Prepared by: Maria Cristina R.

Tabuloc
References: TC 7 by Leithold, Calculus by Salas, Calculus by Larson

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

Section 2.1

LIMITS OF FUNCTIONS
2
WHAT IS THE LIMITATION?
 What are your limitations in the school?
 What are your restrictions in the house?
 How are you limited if you form a box?
 How will you celebrate your debut or
birthday party?
 How will you construct a house?
 How will you design a gown or a dress?
 How high can you climb a stair?
 How did you choose your course?
3
CONCEPT OF LIMITS
 Inmathematics, the concept of a
"limit" is used to describe the value
that a function "approaches" as the
input approaches some value. Limits
are essential to calculus (and
mathematical analysis in general) and
are used to define continuity,
derivatives and integrals.

4
ILLUSTRATION
What is the limit of y as x approaches 1?

y = f(x)

f(x2)
2

f(x1)

c 5
ILLUSTRATION
What is the limit of y as x approaches 2?
L
f(x3)

f(x2)

f(x1)
y = f(x)

c 6
ILLUSTRATION
What is the limit of y as x approaches c?
f(x2) y = f(x)

f(x1)

x1 c x2

7
 THE IDEA OF LIMIT
 Let a function f defined at all numbers
x. If x approaches a certain number c but
not exactly c, then f(x) approaches a
certain value L. which is the limit of f(x)
as x approaches c. In other words, the
limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L, or
roughly, as x approaches c, f(x)
approaches L. In symbol,
lim f ( x )  L
x c 8
THE IDEA OF LIMIT
x2  4
 Consider the limit of f ( x ) 
x2
as x  2
 Taking the values near to x = 2.

x -1.500 -1.900 -1.990 -1.999 -2.000 -2.001 -2.010 -2.100

f (x ) -3.5 -3.9 -3.99 -3.999 #DIV/0! -4.001 -4.01 -4.1
 Notice that as x approaches 2, f(x)
approaches  4, thus
2
x 4
lim  4
x  2 x  2 9
THE IDEA OF LIMIT
 Consider the limit of f(x) = 5x – 4 as x
tends to 2, in symbol, lim5 x  4 
x2

 Taking the values near to x = 2.

x 1.500 1.900 1.990 1.999 2.000 2.001 2.010 2.100 2.500
f (x ) 3.5 5.5 5.95 5.995 6 6.005 6.05 6.5 8.5

 Notice that as x approaches 2, f(x)

approaches 6, thus
lim5 x  4   6
x2
10
THE DEFINITION OF LIMIT
 Let a function f defined at every number in
some interval containing c, except possibly
at the number c itself. The limit of f(x) as x
approaches is L, or roughly, as x
approaches c, f(x) approaches L. In symbol,
lim f ( x )  L
xc

means that for each  > 0, however small,

there exists a  > 0 such that if
0  x  c   , then f ( x )  L   11
ILLUSTRATION
L+2 y = f(x)

L1

C-1 c+2
c

12
 EXAMPLE 1
 Show that the limit is true by finding  > 0 such
that |f(x) – L| < 0.01 whenever 0 < |x – c| < 
lim3 x  2   4
x2

3 x  2  4  0.01 , whenever 0  x  2  
3 x  6  0.01

3( x  2 )  0.01

3 x  2  0.01
0.01
x2   0.003
3 Thus,  = 0.003
13
EXAMPLE 2
 Show that the limit is true by finding  > 0 such
that |f(x) – L| < 0.01 whenever 0 < |x – c| < 
 x
lim 4    2
x  4 2
x
4   2  0.01 , whenever 0  x  4  
2
x 4x
2   0.01   0.01   21  x  4   0.01
2 2
1
2
x  4  0.01

x  4  2(0.01)  0.02 Thus,  = 0.02

14
 Exercise
 Prove the limit is the indicated number by
applying the definition.
1) lim 7  3 x   5
x4
2
x 1
2 ) lim  2
x  1 x  1

x4

3) lim 1  x  1  Use the definition of inequalities
to solve for x

4) lim  x 2  4   5
x 3  
15
 SOLUTION TO EXERCISE # 3
 
3) lim 1  x  1
x4
1  x  (1)  0.01 whenever 0 x4 
2  x  0.01

2  x  0.01 and 2  x  0.01

 x  0.01  2 and  x  0.01  2
x  1.99 and x  2.01
x  3.9601 and x  4.0401
x  4  0.04 and x  4  0.04
Such that , x  4  0.04 Thus,  = 0.04 16
EXERCISE
 P. 77 #44 – 54 (Even only) Calculus by
Larson

17
THEOREMS ON LIMITS
If lim f ( x )  L and lim g ( x )  M
xc xc

 Limit of a Linear Function:

limmx  b   mc  b
xc
 Limit of a constant:
lim k  k
xc
 Limit of Sum and difference of functions:
lim f ( x )  g ( x )  lim f ( x )  lim g ( x )  L  M18
xc xc xc
THEOREMS ON LIMITS
If lim f ( x )  L and lim g ( x )  M
xc xc
 Limit of the product of two functions:
lim f ( x )  g ( x )  lim f ( x )  lim g ( x )  LM
xc xc xc

 Limit of the nth power of a function:

lim f ( x )  L
n n
xc
 Limit of the nth root of a function:
n
lim n f (x)  L
xc 19
THEOREMS ON LIMITS
If lim f ( x )  L and lim g ( x )  M
xc xc
 Limit of the quotient of functions:
f (x) xclim f ( x )L
lim   , M0
xc g(x) lim g ( x ) M
xc

 Limit of the function involving absolute

value:
lim x  c
xc
20
EXAMPLE: EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING LIMITS

1) lim 3 x  7 
x5

2) 
lim z  8
z  2
3

4x  5
3) lim
x 3 5 x  1

21
EXAMPLE: EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING LIMITS
2
x 9 Indeterminate forms:
4) lim 0/0, 0, /, 
x  3 x  3

 
The limit may or
1
5) lim h 1  h
may not exists.
h0
To evaluate the limit of
x12 functions involving
6) lim indeterminate forms,
x 3 x3 transform the function by
applying any mathematical
concepts.
22
EXERCISE: EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING LIMITS
[Use one-half crosswise long pad]

1) lim x  2 x  4 
 2
 1
4) lim  x  
x  2
x 0  x
2) lim  x  2 
x  3 4
x 1
5) lim
2 x1 x  1
3) lim
x  1 x  1
23
EXERCISE: EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING LIMITS
x3
6) lim 2
x 3 x  7 x  12

1 x  0
7 ) lim f ( x ) if f ( x )  
x 0 2 x  0

x2 x4
8) lim f ( x ) if f ( x )  
x4
0 x0

24
EXERCISE: EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING LIMITS

x2 x  4
9) lim f ( x ) if f ( x )  
x 0
x  2 x  0

2 x Q
10) lim f ( x ) if f ( x )  
x 0   2 x  Q'

25
 EXERCISE:

 pp 79-80 Calculus by Salas, Hille, Etgen

 p 51 TC7 by Leithold
 #32 – 46 (even numbers)

 pp. 87-88 Calculus by Larson & Edwards

# 14 – 22 (even); #26, 38; #52 – 62 (even)

26
Chapter 2 Section 2
LIMITS OF TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS
27
LIMITS INVOLVING TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
 Two Special Trigonometric Limits
sin x 1  cos x
lim 1 lim 0
x 0 x x 0 x

 Proof: Applying the Squeeze Theorem

28
ILLUSTRATION: SQUEEZE THEOREM
g(x)

f(x)

h(x)

29
PROOF OF SQUEEZE THEOREM
 Consider a circular sector that is squeezed
between two triangles. Using a unit circle,
D(1, tan )
Area of CBD = 2 tan 
1
A(cos , sin  )
Area of sector CAB = 2 
1
r=1 H
h
Area of CAB = 2 sin 
1
 x
C(0, 0) B(1, 0)
1` sin
2
  1
2
 12 tan 
h
sin    h  sin 
1
x
cos   x  cos
1
H
tan    H  tan 
1 30
PROOF OF SQUEEZE THEOREM
 .
1` sin
2
 1
2
 12 tan 
Multiply by 2, then divide by sin 
 1
D(1, tan ) 1 
sin  cos
A(cos , sin  ) Take the reciprocals
sin 
cos  1
 
Take the limits as  0
C(0, 0) B(1, 0)
sin 
lim cos  lim  lim 1
 0  0   0

1  lim sin  1
 0 
By Squeeze Theorem, lim sin   1
 0  31
EXAMPLES: EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING LIMITS
sin 21 x cos x
1) lim 5) lim
x 0 x x  21    2 x
cos x = sin(90o – x) or sin(/2 – x)
sin x
2 ) lim
x 0 5 x

cos x Exercise
3) lim p.88 # 68 – 80 (Even)
x  2 cot x
# 81 – 89 (Odd)
sin x( 1  cos x ) Calculus By Larson
4) lim
x 0 x2
32
Chapter 2 Section 3

ONE SIDED LIMITS

33
 ONE-SIDED LIMITS
 Limits of functions fall into two natural
categories, those that lie to the left of c and those
that lie to the right of c.
 Left-hand Limit of a function as x
approaches c from the left, f(x) approaches L,
in symbol, lim f ( x )  L
xc

 Right-hand Limit of a function as x

approaches c from the right, f(x) approaches L,
in symbol, lim f ( x )  M
xc 34
DEFINITION OF LEFT-HAND LIMIT
 Left-hand Limit
 Let f be a function defined at every
number in some open interval (d, c). Then
the limit of f(x), as x approaches c from the
left, is L
lim f ( x )  L
xc

for any  > 0, however small, there exists

 If
>0
0  c  x   , then f ( x )  L   35
DEFINITION OF RIGHT-HAND LIMIT
 Right-hand Limit
 Let f be a function defined at every
number in some open interval (a, c). Then
the limit of f(x), as x approaches c from the
left, is L
lim f ( x )  L
xc

for any  > 0, however small, there exists

 If
>0
0  c  x   , then f ( x )  L   36
ONE-SIDED LIMITS
 For the limit of function to exist as x  c,

lim f ( x )  lim f ( x )
xc xc

otherwise, the limit does not exists (dne)

37
ILLUSTRATIONS OF ONE-SIDED LIMITS

lim f ( x )  1
x 4

lim f ( x )  3
x 4

lim f ( x ) dne
x4

f ( 4)  2

38
ILLUSTRATIONS OF ONE-SIDED LIMITS
lim f ( x )  0
x  1 
lim f ( x )  0
x  1 

lim f ( x )  2
x2
lim f ( x )  2
x2

f (1)  0
f (2)  1
For a full limit to exist, both one- lim f ( x )  0
sided limits have to exist and x  1

they have to be equal. lim f ( x )   2

x2 39
ILLUSTRATIONS OF ONE-SIDED LIMITS
lim f (x) 
x  1 
lim f (x) 
x  1 

lim f ( x ) 
x 1 

lim f ( x ) 
x 1 
lim f (x) 
f (1) lim f ( x ) x 1 . 5 
x 1
f (1) lim f ( x ) lim f (x) 
x 1 x 1 . 5 
f ( 1.5) lim f ( x )
x 1.5 40
EXAMPLE: EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING
x 4 x3
1) lim 5) lim
x  16 x  16 x 3 x  3
x x3
2) lim 6) lim
x 0  x x 3 x  3
x x3
3) lim 7) lim
x 0  x x 3 x  3

4) lim
x 8) lim 3 x  x  
x 0 x x 3
41
EXAMPLE: EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING
9) lim 3 x  x   13) lim ln3  x 
 x 3

   
x 3

10) lim 1  
x
2 14) lim ln3  x 
x1  x 3

lim 1     15) lim ln3  x 

x
11) 2 x 3

x1

12 ) lim 1    
x
2
x1
42
EXERCISES:
 pp 61 – 63 Calculus by Salas, Hille,
Etgen
 p. 98 Exercise 2.4 # 1 – 6 (all)
Calculus by Larson
 p. 99 Exercise 2.4 # 8 – 30 (even)
Calculus by Larson

43
Chapter 2 Section 4

CONTINUITY
44
 CONTINUITY
 Definition:
Let f(x) be a function defined at least
on an open interval, I. The function f is
continuous at c if the following
conditions are satisfied
(i ) f (c ) exists
(ii) lim f ( x ) exists
xc

(iii) lim f ( x )  f (c ) 45
xc
 DISCONTINUITY
 Definition:
Ifany of the conditions below are not
satisfied then the function is said to be
discontinuous
(i ) f (c ) exists
(ii) lim f ( x ) exists
xc

(iii) lim f ( x )  f (c )
xc
46
REMOVABLE & ESSENTIAL DISCONTINUITY
 Illustration

a c b a c b a c b
lim f ( x )  f (c )
f(c) dne lim f ( x ) dne xc
Removable xc
Removable
Discontinuity Nonremovable Discontinuity
(Missing point Discontinuity (jump discontinuity)
Discontinuity) (Essential 47
Discontinuity)
REMOVABLE & ESSENTIAL DISCONTINUITY
 Definition:
Let f(x) be a function defined at least on
an open interval, I. The function f has
removable discontinuity at c if
(i) lim f ( x ) dne , f(c) may or may not be
xc
defined or lim f ( x )  f (c )
xc
(ii) and f can be made continuous by
appropriate defining (or redefining) f(c)
48
REMOVABLE & ESSENTIAL DISCONTINUITY
Definition:
 If the discontinuity is not
removable then it is called essential
discontinuity.
LIMIT THEOREMS ABOUT CONTINUITY
 If f and g are continuous at c, then
 f + g is continuous at c.
 f – g is continuous at c.

 af is continuous at c for each real value a;

 f  g is continuous at c.

 f / g is continuous at c provided g(c)  0.

 If g is continuous at c and f is continuous

at g(c), then (f o g)(x) is continuous
50
LIMIT THEOREMS ABOUT CONTINUITY
Polynomial functions are
continuous at every number.
A rational function is
continuous at every number in
its domain.

51
LIMIT THEOREMS ABOUT CONTINUITY
Continuity on an open interval: A
function is continuous on an open
interval (a, b) if it is continuous at
each point in the interval. A
function that is continuous on the
entire real line (, +) is
everywhere continuous.
52
 EXAMPLE

Discuss the continuity of the function

(Calculus by Larson p.99 Ex 31-34)
x x1
1 
#31] f ( x )  2 #33 ] f ( x )   2 x1
x 4 2 x  1 x  1

2
x 1
#32 ] f (x)  #34 ] f (x)  1
2
x   x
x1

53
EXAMPLE
 Discuss the continuity of the function
(Calculus by Larson p.99 Ex 31-34)

#35] g ( x )  49  x 2
 7 ,7 
#36 ] f (t )  2  9  t 2
 3 ,3
3  x x0
#37 ] f ( x )   1  7 ,7 
 3  2
x x  0
1
#38 ] g ( x )  2  1,2 
x 4 54
EXERCISES

 Calculus by Larson p. 99 -100

#39 – 65 (odd nos)

55
Chapter 2 Section 5

INFINITE LIMITS
56
 INFINITE LIMITS
 Definition:
Let f be a function defined at every
number in some open interval, I,
containing c, except possibly at the
number c itself. As x approaches c, f(x)
increases without bound, written as
lim f x   
x a
 If for every number N > 0 there exists a  >
0 such that if 0 < |x – c| <  then f(x) > N57
 INFINITE LIMITS
 Definition:
Let f be a function defined at every
number in some open interval, I,
containing c, except possibly at the
number c itself. As x approaches c, f(x)
decreases without bound, written as
lim f x   
x a
 If for every number N < 0 there exists a  >
0 such that if 0 < |x – c| <  then f(x) < N58
THEOREMS ON INFINITE LIMIT
 A. If r is any positive integer, then
1    if r is odd
lim 
x 0  xr    if r is even
 B. Let c be any real number and
lim f ( x )  0 lim g ( x )  k where k is any
x c x c constant
 (i)
If f(x) passes through positive values
and if
g(x)
k > 0, then lim  
x c f (x)
g(x)
k < 0, then lim   59
x c f (x)
LIMIT THEOREMS
 (ii)If f(x) passes through negative values
and if
g(x)
k > 0, then lim  
x c f ( x )
g(x)
k < 0, then lim  
x c f ( x )
The theorem is also valid if x  c is
replaced by x  c+ or x  c
That is, the theorems are also valid to right-
hand and left-hand limits.
60
DEFINITIONS OF VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES
 The line x = c is a vertical asymptote (VA) of the
graph of function f if at least one of the following
statements is true
(i) lim  f ( x )  
x c
(ii) lim  f ( x )  
x c
(iii) lim f ( x )  
x c 
(iv) lim f ( x )  
x c 
61
DEFINITIONS OF VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES
 Determine the RHL and LHL as the function (shown to
the right) approaches each VA.
lim f ( x )  
 (i)
x  1 
lim f ( x )  
 (ii) x  1 

 (iii) lim f ( x )  
x 2 

 (iv) lim f ( x )  
x 2 

 (v) lim f ( x )  
x 4 
62
EXAMPLES AND EXERCISES:
 pp70 – 71 The Calculus 7 by
Leithold
# 21 – 29 (odd); # 35 – 41 (odd)
# 45 – 46

 p 245 by Calculus ( Early

Transcendental Function) by Larson
# 13 – 43 (odd)

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 Chapter 3

DERIVATIVE OF FUNCTIONS

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