MATHEMATICS

LIMIT
IIT-JEE Syllabus :
Limit and continuity of a function, limit and continuity of the sum, difference, product and quotient of two
functions.

INDEX
1. Some Important Terminology
2. General introduction
3. Definition of limit of a function
4. Left hand limit and right hand limit of a function
5. Indeterminate forms
6. Five Fundamental Theorems
7. Various Strategies (To evaluate limit)
8. Sandwich / Squeeze play Theorem
9. Limits of Trigonometric Functions
10. Limit using Series Expansion
11. Limit of Exponential Functions
12. Limit of logarithmic function
13. Generalised Formula for 1¥
14. Limit of a Sequence
15. Limits of functions having built in limit with them
16. Limits in Geometry

st nd
1 & 2 LECTURE
ONLY FOR TEACHERS REFERENCE
1. SOME IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY :
Neighbourhood of a point : Neighbourhood of a point x = a is an interval (a – d, a + d) for some d > 0.
Some time this is referred as d neibourhood of x = a.
Deleted (punctured) neighbourhood of a point : Deleted neighbourhood of a point x = a is an interval
(a – d, a + d) – {a} for some d > 0.
Limit point (cluster point) of domain of definition of the function : x = a is called a limit point of domain
if every neighbourhood of x = a contains atleast one point of domain other than x = a. Please note that
limit points may or may not be in the domain.
e.g. Consider domain (3, 7] È {10}. Here x = 3, 3.1, ... 7 are the limit points of domain and x = 10 is not
a limit point.
Isolated point of domain of definition of the function : x = a is called an isolated point of domain of
definition of the function if in some neighbourhood of x = a, there is no point of domain other than x = a.
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

Please note that isolated points belongs to domain.

e.g. In previous example x = 10 is an isolated point of domain.
2. GENERAL INTRODUCTION :
The concept of limit of a function is one of the fundamental ideas that distinguishes calculus from algebra and
trigonometry. We use limits to describe the way a function f varies. Some functions vary continuously; small
changes in x produce only small changes in f(x). Other functions can have values that jump or vary erratically.
We also use limits to define tangent lines to graphs of functions. This geometric application leads at once to the
important concept of derivative of a function.
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Meaning of x ® a : Let x is a variable & 'a' is a constant. When x takes the values very close to 'a' then we
say that x approaches to a, but x is not equal to a. We denote it by x ® a. If x approaches to a from right
side, then we denote it by x ® a+. If x approaches to a from left side, then we denote it by x ® a–. Now if
h is very small positive number & x takes value such that 0 < |x – a| < h, then we say x approaches to a
& we denote it by x ® a.
e.g. If x can take all values in the neighbourhood of 2 like 1.9, 1.99, 1.999, .... and 2.1, 2.01. 2.001, ...
etc. but x can not take value 2, this means x ® 2.

3. DEFINITION OF LIMIT OF A FUNCTION :

We write Lim f(x) = L and say ''the limit of f(x), as x approaches a, equals L''. If we can make the value
x ®a
of f(x) arbitrarily close to L (as close to L as we like) by taking x to be sufficiently close to a (on either side of
a) but not equal to a.
Roughly speaking, this says that the value of f(x) get closer and closer to the number L as x gets closer and
closer to the number a (from either side of a) but x ¹ a. An alternative notation for Lim f(x) = L is f(x) ® L
x ®a

as x ® a which is usually read ''f(x) approaches L as x approaches a''.

Notice the phrase ''but x ¹ a'' in the definition of limit. This means that in finding the limit of f(x) as x approaches
a, we never consider x = a. In fact, f(x) need not even be defined when x = a. The only thing that matters is
how f is defined near a.
Following figures show the graphs of three functions. Note that in part (c), f(a) is not defined and in part (b),
f(a) ¹ L. But in each case, regardless of what happens at a, it is true that Lim f(x) = L .
x ®a

y y y

L L L

0 a x 0 a x 0 a x

(a) (b) (c)

x2 - 1
For e.g. If we have to guess the value of Lim , then notice that the function f(x) = (x2 – 1)/(x – 1) is not
x ®1 x - 1

defined when x = 1, but that doesn't matter because the definition of Lim f(x) says that we consider values
x ®a

of x that are close to a but not equal to a. The tables below give values of f(x) (correct to six decimal places)
for values of x that approach 1 (but are not equal to 1). On the basis of the values in the tables, we make the

x2 - 1
guess that Lim = 2 As x ® 1, ƒ(x) ® 2, and Lim ƒ(x) = 2 .
x ®1 x -1 x ®1

x <1 f(x) x >1 f(x)

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0.5 1.5 1.5 2.5

0.9 1.9 1.1 2.1
0.99 1.99 1.01 2.01
0.999 1.999 1.001 2.001
0.9999 1.9999 1.0001 2.0001

Above example is illustrated by the graph of f(x) in Figure 1. Now let's change f(x) slightly by giving it the value

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ì x2 - 1
ï if x ¹ 1
1 when x = 1 and calling the resulting function g(x), where g(x) = í x - 1
ï if x = 1
î1
This new function g(x) still has the same limit as x approaches 1 (see Figure 2).
y y

x2 - 1
2 y= 2
x -1 y = g(x)
1 1
–1 –1
0 1 x 0 1 x

Figure 1 Figure 2
ONLY FOR TEACHERS REFERENCE
y
Fomally, if for every e > 0 there exist a d > 0
e
L
e
such that for all x Î Df , 0 < |x – c| < d

d1 d2 d= min{ d1,d2}
Þ |f(x) – L|< e, then lim f(x) = L a
x ®a 0 x

Remark : We talk about limits of a function either at limit points of domain or when argument of function ® ¥.
We never talk about limit at isolated points.
4. LEFT HAND LIMIT AND RIGHT HAND LIMIT OF A FUNCTION :
We write Lim- f(x) = L and say the left-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches a [or the limit of f(x) as x approaches
x ®a
a from the left] is equal to L if we can make the values of f(x) arbitrarily close to L by taking x to be sufficiently
close to a and x < a.
Similarly, if we require that x be greater than a, we get ''the right-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches a is equal
to L'' and we write Lim f(x) = L . Thus, the symbol ''x ® a+'' means that we consider only x > a. These definitions
x ®a +
are illustrated in following figures

y y

L f(x)
f(x) L

0 x®a x 0 a¬x x
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

(a) lim- f(x) = L (b) lim+ f(x) = L

x ®a x ®a

By comparing definition of limit with the definitions of left hand & right hand limits, we see that for existence
of limit at x = a

Lim f(x) = L if and only if Lim- f(x) = L and Lim+ f(x) = L, where L is a unique finite
x ®a x ®a x ®a

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p
Example : Investigate Lim sin .
x ®0 x
Solution : Again the function f(x) = sin(p/x) is undefined at 0. Evaluating the function for some small values

æ1ö æ1ö æ1ö

of x, we get f(1) = sinp = 0, f ç ÷ = sin2p = 0 , f ç ÷ = sin 3p = 0 , f ç ÷ = sin 4p = 0 , f(0.1) = sin10p = 0,
è2ø è3ø è4ø
f(0.01) = sin100p = 0. Similarly, f(0.001) = f(0.0001) = 0. On the basis of this information we might be tempted
p
to guess that Lim sin = 0 but this time our guess is wrong. Note that although f(1/n) = sinnp = 0 for any
x ®0 x
integer n, it is also true that f(x) = 1 for infinitely many values of x that approach 0. [In fact, sin(p/x) = 1 when
p p
= + 2np and solving for x, we get x = 2/(4n + 1)]. The graph of f is given in following figure
x 2

y
1 y = sin(p /x)

–1
x
1

–1

The dashed line indicate that the values of sin(p/x) oscillate between 1 and –1 infinitely often as x approaches
0. Since the values of f(x) do not approach a fixed number as x approaches 0,
p
Þ Lim sin does not exist.
x ®0 x
Examples :
E(1) To still understand explicitly the existence of limit consider the following graphs of y = f(x)
at x = 0, f(0+) = 1, ƒ(0) = 1 y

at x = 1, f(1–) = 0 ; f(1+) = 1 Þ lim f ( x ) DNE ¥

x ®1

2
at x = 2, f(2+) = f(2–) = 1 ¹ f(2) but Þ lim f ( x ) = 1
x ®2 1
x
at x = 3, f(3+) = f(3–) = 2 = f(3) and lim f ( x ) = 2 0 1 2 3 4 5
x ®3

at x = 4, f(4+) = f(4–) = 1 ¹ f(4) but lim f ( x ) = 1

x ®4

at x = 5, f(5–) ® ¥ hence limit does not exist

é2x - 3, x ³ 2
E(2) Consider : f(x) = ê 2 Þ Lim f(x) = 1 & Lim f (x) = 0 Þ Lim f ( x ) DNE
ë4 - x , x < 2 +
x ®2 x ®2- x ®2

5. INDETERMINATE FORMS :
0 ¥
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, , ¥ - ¥ , 0 ´ ¥ , 1 ¥ , 00, ¥0 .
0 ¥
Initially we will deal with first five forms only and the other two forms will come up after we have gone through
differentiation.
Note : (i) Where 0,1 are not exact, infect both are approaching to their corresponding values.
(ii) We cannot plot ¥ on the paper. Infinity ( ¥ ) is a symbol & not a number. It does not obey the
laws of elementary algebra, (a) ¥¥ ® ¥ (b) 0¥ ® 0

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Examples : (Essential)
|x|
(a) f(x) = [x] and {x} has no limit at all integers (b) f(x) = has no limit at x = 0
x
1 p
(c) Lim tan–1 does not exist (d) Lim cot -1 x2 - =0
x ®0 x x ®0 2
(e) Lim x s g n(x - 1) does not exist
x ®1

(f) Lim sin–1[sec x] exists and is equal to p/2. Where [ ] denotes greatest integer function.
x ®0
Note :
(i) In some cases the function is defined at x = a however limit does not exist at x = a and in some cases
limit at x = a exist however f(a) is not defined.
(ii) x®aÞx¹a
(iii) Lim f(x) = L , then f(x) ® L as x ® a, it does not mean Lim f(x) ® L .
x ®a x ®a

(iv) Lim f(x) to be meaningful then f(x) must be defined in atleast one neighbourhood of x = a.
x ®a

1 p
e.g. (a) Lim x = 0 (RHL) (b) Lim tan-1 = - (LHL)
x ®0 x ®0 [x] 4

(v) lim x - a + a - x is meaningless as x = a is an isolated point.

x ®a
6. FIVE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREMS :
Before we learn how evaluate limit of a function, following 5 fundamental theorems should be remembered
If Lim f(x) = L and Lim g(x) = M where L and M are finite quantities, and f(x) and g(x) are defined on same
x ®c x ®c
neighbourhood of c, then
(a) Constant Multiple rule : Lim
x ®c
K.f(x) = KL
ü
(b) Sum rule : Lim (f(x) + g(x)) = L + M ï
x ®c
ï
(c) Difference rule : Lim (f(x) – g(x)) = L – M ï
x ®c ï
ï
(d) Product rule : Lim (f(x) . g(x)) = L . M ý where ƒ(x) and g ( x ) are defined on same neighbourhood of c
x ®c ï
ï
f(x) L ï
(e) Quotient rule : Lim = ,M¹0 ï
x ®c g(x) M ï
þ
Remember :
(i) If lim ƒ ( x ) exist but lim g ( x ) does not exist then
x®c x®c

(a) lim
x ®c
( ƒ ± g ) can not exist.
(b) Nothing definite can be said abou the product or quotienor quotient
ƒ
(ii) If lim ƒ ( x ) exist but lim g ( x ) both doe not exist then nothing can be said about ( ƒ ± g ) ,ƒ.g or
x®c x®c g
7. VARIOUS STRATEGIES (TO EVALUATE LIMIT) :
(a) Factorisation
x 3 - 4x2 + 7x - 6
E(1) (i) Lim [Ans. 1]
x ®2 x2 - x - 2
x 4 - 3x + 2 (x4 - 1) - 3(x - 1) (x2 + 1)(x + 1) - 3 1
(ii) Lim [Hint : 5
; 4 3 2
= =1]
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

x ®1 x 5 - 4x + 3 (x - 1) - 4(x - 1) (x + x + x + x + 1) - 4 1
sin 3x
(iii) L im [Ans. 3]
x ®0 sin x
a 2 - b2 a3 - b3
Note : (i) a - b = (ii) a - b = 2
a+b a + b2 + ab
1/ 3 1
(iv) Lim x - 1 [Ans. ]
x ®1 x 3 - 2x + 1 3

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(b) Rationalisation :
x æ0 ö
E(2) (i) Lim ç 0 form ÷ [Ans. 2017 ]
x ®0
2017 + x - 2017 - x è ø

(ii) Lim tan2 x

x®
p { 2 sin2 x + 3 sin x + 4 - sin2 + 6 sin x + 2 } (¥ × 0 form) [Ans.
1
12
]
2
(c) Double rationalisation :
3- x æ0 ö 2
E(3) (i) Lim ç 0 form ÷ [Ans. ]
x ®9
4 - 2x - 2 è ø 3

5 - x -2 æ0 ö 1
(ii) Lim ç 0 form ÷ [Ans. ]
2 - x -1
x ®1 è ø 2
(d) Use of substitution :
Lim f(x) = Lim f(a - h) or Lim f(a + h) i.e. by substituting x by a – h or a + h
x®a h®0 h ®0

æ pö
(tan x - 3) cos ec ç x - ÷
è 3ø p
E(4) (i) Lim (use x - = t ) [Ans. 1]
x®
p
(1 + 3 tan x) 3
3

1 - cot 3 x æ0 ö 3
(ii) Lim ç 0 form,put cot x = t ÷ [Ans.
4
]
x®
p 2 - cot x - cot 3 x è ø
4

ONLY FOR TEACHERS REFERENCE

(e) Limit at infinity :
Let f be a function defined on some open interval a to infinity (from negative infinity to a). Then we
say the limit of f(x) as x approaches (negative) infinity is L, and we write
lim f(x) = L
x ®( - )¥

If for every number e > 0 there is a corresponding number Ne such that

|f(x) – L| < e
Whenever
x > Ne (x < Ne)
Remark : We love ¥ in Denominator and 0 in Numerator. This technique is generally used to over come
the indeterminant form in rational and irrational algebraic expression.
Please note that finite/infinite ® 0.

(x - 3)40 .(5x + 1)10 510

E(5) (i) Lim [Ans. ]
x ®¥ (3x2 - 2)25 325

x 3 + x 2 + 1 + 3 x 21 - x 3 - x 2 - 1
(ii) lim [Ans. 1]
( )
x ®¥ 14
x + 2 x +1
3
+1

E(6) Lim
x ® ±¥
{ x 2 - 2x - 1 - x 2 - 7x - 3 } [Ans. ±
5
2
]
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x 2 + 1 æ ¥ form ö 1
E(7) Lim ç ÷ [Ans. – ]
x ® -¥ 3x - 6 è ¥ ø 3
(1 + 2 + 3 + ....... + n)(13 + 23 + 33 + ....... + n3 ) 9
E(8) Lim [Ans. ]
n ®¥ (12 + 22 + 32 + ..... + n2 )2 8

xn + nxn -1 + 1
E(9) Lim , n Î ¥ (where [.] represents GIF) [Ans. 1]
x ®¥ [x n ]
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Asking Problems (Oral) :
e tan x - 1
1. Lim [Ans. DNE]
x ®p / 2 e tan x + 1

e xln2
2. Lim [Ans. 0]
x ®¥ ex
(f) Use of binomial theorem/algebraic identities
a+b+c
E(9) (i) Lim
x ®¥
{ 3
(x + a)(x + b)(x + c) - x } [Ans.
3
]

(ii) Lim
x ®¥
{ 3
x 3 + 3x 2 - x 2 - 2x } [Ans. 2] (iii) Lim
x ®1 3
x2 + 3 - 2
3x2 + 5 - 2
[Ans. 1]

General Examples :
æ 1 12 ö 1
E(1) Lim ç - 3 ÷ (¥ – ¥) form [Ans.– ]
x ®-2 x + 2 x +8ø
è 2
x2 - 9x + 20
E(2) Lim ; [.] is greatest integer function [Ans. f(5+) = 1, f(5–) = 0]
x ®5 x - [x]
x2 - 9
E(3) Lim [Ans. D.N.E.]
x ®3 |x - 3|

Important factors :
(i) xn – an = (x – a)(xn–1 + axn–2 + ........... + an–1), n Î ¥
(ii) xn + an = (x + a)(xn–1 – axn–2 + ........... + an–1), n is an odd natural number.

x n - an xn - an n n -m
Result -1: (i) Lim = na n -1 (ii) Lim = a
x ®a x-a x ®a x m - am m

xn - 1
E(4) Lim m (m,n Î ¥ ) [Ans. does not exist]
x ®1 |x - 1|

x7 + a7
E(5) Sum of all possible values of 'a' for which lim = 7 is [Ans. 0]
x ®- a x + a

Asking Problems (Oral) :

f(x) - 5
1. If Lim = 3 , then Limit f(x) = ............ [Ans. 5]
x ®2 x -2 x ®2

0 f(x) - 5
[Hint : for form Lim f(x) must be 5. If Lim = 4 , then Lim f(x) is also 5]
0 x ®2 x ®2 x -2 x ®2

8. SANDWICH / SQUEEZE PLAY THEOREM :

General :
The squeeze principle is used on limit problems where the usual algebraic methods (factorisation or algebraic
manipulation etc.) are not effective. However it requires that we will be able to "squeeze" our problem in between
two other simpler function whose limits are easily comparable and equal. Use of Squeeze principle requires
accurate analysis, indepth algebra skills and careful use of inequalities.
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

Statement :
If f, g and h are 3 functions such that f(x) £ g(x) £ h(x) x2
h(x)=1+
for all x in some deleted neighbourhood of x = a and 2
y=g(x)
Lim f(x) = Lim h(x) = L , then Lim g(x) = L (0,1) x
2
x ®c x ®c x ®c f(x)=1–
4
From the figure note that Lim g(x) = 1
x ®0

Note :
The quantity c may be a finite number, + ¥ or –¥. Similarly L may be finite number, + ¥ or –¥.

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Examples : (by using Sandwich theorem)
2 - cos x
E(1) Lim [Ans. 0]
x ®¥ x+3
2
E(2) Lim x 3 cos [Ans. 0]
x ®0 x
x 2 (2 + sin 2 x)
E(3) Lim [Ans. DNE]
x ®¥ x + 100
[12 x] + [22 x] + [32 x] + ..... + [n2 x] x
E(4) Lim where [.] greatest integer function. [Ans: ]
n ®¥ n3 3
E(5) Evaluate :
æ n n n n ö
(i) Lim ç 2 + 2 + 2 + ..... + 2 ÷ [Ans. 1]
n ®¥ n + 1 n +2 n +3 n +nø
è
æ 1 4 9 n2 ö 1
(ii) Lim ç 3 + 3 + 3 + ..... + 3 ÷ [Ans. ]
n®¥ ç n + 1 n +4 n +9 n + n2 ÷ø
è 3

Asking Problems (Oral) :

sin x
1. Lim [Ans. 0]
x ®¥ x
9. LIMITS OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS :
If x is small and is measured in radians then
sin x x sin -1 x x
Result-2 : (i) Lim = = 1 = Lim = Lim x cosec x = Lim = Lim
x ®0 x x ® 0 sin x x® 0 x® 0 x x ® 0 sin - 1 x

sin f(x)
(ii) If Lim f(x) = 0, then Lim =1
x®a x ®a f(x)
Proof: Consider a circle with unit radius T
area of DOAP < area of sector OAP < area of DOAT
T
sin x x tan x P
< < tanx
2 2 2 1
sin x x
Þ cosx < < 1 (0 < x < p/2)
x O cosx A
Now using Sandwich Theorem 1
sin x sin x
Lim cosx < Lim < 1. Hence Lim =1 .....(1)
x ®0 x ®0 x x ®0 x
Note :
sin x é sinx ù
The Lim always approaches 1 from its left hand Þ Lim
x ®0 ê x ú
=0
x ®0 x ë û
é sinx ù
& êLim = 1 where [ ] denotes greatest integer function
ë x→0 x úû
tan x x tan -1 x x
Result-3 : (i) Lim = 1 = Lim = Lim x cot x = Lim = Lim
x ®0 x x ® 0 tan x x ® 0 x ® 0 x x ® 0 tan -1 x
tan f(x)
(ii) If lim f(x) = 0 Þ lim =1
x ®a x®a f(x)
Note :
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

tan x é tanx ù é tanx ù

The Lim approaches 1 from its right hand Þ Lim = 1 and ê Lim = 1 , where
x ®0 x x ® 0 ê
ë x û
ú
ë x ® 0 x úû
[ ] denotes greatest integer function.
1 - cos x 1 1 - cos f(x) 1
Important note : (i) Lim = (ii) If Lim f(x) = 0, then Lim =
x® 0 x 2
2 x ®a x®0 f 2 (x) 2
Home Work : ........................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................

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3 LECTURE
Examples :
sin2x
E(1) (i) Lim [Ans. 2/5] (ii) Lim sin 8x cot 3x [Ans. 8/3]
x ®0 5x x ®0

1 - cos 5x
(iii) Lim [Ans. 25/6]
x ®0 3x 2
tan x tan x
E(2) (i) xLim [Ans. 3] (ii) Lim [Ans. DNE]
®p / 2 tan 3x x®p / 2 tan2x

1 + tan x - 1 + sin x 1 1 + x sin x - cos2x

E(3) (i) Lim [Ans. ] (ii) Lim [Ans. 6]
x ®0 x3 4 x ®0 æxö
tan2 ç ÷
è2ø
x 3 + x2 - 2 px 2
E(4) (i) Lim [Ans. 5] (ii) Lim(1 - x) tan [Ans. ]
x ®1 sin(x - 1) x ®1 2 p

ì ü
ï æ 1ö æ 1ö æ 1ö ï 1
E(5) Lim n2 í ç 1 - cos ÷ ç1 - cos ÷ ç 1 - cos ÷ .....¥ ý [Ans. ]
n ®¥
ï è n ø è n ø è n ø ï 2
î þ

æ é ƒ(x) ù é ƒ(2x) ù é ƒ(3x) ù é ƒ(2015x) ù ö

E(6) Let ƒ(x) = xcosx, then lim ç ê ú +ê ú +ê ú + ....... + ê ú ÷ is
x ®0
è ë sin x û ë sin 2x û ë sin 3x û ë sin(2015x) û ø
(where [.] represents greatest integer function) [Ans. 0]

sin x - sin 2x - sin 3x + sin 4x

E(7) lim [Ans. 0]
x ® 0 cos x - cos 2x - cos 3x + cos 4x

1 - cos x cos 2x 3
E(8) Lim [Ans. ]
x ®0
x2 2

æ1ö
x 4 sin ç ÷ + x2
èxø
E(9) Lim 3
[JEE 1987] [Ans. –1]
x ®-¥
1+ x

tan( p cos x) 1
E(10) Lim [Ans. – ]
x ®2 p x (x - 5p) + 4p2 (2x - p)
2
2

cos -1 (1 - x)
E(11) (i) Lim+ [Ans. 2 ; put cos (1 – x) = q]
–1
x ®0 x

sin -1 x - tan -1 x 1
(ii) Lim [Ans. ]
x ®0 x3 2

+ sin0
sin{x - 10} sin{x} 8 =0 1
E(12) Lim = Lim
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[Ans. DNE]
x ®8 {10 - x} x ® 8 { - x} – sin1
8 =DNE 0

sin(a + 2x) - 2 sin(a + x) + sin a

D(13) Lim [Ans. – sina]
x ®0 x2

tan 3 x - 3 tan x
D(14) Lim [Ans. –24]
x ®p / 3 cos(x + p / 6)

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Asking Problems (Oral) :
1 x 1
1. Lim x sin = 0 = Lim & Lim x sin =1
x ®0 x x ® 0 cos -1 x x ®¥ x
x sin x
2. Lim [Ans. 0]
x®0 1 + x2
1 1 - cos x
3. Lim [Ans. D.N.E.]
x ®0 x 1 + cos x
1 - cos x + 2sin x - sin 3 x - x 2 + 3x 4
4. Lim (divide Nr & Dr by x) [Ans. 2]
x ®0 tan 3 x - 6 sin2 x + x - 5x 3
æ 1ö 1
5. Lim x 2 ç 1 - cos ÷ [Ans. ]
x ®¥
è xø 2
tan x
6. Lim [Ans. D.N.E.]
x ®p / 2 tan2x
1 - cos x
7. Lim [Ans. 0]
x ®0
cos4 (3 x )
tan x 3
8. Lim [Ans. 0]
x ®0 x
1 1
9. Lim - [Ans. 0]
x ®0 sin x tan x
cot -1 x
10. Lim [Ans. D.N.E]
x ®0 x
1
11. Lim x tan -1
= Lim x cot -1 x [Ans. 1]
x ®¥ x x ®¥
10. LIMIT USING SERIES EXPANSION :
Expansion of function like binomial expansion, exponential & logarithmic expansion, expansion of sinx, cosx,
tanx should be remembered by heart which are given below :
x lna x2 ln2 a x 3 ln 3 a
(a) ax = 1 + + + + ...,a > 0,a ¹ 1, x Î ¡
1! 2! 3!
x x2 x 3
(b) ex = 1 + + + + ...,x Î ¡
1! 2! 3!
x2 x3 x 4
(c) ln (1 + x ) = x - + - + ... for - 1 < x £ 1
2 3 4
x 3 x5 x7
(d) sin x = x - + - + ..., x Î ¡
3! 5! 7!
x2 x 4 x6
(e) cos x = 1 - + - + ..., x Î ¡
2! 4! 6!
x3 2x 5 æ p pö
(f) tan x = x + + + ..., x Î ç - , ÷
3 15 è 2 2ø
3 5 7
x x x
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

(g) tan -1 x = x - + - + ..., x Î [ -1,1]

3 5 7
12 12.32 5 12.32.52 7
(h) sin -1 x = x + x 3 + x + x + ..., x Î (-1,1)
3! 5! 7!
x2 5x 4 61x6
(i) sec -1 x = 1 + + + + ...,|x|> 1
2! 4! 6!
n(n - 1) 2
(j) (1 +x)n = 1 + nx + x + ..., n Î ¡, x Î (–1, 1)
2!

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 MATHEMATICS
Note :
If a function ƒ(x) has continuous derivatives up to (n + 1) th order, then this function can be expanded in the
following fashion (the series is called MacLuarin Series) :

ƒ '(0) ƒ ''(0) 2
ƒ(x) = ƒ(0) + x+ x + ........
1! 2!

Examples :

x - sin x 1
E(1) Lim [Ans. ]
x ®0 x3 6

ex - 1 - x 1
E(2) Lim [Ans. ]
x ®0 x2 2

x - tan x 1
E(3) Lim [Ans. – ]
x ®0 x3 3

a 2 + x 2 - b2 - x 2 + x n
E(4) If lim = 2 a,b > 0 & n Î ¥, then find possible values of a,b and n
x ®0 x2
[Ans. if n < 2, then limit D.N.E
if n = 2, then a = b = 1
1
if n > 2, then a = b = ]
2

1 1 1
E(5) Lim - [Ans. – ]
x ®0 (sin -1 x)2 x2 3

2(tan x - sin x) - x 3 1
E(6) If Lim = , then find the value of n. [Ans. 5]
x ®0 xn 4

(1 + x)1 / x - e e
D(7) Lim [Ans. – ]
x ®0 x 2

ì æ 1 öü 1
í x - x ln ç 1 + ÷ý
2
D(8) Lim [Ans. ]
x ®¥
î è x øþ 2

sin x - x2 - {x}.{ -x}

D(9) Lim [Ans. does not exist]
x ®0 x cos x - x 2 - {x}.{ - x}

(x + h)x + h - x x
D(10) (i) Limit [Ans. x x (1 + lnx) ]
h ®0 h

(x + h)ln( x+ h) - x lnx
(ii) Limit [Ans. 2(lnx)(x)( lnx -1) ]
®h 0 h
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

Home Work : ........................................................................................................

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E 11
 IIT-JEE
th
4 LECTURE
11. LIMIT OF EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

ì 0, 0 < a < 1
ï x
Result-1 Lim a = í 1, a =1
x ®¥
ï¥, a >1
î
Examples :
E(1) (i) (
Lim lim(cos2 ph)n
n ®¥ h ®1
) [Ans. 1]

(ii) Lim ( lim(cos 2

ph) )
n
[Ans. 0]
h ®1 n ®¥

E(2) Lim ( lim(sec ph) ) 2 n

[Ans. 1]
n ®¥ h ®1

ax - 1 ex - 1
Result-2 : (i) Lim = ln a (a > 0) (ii) Lim =1
x ®0 x x ®0 x

a f(x) - 1 e f( x) - 1
(iii) If Lim f(x) = 0, then Lim = ln a (a > 0) & Lim =1
x® a x®0 f(x) x ®0 f(x)
Examples :
e4x - 1
E(1) (i) Lim [Ans. 4]
x ®0 tan x
1

(ii) Lim x (e x - 1) (¥ × 0) [Ans. 1]

x ®¥

e sin 2 x - e sin x
E(2) Lim [Ans. 1]
x ®0 x
2
e x - cos x 3
E(3) Lim [Ans. ]
x ®0 x2 2

a x + h + a x - h - 2a x
E(4) Lim ,a>0 [Ans. axln2a]
h ®0 h2

cos(xe x ) - cos(xe - x )
E(5) Lim [Ans. – 2]
x ®0 x3
2
e1/ x - 1 1
E(6) Lim [Ans. – ]
x ®¥ 2arc tan x 2 - p
2

ax - aa
E(7) Lim = ,a > 0 . [Ans. aalna]
x ®a x-a
Pn
E(8) Let Pn = aPn-1 - 1, " n = 2,3,.......... and let P1= ax – 1 where a Î R+ then evaluate Lim .
x ®0 x
[Ans. (ln a)n]
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

cos 7x - cos 9x 2 sin x - sin2x sin2x cos x - sec x

D(9) If l1 = Lim , l 2 = Lim , l 3 = Limp , l 4 = Lim ,
x ®0 cos x - cos 5x x ® 0 x 3
x® cos x x ®0 x2
2

sin 2x sin(sin x)
l 5 = Lim(cos ecx - cot x) , l 6 = Lim(cosec x + cot x) , l 7 = Lim , l 8 = Lim ,
x ®0 x ®p x ®0 tan 3x x ®p x-p
8
then find å li
i =1

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 MATHEMATICS
4 2
[Hint: l1 + l2 + l3 + l4 + l5 + l6 + l7 + l8 = + 1 + 2 + (– 1) + 0 + 0 + – 1 = 3]
3 3
Asking Problems (Oral) :

e-x - 1
1. Lim [Ans. –1]
x ®0 x

12. LIMIT OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTION

ln(1 + x)
Result : (i) Lim =1
x®0 x

log a (1 + x) 1
(ii) Lim =
x ®0 x ln a

ln(1 + f(x))
(iii) If Lim f(x) = 0, then Lim =1
x®a x ®0 f(x)
Examples :

ln(1 + x) 1
E(1) Lim [Ans. ]
x ®0 3x - 1 ln3

lnx - 1
E(2) (i) Lim [Ans. 1/e]
x ®e x-e

(ii) Lim(1 - x) log x 2 [Ans. (–ln2)]

x ®1

a x - xa æaö
E(3) (i) Lim [Ans. a a ln ç ÷ ]
x ®a x-a èeø

x x - aa
D(4) (i) Lim (a > 0) [Ans. aaln ea]
x ®a x-a

x x - ax
(ii) Lim [Ans. aa]
x ®a x-a

cos x 3 - 1 + ln(1 + x 6 )
D(5) Lim 2
[Ans. 1]
x ®0
x 2 (e x - 1 - x 2 )

Asking Problems (Oral) :

ln sec x 1
1. Lim [Ans. ]
x ®0 x2 2

1
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

2. Lim [Ans. 0]
x ®0 ln|x|

Home Work : ........................................................................................................

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E 13
 IIT-JEE
th
5 LECTURE
13. GENERALISED FORMULA FOR 1¥ :
1
(i) Lim(1 + x) x = e
x ®0
x
æ 1ö
(ii) Lim ç 1 + ÷ = e
x ®¥ è xø
1
(iii) If Lim f(x) = 0, then Lim {1 + ƒ(x)} ƒ(x) = e
x® a x® a
lim f ( x )[ f(x ) - 1]
(iv) Let lim f(x) = 1 and lim f(x) ® ¥, then (f(x)) f ( x ) = e x ® a
x®0 x®a

f ( x) -1
é f ( x)
ù
Proof : We have l = Lim[1 + f(x) - 1] f( x)
= Lim ê{1 + (f(x) - 1)} f ( x) -1 ú
x ®¥ x ®a
êë úû
Put f(x) – 1 = y, as x ® a, y ® 0
Lim f( x)[f( x ) -1]
é ù
1 x® a
Lim f( x)[f( x ) -1]
\ l = êLim(1 + y) y ú = e x®a
êë y ®0 úû

Note : If Lim f(x) = A > 0 and Lim f(x) = B, a finite quantity, then Lim f((x))f ( x) = A B
x ®a x ®a x ®a

Examples :
1- x 1/ 2 if x ® 0
æ 1 + x ö 1- x
Lim ç = 2 / 3 if x ® 1
E(1)
x ®0 è
x ®1 2 + x ÷ø
x ®¥ 1 if x ® ¥
mx
æ Kö
E(2) (i) Lim(1 + 2x) 5/x
[Ans. e ] 10
(ii) Lim ç 1 + ÷ [Ans. emK]
x ®0 x ®¥
è xø
2x +1
æ x2 + 2x - 1 ö x -1 1
E(3) Lim ç
x ®¥ 2x 2 - 3x - 2
÷ [Ans. ]
è ø 4

( )
tan2 x
Lim 1 + 3cot 2 x
E(4) x®
p [Ans. e3]
2

1/ x
é p ù
E(5) Lim ê tan æç + x ö÷ ú [Ans. e2]
x ®0
ë è4 øû
x
æ 1 1ö
E(6) Lim ç sin + cos ÷ [Ans. e]
x ®¥
è x xø
cos ecx
æ 5 ö
E(7) Lim ç ÷ [Ans. e–1/30]
x ®0
è2+ 9+ x ø
n
æ a -1 + n b ö
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

E(8) Lim ç ÷÷ a > 0, b > 0, n Î ¥ [Ans. b1/a]

n ®¥ ç a
è ø

x
Limcosn
2
E(9) [Ans. e - x /2
]
n ®¥
n
nx
æ 11 / x + 21 / x + 31 / x + ....... + n1 / x ö
E(10) Limit ç ÷ , nÎ¥ [Ans. n!]
x ®¥
è n ø

14 E
 MATHEMATICS
Asking Problems (Oral) :
x3
æ 3x 2 + 1 ö x -1
1. Lim ç 2 ÷ [Ans. DNE]
x ®¥ 2x - 1
è ø
tan2x
æ æp öö
2. Lim+ ç tan ç + x ÷ ÷
x®
p
è è 8 øø
( -¥
® 0 ( 2 + 1) ® 0 ) [Ans. 0]
4

ONLY FOR TEACHERS REFERENCE

an
14. LIMIT OF A SEQUENCE :
We call L the limit of the sequence {xn} if the
following condition holds :
e
for each real number e > 0, there exists a L
e
natural number Ne such that for every natural
number n > Ne, we have |xn – L| < e.
The sequence {xn} is said to converge to or 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 n
13
tend to the limit L, written x n ® L or
Ne
lim x n = L
n ®¥

2n
E(1) Lim (diminishing fraction) [Ans. 0]
n ®¥ n!
1 1 1 1
E(2) lim + + .... + [Ans. ]
n ®¥ 1.2.3 2.3.4 n ( n + 1 )( n + 2 ) 4
n
2r
D(3) If l = lim å r
, then 24l ,is [Ans. 6]
n ®¥
r =0 52 +1
D(4) Let x0 = l & x1 = 2l and a sequence of real numbers is defined as

1 + x n +1
x n+2 = , n = 0,1, 2 ........., then evaluate lim(x2018 ) . [Ans. 0]
xn l®¥

15. LIMITS OF FUNCTIONS HAVING BUILT IN LIMIT WITH THEM :

Examples :

é sin x x > 0
tan px 2 + (x + 1)n sin x ê
E(1) f(x) = Lim = tan px2 , find Limit f(x) . [Ans. DNE]
n®¥ x2 + (x + 1)n ê x < 0
x ®0
êë x2

[Sol. Lim+ = 0; Lim- = p Þ limit does not exist ]

x ®0 x ®0

cos px - ( x2 ) sin(x - 1)
n

E(2) f(x) = Lim = , find Lim f(x) [Ans. –1]

1 + x ( x2 ) - ( x2 )
n ®¥ n n x ®1
D:\DATA\TARGET-2012\TEACHING NOTES\LIMIT

é cos px
ê for x < 1
[Sol. f(x) = - sin(x - 1) Þ Lim f(x) = – 1]
ê for x > 1 x ®1
êë x - 1

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 IIT-JEE
16. LIMITS IN GEOMETRY
E(1) Using limits prove that area of circle is pr2
E(2) Suppose that circles of equal diameter are packed tightly in n rows inside an equilateral triangle.

(The figure illustrates the case for n = 4).

An
If A is the area of triangle and An is the total area occupied the circles in n-rows then nlim is equal
®¥ A
to ?

p
[Ans. ]
2 3
D(3) An arc PQ of a circle subtends a central angle q as shown. Let A(q) be the area between the chord PQ
and the arc PQ. Let B(q) be the area between the tangent lines PR and QR and the arc PQ.

A(q)
Find Lim [Ans. 2]
q® 0 B( q)
D(4) Let An be the area outside a regular polygon of n side of side length 1 but inside its circumscribed circle
An
and Bn be the area inside the same polygon but outside its inscribed circle, then lim is
n ®¥ Bn
[Ans. 2]

Home Work : ........................................................................................................

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