12

Senior High School

Basic Calculus
Learning Activity Sheets
(Quarter 3 - Week 1a)
(SILAGO DISTRICT PROJECT HOIST INITIATED TEMPLATE AND DESIGN)
 HIGH

For the Teachers:

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected
to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the
module.

For the learner:

Welcome to the Basic Calculus: Module on The Limit of a Function!
The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is
often used to depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may
learn, create and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource
signifies that you as a learner is capable and empowered to successfully
achieve the relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and time.
Your academic success lies in your own hands!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and
time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material
while being an active learner.

SCHOOL
 LAS

1
Quarter 3

The Limit of a Function

EXPECTATION

Lesson: The Limit of a Function

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the learning episode, you are expected to:

1. illustrate the limit of a function using a table of
values and the graph of the function; and
2. distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐).
 𝑥→𝑐

RECAP
It is important to first recall the important notions about
functions. By a function f with domain D, we mean a way of
assigning to each object (usually a real number) 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷 a unique
object (usually a real number), which we denote 𝑓(𝑥). So, a
function is always defined by specifying what is assigned to each
number in its domain. The numbers assigned, i.e., the numbers
𝑓(𝑥) where 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷, form what is called the range of the function.
A function is also defined as a set of pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) with the
condition that no two distinct pairs share the same first element.
With this notation, we usually write the “rule” of the assignment as
the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). We are, thus prompted to call x the
independent variable as opposed to the dependent variable y
whose value depends on x.
It will also be helpful to us if we can recall the different kinds
of functions, the piecewise function, and how the graph of these
functions are sketched in a Cartesian Plane.

LESSON

2
x −9
Consider the function f defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = . We will investigate
x−3
the function values (i.e., y’s or f(x)’s) as x gets closer and closer to 3.
Here we are not concerned with the value of the function when 𝑥 = 3. In
fact, for the given function f, 𝑓(3) is undefined in which case, it is
customary to indicate this with an open circle when sketching the
graph of the function f, at 𝑥 = 3.
If x is in the domain of f, then 𝑥 ≠ 3 so that
x −9 ( x−3 )( x +3 )
2
f ( x )= = =x +3
x−3 x−3

So, we can say that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 ≠ 3. The

graph of 𝑓(𝑥) is shown in Figure 1 at the right.
Figure 1
Table 1:
x 0 1 2 2.5 2.9 2.99 2.999 2.9999 2.99999
f(x) 3 4 5 5.5 5.9 5.99 5.999 5.9999 5.99999

Table 2:
x 6 5 4 3.5 3.1 3.01 3.001 3.0001 3.00001
f(x) 9 8 7 6.5 6.1 6.01 6.001 6.0001 6.00001

In Table 1, we let x approach 3 by starting from 0 and moving

toward 3 from the left of 3. In Table 2, we let x approach 3 by starting
from 6 and moving toward 3 from the right of 3.
Notice that from Table 1 and 2, as x gets closer and closer to 3,
𝑓(𝑥) gets closer and closer to 6. The number 6, which 𝑓(𝑥) gets close to
when x gets closer to, but not equal to, 3 is said to be the limit of 𝑓(𝑥)
as x approaches 3. In symbols, we write lim f ( x )=6 . We can make 𝑓(𝑥) as
x →3

close as we like to 6 by keeping x close enough to 3.

Definition of the Limit of a Function

Let f be a function at every number in some open interval containing
c, except possibly at the number c itself. If the value of f is arbitrarily
close to the number L for all the values of x sufficiently close to c,
then the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as x approaches c is L. In symbols,
lim f ( x )=L
x →c

2
lim 2 x using the table of values.
Example 1: Evaluate x→−1
Solution: Assign the values of x that are close to 1 and evaluate the
function at those values.

From the left of -1:

x -3 -2 -1.5 -1.1 -1.01 -1.001 -1.0001
By𝑓(𝑥)
observing
= 2𝑥2 the two
18 8 tables,
4.5 we 2.42
will see that from
2.0402 both2.0004
2.004 directions,
as x
From the right of -1:
x 1 0 -0.5 -0.9 -0.99 -0.999 -0.9999
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2
2 0 0.5 1.62 1.9602 1.996 1.9996
assumes values closer to 1, the value of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥2
2
lim 2 x .
becomes closer to 2. Thus, x→−1

This is clearly shown in Figure 2.

Example 2: Evaluate the indicated limit using the graph:lim f (x ).

x →0

Solution: The given is an example of a piecewise function, a function

that comes from combining two or more different functions. In fact, the
function is defined by

{
f ( x )= x +2 if x ≠ 0
1if x=0 }

Using the definition of limit of a function, the limit of this function

is 2 even if it is evident that 𝑓(0) = 1 (See Figure 3). As f approaches 𝑥
= 0 from both directions, the value of y approaches its “intended”
value, which is 2. Thus,
 lim f ( x )=2
x →0

Limit and Function Value

The limit of a function as it approaches 𝑥 = 𝑐 is not necessarily

equal to its value at c. Thus, lim f (x ) can assume a value different from
x →c

𝑓(𝑐).

Example 3: Evaluate the following limits: lim 𝑓(𝑥) and lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥→−1

Figure 4

Solution: The specified limits do not exist. In the first function f,

the limit does not exist because 𝑓(0) is undefined and as 𝑥 → 0, the
graph (from the left and from the right) moves to opposite directions. In
the second function g, the limit does not exist because the function
must approach the same value as x approaches c from both directions.
From the graph, the limit of g as 𝑥 → 1 from the left is 2, while the limit
of g as 𝑥 → 1 from the right is 3.

Existence of a Limit

The limit of a function as 𝑥 → 𝑐 exists if

 𝑓(𝑐) is defined; or
 if 𝑓(𝑐) is not defined, then f must approach the same value as x
moves closer to c from both directions

ACTIVITIES
Evaluate the given limits numerically (using table of
values) and graphically:

2
x −4
1. lim
x →2 x−2

|x 2−4|
2. lim
x →2 x−2

3. lim
x →2 { 3 if x=2 }
f ( x ) when f ( x ) = x if x ≠ 2

WRAP – U P

To wrap-up, answer the following questions:

1. What is the definition of a limit of a function?

2. How can we get the limit of a function using table of

values? How about graphically?

3. How do you differentiate the limit of a function

from a function value?
4. When do we say that the limit of a function exist?
 VALUING

The limit of a function at a specified value of x gives us a

value to which it is not possible to go beyond. Similarly,
we have our own limitations. We are restricted to do
things beyond our human capacities.
How do you relate the idea of the existence of the limit of
a function in life as a student? as a family member? as
part of the community?

KEY TO CORRECTION
 REFERENCES

BOOK
Canlapan, Raymond B. Basic Calculus. Diwa Learning Systems,
Inc., Makati
City. 2017
Cuaresma, Genaro A. et al. 2004. Analytic Geometry and Calculus
1: A Worktext for Math 26. Los Baños, Laguna: Institute of
Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the
Philippines.
Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources. 2016.
Precalculus Learner's Material.
Leithold, Louis. 1989. College Algebra and Trigonometry. Addison
Wesley Longman Inc., reprinted by Pearson Education Asia
Pte. Ltd., 2002.