Basic Calculus

Limits of Trigonometric
Functions
Objective:
At the end of the lesson,
the students will be able
to evaluate limits of
trigonometric functions
We first recall the six basic
circular functions and their
respective domains.

Definition 1.8.1
The following are the six basic
circular functions and their
domains:
i. sine: where ;
ii. cosine: where
iii. cosecant:
where ;
iv. secant:
where ;
v. tangent:
where ; and,
vi. cotangent:
where .
Observe that the six basic
trigonometric functions are
continuous everywhere in
their respective domains.
This result is formally stated
in the following theorem:
This implication is stated in the
following theorem:

Theorem 1.8.2
i. ;
ii. ;
Theorem 1.8.1
Sine, cosine, secant, cosecant,
tangent and cotangent functions
are continuous at every point in
their respective domains.
Remark:
Theorem 1.8.1 has a significant
impact when it comes to finding
limits of trigonometric functions.
iii. ;
iv. ;
v. ;
Example
1.8.1: Evaluate
Theorem 1.8.3
Evaluating limits of trigonometric
functions is simply finding the
trigonometric function values at .
But there are two important limits
involving trigonometric functions
that cannot be evaluated using the
same technique. These are:
The values of these limits are
given in the next theorem.
Theorem 1.8.4
i.
# Evaluate each of the following
limits, if it exists:
a.

b.

c.
d. g.
e. h.

f.
# Evaluate each of the following limits,
if it exists:

a. d.
b. e.

c.
Theorem: Let b > 0 , b ≠ 1. Then
i. = ba
ii. =

Ex. 1.

2.
Thank You ! 