THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
MATH1520A/B University Mathematics for Applications 2023-24 First Term

Homework 2

Name: Student No.:

Class:

I acknowledge that I am aware of University policy and regulations on hon-

esty in academic work, and of the disciplinary guidelines and procedures appli-
cable to breaches of such policy and regulations, as contained in the website
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/

Signature Date

Instructions:

Optional question will NOT be counted. However, you are still encouraged to attempt ALL
questions for your own good.

Points will only be awarded for answers with sufficient justifications.

Please submit your work to Gradescope. For each question, you must indicate exactly
which page(s) its answer is located. Otherwise, your work cannot be marked.
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1 − e3x
1. Let f (x) = . Evaluate each of the following limits.
1 − e5x
(a) lim f (x)
x→0
(b) lim f (x)
x→+∞

(c) lim f (x)

x→−∞
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2. A sum of $P is deposited at an interest rate of r for T year(s).

(a) Find the amount (in terms of P , r, T and n) if the interest is compounded n times per year.
(b) Find the amount (in terms of P , r and T ) if the interest is compounded continuously, i.e.
infinitely many times per year.
(Hint: let n goes to +∞.)

(Remark: The formula in (b) can also be applied to model the growth of germs, radioactive decay
and many other natural phenomena, called exponential growth and decay.)
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3. Let n be a positive integer and let a be a positive real number. Evaluate

xn − a n
(a) lim
x→a x − a
1 1
xn − an
(b) lim
x→a x − a

(Hint: pn − q n = (p − q)(pn−1 + pn−2 q + pn−3 q 2 · · · + pq n−2 + q n−1 ).)

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4. Evaluate the following limits.

 4x
2
(a) lim 1 −
x→∞ x+1
x a
e −e
(b) lim , where a ∈ R.
x→a x − a
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5. Let f (x) be a function defined by



 x2 if x > 1,



f (x) = ax + b if −1 ≤ x ≤ 1,




2x if x < −1.


If f (x) is a continuous function, find the value of a and b.

(Hint: In particular, f (x) is continuous at x = −1 and x = 1.)
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6. (Optional) The floor function is the function that maps a real number x to the greatest integer
less than or equal to x, which is denoted by ⌊x⌋. Similarly, the ceiling function maps a real
number x to the least integer greater than or equal to x, which is denoted by ⌈x⌉.
(a) Find ⌊0⌋, ⌊0.5⌋, ⌈0⌉ and ⌈0.5⌉.
(b) Draw the graphs of the floor and ceiling functions.
(c) Show that lim ⌊x⌋ does not exist.
x→0
(d) Modify your proof in (c) and show that the floor and ceiling functions do not have limits at
any integral values. Hence, the floor and ceiling functions are not continuous at any integral
values.
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f (x) g(x)
7. (Optional) Let f, g : R → R be two functions such that lim = 3 and lim x = 5.
x→0 x x→0 e −1
Evaluate each of the following limits, if exists.
f (x)
(a) lim .
x→0 g(x)

(b) lim f (x).

x→0