Thomas, 13e

MAC 2311: Calculus

Section 2.6 Part II: Limits at Infinity (End Behavior)

As x , f ( x ) ? As x , f ( x ) ?

B. Limits at Infinity (End Behavior) 4

Y
4 y
3
3
1. Infinite Limits at Infinity 2
2

lim f ( x ) = lim f ( x ) =
1
1 X
x
x x 0 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
-1
lim f ( x ) = lim f ( x ) =
-1
-2
-2
x x
-3
-3
-4
-4

*2. Finite Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes

lim f ( x ) = L or lim f ( x ) = L
x x

Definition: Horizontal Asymptotes

If f ( x ) has a finite limit of L as x or x ,
then the line y = L is called a horizontal asymptote of f ( x ) .

Example 4: Find the following values and limits.

a. Given y = f ( x ) , find the following: 4 y

3

2
i. lim f ( x ) ii. lim f ( x ) 1
x x x
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-1
iii. Write equations for any horizontal -2

asymptotes. -3

-4

4 y

b. Given y = f ( x ) , find the following:

3

1
x
i. lim f ( x ) ii. lim f ( x ) -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
1 2 3 4

x x
-2

-3

iii. Write equations for any horizontal -4

asymptotes.

c. Given y = f ( x ) , find the following: 16 y

12

i. lim f ( x ) ii. lim f ( x ) 8

x x 4
x
-8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8
iii. Write equations for any horizontal -4

asymptotes. -8

What other asymptotes are here? -12

-16

Unit 1 p. 18
 Thomas, 13e
Limits at Infinity and End Behavior: An Algebraic Approach
y
y

Basic Limits at Infinity: x

x

=1. lim c c=lim c c

x x

y
2. lim x = lim x =
x x
x
1 1
=
*3. lim 0=lim 0
x x x x

1 1 1 1
Theorem: If n > 0 is any rational number, lim= = 0 =
lim n = 0
x x n
big + x x big + /

Limits at Infinity with Rational Functions

(Algebra technique given a limit of /: To use the basic limits above, divide the numerator and
denominator by the by highest power of x in the denominator)

Example 5. Find the limit.

3x + 4 3x + 4
5a. lim lim
x x2 x x2

4 x 2 + 3x 4 x 2 + 3x
5b. lim lim
x 2 x 3 5 x 2 x 3 5

x+3x x+3x
5c. lim lim
x 2 x + 5 x 2 x + 5

Unit 1 p. 19
 Thomas, 13e
3x + x
2
3x + x
2
5d. lim lim
x x 1 x x 1

*For improper rational functions: Use long division to rewrite in proper form in order to find both the
end behavior and the oblique asymptote (if there is one).

Definition: Infinite Limits at Infinity

y
1. lim f ( x ) = or lim f ( x ) =
x x

2. lim f ( x ) = or lim f ( x ) = x
x x

End Behavior of Power Functions:

1. For n even: lim x = example: lim 2 x =

n 4
x x

lim x = n
lim 2 x 4 =
x x y

2. For n odd: lim x = example: lim ( 3x 5 ) =

n
x x x
lim x = lim ( 3x )=
n 5
x x

Polynomial Functions
(Algebra technique given a limit of indeterminate form -:
To use the basic limit at infinity, factor out the highest power of x and try the limit again)

Example 6: Find the limit.

a. lim 5 x 3 + x 2 4 b. lim 2 x 4 x 3 + 2 x 2 + 1
x x

Unit 1 p. 20
 Thomas, 13e
Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
y
Basic Exponential Limits: y Basic Natural Log Limits:

lim e x = lim e x = 0 x lim ln x = lim ln x = x

x x x 0+ x

Example 7: Find the limit:

3e x 3e x
a. lim ( 2 5e x
) b. lim x c. lim x
x x e 4 x e 4

Example 8: Find the domain, intercepts, and use limits to find any vertical asymptotes, holes, and end
behavior (including any horizontal or oblique asymptotes). Then sketch the graph.

x 2 + 3x
(see ex.3) 8a. f ( x ) = 2
x + x6

Unit 1 p. 21
 Thomas, 13e
3x + x
2
(see ex 5d) 8b. f ( x ) =
x 1

Example 9: Sketch the graph of a function that satisfies all of the following properties:

f (1) = 0
lim f ( x ) =
x2

lim f ( x ) = 2
x

lim f ( x ) =
x

Example 10: Application of End Behavior

300
The length of an animal (in mm) t days after birth is modeled by: L ( t ) =
1 + 9e t
a. What is the length at birth?

b. What is the eventual length?

Unit 1 p. 22