The concept of a limit is fundamental to understanding calculus.

In short, a limit in
mathematics is the value a function approaches (f(x)) as the input approaches some quantity
of x.

In formulas, a limit of a function is usually written as lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, and is read as "the limit
𝑥→𝑐
of f of x as x approaches c equals L.

This means that the value of the function f is close to L, by choosing x values that are close
to c.

Let f(x) be a function defined on the interval [-6,11] whose graph is given as:

What is lim 𝑓(𝑥) ? lim 𝑓(𝑥) ? lim 𝑓(𝑥)?

𝑥 → −2 𝑥→0 𝑥 → 11

Investigate and Think!

Suppose you are given 24 cm of wire and asked to form a rectangle whose area is the
largest. What dimensions would the rectangle have?

Can you express this using limit notation?

When does a limit not exist?
● if the left side of the function approaches a different limit than the right side,
then the limit does not exist because the function is not continuous
○ is often the case when there is a jump or gap in a function’s graph
● wherever a function increases and decreases infinitely and inversely
(“without bound”) as it approaches a given x-value.
● when a function's x-values are undefined or do not exist. If the function can’t
approach some value c from 1 side because the x-values don’t exist, then the
limit for that function can’t exist
● when the value of a function oscillates when approaching a fixed point (no
one particular value)
Evaluating Limits

2
3𝑥+1 𝑥 −2𝑥−8
lim 2𝑥−1
lim 2
𝑥→1 𝑥 → −2 𝑥 −4

3
𝑥 −1 𝑥+5−3
lim 𝑥−2
lim 𝑥−4
𝑥→2 𝑥→4
Evaluate each limit
Solutions -