Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

Summary
Limits
1. Limit of a function f(x) is said to exist as x → a when,
lim− f ( a =
− h ) lim+ f ( a =
+ h ) some finite value M.
h →0 h →0
( left hand lim it ) ( Right hand lim it )
Note that we are not interested in knowing about what happens at x =a. Also note that if L.H.L &
R.H.L are both tending towards ' ∞ ' or '− ∞ ' then it is said to be infinite limit.
Remember, lim ⇒ x ≠ a
x→a

2. indeterminant Forms:
0 ∞
, , 0 × ∞, ∞ − ∞, ∞ 0 , 00 , and 1∞.
0 ∞

3. Method of Removing Indeterminacy : Factorisation, Rationalisation or double

rationalisation, Substitution, Using standard limits, Expansions of functions.

4. Fundamental Theorems on Limits:

Let
= lim f ( x ) l =
& lim g ( x ) m. If l & m exist then :
x→a x→a

(i ) lim{ f ( x ) ± g ( x )} =
x→a
l±m ( ii ) lim{
x→a
f ( x ) .g ( x )} =
l.m
f ( x) l
(iii ) lim = , provided m ≠ 0 ( iv ) lim kf ( x ) =
lim f ( x ) ; where k is a cons tan t.
x→a g ( x) m x→a x→a

( v ) lim
=
x→a
f  g ( x )  f= (
lim g ( x )
x→a
)
f ( m ) ; provided f is continous
= at g ( x ) m
5. Standard Limits :
sin x tan x tan −1 x sin −1 x e x −1 ln (1 + x )
lim
= lim= lim = lim = lim = lim = 1
x→a x x→a x x→a x x→a x x →a x x →a x
1/ x
 1 a x −1 xn − an
lim (1 + x )
1/ x
= lim 1 +  = e, lim = log e a, a > 0, lim = na n −1
x→a x→a
 x x→a x x→a x − a

6. Limits Using Expansion

x ln a x 2 ln 2 a x3 ln 3 a x x 2 x3
( i ) a =1 +
x
+ + + .....a > 0 ( ii ) e =1 + + + + .....
x

1! 2! 3! 1! 2! 3!
2 3 4
x x x x3 x5 x 7
( iii ) ln (1 + x ) = x − + + + ....... for − 1 < x ≤ 1 ( iv ) sin x = x − + − + ...
2 3 4 3! 5! 7!
2 4 6 3 5
x x x x 2x
( v ) cos x =− 1 + − + ..... ( vi ) tan x =x + + + ....
3! 4! 6! 3 15

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

x3 x5 x 7 12 3 12.32 5 12.32.52 7
( vii ) tan x =x − + − + ....
−1
( viii ) sin x =x + x +
−1
x + x + .........
3 5 7 3! 5! 7!
x 5 x 4 61x 6
2
( ix ) sec−1 x =+
1 + + + .....
2! 4! 6!
n ( n − 1) 2 n ( n − 1)( n − 2 ) 3
( x) for x < 1, n ∈ R (1 + x ) =+
n
1 nx + x + x + ............∞
1.2 1.2.3
7. Limits of form 1∞ , 00 , ∞ 0
0
All these forms can be convered into form in the following ways
0
ln x 0
(i) If x → 1, y → ∞ , then z = (x)Y ⇒ ln z = y ln x ⇒ ln z = ; form
(1/ y ) 0
1
Since y → ∞ hence → 0 and x → 1 hence lnx → 0
y

y 0
(i) If x → 0, y → 0 , then z = xY ⇒ ln z = y ln x ⇒ ln z = ; form
1/ ln y 0
y 0
(ii) If x →∞ , y → 0 , then z = xY ⇒ ln z = y ln x ⇒ ln z = ; form
1/ ln x 0
also for (1 )∞ type of problems we can use following rules.
g( x) lim  f ( x ) −1 g ( x )
lim (1 + x ) = e, lim  f ( x )  , where f ( x ) → 1; g ( x ) → ∞ as x →=
1/ x
a lim
= e x →a
x →0 x →a x →a

8. Sandwich Theorem or Squeeze Play Theorem:

If f ( x ) ≤ g ( x ) ≤ h ( x ) ∀x & lim f ( x ) =lim h ( x ) then lim g ( x ) =
l= l
x→a x→a x→a

9. Some Important Notes :

ln x x
= ( i ) lim
x →∞ x
0= ( ii ) lim
x →∞ e x
0

As x → ∞ , ln x increases much slower than any (+ve) power of x where ex increases much
faster than
( +ve) power of x
( iii ) lim (1 − h=
) 0 lim (1 + h ) → ∞, where h > 0
n n

n →∞ n →∞

( iv ) If lim
x→a
f ( x) =
A > 0 & lim φ ( x ) =
x→a
B ( a finite quantity ) then;
φ ( x)
lim  f ( x ) = e z where
= z lim φ ( x ) .ln  f (=
x )  e=
B ln A
AB
x→a x→a

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Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

Continuity & Derivability

CONTINUITY

1. A function f(x) is said to be continuous at x = c, if lim f ( x ) = f ( c )

x →c

2. Types of Discontinuity :
(a) Removable Discontinuity: lim f ( x ) exists but is not equal to f(c)
x →c

Removable type of discontinuity can be further classified as :

(i) Missing Point Discontinuity: Where lim f ( x ) exists finitely but f(a) is not defined.
x→a

(ii) Isolated Point Discontinuity: Where lim f ( x ) exists but lim f ( x ) ≠ f ( a )

x→a x→a

(b) Irremovable Discontinuity: lim f ( x ) does not exist. However if both the limits (i.e.
x →0

L.H. L.
& R.H . L.) are finite, then discontinuity is said to be of first kind otherwise it is non-
removable
discontinuity of second kind.
Irremovable type of discontinuity can be further classified as:
(i) Finite discontinuity e.g. f(x) = x - [x] at all integral x.
1 1
(ii) Infinite discontinuity = e.g. f ( x ) = or g ( x ) = at x 4
( x − 4)
2
x−4
1
(iii) Oscillatory discontinuity e.g. f(x) = sin at x =0
x
In all these cases the value off (a) of the function at x = a (point of discontinuity) may or
may not exist but lim does not exist.
x→a

(c) Discontinuity of Ist kind

If L.H.L. and R.H .L both exist finitely then discontinuity is said to be of Ist kind

(d) Discontinuity of IInd kind

If either L.H .L. or R.H.L does not exist, then discontinuity is said to be of IInd kind

(e) Point functions defined at single point only are to be treated as discontinuous.
eg . f ( x ) = 1 − x + x − 1 is not continuous at x = 1.

3. Jump of discontinuity: lim+ f ( x ) − lim− f ( x )

x→a x→a

4. Continuity on an Interval :

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Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

(a) A function f is said to be continuous on (a, b) if f is continuous at each & every point
∈(a, b).
(b) A function f is said to be continuous on a closed interval [ a, b] if:
(i) f is continuous in the open interval (a, b) &
(ii) f is right continuous at a and left continuous at b
(c) All Polynomials, Trigonometrical functions , Exponential and Logarithmic functions are
continuous at every point in their domains.
(d) {f(x)} and [f(x)] may not be continuous where f(x) becomes integer.
(e) sgn (f(x)) may not be continuous where f(x) = 0

5. If f & g are two functions which are continuous at x = c then the functions defined by:
F1 ( x ) =
f ( x ) ± g ( x ) ; F2 ( x ) =
Kf ( x ) , K any real number; F3(x) = f(x).g(x) are also
continuous at x = c.
f ( x)
Further, if g (c) is not zero, then F4 ( x ) = is also continuous at x = c.
g ( x)

6. Continuity of Composite Function : If f is continuous at x = c & g is continuous at x =

f(c) then the composite g[f(x)] is continuous at x = c.

7. Intermediate Value Theorem :

A function f which is continuous in [a, b] possesses the following properties:
(i) If f(a) & f(b) possess opposite signs , then there exists at least one solution of the
equation f(x) = 0 in the open interval (a, b).
(ii) If K is any real number between f(a) & f(b), then there exists at least one solution of the
equation f(x) = Kin the open interval (a, b).

DERIVABILITY

1. Differentiability of a function at a point:

f (a + h) − f (a)
f ' ( a + ) = lim+ is the right hand derivative at x = a, provided the limit
h →0 h
exists.
f (a − h) − f (a)
f ' ( a − ) = lim+ is the left hand derivative at x = a, provided the limit exists.
h →0 −h
A function f(x) is said to be differentiable(finitely) at x = a if f '(a+) = f '(a-) = finite

2. Concept of Tangent and its Association with Derivability:

Tangent :- The tangent is defined as the limiting case of a chord or a secant

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Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

f (b) − f ( a )
slope of chord joining (a, f(a)) and (b, (f(b)) =
b−a
f (a + h) − f (a)
slope of the line joining a and (a, f(a)) and (a+ h, f(a + h)) = =
h
f (a + h) − f (a) f (a − h) − f (a)
.H .D f=
R= ' ( a + ) lim+ , L=
.H .D f= ' ( a − ) lim+
h →0 h h →0 −h
A function will have a tangent at point x = a if f ' ( a ) = f ' ( a ) ( may or may be finite )
+ −

and equation of tangent at (a, f(a)) is given by y- f(a) = f ' (a) (x - a)

3. Relation between Differentiability & Continuity: If f(x) is differentiable at a point of its

domain, then it is continuous at that point but the converse is not true.

4. Differentiability Over an Interval:

f(x) is said to be differentiable over an open interval if it is differentiable at every point of
the interval
and f(x) is said to be differentiable over a closed interval [a, b] if f is differentiable on (a, b)
and
f ' ( a + ) = a finite number and f '(b-) = a finite number

Important :-
All polynomial, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric (inverse trigonometric not
included) are
differentiable at every point of their domain.

5. Differentiability of sum, product & composition of functions

At x = a, if f(x) & g(x) are differentiable, then f(x) ± g(x), f(x). g(x) are also differentiable.
further if g(a)≠0 then the function f(x)/g(x) is also be differentiable.
If f(x) is not differentiable at x = a & g(x) is differentiable at x = a, then f + g is not
differentiable,
f(x)· g(x) may or may not be differentiable at x = a

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Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

If f(x) & g(x) both are not differentiable at x = a then each of f(x)·g(x) and f + g may or
may not be
Differentiable.
f ( a + g ( h)) − f ( a + p ( h))
If f is differentiable at x = a, then lim = f ' ( a ) , where,
h →0 g (h) − p (h)
lim
= P ( h ) lim
= g ( x) 0
h →0 h →0

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

Practice Questions
1. For each t 𝜖𝜖 R, let [t] be the greatest integer less than or equal to t. Than
 1 2 15  
lim x    +   + .. +   
x →0 +
x x  x 
(a) Does not exist (in R)
(b) Is equal to 0
(c) Is equal to 15
(d) Is equal to 120

2 − ( 256 − 7 x )
1/8

2. The value of lim is

( 5 x + 32 )
1/5
x →0
−2
2
(a)
53
7
(b)
64
3
(c)
71
5
(d)
7
cos x x 1
f '( x)
3. If f ( x ) = 2sin x x2 2 x then lim
x →0 x
tan x x 1
(a) Does not exist.
(b) Exists and is equal to –2
(c) Exists and is equal to 0.
(d) Exists and is equal to 2.

(
4. lim 21/2.21/4.21/8.....21/2
n→∞
n

) equals
(a) 20
(b) 21
(c) 22
(d)23

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

cot x − cos x
5. lim equals
(π − 2π )
π 3
x→
2

1
(a)
24
1
(b)
16
1
(c)
8
1
(d)
4

3x − 3
6. lim is equal to:
x →3 2x − 4 − 2
(a) 3
1
(b)
2
3
(c)
2
1
(d)
2 2

1a + 2a + ... + n a 1
7. If lim = for some positive real number a, then
(n + a) ( na + 1) + ( na + 2 ) + ... + ( na + n ) 
a −1
n →∞ 60
a is equal to:
(a) 7
(b) 8
15
(c)
2
17
(d)
2

( )
1/2 x
=
8. Let p lim 1 + tan 2 x then long p is equal to:
x →0 +

(a) 2
(b) 1
(c) ½

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

(d) ¼

1/ n
 ( n + 1)( n + 2 ) ...3n 
9. lim   is equal to:
x →∞
 n2n 
18
(a) 4
e
27
(b) 2
e
9
(c) 2
e
(d) 3 log 3 – 2

 (1 + px ) − (1 − px )
 , −1 ≤ x < 0
 x
10. f ( x ) =  is continuous in the interval [–1, 1], then ‘p’ is
 2x +1
 , 0 ≤ x ≤1
x−2
equal to:
(a) – 1
(b) – ½
(c) ½
(d) 1

(1 − cos 2 x )( 3 + cos x )
11. lim is equal to
x →0 x tan 4 x
(a) 4
(b) 3
(c) 1
(d) 2

2
e x − cos x
12. lim is equal to:
x →0 sin 2 x
(a) 3
3
(b)
2
5
(c)
4
(d) 2

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

sin (π cos 2 x )
13. lim is equal to
x →0 x2
(a) – 𝜋𝜋
(b) 𝜋𝜋
(c) 𝜋𝜋/2
(d) 1

 x ( 3e1/ x + 4 )

14. If f ( x ) =  2 − e1/ x , x ≠ 0 , then f(x) is
 0, x=0

(a) continuous as well differentiable at x = 0
(b) continuous but not differentiable ax x = 0
(c) neither differentiable at x = 0 nor continuous at x = 0
(d) none of these

tan ( x − 2 ) { x 2 + ( k − 2 ) x − 2k}
15. If lim = 5 then k is equal to
x→2 x2 − 4 x + 4
(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 2
(d) 3

1 k −1
16. If the function f defined as f ( x ) =− , x ≠ 0 is continuous at x = 0, then the ordered
x e2 x − 1
pair (k, f(0)) is equal to:
(a) (3, 2)
(b) (3, 1)
(c) (2, 1)
1 
(d)  , 2 
3 

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

 tan 4 x
 4
   tan 5 x π
, 0 < x <

17. The value of k for which the function f ( x ) =  5  2 is continuous at x = π
 2 π 2
 k + , x =
 5 2
is:
17
(a)
20
2
(b)
5
3
(c)
5
2
(d) −
5

 2x2
 a , 0 ≤ x <1

18. Let a, b 𝜖𝜖 R, (a ≠ 0). If the function f defined as f ( x ) =  a , 1 ≤ x < 2 is continuous
 2
 2b − 4b , 2≤x<∞
 x 3
in the interval [0, ∞), then an ordered pair (a, b) is:
(a) ( 2,1 − 3 )
(b) ( − 2,1 + 3 )

(c) ( − 2, −1 + 3 )

(d) ( − 2,1 − 3 )

k x + 1, 0 ≤ x ≤ 3
19. If the function. g ( x ) =  is differentiable, the value of k + m is
 mx + 2, 3 < x ≤ 5
(a) 2
16
(b)
5
10
(c)
3
(d) 4

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

 ( e x − 1)
2

 , x≠0

20. Let k be a non-zero real number. If f ( x ) =  sin  x  log 1 + x  is a continuous
   k  4 
 12 x=0

function, then the value of k is:
(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4

21. The value of lim+ ( sin x )

1/ nx
is
x →0

(a) 0
(b) e1
(c) e2
(d) e

22. Which of the following is discontinuous function

(a) |x|
(b) x + |x|
(c) x|x|
(d) [x]

23. The function f(x) = sin–1(cos x) is:

(a) discontinuous at x = 0
(b) continuous at x = 0
(c) differentiable at x = 0
(d) none of these

cos ( sin x ) − cos x

24. A function f(x) is defined
= as below f ( x ) , x ≠ 0 and f(0) = a f(x) is
x2
continuous at x = 0 if ‘a’ equals
(a) 0
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) 6

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

25. The function y = f(x) is defined by x = 2t – |t|, y = t2 + |t|, t ∈ R in the interval x ∈ [–1, 1], then
(a) f(x) is discontinuous at some points
(b) f(x) is differentiable everywhere
(c) f(x) is continuous but not derivable at x = 0
(d) f(x) is constant function

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 Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

Answer Key

1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6. (b)

7. (a) 8. (c) 9. (b) 10. (b) 12. (d) 12. (c) 13. (b)
14. (b) 15. (d) 16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (a) 19. (a) 20. (c)
21. (d) 22. (d) 23. (b) 24. (a) 25. (b)

“Detail solutions are mentioned in the content library”

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