MODULE 2

LIMITS and CONTINUITY of a FUNCTION

LIMITS of aFUNCTION

Limits - arise from finding the tangent to a curve

2-1DEFINITION: Suppose that f(x) is defined near the number

a, or in an open interval that contains a, except possibly at a
itself, then we write
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒂

Read as, “Limit of f(x) as x approaches a equal to L”

Or the value of f(x) approaches L, as x approaches a. Meaning the value of f(x)

tend to get closer and closer to L, as x gets closer and closer to a (from either side)
but x≠a.

But x≠a, means that 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.

y
Y=f(x)

Figure 2-1 a
2-2 Special Limits
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
1. lim =1
𝑥
x→ 0
1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥−1
2. lim = 0 or lim =0
𝑥 𝑥
x→ 0 x→ 0

3. lim (1 + 1⁄𝑛)n = e

n→ ∞
4. lim (1+n)1/n = e
n→ 0
5. For a>1, then:
lim ax = + ∞
x→ + ∞
lim ax = 0
x→ - ∞
lim loga x = +∞
x→ +∞
lim loga x = -∞
x→ 0
6. For 0<a<2, then:
lim ax = 0
x→ +∞
lim ax = +∞
x→ - ∞
lim loga x= -∞
x→ +∞
lim loga x= +∞
x→ 0
2-3 Limit Laws:

c is a constant and the limits 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) exist

1.lim[𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

2. lim[𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) − lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

3. lim[𝑐𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑐 lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

4. lim[𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) . lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎
5. lim = if lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑔(𝑥) lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

6. lim[𝑓(𝑥)]𝑛 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)]𝑛

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

7. lim 𝑐 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑎

8. lim 𝑥 = 𝑎
𝑥→𝑎
9. lim 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 where 𝑛 is a positive integer
𝑥→𝑎
𝑛 𝑛
10. lim √𝑥 = √𝑎 where 𝑛 is a positive integer
 𝑥→𝑎
(If 𝑛 is even, we assume that 𝑎 > 0.)

11. lim 𝑛√𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛√𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑓(𝑥) where 𝑛 is a positive integer

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
(If 𝑛 is even, we assume that lim 𝑓(𝑥) > 0.)

2-4 One-Sided Limit

DEFINITIONS:

Left-hand Limit; lim𝑥→𝑎− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, limit of f(x) as x approaches a from the

left is equal L. x is less than, but close to
a.
Right-hand Limit; lim𝑥→𝑎+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, limit of f(x) as x approaches a from the
right is equal L. x is greater than, but
close to a.

Figure 2-2

It follows that,

lim𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, if and only if, lim𝑥→𝑎− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, and lim𝑥→𝑎+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
2-5 Direct Substitution Property If 𝑓 is a polynomial or a rational function and 𝑎 is
in the domain of 𝑓, then
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑥→𝑎

2-6 Infinite limit

Vertical Asymptote
DEFINITION: The vertical line x = a is called a , vertical asymptote of the curve y = f(x)
if at least one of the following statements is true:

𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂 𝒇(𝒙) = ∞ 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂 𝒇(𝒙) = ∞ 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂 𝒇(𝒙) = ∞

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = − ∞ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = −∞, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = − ∞

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂
𝒙→𝒂

CALCULATING LIMITS using LIMIT LAWS:

EVALUATE THE LIMITS IN THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES:

Example 2-1 lim𝑥→−2 (3𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1)

Solution:

lim (3𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1)
𝑥→−2

By direct substitution property, lim𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 9𝑓(𝑎) for

polynomial functions.

It follows that,
lim𝑥→−2 (3𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1) = 3(−2)4 + 2(−2)2 − (−2) + 1
lim𝑥→−2 (3𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1) = 55

Answer
 𝑡 2 −2
Example 2-2 lim𝑡→2 ( )2
𝑡 3 −3𝑡+5

Solution:
𝑡 2 −2 [lim𝑡→2 ( 𝑡 2 −2)]2
lim𝑡→2 ( )2 =
𝑡 3 −3𝑡+5 [lim𝑡→2 ( 𝑡 3 −3𝑡+5)]2

𝑡 −2 2 2 4 [(2)2 −2]2
lim𝑡→2 ( 3= [(2)3)−3(2)+5]
= 2
𝑡 −3𝑡+5 49

Answer

2𝑥 2 +1
Example 2-3 lim𝑥→2 √
3𝑥−2

Solution:

2𝑥 2 +1 lim (2𝑥 2 +1)

lim𝑥→2 √ = √ 𝑥→2
3𝑥−2 lim (3𝑥−2)
𝑥→2

9
= √
4

2𝑥 2 + 1 3
lim √ =
𝑥→2 3𝑥 − 2 4

Answer
𝑥+1
Example 2-4 lim𝑥→5+
𝑥−5

Solution:6
𝑥+1 5+1
lim𝑥→5+ =
𝑥−5 5−5

6
=
0
𝑥+1
lim𝑥→5+ = +∞ , the limit does not exist
𝑥−5

Answer
Example 2-5 lim𝑥→(𝜋)− 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑥
2

Solution:
𝜋
lim𝑥→(𝜋)− 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑥 = sec( )
2 2

1
= 𝜋
cos( )
2

lim𝜋 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑥
1 = +∞
𝑥→( )=
−
0
2
𝜋
Answer Refer to graph of sec x, x= , is a
2
vertical asymptote.
𝑥 2 −2𝑥+8
Example 2-6 lim𝑥→2+
𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6

Solution:
𝑥 2 −2𝑥−8 (𝑥−4)(𝑥+2)
lim𝑥→2+ =
𝑥 2 −𝑥−6 (𝑥−3)(𝑥+2)

𝑥−4
=
𝑥−3

2−4
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8= 2−3
lim = 2
𝑥→2+ 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 6

Answer
 sin 𝑥 2
Example 2-7 lim𝑥→0+
𝑥

Solution:
sin 𝑥 2 sin 𝑥 2 𝑥
lim𝑥→0+ = lim𝑥→0+ .
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

xsin 𝑥 2
= lim𝑥→0+ 1
𝑥2

sin 𝑥 2
= (lim𝑥→0+ 𝑥)( lim𝑥→0+ )
𝑥2

= 0(1)
sin 𝑥 2
lim𝑥→0+ =0
𝑥

Answer

CONTINUITY of a FUNCTION,

Mathematical meaning of continuity corresponds closely with the meaning of the

word continuity in everyday language, that is without interruption (continuous
process).

2-7 DEFINITION

A function f(x) is continuous at a number a, if

𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒂)

 This implicitly requires three things if f is continuous at a.

1. f(a) defined (that is a is in the domain of f).

2. lim𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) exist.
3. lim𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)

If anyone or more of the three conditions above is not satisfied, the function
f(x) is said to be discontinuous at x = a or have a discontinuity at x = a.

Figure 3-1

Figure 2-3 ”f is continuous at a, if f(x) approaches f(a) as x approaches a”.

Geometrically, you can think of a function that is continuous at every number in an

interval as a function whose graph has no break in it, the graph can be drawn
without removing your pen from the paper.
 Figure 2-4

In Figure 3-2 there is a discontinuity at x = 1, because the graph has a break there.
The reason why it is discontinuous is that at 1, f(1) is not defined.

The graph has a break when x = 3, but the reason for the discontinuity is different.
Here f(3) is defined, but lim𝑥→3 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist, because the left and right
hand limits are not equal. So f is discontinuous at x = 3. As in the preceding
section,

lim𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, if and only if, lim𝑥→𝑎− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, and lim𝑥→𝑎+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿

2 -8 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

A polynomial is continuous for all values of x.

2-9 FUNCTIONS INVOLVING OPERATIONS BETWEEN OTHER FUNCTIONS

If u(v) and v(x) are both continuous at a, it follows that the following
functions are continuous at x = a:

1. u(x).v(x)
2. u(x) + v(x)
3. u(x) – v(x)
𝑢(𝑥)
2-10 TYPES OF DISCONTINUITY

2-10.1 Missing Point of Discontinuity

when,
𝑓(𝑥) does not exist or defined at x = a. and

lim𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) exist

𝑥 3 −9𝑥+10
Example 2-1 Find the points of discontinuity of 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−2
Solution:

𝑥 3 −9𝑥+10
𝑓(𝑥) = ,
𝑥−2
Looking At the equation the denominator x -2 vanishes or is equal to 0, at x =2,
meaning,
At x =2,
𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 + 10
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−2
(2)3 −9(2)+10
𝑓(2) =
2−2
0
𝑓(2) = , indeterminate (f(x) is not defined at x = 2), meaning f(2) ,
0
does not exist,
Therefore, x = 2 is a point of discontinuity of the function.

but,
𝑥 3 −9𝑥+10 (𝑥−2)(𝑥 2 +2𝑥−5)
lim𝑥→2 = lim𝑥→2
𝑥−2 𝑥−2
= lim𝑥→2 ( 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5)
= (2)2 + 2(2) − 5
𝑥 3 −9𝑥+10
lim𝑥→2 = 3, exist
𝑥−2

𝑥 3 −9𝑥+10
Point of discontinuity of 𝑓(𝑥) = , is at
𝑥−2
X=2.

Since, 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist or defined at x = 2. and

lim𝑥→2 𝑓(𝑥) exist, x=2 is a missing point of
discontinuity, since
it cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Answer

2-10.2 Finite Jump

when,
𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂− 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳𝟏 and,
𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂+ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳𝟐 , 𝑳𝟏 ≠ 𝑳𝟐
Example 2-2

Figure 2-6

y = -1, −1 ≥ 𝑥 < 0
y = 1, 1≤𝑥<2
y = 2, 2≤ 𝑥 < 3
y = 3, 3≤ 𝑥 < 4

2-10.3 Infinite Discontinuity

The function increases or decreases without bound as x approaches a, we
say that the function has an infinite discontinuity at x = a.

Infinite limit
 Vertical Asymptote
DEFINITION: The vertical line x = a is called a , vertical asymptote of the curve y = f(x)
if at least one of the following statements is true:

𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂 𝒇(𝒙) = ∞ 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂 𝒇(𝒙) = ∞ 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒙→𝒂 𝒇(𝒙) = ∞

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = − ∞ 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = −∞, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = − ∞

𝒙→𝒂 𝒙→𝒂
𝒙→𝒂

𝑥 2 +3
Example 2-3 lim𝑥→4
𝑥 2 −16

Solution:
𝑥 2 +3 (4)2 +3
lim𝑥→4 =
𝑥 2 −16 (4)2 −16

(4)2 +3
=
(4)2 −16

19
=
0

𝑥 2 +3
lim𝑥→4 = +∞
𝑥 2 −16
Answer x=4 is a vertical a
𝑥 2 +3
asymptote f(x) =
𝑥 2 −16

MORE EXAMPLES

2𝑥 2
Example 2-4 lim𝑥→∞
3𝑥 2 +5

Solution:
Divide both the numerator and denominator of f(x) by the
x of the highest degree in the denominator.
 2𝑥2
2𝑥 2 𝑥2
lim𝑥→∞ = lim𝑥→∞ 3𝑥2 +5
3𝑥 2 +5
𝑥2

2
= lim
𝑥→∞ 5
3+
𝑥2
Evaluate,
2
=
5
3+
∞
2
=
3+ 0

2𝑥 2 2
lim 2 =
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 + 5 3

Answer