑥 + 7 3 5𝑥 + 7 3 5(1) + 7 3
lim √ 2 = √ lim 2 =√ 2 = √6
𝑥→1 𝑥 + 1 𝑥→1 𝑥 + 1 (1) + 1
ONE–SIDED LIMITS
The Right-Hand Limit
Definition 1. Let f be a function which is defined at every number on some open interval (a,c).
Then the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the right is 𝐿, written as lim f ( x)  L .
x a
provide we can make 𝑓(𝑥) as close to 𝐿 as we want for all 𝑥 sufficiently close to a with
𝑥 < 𝑎 without actually letting 𝑥 be 𝑎.
The Left-Hand Limit
Definition 2. Let f be a function which is defined at every number on some open interval (d,a).
Then the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the left is 𝐿, written as lim  f ( x)  L .
xa
provide we can make 𝑓(𝑥) as close to 𝐿 as we want for all 𝑥 sufficiently close to a with
𝑥 < 𝑎 without actually letting 𝑥 be 𝑎.
Note: The only difference is the bit that is under the “𝑙𝑖𝑚” part of the limit. For the right-handed
limit we now have 𝑥 → 𝑎+ (note the “+”) which means that we know will only look at > 𝑎 . Likewise,
for the left-handed limit we have 𝑥 → 𝑎 − (note the “-”) which means that we know will only look at
<𝑎.
For a limit to exists at “a”, Given a function f(x) if,
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝐿, you must have lim− 𝑓(𝑥 ) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝐿

The limit exists if and only if the right-hand and the left-hand limits both exist and are equal to 𝐿.
Thus, we say that the function has a two-sided limit.
𝑥−1
Example 1: lim 𝑥 2−1, Evaluate the value for the following limits.
𝑥→1
𝑥−1
(a). lim− 𝑥 2−1 = 0.5
𝑥→1
𝑥−1
(b). lim+ 𝑥 2−1 = 0.5
𝑥→1
𝑥 0.5 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.5

𝑓(𝑥) 0.67 0.503 0.5002 0.5 0.499 0.497 0.4
So, we can see from this table. The closer 𝑥 gets to zero from the right the larger (in the positive
sense) the function gets, while the closer 𝑥 gets to zero from the left the smaller (in the positive
sense) the function gets.
Finally, the normal limit, in this case, will exist since the two one-sided limits have the
same values.
So, in summary here are the values of the three limits for this example
𝑥−1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1
lim− 𝑥2−1 = 0.5 lim+ 𝑥2−1 = 0.5 : lim 𝑥 2−1 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1

INFINITE LIMITS
The Limit Approaching Positive Infinity
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞
𝑥→𝑎
if we can make 𝑓(𝑥) arbitrarily large for all 𝑥 sufficiently close to 𝑥 = 𝑎 , from both sides, without
actually letting 𝑥 = 𝑎
The Limit Approaching Negative Infinity
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞
𝑥→𝑎
if we can make 𝑓(𝑥) arbitrarily large for all 𝑥 sufficiently close to 𝑥 = 𝑎 , from both sides, without
actually letting 𝑥 = 𝑎
1
Example 1: Find the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 , as 𝑥 approches 0.
𝑥 -0.5 -0.01 -0.001 0 0.001 0.01 0.5

𝑓(𝑥) -2 -100 -1000 1000 100 2
So, we can see from this table. The closer x gets to zero from the right the larger (in the positive
sense) the function gets, while the closer x gets to zero from the left the larger (in the negative sense)
the function gets.
Finally, the normal limit, in this case, will not exist since the two one-sided limits have different values.
So, in summary here are the values of the three limits for this example
1 1 1
lim+ 𝑥 = ∞ lim− 𝑥 = −∞ lim 𝑥 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
THEOREM
If 𝑛 is any positive integer, then
1
  1   if n is even
1. lim  2. lim  n  
 
x0 n
x x0 x if n is odd
Example 2. Evaluate each of the following limits.
1
a. lim 
x 0 x3
1
b. lim 
x0 x4
1
c. lim  
x0 x3
1
d. lim+ (2 +
𝑥2
) 
𝑥→0
1 5
e. lim− (𝑥+1 + 𝑥 3)
𝑥→0

3 4
f. lim+ (𝑥+2 − 𝑥 3) 
𝑥→0

LIMITS AT INFINITY
Theorem 1.
1
If 𝑛 is any positive integer, then lim =0
𝑥→∞ 𝑋 𝑛
1 1
1. lim =0 2. lim =0
𝑥→∞ 𝑋 𝑛 𝑥→−∞ 𝑋 𝑛
To apply the theorem, divide each term of the numerator and denominator by the variable of the
highest power occurring in the denominator.
Theorem 2. If 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + ⋯ + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 is a polynomial degree 𝑛 (i.e. 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0)then,

lim 𝑝(𝑥) = lim 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 lim 𝑝(𝑥) = lim 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→−∞ 𝑥→−∞
Examples
1. lim 𝑥 3 = +∞
𝑥→∞
2. lim 𝑥 3 = −∞
𝑥→−∞
3. lim 𝑥 2 = +∞
𝑥→−∞
4. lim 2𝑥 4 − 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥
𝑥→∞
Solution:
The first thought here is probably to just “plug” infinity into the polynomial and “evaluate” each
term to determine the value of the limit.
As x approaches infinity, then x to a power can only get larger and the coefficient on each
term (the first and third) will only make the term even larger. So, if we look at what each term
is doing in the limit we get the following,
lim 2𝑥 4 − 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 = ∞ − ∞ − ∞
𝑥→∞
We are probably tempted to say that the answer is zero (because we have an infinity minus
an infinity) or maybe −∞(because we’re subtracting two infinities off of one infinity). However,
in both cases we’d be wrong.
Infinities just don’t always behave as real numbers do when it comes to arithmetic. Without
more work there is simply no way to know what ∞−∞ will be and so we really need to be careful
with this kind of problem.
Using lim 𝑝(𝑥) = lim 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 = lim 2𝑥 4 = + ∞

𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞
5𝑥−2
5. lim
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥+4
Solution: We first identify the largest power of 𝑥 in the denominator. Divide each term of the
numerator and denominator by the variable of the highest power occur in denominator. In this
case the highest degree is 𝑥.
5𝑥 2
5𝑥 − 2 −
lim = lim 𝑥 𝑥
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 + 4 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 4
𝑥 +𝑥
Once we’ve done this we can cancel the 𝑥 from both the numerator and the denominator
and then use the Theorem 1 (LIMITS AT INFINITY) above to take the limit of all the
remaining terms. This gives,

5𝑥 2 2
5𝑥 − 2 −𝑥 5−𝑥 5−0 5
lim = lim 𝑥 = lim = =
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 + 4 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 4 𝑥→∞ 4 3+0 3
+ 3 +
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
2𝑥 3+1
6. lim
𝑥→∞ 1−𝑥 3
Solution: We first identify the largest power of x in the denominator. Divide each term of the
numerator and denominator by the variable of the highest power occur in denominator. In this
case the highest degree is 𝑥 3 .
2𝑥 3 1
2𝑥 3 + 1 +
lim = lim 𝑥3 𝑥3
𝑥→∞ 1 − 𝑥 3 𝑥→∞ 1 𝑥3
−
𝑥3 𝑥3
Once we’ve done this we can cancel the 𝑥 3 from both the numerator and the denominator and
then use the Theorem 1 (LIMITS AT INFINITY) above to take the limit of all the remaining
terms. This gives,
2𝑥 3 1 1
2𝑥 3 + 1 𝑥 3 + 𝑥3 2+ 3 2+0
𝑥
lim = lim = lim = = −2
𝑥→∞ 1 − 𝑥 3 𝑥→∞ 1 𝑥3 𝑥→∞ 1 0 − 1
− −1
𝑥3 𝑥3 𝑥3
3 2𝑥 2−3
7. lim √3𝑥 2−5
𝑥→∞
Solution: Applying lim 𝑛√𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√lim 𝑓(𝑥), Identify the largest power of x in the denominator.
Divide each term of the numerator and denominator by the variable of the highest power occur
in denominator. In this case the highest degree is 𝑥 2 .
2𝑥 2 3
3 2𝑥 2 − 3 3 2𝑥 2 − 3 3 2 − 2
lim √ 2 = √ lim 2 = √ lim 𝑥 2 𝑥
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 − 5 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 − 5 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 5
2 − 2
𝑥 𝑥
Once we’ve done this we can cancel the 𝑥 3 from both the numerator and the denominator
and then use the Theorem 1 (LIMITS AT INFINITY) above to take the limit of all the remaining
terms. This gives,
2𝑥 2 3 3
3
𝑥 2 − 𝑥2 3 2− 2 3 2−0 3 2
𝑥
= √ lim 2 = √ lim =√ =√
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 5 𝑥→∞ 5 3 − 0 3
2 − 2 3− 2
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
7𝑥 3−2𝑥 2+1
8. lim 9−2𝑥
𝑥→−∞
Solution: We first identify the largest power of 𝑥 in the denominator. Divide each term of
the numerator and denominator by the variable of the highest power occur in denominator. In
this case the highest degree is 𝑥.
7𝑥 3 2𝑥 2
7𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 1 − 𝑥
lim = lim 𝑥
𝑥→−∞ 9 − 2𝑥 𝑥→−∞ 9 2𝑥
𝑥− 𝑥
Once we’ve done this we can cancel the 𝑥 from both the numerator and the denominator and
then use the Theorem 1 (LIMITS AT INFINITY) above to take the limit of all the remaining
terms. This gives,

3 2
7𝑥 2𝑥 1
7𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 1 − + 2 2
lim = lim 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 = lim 7𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 0 = 7𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 0 = +∞ = −∞
𝑥→−∞ 9 − 2𝑥 𝑥→−∞ 9 2𝑥 𝑥→−∞ 9 0−2 −2
𝑥− 𝑥 𝑥−2
√𝑥 2+2
9. lim
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥−6
Solution: We first identify the largest power of 𝑥 in the denominator. Divide each term of
the numerator and denominator by the variable of the highest power occur in denominator. In
this case the highest degree is 𝑥. So, we need to factor an 𝑥 out of the numerator and the
denominator. When we are done factoring the x out we will need an x in both of the numerator
and the denominator. To get this in the numerator we will have to factor an 𝑥 2 out of the
square root so that after we take square root we will get an 𝑥.
√𝑥 2 + 2
√𝑥 2 + 2 𝑥
lim = lim
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 − 6 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 − 6
𝑥
√𝑥 2+2
Note that we can’t cancel 𝑥 𝑖𝑛 because the 𝑥 2 in the numerator is inside a radical. This
𝑥
is where we need to be really careful with the square root in the problem. Don’t forget that
√𝑥 2 = |𝑥|. Square roots are ALWAYS positive and so we need the absolute value bars on the
𝑥 to make sure that it will give a positive answer.
√ 𝑥2 2
√𝑥 2
+2 +
𝑥2 𝑥2
lim = lim
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 − 6 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 6
|𝑥 | − |𝑥 |
Now, we can’t just cancel the 𝑥’𝑠. We first will need to get rid of the absolute value bars. To
do this let’s recall the definition of absolute value.
𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0
|𝑥| = {
−𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0
In this case we are going out to +∞ so we can safely assume that the 𝑥 will be positive and
so we can just drop the absolute value bars. The limit is then,
2
√𝑥 2 + 2 √𝑥 2 + 22
𝑥 𝑥
lim = lim
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 − 6 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 6
𝑥 −𝑥
Once we’ve done this we can cancel the 𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 from both the numerator and the
denominator and then use the Theorem 1 (LIMITS AT INFINITY) above to take the limit of all
the remaining terms. This gives,
√ 𝑥2 2 √ 𝑥2 2 √1 + 22
√𝑥 2
+2 2 + 2 2 + 2 √1 + 0 1
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
lim = lim = lim = lim = =
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 − 6 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 6 𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 6 𝑥→∞ 6 3 − 0 3
𝑥 −𝑥 𝑥 −𝑥 3−𝑥
10. lim √𝑥 4 + 2 − 𝑥 2
𝑥→∞
Solution: Our first thought here is probably to just “plug” infinity into the polynomial and
“evaluate” each term to determine the value of the limit. So, if we look at what each term is
doing in the limit we get the following,

lim √𝑥 4 + 2 − 𝑥 2 = ∞ − ∞ = 0 (𝑤𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛′ 𝑡𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠!)
𝑥→∞
If we have a root, what we need to do is to make it work by rationalizing by conjugate. Doing

this gives,
√𝑥 4 + 2 − 𝑥 2 √𝑥 4 + 2 + 𝑥 2
lim √𝑥 4 + 2 − 𝑥 2 = lim ∙
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 1 √𝑥 4 + 2 + 𝑥 2
4 4
𝑥 +2−𝑥 2
= lim = lim
𝑥→∞ √𝑥 4 + 2 + 𝑥 2 𝑥→∞ √𝑥 4 + 2 + 𝑥 2
We then identify the largest power of 𝑥 in the denominator. Divide each term of the numerator
and denominator by the variable of the highest power occur in denominator. In this case the
√𝑥 4+2
highest degree is 𝑥 2 . Note that we can’t cancel 𝑥 2 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 2 in the denominator because the
𝑥 4 is inside a radical. This is where we need to be really careful with the square root in the
problem. Don’t forget that √𝑥 4 =.
2 2 2
𝑥 2 𝑥 2 𝑥 2 0
= lim = lim = lim = =0
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 4 + 2 𝑥 2 𝑥→∞ 𝑥 4 + 2 𝑥 2 𝑥→∞ 2 √ 1+0+1
√ 4 + 2 √ 4 + 2 √1 + 4 + 1
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
LIMITS ON TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Theorem
1. lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝑎)
𝑥→𝑎
Since 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 and 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 are continuous everywhere
2. lim 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝑎)
𝑥→𝑎
sin 𝑥
3. lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥
1−cos 𝑥
4. lim =0
𝑥→0 𝑥
1−cos 𝑥
Example 1. lim 𝑥
𝑥→0
0
Solution: Using the properties of limits, if we substitute the value 0 on the 𝑥 we will get 0,
we can’t factor it either. What we do is to find some way to see some identity in here,
perhaps multiplying by the conjugate (numerator) can work. Doing this gives,
1 − cos 𝑥 1 − cos 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑥 − cos 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥

lim = lim ∙ = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥 )
1 + cos 𝑥 − cos 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥
= lim = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥 ) 𝑥→0 𝑥(1 + cos 𝑥 )
Using Phytagorean identities 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥

𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 (sin 𝑥 )(sin 𝑥) sin 𝑥 sin 𝑥
= lim = lim = lim ( )( )
𝑥→0 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥) 𝑥→0 𝑥(1 + cos 𝑥 ) 𝑥→0 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑥
sin 𝑥 sin 𝑥 0
= lim ( ) ∙ lim ( )=1∙ =0
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 1 + cos 𝑥 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥
= 1, and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥
=0
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
𝑥 2−1
Example 2. lim cos ( 𝑥−1 )
𝑥→1
Solution: Since 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 is continuous, we can do a composition. This gives

𝑥2 − 1 𝑥2 − 1
lim cos ( ) = cos [lim ]
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1 𝑥 − 1

0
If we plugin the value for 𝑥, we will get 0, what we do is to factor the numerator, simplify
before we plugin the value for 𝑥.
𝑥2 − 1 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)
lim cos ( ) = cos [lim ] = cos [lim 𝑥 + 1] = cos[1 + 1] = cos 2
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1
𝑥 2−3 sin 𝑥
Example 3. lim 𝑥
𝑥→0
Solution. First let’s notice that if we try to substitute in 𝑥 = 0 we get,
𝑥 2 − 3 sin 𝑥 0
lim =
𝑥→0 𝑥 0
So, we can’t just plug in 𝑥 = 0 to evaluate the limit. Using lim [𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ±
sin 𝑥
lim 𝑔(𝑥). Since lim = 1. We get
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→0 𝑥
𝑥 2 − 3 sin 𝑥 𝑥2 3 sin 𝑥 3 sin 𝑥

lim = lim − lim = lim (𝑥) − lim = 0 − 3(1) = −3
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
sin 2𝑥
Example 4. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
0
Solution: Notice that if we plugin the value for 𝑥, we will get 0, so we have to do something else.
First we have to make the inside angle the same thing as the denominator. In this case, we have
2𝑥 inside the angle, we need 2𝑥 in the denominator otherwise it’s not exactly the same. What we
need to do is to multiply it by 1.
sin 2𝑥 sin 2𝑥 2 2 sin 2𝑥 sin 2𝑥
lim = lim ∙ = lim = 2 lim = 2(1) = 2
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥 2 𝑥→0 2𝑥 𝑥→0 2𝑥
sin 𝑥 sin 2𝑥
Sincelim 𝑥
= 1,,,hence lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 2𝑥
sin 5𝑥
Example 5. lim sin 6𝑥
𝑥→0
0
Solution: Notice that if we plugin the value for 𝑥, we will get , so we have to do something else.
0
First we have to make the inside angle the same thing as the denominator. In this case, we have
5𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 6𝑥 inside the angle, we need angle te same in both the numerator and the denominator
otherwise it’s not exactly the same. What we need to do is to multiply it by 1 both for the numerator
1 1
and denominator. Since 𝑥 / 𝑥 = 1. After that we do the same process as we did to example 4.
1 lim sin 5𝑥 lim sin 5𝑥 ∙ 5

sin 5𝑥 sin 5𝑥 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥 5
lim = lim ∙ = = 𝑥→0
𝑥→0 sin 6𝑥 𝑥→0 sin 6𝑥 1 sin 6𝑥 sin 6𝑥 6
lim 𝑥 lim 𝑥 ∙ 6
𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
5 lim sin5𝑥5𝑥 5(1)

𝑥→0
= sin 6𝑥 = 6(1) = 5/6
6 lim 6𝑥
𝑥→0
ℎ2
Example 6. lim 1−𝑐𝑜𝑠2 ℎ
ℎ→0
0
Solution: Notice that if we plugin the value for ℎ, we will get 0, so we have to do something else,
by using identity, 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ℎ = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 ℎ.
ℎ2 ℎ2 ℎ ℎ
lim 2
= lim 2
= lim ∙ = 1∙1 = 1
ℎ→0 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ℎ ℎ→0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ℎ ℎ→0 sin ℎ sin ℎ

sin 𝑥 ℎ
Note that lim = 1,,,hence lim = 1, because they are just the same thing
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 sin ℎ
ℎ2 ℎ 2 sin ℎ −2 sin ℎ −2
Another solution: lim = lim [ ] = lim [ ] = [lim ] = (1)−2 = 1
ℎ→0 1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ℎ ℎ→0 sin ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
CONTINUITY
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑎 if the following three conditions are satisfied:
a) 𝑓(𝑎) is defined
b) lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists
𝑥→𝑎
c) lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑥→𝑎
If one or more of the conditions in this definition fails to hold, then f is called discontinuous at
a and a is called point of discontinuity of f . If f is continuous at all points of an open interval
(𝑎, 𝑏), then f is said to be continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏). A function that is continuous on  , is
said to be continuous everywhere or simply continuous.
Types of Discontinuity:
1. Infinite discontinuity
f (a) is undefined, and lim 𝑓 (𝑥) does not exist.
𝑥→𝑎
2. Finite or jump discontinuity
f (a) is defined but it changes in value abruptly.
3. Removable discontinuity
a. f (a) is undefined, but lim 𝑓 (𝑥) exists, or
𝑥→𝑎
b. f (a) is defined and lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, but f (a)  lim 𝑓(𝑥).
A function f (x) has a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑎 if lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, but f (a) either is not
𝑥→𝑎
defined or f (a)  lim 𝑓(𝑥). If f (x) is redefined to have the value lim 𝑓 (𝑥) at 𝑥 = 𝑎, then
f (x) will be continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑎.
Examples:
1. Determine whether f ( x)  x  3x  5 is continuous at x  1.

2
Solution:
a. f (1)  1  3(1)  5  3
2
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim ( x 2  3x  5)  3

𝑥→𝑎 x 1
Therefore, f ( x)  x  3x  5 is continuous at x  1.
2
c. lim 𝑓 (𝑥) = f (a) .
𝑥→𝑎
Note: Polynomials are continuous functions.
2. Show that f ( x) | x | is a continuous function.
Solution: We can write f (x) as
x if x0

f ( x) | x | 0 if x0
 x if x0


Polynomials are continuous functions. It follows that f ( x) | x | is continuous if 𝑥 > 0 or 𝑥 <
0 because | x | is identical to the polynomial x in the former case and identical to the polynomial
–x in the latter. Thus, x = 0 is the only point in question. At this point we have f (0) | 0 | 0 , so
it remains to show that
lim f ( x)  lim | x | 0
x0 x0
Because the formula for f changes at 0, it will be helpful to consider the one-sided limits at 0
rather that the two-sided limit. We obtain
lim | x | lim x  0
x 0 x 0
lim | x | lim ( x)  0 Since RHL = LHL, it implies that lim 𝑓 (𝑥) exists.
x 0 x 0 𝑥→𝑎
Thus, the three conditions are satisfied, therefore f ( x) | x | is continuous at x = 0.
x 3
3. Where is h( x)  continuous?
x2  9
Solution: A rational function is continuous everywhere except at the points where the denominator
is zero. Since the solutions of x 2  9  0 are x  3 and x  3 , h(x) is continuous everywhere
except at these points.
VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Seatwork 1.
a) Evaluate each of the following limits
6 6 6
Lim lim lim
𝑥→0+ 𝑥 2 𝑥→0+ 𝑥 2 𝑥→0 𝑥 2
b) lim √7 − 𝑥
𝑥→−∞
c) lim √7 − 𝑥
𝑥→∞
2−cos 3𝑥−cos 4𝑥
d) lim 𝑥
𝑥→0
VII. EVALUATION (Note: Not to be included in the student’s copy of the IM)
VIII. ASSIGNMENT
PROBLEM SET 2.1 LIMIT

PROBLEM SET 2.2 ONE-SIDED LIMITS

PROBLEM SET 2.3 LIMIT PROPERTIES
PROBLEM SET 2.4 COMPUTING LIMITS

PROBLEM SET 2.5 INFINITE LIMITS
PROBLEM SET 2.6 LIMITS AT INFINITY

PROBLEM SET 2.6 CONTINUITY
PROBLEM SET 2.7 DEFINITION OF THE LIMIT

IX. REFERENCES
1. Feliciano, Florentino T. and Uy, Fausto B. Differential and Integral Calculus. Merriam and Webster
Bookstore, Inc. Manila.
2. Clarke, Philip S., Jr. Calculus and Analytic Geometry.
3. Love, Clyde E. and Rainville, Earl D. 1969. Differential and Integral Calculus. Sixth Edition. The
MacMillan Company, New York.
4. Calculus By James Stewart
ISBN 0-534-06690-9
PREPARED BY:
VHANESSA LIAN TURTOSA-MARIANO

Im-Eng Math 1-03

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Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

DEGREE PROGRAM BSCE COURSE NO. Eng Math 1

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

II. LESSON TITLE

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

Two goals for calculus

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 1 of 15

Figure 1. Tangent or slope of a curve as limit of the slope of secant

If 𝒑(𝒙) is a polynomial then,

Theorems on Limits (properties of limits)

1. If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑐, then, lim 𝑐 = 𝑐, where: 𝑎 is any number

3. lim 𝑐 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐 lim 𝑓(𝑥),

4. lim [𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ± lim 𝑔(𝑥)

5. lim [𝑓(𝑥)] [𝑔(𝑥)] = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] [lim 𝑔(𝑥)]

𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

8. lim 𝑛√𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√ lim 𝑓(𝑥) , provided 𝑛√ lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑖s a real number.

`Use the basic properties of limits to calculate the following limits:

lim 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 5 = lim 𝑥 2 + lim 7𝑥 − lim 5

= lim 𝑥 2 + 7 lim 𝑥 − lim 5

Another Solution: Direct substitution. Using lim p ( x )  p ( a )

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 3 of 15

lim 𝑝(𝑥) = lim 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 5

Solution: First let’s notice that if we try to substitute in 𝑥 = 2 we get,

Solution: First let’s notice that if we try to substitute in 𝑥 = 1 we get,

Solution: First let’s notice that if we try to substitute in 𝑥 = 4 we get,

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 4 of 15

(√𝑥 − 2)(√𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 − 2√𝑥 + 2√𝑥 − 4

Solution: First let’s notice that if we try to substitute in 𝑥 = 5 we get,

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 5 of 15

The Right-Hand Limit

For a limit to exists at “a”, Given a function f(x) if,

lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝐿, you must have lim− 𝑓(𝑥 ) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝐿

𝑥 0.5 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.5

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 6 of 15

The Limit Approaching Positive Infinity

The Limit Approaching Negative Infinity

𝑥 -0.5 -0.01 -0.001 0 0.001 0.01 0.5

If 𝑛 is any positive integer, then

Example 2. Evaluate each of the following limits.

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 7 of 15

Theorem 2. If 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + ⋯ + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 is a polynomial degree 𝑛 (i.e. 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0)then,

Using lim 𝑝(𝑥) = lim 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 = lim 2𝑥 4 = + ∞

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 8 of 15

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 9 of 15

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 10 of 15

If we have a root, what we need to do is to make it work by rationalizing by conjugate. Doing

LIMITS ON TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

1 − cos 𝑥 1 − cos 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑥 − cos 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥

Using Phytagorean identities 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥

Solution: Since 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒 is continuous, we can do a composition. This gives

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 11 of 15

𝑥 2 − 3 sin 𝑥 𝑥2 3 sin 𝑥 3 sin 𝑥

1 lim sin 5𝑥 lim sin 5𝑥 ∙ 5

5 lim sin5𝑥5𝑥 5(1)

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 12 of 15

1. Determine whether f ( x)  x  3x  5 is continuous at x  1.

b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim ( x 2  3x  5)  3

2. Show that f ( x) | x | is a continuous function.

Solution: We can write f (x) as

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 13 of 15

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES