Name _________________

AP Calculus BC
Notes Packet 1 2024-25
Limits
2.2-2.3 Review of Limits
2.5 Infinite Limits
4.5 Limits at Infinity
2.4 Continuity
One-Sided Limits
Intermediate Value Theorem
 AP Calculus BC
First Marking Period 2024 - 2025 August 12 – 27, 2024
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
August 12 A Day 13 B Day 14 A Day 15 B Day 16 A Day

2.2, 2.3, 2.5 Limits Review

2.4 Continuity,
Precalculus Review: Are you ready for 4.5 Limits at Infinity
One-Sided Limits,
AP Calculus BC?
IVT
Join AP Classroom

19 B Day 20 A Day 21 B Day 22 A Day 23 B Day

AP Questions about Limits

2.4 Continuity, Skill Check: Limits
One-Sided Limits, Quiz: Limits
IVT Review of Limits
Extra Practice: Limits

26 A Day 27 B Day 28 A Day 29 B Day 30 A Day

Test: Limits and Continuity

Part 1: Limits, One-Sided Limits
Part 2: Limits at Infinity, Continuity, IVT,
Squeeze Theorem

2
Chapter 2: 2.2-2.5, 4.5 2024-25

Date Agenda Learning Targets: I can…

Monday, 8/12 • First Day Procedures *recall Precalculus concepts necessary
Tuesday, 8/13 • Precalculus Review: Are you ready for success in AP Calculus BC
for AP Calculus BC?

Wednesday, 8/14 • 2.2-2.5: Review of Limits *represent, interpret, and estimate limits
Thursday, 8/15 • 4.5 Limits at Infinity analytically using correct notation
HW: Limits Worksheet (skip #23) *interpret the behavior of functions
using limits involving infinity

Friday, 8/16 • 2.4 Continuity & One-Sided Limits *determine the limits and explain
Monday, 8/19 – Intermediate Value Theorem behavior of functions using limit
– Squeeze Theorem theorems
HW: Limits Worksheet #23 *determine intervals over which a
Continuity, IVT, and Squeeze function is continuous
Theorem Practice *justify conclusions about continuity at a
point using the definition
Join AP Classroom
Tuesday, 8/20 • Skill Check: Limits (go over in class) *review limits and continuity to prepare
Wednesday, 8/21 • Review of Limits for the quiz
HW: Finish Review of Limits

Thursday, 8/22 • AP Questions about Limits *ace my quiz over limits and continuity.
Friday, 8/23 • Quiz: Limits *review limits and continuity to prepare
• Extra Practice: Limits for the test
HW: Finish AP Questions about
Limits
Review for Test

Monday, 8/26 • Test: Limits & Continuity *ace my test over limits and continuity
Tuesday, 8/27
HW: PPC 1B

3
2.2-2.3, 2.5, 4.5 Notes: Review of Limits
Limit: a limit is a y-value that is approached from both sides of a function. The function can but
does not have to exist at the x-value.

Notation:
lim f ( x) limit from the _________ lim f ( x) limit from the _________
x →a− x →a+

lim f ( x ) This will only exist if the limit from both sides is __________________.
x→a

If either limit does not exist, you must look more closely to see if the one-sided limits exist.

Limits Graphically:
lim f ( x ) = lim g ( x ) =
x →1−
x →−1−
lim f ( x ) = lim g ( x ) =
x →1+
x →−1+
lim f ( x ) = lim g ( x ) =
x →1
x →−1
f (1) = g ( −1) =

lim h ( x ) = lim p ( x ) =
x → 2− x → 2−

lim h ( x ) = lim p ( x ) =
x → 2+ x → 2+

lim h ( x ) = lim p ( x ) =
x →2 x →2

h ( 2) = lim p ( x ) =
x → 0−

lim p ( x ) =
x → 0+

lim p ( x ) =
x →0

lim j ( x ) =
x → 2−
lim k ( x ) =
lim+ j ( x ) = x → 0−
x →2
lim k ( x ) =
lim j ( x ) = x → 0+
x →2
lim k ( x ) =
j ( 2) = x →0

lim j ( x ) =
x →

lim j ( x ) =
x →−

4
Sketch the graph, and then find the values.

x +1 ; x  1 x −3
R( x) =  2 f ( x) =
x −3
x +1 ; x  1
lim R ( x ) = lim f ( x ) =
x →1− x →3−
lim R ( x ) = lim f ( x ) =
x →1+ x →3+
lim R ( x ) = lim f ( x ) =
x →1 x →3
R (1) =

Limits from a Table: **This method of finding a limit is just an approximation and never
gives a definitive answer.

x f(x) x3 − 1 x f(x)
x2 − 4
.9 2.71 f ( x) = 1.9 g ( x) =
.99 2.9701
x −1 1.99 x−2
.999 2.997 1.999
1 ERROR lim f ( x) = 2 lim g ( x) =
x →1 x→2
1.001 3.003 2.001
1.01 3.0301 2.01
1.1 3.31 2.1

2nd → window → Indpnt → Ask

Checking values in a table is inefficient and just an approximation, so let’s use algebra instead!

Limits Algebraically:

lim (4 x 2 − 1) = Try direct substitution.

x →3
If you get a number and you are not at
an endpoint, you are done.

x+2 If f(x) is rational, try to factor and

lim = reduce, then plug in c.
x →−2 x2 − 4
If you get a number you are done; there
is a hole @ x=c.

5
 1 1 Get a common denominator for the
− numerator, then simplify the rational
lim x + 4 4 expression.
x →0 x

x +5 −3 If you have a or a complex rational

lim = expression, try multiplying by the
x→4 x−4 conjugate or finding a common
denominator.

lim sin x(cot x) = If you have trig functions, try an identity.

x →0

 1  When all else fails, think graphically.

lim−  =
x →2  x − 2 
This will be especially helpful for one-
sided limits.

x−2 Starts algebraically, but will end

lim = graphically.
x →−2 x2 − 4

6
Limits at Infinity and Infinite Limits:
Limits at infinity and infinite limits are ___________________________________.

lim f ( x ) = lim f ( x ) =
x → x →c

Find the limit, if it exists:

2 x2 − x + 3 − x3 + 2 x 5 x 2 − 3x + 1
lim lim lim
x → x3 + 1 x → 2 x 2 − 3 x → 2 x 2 + 4 x − 7

As a general rule, factorials>exponentials>polynomials>linears>logs, but you must make all

exponents positive before making any comparisons. (Order of Magnitude)

 x −1   − x2 + 3 
lim  2 = lim  =
x →
 x +3 x →−
 x−4 

 5 x − 2 x3 + x 2  4 x2 + 1
lim  = lim =
 3x − 2 x + 1 
3
x → x →− x−2

x100 x100
lim x = lim =
x → 2 x →− 2 x

lim
x
= lim sin x =
x →
x → ln x

7
You Try Problems

lim ( 5x3 − 5) x2 + 5x + 6
x →3 lim
x →−2 x+2

x−6 x2 − 4 x + 1
lim lim
x →0 x +8 x →−2 x2 − 2

x −2 1
lim
x→4 x−4 lim x
x →4 1
1−
x

3 3+ x
lim = lim =
x → x2 x → 3− x

4x − 3 3x 2 − 4
lim = lim =
x → 2 x + 1 x →− 1 − x 2

x2 1 − 2 x + 6 x2
lim = lim =
x →− x + 3 x →− 5 + 3x − 4 x 2

−( x 2 + 3) ex
lim = lim
x →− (2 − x) 2 x → x − 4

ex sin x
lim lim
x →− x − 4 x → x−4

8
Practice: Limits Worksheet
Find each limit, if it exists:

6
=  3x + 1 
1. lim 9. lim 
x → 2 x − 5
=
x → x
 
6  3x 2 − 2 x + 3 
2. lim =
x →− x 10. lim  2
x → 5 x − 3 x + 1
=
 
7
3. lim = 2 + 3x
x →− x − 1
11. lim =
x → 3 + 2x
1 
4. lim  − 1 =

x → x
 5x2 + 2
12. lim =
x → x+3
 1 
5. lim  2
x → x + 3
=
  3x 4 + x
13. lim =
x → 2 x 2 − 8
 x +1 
6. lim  =
x →
 x  −5 x + 2
14. lim =
x → 4x
 3 
7. lim  2
x → x − 2 x + 1
= −5x + 2
  15. lim =
x →− 4x
 x−2 
8. lim  2
x → x + 2 x + 1
= x 2 + 3x + 4
  16. lim =
x → x−2

x 2 + 3x + 4
17. lim =
x →− x−2

x10
18. Find lim x .
x → 10

a. ∞ b. -∞ c. 0 d. 10 e. None of these

x−2
19. Find lim .
x →2 x2 − 4
1
a. 0 b. c.  d. 1 e. None of these
4

x+4 −2
20. Find lim .
x →0 x
1
a. 0 b. c.  d. 1 e. None of these
4
9
 1 2 f ( x)
21. If lim f ( x) = − and lim g ( x) = , find lim .
x →c 2 x →c 3 x →c g ( x)

x
22. Find lim cot .
x →5 6
sin 2 x
23. Find lim .
x →0 x
1
a. 1 b. 2 c. d. 0 e. The limit does not exist
2

Use the graph given to answer the following questions.

24. lim f ( x) = __________ lim f ( x) = __________

x →0− x →0+

lim f ( x) = __________ f (0) = __________

x →0

lim f ( x) = __________ lim f ( x) = __________

x → x →−

25. lim f ( x) = __________ lim f ( x) = __________

x → 2− x → 2+

lim f ( x) = __________ f (2) = __________

x →2

lim f ( x) = __________ lim f ( x) = __________

x → x →−

26. lim f ( x) = __________ lim f ( x) = __________

x →0− x →0+ (-1,1) (0,1) (1,1)
lim f ( x) = __________ f (0) = __________
x →0

lim f ( x) = __________ lim f ( x) = __________

x →1− x →1+ 1 2

lim f ( x) = __________ lim f ( x) = __________

x →1 x → 2−

lim f ( x) = __________ lim f ( x) = __________

x → 2+ x →2

Find each limit.

x −5 x 2 − 16
27. lim 2 28. lim
x →5 x − 8 x + 15 x→4 x−4

x 2 + 4 x − 21  x2 + x − 6 
29. lim 30. lim  
x →3 x −3 x →−3  x 2 − 9 

 x2 − 4 x + 2   2 x2 + 6 x 
31. lim   32. lim  
x →4  x + 6  x → 2  8 − x 2 

10
2.4 Notes: Continuity & One-Sided Limits & IVT

lim f ( x ) exists 
x →c

f(x) g(x)

f(x) is a continuous function g(x) is discontinuous

Definition of Continuity

A function is continuous at a point x=c if:

ex. Show that f ( x) = x 2 + 3 is continuous at x = 1.

11
 3x + 1, x  1 lim f ( x ) = lim f ( x ) =
x →1− x →1
 
ex. f ( x ) = 2, x = 1
 x − 1, x  1  lim f ( x ) = f (1) =
  x →1+

x −3
ex. f ( x ) = Discuss continuity at x = 3, x = 4.
x − 7 x + 12
2

Note: The following types of functions are continuous for all x-values in their domain:

• Polynomial • Exponential • Absolute Value • Rational

• Radical • Logarithmic • Sinusoidal • Other Trig

Discuss the continuity of the following functions.

ex. f ( x ) = −7 x3 + 2

 x2 − 6 x 
 2 , x  0
ex. f ( x ) =  x + 6 x  c=0
 = 
 2, x 0 


2 x − 3, x  1
2

ex. f ( x ) =  3  c=1
 x − 2, x  1
 

2 x 2 − 5, x  3
ex. f ( x ) =   Find all values for “a” such that f(x) is continuous at x = 3.
ax + 9, x  3 

12
 Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT)

If f is continuous on [a, b] and d is any

number between f(a) and f(b), then there
is at least one number c between a and b
such that f (c) = d.

ex. f ( x ) = x 2 − x + 4 0, 5 f ( c ) = 16

Find c:

ex. Verify that f ( x ) = x 2 − 6 x + 8 has at least one zero on [0, 3]. Find the zero(s).

Tabular Example: Given values of the continuous function f(x) are given in the table below.
Prove that f(x) must equal 3 sometime on the given interval.
x -1 2 5 6 8 10
f(x) -5 -2 2 6 9 5

13
Squeeze/Sandwich Theorem
If g(x) ≤ f(x) ≤ h(x) for all x ≠ c in some interval about c, and
lim g ( x) = lim h( x) = L , then lim f ( x) = L
x →c x →c x →c

y = cos x y =1

lim cos x = 1
x →0

lim1 = 1
x →0

sin x
 lim =1
x →0 x

1 − cos x
Similarly, it can be shown that lim =0
x →0 x

14
 Example:

Properties of Limits
In general, if both lim  f ( x ) and lim  g ( x ) exist:
x →# x →#

 f ( x) 
lim  f ( x)  g ( x) = lim  =
x →# x→#
 g ( x) 

lim  f ( x) g ( x) = lim  f ( g ( x ) ) =

x →# x →#

15
Find the limits below. Hint: only one is DNE.

lim  f ( x) g ( x) = lim f ( g ( x ) ) =

x →0 x →−3

 f ( x) 
lim  f ( x) + g ( x − 5) = lim  =
x →1 x →0
 g ( x ) 

16
 Continuity, IVT, and Squeeze Theorem Practice

4.

a) x = -8 b) x = -6 c) x = -4

17
5. 6.

7.

8.
t in seconds 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
v(t) in ft/sec 4 6.8 3.6 .4 -2.8 -6

The velocity of a projectile was recorded at specific time intervals in the table above. Prove that the velocity must
have been 0 ft/sec at least once on the given interval.

18
9.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
f(x) 1 -5 -4 2 -10 -15

Selected values of a continuous function f are given in the table above. What is the fewest possible number of
zeros of f(x) in the interval [0,5]?

10.
x 0 1 3 7
g(x) 24 35 42 68

The table above gives values of a function g at selected values of x. Which of the following statements, if true,
would be sufficient to conclude that there exists a number c in the interval [0,7] such that g(c)=50?
I. g is defined for all x in the interval [0,7].
II. g is increasing for all x in the interval [0,7].
III. g is continuous for all x in the interval [0,7].

(a) II only (b) III only (c) I and III only (d) I, II, and III

1 2 11
11. Let g and h be the functions defined by g ( x) = −2 x 2 + 4 x + 1 and h( x) = x − x + . If f is a function that
2 2
satisfies g ( x)  f ( x)  h( x) for all x, what is lim f ( x ) ?
x →1
(a) 3 (b) 4
(c) 5 (d) The limit cannot be determined from the given information.

  1 3 9
12. Let g and h be the functions defined by g ( x) = sin  x  + 4 and h( x) = − x3 + x + . If f is a function
2  4 4 2
that satisfies g ( x)  f ( x)  h( x) for (-1,2), what is lim f ( x ) ?
x →1

9
(a) 4 (b)
2
(c) 5 (d) The limit cannot be determined from the given information.

19
13.

What two limits must be equal in order for f(x) to be

continuous at x = -1?

What two limits must be equal in order for f(x) to be continuous at x = 3?

20
CALCULUS
REVIEW OF LIMITS
1. True or false?

_____ a. lim f(x) = -1

x→ 2

_____ b. lim + f(x) = 1

x → −1

_____ c. lim+ f(x) = 1

x →1

_____ d. lim f(x) exists

x→ 2

_____ e. lim f(x) = 1

x→3

_____ f. lim f(x) DNE

x→1

_____ g. lim f(x) = 1 _____ h. lim+ f(x) = lim− f(x)

x →3− x →0 x →0

_____ i. lim f(x) exists _____ j. lim f(x) = 1

x→0 x→ 2

_____ k. lim f(x) exists at every c on the interval (-1,1)

x→c

_____ l. lim f(x) exists at every c on the interval (1,3)

x→c

_____ m. lim f(x) =  _____ n. lim f(x) = 0

x →−1 x →− 

Evaluate the following.

x 2 −5x + 6
2. lim x = _____ 3. lim = _____ 4. lim 5 = _____
x→ 9 x →3 x −3 x→ 2

x+7
5. lim = _____ 6. lim ( cos x sin x ) = _____
x → -7 x 2 − 49 x →

4−x x +1
7. lim = _____ 8. lim+ = _____
x →4 2 − x x→ - 2 x+2

21
 x + 2, x  −1
9. lim f(x), f(x) =
x → −1

x2, x  1
(a graph may help)

Find the limits.

5x + 1 2x + 7
10. lim = 11. lim =
x → - x − 1 x → x2 − x

3 − 2x 2x 2 − x + 5
12. lim = 13. lim =
x → x + 5 x →-  5x 2 + 6x − 1

sin x ( 3x − 2 )( 2 x + 4 ) =
14. lim = 15. lim
x → - -2x 2 + 5x x → ( 2 x + 1)( x + 2 )

2x - 6 x
16. lim = 17. lim =
x → x x → ln x

18. Prove that the given function is discontinuous at x = 2.

22
19. Prove that the IVT can be used to prove that there is a root of f(x)=x2-4x-5 on the interval (-2,0).

 x2 − 4
 , x  −2
20. For what value of k, is the following function continuous? f ( x) =  x + 2
k , x = −2
 ,

2t +1 − 2 for 0  t  7

21. F (t ) =  800t − 4800
 for t  7
 t−4

The amount of money raised during a fund-raising campaign is modeled by the function F defined above, where
F(t) is measured in dollars, and t is the time in days since the campaign began.
(a) Find lim F (t ) and explain the meaning of lim F (t ) in the context of the problem.
t → t →

(b) Is the function F continuous at t=7? Justify your answer.

(c) The amount of money raised during a competing fund-raising campaign is modeled by the function M defined
240(2t − 1)
by M (t ) = , where M(t) is measured in dollars, and t is the time in days since the campaign began.
2t + 36
According to this model, is there a time t, for [0,2], at which the amount of money raised is $10? Justify your
answer.

23
22. Sketch a graph where lim f (x ) exists but f(x) 23. Sketch a graph where lim f ( x ) does not exist
x →1 x →2
does not exist at x =1. but the function exists for all real numbers.

24. f(x)= x2 + 3, x  1
3, x=1

Sketch the graph of the function. Does the limit exist as x approaches 1?
Explain why or why not.

Is the function continuous at x = 1? Justify your answer.

x +1
25. f (x ) = Which of the following is the limit of the function as x approaches -1? Sketch a graph in
x +1
the space provided.

a. 0
b. 1
c. -1
d. does not exist

x 3 − 5x 2
and f (x ) = x are alike except at one point. Name the point as an ordered
2
26. The graphs of g(x) =
x −5
pair.

24
27. Use the IVT to prove that f(x) = x3 – 2x2 – 2x + 4 has a root on the interval (1,3).

3 − x, x  1
28. Use the graph to find lim f ( x ) if f ( x ) =  .
x→1
 1, x =1

3
a) 2 b) 1 c) d) The limit does not exist.
2

29.
*Hint: You can only split up the
limits of a product if both limits
exist. If they don’t, think about
the one-sided limits and see if
they are equal.

lim  f ( x)  g ( x) =
x →2

25
30. Using the table to the right,
x f(x)
.7 2.7
a) estimate lim f ( x ) .8 2.8
x →1
.9 2.9
1 ERROR
1.1 3.1
1.2 3.2
1.3 3.3

b) On the actual graph, what do you think is happening where it says ERROR?

31. Find the value of k, if it exists, that will make f(x) continuous at x =1.
 x 2 + 6 if x  1
f ( x) = 
2 x + k if x  1

26
 AP Questions about Limits
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

27
6.

7.

8.

9.

28
10.

11.

1. E
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. A
6. E
7. D
8. C
9. D
10. E
11. A

29
Extra Practice: Limits

4n 2
1. lim
x → n + 10,000 n
2
is

1
(A) 0 (B) (C) 1 (D) 4 (E) nonexistent
2,500

3n 3 − 5n
2. lim is
x → n − 2n + 1
3 2

(A) -5 (B) -2 (C) 1 (D) 3 (E) nonexistent

1 − cos
3. lim is
 →0 2 sin 2 

1 1
(A) 0 (B) (C) (D) 1 (E) nonexistent
8 4

f ( x) − f (0)
4. If f ( x) = 2 x 2 + 1, then lim is
x →0 x2

(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 4 (E) nonexistent

5. The graph of the function f is shown in the given figure. Which of the following statement about f is
true?

(A) lim f ( x) = lim f ( x)

x →a x →b 4
(B) lim f ( x) = 2 3
x →a

(C) lim f ( x) = 2 2
x →b 1
(D) lim f ( x) = 1
x →b

(E) lim f ( x) does not exist a b

x →a

6. The graph of which of the following equations has y = 1 as an asymptote?

x x2
(A) y = ln x (B) y = sin x (C) y = (D) y = (E) y = e − x
x +1 x −1

30
 ax + b
7. If the graph of y = has a horizontal asymptote y = 2 and a vertical asymptote x = -3,
x+c
then a + c =

(A) -5 (B) -1 (C) 0 (D) 1 (E) 5

x2 − 4
8. If the function f is continuous for all real numbers and if f ( x) = when x  −2 ,
x+2
then f (−2) =

(A) -4 (B) -2 (C) -1 (D) 0 (E) 2

9. Let f be the function defined by the following

sin x, x0 (A) 0 only

 2 (B) 1 only
x , 0  x 1
f ( x) =  (C) 2 only
2 − x , 1 x  2 (D) 0 and 2 only
 x − 3, x2 (E) 0, 1, and 2

For what values of x is f NOT continuous?

10. Which of the following functions are continuous for all real numbers x ?

2
(A) None
I. y = x 3 (B) I only
II. y = e x (C) II only
III. y = tan x (D) I and II
(E) I and III

x2 − a2
11. If a  0 , then lim is
x →a x − a
4 4

1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) 0 (E) nonexistent
a2 2a 2 6a 2

( x − 1)( x 2 − 4)
12. Let f be the function given by f ( x) = . For what positive values of a is f continuous
x2 − a
for all real numbers x ?

(A) None (B) 1 only (C) 2 only (D) 4 only (E) 1 and 4 only

31
13. Find the value of k, if it exists, that will make each function continuous at x =1.
 x 2 + 7 if x  1
f ( x) = 
 x + k if x  1

14. Find g(x),that will make the function continuous at x =1.

2 x 2 + 3 if x  1
f ( x) = 
 g ( x) if x  1
a. x
b. cos( x + 4)
c. 6-x
d. x2 + 2
e. 2 x − 3
2


( x + 2 ) + 3 and h( x) = − x3 − x2 − x + 3 , if f
1 3 9
15. Let g and h be the functions defined by g ( x) = sin 
2  4 2 4
is a function that satisfies g ( x)  f ( x)  h( x) for -2 < x < 0, what is lim f ( x) ?
x →−1

a. 3 b. 3.5
c. 4 d. The limit cannot be determined from the information given.

16.

32
17. For x  0 , the horizontal line y = 2 is an asymptote for the graph of the function f . Which of the
following statements must be true?

(A) f (0) = 2 (B f ( x )  2 for all x  0

(C) f ( 2 ) is undefined. (D) lim f ( x ) =  (E) lim f ( x ) = 

x →2 x →

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 ln x for 0  x  2
18. If f ( x ) =  then lim f ( x ) is
2
 x ln 2 for 2  x  4, x →2

(A) ln 2 (B) ln 8 (C) ln 16

(D) 4 (E) nonexistent

x 0 1 2
f(x) 1 k 2

19. The function f is continuous on the closed interval [0, 2] and has values that are given in the table
1
above. The equation f ( x ) = must have at least two solutions in the interval [0, 2] if k =
2

1
(A) 0 (B) (C) 1
2

(D) 2 (E) 3

33