Prepared by Sir Ron

Objectives
1. Define Limit of a function: lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐
2. Compare limit of a function and the value of a function at C
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿 versus f (c)
𝑥→𝑐
3. Accomplish activity on limits:
- investigate limits of a function
 Limit
A point or level beyond which something
does not or may not extend or pass.
- Dictionary

Limit is the value that a function

approaches as the input approaches some
value.
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐
constant that may or may Limit denoted by L is the
not be in the domain of unique real value that f(x)
function will approach as x
approaches c.
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐
Read as:
‘‘The limit of f(x) as x
approaches c is L.”
 Finding the
LIMIT
Algebraically
 lim 1 + 3𝑥
𝑥→2
approaching 2 from its left approaching 2 from its right

lim 1 + 3𝑥 = 7
𝑥→2
 2
lim 𝑥 − 3
𝑥→0
approaching 0 from its left approaching 0 from its right
x f(x) x f(x)
-0.5 -2.75 0.5 -2.75
-0.2 -2.96 0.2 -2.96
-0.005 -2.999975 0.005 -2.999975
-0.00009 -2.999999992 0.00009 -2.999999992

lim 𝑥 2 − 3 = −3
𝑥→0
 lim 𝑥
𝑥→0
approaching 0 from its left approaching 0 from its right

lim 𝑥 = 0
𝑥→0
 𝟐
𝒙 − 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟔
𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒙→𝟔 𝒙−𝟔
approaching 6 from its left approaching 6 from its right

x f(x) x f(x)
5 4 7 6
5.025 4.025 6.025 5.025
5.995 4.995 6.0009 5.0009
5.9999 4.9999 6.00001 5.00001

𝒙𝟐 − 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟔
𝐥𝐢𝐦 =𝟓
𝒙→𝟔 𝒙−𝟔
 lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→4

approaching 4 from its left approaching 4 from its right

𝒇 𝒙 =𝒙+𝟏 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝟒 𝟐 +3

lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐷𝑂𝐸𝑆 𝑁𝑂𝑇 𝐸𝑋𝐼𝑆𝑇 (𝐷𝑁𝐸)

𝑥→4
 lim cos 𝑥 =1
𝑥→0

approaching 0 from its left approaching 0 from its right

If the limit of f(x) does not exist, DO NOT use the word
equals nor write the symbol lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐷𝑁𝐸
𝑥→𝑐

This direction may be specified in the limit notation,

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿 by adding certain symbols.
𝑥→𝑐
• LEFT : lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐

• RIGHT: lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑓 𝑥 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝒊𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒇
𝑥→𝑐

𝒍𝒊𝒎− 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒍𝒊𝒎+ 𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

lim 𝑓 𝑥 𝑫𝑵𝑬,
𝑥→𝑐

𝒍𝒊𝒎− 𝒇 𝒙 ≠ 𝒍𝒊𝒎+ 𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
 𝒍𝒊𝒎− 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑳 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝒍𝒊𝒎+ 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
are also referred to as one-sided limits
 lim 1 + 3𝑥 = 7
𝑥→2
lim− 1 + 3𝑥 = 7 lim+ 1 + 3𝑥 = 7
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
 lim 𝑥 2 − 3 = −3
𝑥→0
2
lim− 𝑥 − 3 = −3 lim+ 𝑥 2 − 3 = −3
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
 lim 𝑥
𝑥→0
lim− 𝑥 = 0 lim+ 𝑥 = 0
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
 𝟐
𝒙 − 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟔
𝐥𝐢𝐦 =𝟓
𝒙→𝟔 𝒙−𝟔
𝟐 𝟐
𝒙 − 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟔 𝒙 − 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟔
lim− =5 lim+ =5
𝑥→6 𝒙−𝟔 𝑥→6 𝒙−𝟔
 lim 𝑓(𝑥) DNE
𝑥→4

lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 5 lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 3

𝑥→4
≠ 𝑥→4
 =1
DNE

= -1
DNE
-4 -3 -2 -1 =5
If you want c to be part of the domain, consider
the following:
- is it factorable?
- is it indeterminate?
(now you can use direct substitution)

*When in doubt use table of values!

A two-sided limit, limx⟶a f(x), EXIST

if both
limx⟶a f(x) and limx⟶a f(x) are THE SAME.
− +

*It only exists if the limit coming from both directions (positive and
negative) is the same.
 End Session
Synchronous Learning
 Asynchronous Learning

Answer the activity on CANVAS.

• Check Your Understanding 1: Limit of a Function
Agreement
Please read next topics:
- Limit theorems
- Limit of Polynomial, Rational and Radical Functions