2ND SEMESTER, QUARTER 3, LESSON 1

Prepared by: ELLA MAE F. ARINGO

Basic Calculus Teacher
 Illustrate the limit of a function using table of
values and graphing.
 Distinguish between f(c) and limit of f(x) as x → c.
Given the table of values, predict the value of
B for the specified value of A.

If a is equal to …
then b should be …
What will be the value
of B if A = 3?
What will be the value
of B if A = 5?
What will be the value
of B if A = -2?
A. Table of Values
Fill-in the table of values of the following functions. The values
are closer to c from its left or right.
B. Graphing
Plot the points using the table of values made during the
previous activity and sketch the graph.

For example, if c = 1,
From left: 0, 0.5, 0.8, 0.9, 0.99, 0.999, 0.9999
From right:2, 1.5, 1.2, 1.1, 1.01, 1.001, 1.0001
 From left: From right:

Value the function approaches as x Value the function approaches as x

approaches c from the left side = ____ approaches c from the right side = ____
 From left: From right:

Value the function approaches as x Value the function approaches as x

approaches c from the left side = ____ approaches c from the right side = ____
 From left: From right:

Value the function approaches as x Value the function approaches as x

approaches c from the left side = ____ approaches c from the right side = ____
 From left: From right:

Value the function approaches as x Value the function approaches as x

approaches c from the left side = ____ approaches c from the right side = ____
 From left: From right:

Value the function approaches as x Value the function approaches as x

approaches c from the left side = ____ approaches c from the right side = ____
1. What is the value of f(c)?
2. What value does the function approaches as x approaches
c from the left side?
3. What value does the function approaches as x approaches
c from the right side?
4. Is the left side value equal to the right-side value? What
does this imply?
5. Is f(c) equal to the value the function approaches as x
approaches c? What does this imply?
 The “building block” on
which all the underlying
“RESTRICTIONS” concepts of calculus are
based.

LIMITS
It helps us to describe, in
“Backbone” of calculus, and precise way, the behavior
calculus is called the of �(�) when � is close, but
Mathematics of Change. not equal, to a particular
value �.
In this situation, limits imply that you as
a spectator can only be as close enough
to the court in order for you to observe
clearly what is happening in the game.
 We will consider functions of a
The variable can only take
single variable and study the
behavior of the function as its values very, very close to
variable approaches a particular the constant, but it cannot
value (a constant). equal the constant itself.

LIMITS OF A
FUNCTION
DEFINITION
 Let f be a function defined at every number in some open
interval containing c, except possibly at the number c itself.
 If the value of f is arbitrarily close to the number L for all the
values of sufficiently close to , then the limit of f(x) as
approaches is L.

In symbols, this is written as:

We also have a special notation to talk about limits. For example, we have
this expression:

The symbol ��� means

we are taking a limit of The expression to the right
something. of the ��� is the expression
we are taking the limit of.

The expression � → c that comes below the ��� means

that we take the limit of � values of � approach c.

We will read this expression as “the limit of the

function f(x) as x approaches the value of c.
 TAKE NOTE: The variable can only take values very, very close to the constant, it cannot equal the constant itself.

EXAMPLE What is the limit of

NO. 1
 The arrow pointing at 4 indicates that x is approaching 4
SOLUTION: from the left side and from the right side.
- Means that x can take on values less than 4 and values greater
than 4.
 It cannot take 4 as a value because it is just approaching 4
and is not equal to 4.

x approaches 4 from the left x approaches 4 from the right

4
5 5 5 5 6 6.0001 6.001 6.01 6.1

x approaches 6 from the left x approaches 6 from the right

 4
5 5 5 5 6 6.0001 6.001 6.01 6.1

GRAPH  In other words, the value of f(x) gets closer

and closer to 6 as the value of gets
closer and closer to 4 either side. This can
be written as:

This means that the limit of ( + 2) is 6 as

approaches 4 from either side.
 TAKE NOTE: The variable can only take values very, very close to the constant, it cannot equal the constant itself.

EXAMPLE Evaluate the limit of

NO. 2
 The arrow pointing at -1 indicates that x is approaching -1
SOLUTION: from the left side and from the right side.
- Means that x can take on values less than -1 and values greater
than -1.
 It cannot take -1 as a value because it is just approaching -1
and is not equal to -1.

x approaches -1 from the left x approaches -1 from the right

-1
2.21 2.0201 2.002001 2 1.998001 1.9801 1.81

x approaches 2 from the left x approaches 2 from the right

 -1
2.21 2.0201 2.002001 2 1.998001 1.9801 1.81

 In other words, the value of f(x) gets closer

and closer to 2 as the value of gets
closer and closer to -1 either side. This can
be written as:

2
This means that the limit of ( ) is 2 as
approaches -1 from either side.
-1

GRAPH
Have you noticed a pattern in the way we have been
investigating a limit?

We specify whether will approach a value from the left or

from the right.

x approaches the value of c from the x approaches the value of c from the
left right

We use values that are less than the We use values that are greater than
value of c the value of c

Numbers decreased right to left Numbers increased left to right

 Numbers decreased right to left Numbers increased left to right

This direction may be specified in the limit notation, lim � � by adding certain
→
symbols.

If � approaches � from the left, or through values less

than �,

If � approaches � from the right, or through values

greater than �,

Furthermore, we say:

If and only if:

In other words, for the limit to exist, the limits from
the left and from the right must both exist and be
equal to .

Therefore:

whenever

These limits, are also referred to as

→ →
one-sided limits, since you only consider values on one
side of c.
 � + � �� � < �
EXAMPLE Evaluate the limit of using the table of values, given: � � =
(� − �)� +� �� � ≥ �
NO. 3

The values of x should be less than 4, we will use values from the left of the number line.
� The values of x should be greater than or equal to 4, we will use values from the right of the
number line.

x approaches 4 from the left x approaches 4 from the right

� 1 2 � �. � �. �� �. ��� 4 �. ��� �. �� �. � � 6 7

�(�) 2 3 4 4.9 4.99 4.999 3 3.000001 3. 001 3. 01 4 7 12

f(x) approaches 5 from left f(x) approaches 3 from right

Observe that the values of f(x) from the left and right approaches two different
values. In such a case, we say that the limit of the given function does not exist
(DNE). In symbols,
�→�
EXAMPLE
Evaluate numerically and graphically.
NO. 4 →

Set up a table of values from both sides of x = 2 and find the value that the function
approaches from in both directions.

x approaches 2 from the left x approaches 2 from the right

� 1.5 1.85 �. �� �. � �. �� �. ��� 2 �. ��� �. �� �. � �. � 2.5 3

�(�) 3.5 3.85 3.89 3.9 3.99 3.999 undefined 4.001 4.01 4.1 4.2 4.5 5

f(x) approaches 4 from left f(x) approaches 4 from right

Observe that the values of f(x) from the left and right approaches the value of 4.
�� �
Thus,
�→� � �
Observe that it doesn’t matter if f(2) is undefined.
The function can still have a limit, as long as it
approaches the same real number from the left
and from the right.

REMEMBER
The limit of a function at a specified value of �
gives us a value to which it is not possible to go
beyond. Similarly, we have our own limitations. We
are restricted to do things beyond our human
capacities.
EXAMPLE Evaluate the limit of given its graph.
NO. 5

The limit of the given function as

approaches 0 is 2 because if we’re going to
take a look at the values of from the left
and the values of from the right, both
directions approaches 2 even if it is evident
that (0) = 1. Still the value being
approached by both directions is 2. Thus,
we can say that:
EXAMPLE Evaluate the limit of given its graph.
NO. 6

In the given function , the limit does not

exist because (0) is undefined and as
moves closer to 0, the function
approaches two different values. The
specified limit does not exist (DNE). In
symbols,
 IMPORTANT POINTS
TO REMEMBER
 The limit of a function as it approaches c is not necessarily
equal to its value. Thus, can assume a value different
→
from f(c).

 We need to emphasize an important fact. We do not say that

“equals DNE”, nor do we write “ = ”,
→ →
because “DNE” is not a value.

 The limit of a function as → exists if:

• ( ) is defined; or
• approaches the same value as moves closer to c
from both directions.
1. Evaluate:
a. b.

→
2ND SEMESTER, QUARTER 3 LESSON 2

Prepared by: ELLA MAE F. ARINGO

Basic Calculus Teacher
 Illustrate the limit laws
 Apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic
functions (polynomial, rational, and radical)
THEOREM
#1 LIMIT OF A CONSTANT
The limit of a constant is itself.

EXAMPLE:
THEOREM
LIMIT OF AN IDENTITY FUNCTION
#2
The limit of x as x approaches c is equal to c.

EXAMPLE:
THEOREM
#3 THE CONSTANT MULTIPLE THEORY
This says that the limit of a multiple of a function is
simply that multiple of the limit of the function.

Theorem #3 Theorem #2

EXAMPLE:
�→� �→�

Theorem #3 Theorem #2

�→ � �→ �
THEOREM ADDITION/SUBTRACTION
#4 THEOREM
The limit of a sum (or difference) of functions is the
sum (or difference) of the limits of the individual
functions.
THEOREM
#5
MULTIPLICATION THEOREM

The limit of the product of functions is equal

to the product of their limits.
THEOREM
#6 DIVISION THEOREM
The limit of the quotient of functions is equal
to the quotient of the limits of the individual
functions.
1. Evaluate .

→ → →
Theorem #4

Theorem #3
→ →

Theorem #2
→

Theorem #1
2. Evaluate .

→ → → → Theorem #4

Theorem #7
→ → →

Theorem #3
→ → →

Theorem #2
→
Theorem #1

=2
3. Evaluate .
Theorem #5
→ → →

Theorem #4
→ → → →

Theorem #3
→ → → →
Theorem #2
→ →

Theorem #1
4. Evaluate
� lim �
lim = → Theorem #6
→ �+1 lim � + 1
→
lim � Theorem #4
→
=
lim � + lim 1
→ →
Theorem #2
2
=
2+1 Theorem #1
2
=
3
THEOREM
#7 POWER THEOREM
The limit of the integer power of a
function is just that power of the limit of
the function.
5. Evaluate
(� − 3) = lim
→
�−3
Theorem #6
lim lim � + 1
→ � +1 →
Theorem #4
lim � − lim 3
→ →
=
lim � + lim 1
→ →
Theorem #7
lim � − lim 3
= → → Theorem #2
(lim �) + lim 1
→ →

1−3 Theorem #1
=
(1) +1
−2
= = −1
2
THEOREM
#8 RADICAL/ROOT THEOREM
The limit of the nth root of a function is
just that nth root of the limit of the
function.
6. Evaluate

= lim � + 4 Theorem #8
→ →

Theorem #4
= lim � + lim 4
→ →
Theorem #2

= Theorem #1

=
7. Evaluate

lim � + 3� − 6 = lim (� + 3� − 6) Theorem #8

→ →

Theorem #4
= lim � + lim 3� − lim 6
→ → → Theorem #7

= (lim �) + 3 lim � − lim 6 Theorem #3

→ → →
Theorem #2
= (−2) +3(−2) − 6
Theorem #1
= 4−6−6

= −8
=
 Here are some enrichment
activities for you to work on to
master and strengthen the
basic concepts you have
learned from this lesson.
Part I. Solve for the limit of the given functions using table of
values.

Evaluate:
1. 2.
 Part II. Solve for the limit of the given functions in Column A and find the
answer in Column B to decipher the hidden message. Write your answer
and complete solutions in a one whole sheet of paper.

Column A Column B
Hidden
→ -9 3 1 Message
E N O
2.
→
B
5 1 4 1 3 3 2
10 DNE 9
3.
→ A G R !
4 2

4.
→ 0 15 -10
M T I
( )( )
5.
→
2ND SEMESTER, QUARTER 3 LESSON 3

Prepared by: ELLA MAE F. ARINGO

Basic Calculus Teacher
INFINITY - used to represent a number that is greater
than any real number.
- explain the end behavior of a function that is either
increasing or decreasing without bound.

As the x-value increases, what is

happening to the y-value?
CONVERGENCE, which is the
idea that the value of a function
eventually becomes arbitrarily
close to some number.
 1. Consider � Note that the function is not defined at x = 0.
From the left:

Observe that as x approaches 0 from the left, the

value of the function increases without bound.
 1. Consider � Note that the function is not defined at x = 0.

From the right:

Observe that as x approaches 0 from the right, the

value of the function increases without bound.
 In other words, the value of f(x)
gets closer and closer to
as the value of gets
closer and closer to 0 either
side. This can be written as:
 2. Consider � Note that the function is not defined at x = 0.

From the left:

Observe that as x approaches 0 from the left, the

value of the function decreases without bound.
 2. Consider � Note that the function is not defined at x = 0.

From the right:

Observe that as x approaches 0 from the right, the

value of the function decreases without bound.
 In other words, the value of f(x)
gets closer and closer to
as the value of gets
closer and closer to 0 either
side. This can be written as:
• The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is
positive infinity, denoted by:

if the value of f(x) increases without bound

whenever the values of x get closer and closer to
c.

• The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is

positive infinity, denoted by:

if the value of f(x) decreases without bound

whenever the values of x get closer and closer to
c.
Let us consider the function
The graph on the right suggests that:

Because the limits are not the same, we

say that:
 IMPORTANT POINTS
TO REMEMBER
 Remember that is NOT a number. It holds no specific value.
So, or describes the behavior of
�→� �→�
the function near x = c, but it does not exist as a real number.

 Whenever we normally see

�→� �→�
we normally see the dashed vertical line This is to
indicate that the graph of is asymptotic to ,
meaning, the graphs of and are very close to
each other as x-values approach c. In this case, we call a
vertical asymptote of the graph of
 Answer:
1. Evaluate .
 Answer:
1. Evaluate .
 Answer:
1. Evaluate .
2ND SEMESTER, QUARTER 3 LESSON 3

Prepared by: ELLA MAE F. ARINGO

Basic Calculus Teacher
CONSTANT OVER - any number divided by a really
INFINITY big number is approximately zero.

Rule: “if n is a positive rational

number and c is any real number”,
then:
Example:
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES

When x moves to infinity or

negative infinity, the curve
approaches some constant
value b.
The method to identify the horizontal asymptote changes based on
how the degrees of the polynomial in the function’s numerator and
denominator are compared. Below are the points to remember to
find the horizontal asymptotes:
1. Evaluate .
2. Evaluate
3. Evaluate
 2ND SEMESTER, QUARTER 3 LESSON 4

LIMITS OF TRANSCENDENTAL
FUNCTIONS &
INDETERMINATE FORMS

Prepared by: ELLA MAE F. ARINGO

Basic Calculus Teacher
Compute the limits of exponential, logarithmic and
trigonometric functions using tables and graphs
 Evaluate the limits of expressions involving
using table of values; and
 Evaluate the limits of expressions resulting in the
indeterminate form
LIMITS OF EXPONENTIAL, LOGARITHMIC, AND
TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
Real-world situations can be expressed in terms of functional
relationships. These functional relationships are called mathematical
models. In applications of calculus, it is quite important that one can
generate these mathematical models.

1. If , , the exponential function with

is defined by:
.
2. Let , . If then is called the
denoted by:
EVALUATING LIMITS OF EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
First, we consider the natural exponential function , where is
called the Euler number, and has value 2.718281....
1. Evaluate the
From the left: From the right:
EVALUATING LIMITS OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
Now, consider the natural logarithmic function . Recall that
Moreover, it is the inverse of the natural exponential function .
1. Evaluate the
From the left: From the right:
EVALUATING LIMITS OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
We now consider the common logarithmic function . Recall
that
2. Evaluate the
From the left: From the right:
 EVALUATING LIMITS OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
We now consider the trigonometric function and
1. Evaluate the
From the left: From the right:
We can also find by using the graph of the sine function. Consider the graph of
→

1. �
3. ��
�→ � �→ �
2. 4.
�→� �→��
 EVALUATING LIMITS OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
We now consider the trigonometric function and
1. Evaluate the
From the left: From the right:
We can also find by using the graph of the sine function. Consider the graph of
→

1. � 3.
�→ �
� �→ �
2. � 4.
�→ �→�
�
 SPECIAL LIMITS
We will determine the limits of three special functions; namely,

1. Evaluate the
From the left: From the right:
 SPECIAL LIMITS
We will determine the limits of three special functions; namely,

1. Evaluate the
From the left: From the right:
 SPECIAL LIMITS
We will determine the limits of three special functions; namely,

�
1. Evaluate the
From the left: From the right:
 INDETERMINATE FORM
There are functions whose limits cannot be determined immediately
using the Limit Theorems we have so far. In these cases, the functions
must be manipulated so that the limit, if it exists, can be calculated.
We call such limit expressions indeterminate forms.
Undefined Undefined

0 Indeterminate

In this lesson, we will define a particular indeterminate

form, and discuss how to evaluate a limit which
will initially result in this form.
 INDETERMINATE FORM OF TYPE
( )
If and then isa called indeterminate form of type .
→ → → ( )

Remark 1: A limit that is indeterminate of type may exist. To find the actual value, one
should find an expression equivalent to the original. This is commonly done by factoring or
by rationalizing.

�� �� �
1. Evaluate the
�→ � � �

� �

�→ � �→ �
 INDETERMINATE FORM OF TYPE
( )
If and then isa called indeterminate form of type .
→ → → ( )

Remark 1: A limit that is indeterminate of type may exist. To find the actual value, one
should find an expression equivalent to the original. This is commonly done by factoring or
by rationalizing.

�� �
1. Evaluate the
�→� � �
�

�→� �→�
1. Evaluate:
a. b.