LIMITS: Infinite Limits and Limits

of Some Indeterminate Forms

Infinite Limits

In our preceding lecture, we discussed the limit at a point

𝑐 𝑓
of
𝑥
a rational function of the form 𝑔
where 𝑔 𝑐 ≠ 0.
𝑥

Now, we investigate the limit of some functions of this

type with 𝑓 𝑐 ≠ 0 and 𝑔 𝑐 = 0.

Basic Calculus Limits 2

Infinite Limits
Consider 𝑓 = 𝑥1 . Clearly, the function is undefined
𝑥 2
at 𝑥 = 0 but we can check the behavior of this
function
as 𝑥 approaches 0.

Basic Calculus Limits 3

Infinite Limits
We first consider the values approaching 0 from the left.

Observe that as 𝑥 approaches 0

from the left, the value of 𝑦 = 𝑓
𝑥 increases without bound.

When this happens, we say that

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = +∞.
𝑥→0 −

Basic Calculus Limits 4

Infinite Limits
Now, we consider the values approaching 0 from the right.

Again, as 𝑥 approaches 0 from

the right, the value of 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥
increases without bound.

So,
lim+ 𝑓 = +∞.
𝑥 →0
𝑥

Basic Calculus Limits 5

Infinite Limits
1
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0
−+∞ ++∞
∴ lim 𝑓 𝑥 =
+∞
𝑥→0
Basic Calculus Limits 6
Infinite Limits
1
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥2
−

Observe that as 𝑥 approaches 0 from the left and from

the
right, the values of 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 decreases without bound.
Basic Calculus Limits 7
Infinite Limits
1
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥2
−

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0
−−∞ +−∞
∴ lim 𝑓 𝑥 =
−∞
𝑥→0
Basic Calculus Limits 7
Infinite Limits

• lim 𝑓 𝑥 = +∞ if the value of 𝑓 𝑥 increases

𝑥→
without bound whenever the values of 𝑥 get
closer and closer to 𝑐.

• lim 𝑓 𝑥 = −∞ if the value of 𝑓 𝑥 decreases

𝑥→
without bound whenever the values of 𝑥 get
closer and closer to 𝑐.

Basic Calculus Limits 8

Infinite Limits
1
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 The graph suggests that

lim 𝑓 𝑥 =
−∞
while 𝑥→0 −

lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 →0
+∞.
Because the one-sided limits
are not the same, we say that

lim 𝑓 𝑥 DNE.
𝑥→0

Basic Calculus Limits 9

Infinite Limits

Theorem: If 𝑟 is any positive integer,

then
1
i. lim+ 𝑥 = +∞
𝑥 →0

1
= +∞ if 𝑟 is
ii. lim
𝑥 →0 𝑥 even
−
−∞ if 𝑟 is odd
Examples:
1 1
1. lim+ 𝑥 = 2. lim− 𝑥 =
𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0
4 3

Basic Calculus Limits 10

Infinite Limits

Theorem: If 𝑟 is any positive integer,

then
1
i. lim+ 𝑥 = +∞
𝑥 →0

1
= +∞ if 𝑟 is
ii. lim
𝑥 →0 𝑥 even
−
−∞ if 𝑟 is odd
Examples:
1 1
3. lim+ 𝑥 = 4. lim− 𝑥 =
𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0
5 8

Basic Calculus Limits 10

Remark 1: Infinite Limits

Remember that ∞ is NOT a number.

So, lim 𝑓 𝑥 = +∞ or lim 𝑓 𝑥 = −∞

describes
𝑥 →𝑐 𝑥 →𝑐
the behavior of the function near 𝑥 = 𝑐, but it
does
not exist as a real number.

Basic Calculus Infinite Limits 11

Indeterminate Form "0"0

Now, we discuss how to evaluate the limit at point 𝑐 of

𝑓
some
𝑥
functions of the form where 𝑓 𝑐 = 𝑔 𝑐 =
𝑔
𝑥 0.

𝑓
If lim 𝑓 = 0 and lim 𝑔 𝑥 = 0, then lim 𝑥
𝑥 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥 →𝑐 𝑔
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥
"0"
is called an indeterminate form of type 0
.

Basic Calculus Limits 12

Remark 2: Indeterminate Form "0"0

A limit that is indeterminate of type "0" may exist.

0

To find an actual value, one should find an expression

equivalent to the original function.
This is commonly done by factoring or by
rationalizing.

Basic Calculus Indeterminate Form 13

Examples
𝑥 2 +2𝑥 +1
1. lim 0 𝑥 +1
=
𝑥 →− 0
1

Basic Calculus Indeterminate Form 14

Examples
𝑥 2 −9
2. lim =0
𝑥→ 𝑥 −3 0
3

Basic Calculus Indeterminate Form 15

Examples
𝑥 2 −1
3. lim =0
𝑥 →1 𝑥 +1 0

Basic Calculus Indeterminate Form 16

Examples
4+3𝑥 − 2 0
4. lim =
𝑥→ 𝑥 0
0

Basic Calculus Indeterminate Form 17

Practice Exercises

Basic Calculus Indeterminate Form 18