Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation | AP Calculus AB/BC Class Notes | Fiveable 3/9/25, 12:06 AM

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AP Calculus AB/BC All Study Guides AP Calculus AB/BC Unit 1 – Limits and Continuity Topic: 1.7

Unit 1 – Limits and

Continuity
ap calculus ab/bc review
1.7 Selecting Procedures for
Determining Limits
Verified for the 2025 AP Calculus AB/BC exam • 7 min read • Last Updated on June 18, 2024

1.7 Selecting Procedures for Determining Limits

Welcome to Selecting Procedures for Determining Limits! In this guide, we’re going
to be covering how to select a procedure for determining the limit of an equation. The
previous topics covered in Unit 1 have described the different methods for
determining the limit of an equation. Now it is up to you to figure out which method
to use under which circumstance. You got this!

Let’s Recap: Determining Limits

For basic information regarding limits, you can look at an overview of limits in this
Unit One Overview: Limits & Continuity. Let’s review the previously-discussed
methods on how to determine limits:

Determining Limits From A Graph

We can determine the limit if given a graph. If the y-value is approaching a certain
value as the x-value approaches infinity, then we have found our limit. If the x-value
approaches a certain y-value from the left and right, then that y-value is our limit.

To review a bit more of this topic, check out key topic

1.3: Estimating Limit Values from Graphs.

Evaluating Limits Graphically: Practice Time!

Take the graph of y = e1x

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Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation | AP Calculus AB/BC Class Notes | Fiveable 3/9/25, 12:06 AM

Graph of y = e1x

Image Courtesy of Desmos

What is the limit of this graph? When approaching this question, think of it as,
“What does y approach as x approaches infinity?”

From the graph, we can see that as x approaches infinity, y approaches 0. Therefore,
the limit of y = e1x is 0. For more practice, be sure to check out key topic 1.3.

Estimating Limit Values From Tables

When given a table in a problem, we can conclude what value y is approaching by
looking at patterns within the tables. If the y-value is increasing up to a certain value
or decreasing up to a certain value, we can conclude that the limit of the function
presented in the table is that value.

To review this content, check out key topic

1.4: Estimating Limit Values from Tables.

Evaluating Limits Numerically: Test your knowledge!

Table showing a set of x and y values for a function.

Image Courtesy of Coping With Calculus

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Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation | AP Calculus AB/BC Class Notes | Fiveable 3/9/25, 12:06 AM

What is the limit as the function approaches 0?

Do you have your answer yet? Well, let’s go over it!

We are given the x and y values of a certain function. From this, we can see that the
function approaches a certain value at 0. Given that the function when x=-0.001 has a
y-value of 1.9995, and when the function has an x-value of 0.001, the y-value is
2.0005, we can reasonably estimate that the y-value will be 2 when x is 0. Therefore,
the value that the function approaches at 0, or the limit of the function, is 0.

Some more examples can be found here!

Determining Limits Using Algebraic Properties

Let’s review some basic rules from key topic 1.5:

The limit of a sum of functions is equal to the limit of each individual

equation added together.

The limit of a difference of functions is equal to the limit of one of the

functions subtracted by the other.

The limit of a product of functions is equal to the limit of each individual

equation multiplied together.

The limit of a quotient of functions is equal to the limit of one equation

divided by the limit of the other equation.

What is a composite function?

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Definition & example of a composite function

Image courtesy of OnLine Math Learning

To find the limit of composite functions given the function f(g(x)), where g(x) is the
inner function and f(x) is the outer function:

1. Find the limit of g(x). We’ll call this value ‘z’.

2. Plug ‘z’ into f(g(x)) for (g(x)), so you are evaluating f(z).

3. F(z) is your limit of the composite function!

Evaluating Limits Algebraically: Practice Problem Time!

1
Consider the composite function f (g(x)), where f (x) = x + 5, and g(x) = ex .
Find the limit for this function as x approaches 3.

Try it on your own first…

Are you ready for a solution? Let’s do it!

1. Find the limit of g(x) as x approaches 3. We can do this by simply plugging 3 in

for x. The limit for g(x) as x approaches 3 is e13 or e− 3.

2. Plug this value into your f(x) equation! f(x) = e13 + 5. That is your solution!

Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation

Using this method to determine the limit of an equation is essentially all about
manipulating the equation to get it to a form where we can easily plug in a value and
get the limit of the equation. To do this, you can:

Multiply by conjugates to simplify functions with radicals

Use L’Hopitals to manipulate the equation into a solvable form

Using mathematical techniques to simplify rational functions

To review each of these in-depth and do some practice, check out key topic
1.6: Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation.

What is the Squeeze Theorem?

We will also cover the Squeeze Theorem under this method. So what is the squeeze
theorem?

We have three functions f(x), g(x), and h(x), and f (x) < g(x) < h(x). If a is a
constant, and the limit as x → a for f(x) = L, and the limit as x → a for h(x) = L, then the
limit as x → a for g(x) = L.

Don’t worry, the next key topic goes more in-depth about the Squeeze Theorem.

Evaluating Limits Algebraically: Practice Problem

The following question is from GeeksforGeeks. All credit to GeeksforGeeks.

−3
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Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation | AP Calculus AB/BC Class Notes | Fiveable 3/9/25, 12:06 AM

x−3
Given the equation, x−9 , find the limit as x → 3.

Try it on your own first….

Now let’s get started! We want to start by simplifying the numerator. So we multiply
the numerator and denominator of the fraction by the conjugate of the numerator!
Follow these steps:

x−3 x+3 x−9 1

× = =
x−9 x+3 (x − 9) ∗ x + 3) x+3
1
Now plug in 3 for x. By doing this, you’ll know that is your answer!
3+3

Now that we’ve reviewed all the methods thus far for solving for the limit of an
equation, let’s move to the main purpose of this guide: determining which method
you should use to solve for the limit.

Selecting Procedures for Determining Limits

Procedure 1: Visual Representation

If a problem gives you a graph and asks you to find the limit of the function at a
certain x-value, then you should use visual representation to scan for what the limit is,
to scan for what y-value the graph approaches as your x-value approaches infinity.
This should give you a good estimation of what the limit of the graph is.

Procedure 2: Tables
If a problem gives you a table depicting the x and y values of a function, then you
should use the tables method we discussed above to estimate the value of the limit of
the function. Based on the x-values, we can see the y-values approaching a certain
point or following a certain pattern.

Remember, the limit is just what value the function approaches at a given point. Scan
for patterns among the y-values of the function in the table to determine your limit at
the given x value!

Procedure 3: Algebraic Properties

Some questions may be straightforward. If a problem gives you two functions and
asks you to find the limit of the sum of the functions, we know that this is testing our
knowledge of limit theorems. All we need to do is find the limit of the two functions
separately and add them together to get our answer.

If any question asks you to find the limit of an equation in the form f(g(x)), we know

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Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation | AP Calculus AB/BC Class Notes | Fiveable 3/9/25, 12:06 AM

that we’re dealing with a composite function, and we should follow the appropriate
steps as necessary to solve that.

Procedure 4: Algebraic Manipulation

You may be asked to find the limit of more complex functions. If you see an
x+a
equation of the form x+b , where x is your variable, and a and b are both constants,
you know that you will likely have to multiply the numerator and denominator by the
conjugate of x + a in order to change the equation into a more easily solvable
form.

Determining Limits: Practice

You guessed it…it’s practice problem time!

Given the equation y = 2sin(x) + 3, find the limit as x → π2 .

Graph depicting y = 2sin(x) + 3

Image created with Desmos.

Which technique should be used to solve for this limit, if you are given the
graph for a problem?

Answer: Visual Representation. For any question that gives you the graph of the

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Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation | AP Calculus AB/BC Class Notes | Fiveable 3/9/25, 12:06 AM

equation, you should try visual representation as your first tactic to estimate the limit.

What is the limit of y = 2sin(x) + 3?

Answer: Based on the graph, we can conclude that the function approaches 5 as x —
> π2 .

You got this!

Key Terms to Review (11)

Approximation: An approximation is an estimate or close value that is not exact but
provides a reasonable representation of something. It involves finding values that are
close enough to be useful while acknowledging some degree of error.

Asymptote: An asymptote is a line that a graph approaches but never touches. It can
be horizontal, vertical, or slanted.

Conjugates: Conjugates are pairs of complex numbers or algebraic expressions that

have the same real part but opposite signs for their imaginary parts. In algebra,
conjugates are often used in rationalizing denominators or simplifying radical
expressions.

Derivatives: Derivatives are the rates at which quantities change. They measure how
a function behaves as its input (x-value) changes.

Direct Substitution: Direct substitution is an algebraic method used to evaluate

limits by plugging in the desired value directly into the expression. It works when
there are no undefined values or indeterminate forms involved.

Factoring: Factoring is the process of breaking down a mathematical expression into

its simplest form by finding its factors. It involves identifying common factors and
using distributive property to simplify the expression.

Indeterminate Form: Indeterminate forms are mathematical expressions where it is

not possible to determine their exact value without further analysis or techniques
such as L'Hôpital's rule.

Integrals: Integrals are mathematical tools used to find the area under a curve or to
calculate the accumulation of quantities over a given interval.

Limits: Limits are used in calculus to describe the behavior of a function as it

approaches a certain value or point. It helps determine what happens to the output
of a function when the input gets closer and closer to a specific value.

Polynomial: Polynomials are algebraic expressions consisting of variables,

coefficients, and exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
non-negative integer exponents.

Trigonometric Identities: Trigonometric identities are equations that relate

different trigonometric functions. They allow us to simplify and manipulate
trigonometric expressions.

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