Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Limit
Definition: Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) is defined on some open interval that contains 𝑎, except possibly at 𝑎 itself.
Then we write 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 and we say “the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 equals 𝐿 ”.
𝑥→𝑎
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, if every 𝜀 > 0, ∃𝛿 > 0 such that |𝑓(𝑥) − 𝐿| < 𝜀 whenever 0 < |𝑥 − 𝑎| < 𝛿.
𝑥→𝑎
Example:
Use ε − δ to proof the following limits
a. Lim 𝑥 + 3 = 4 b. Lim 𝑥 2 − 2 = −1
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−4
e) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥 3 +3𝑥+4)
𝑥→1
One-Sided Limits
Definition: A number 𝐿 is the:-
i. Right-hand limit of 𝑓 at 𝑎 denoted 𝑙𝑖𝑚+𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 and this means that the values of 𝑓 arbitrarily
𝑥→𝑎
close to 𝐿 by taking 𝑥 to be sufficiently close to 𝑎 and 𝑥 is greater than 𝑎.
ii. Left-hand limit of 𝑓 at 𝑎 denoted 𝑙𝑖𝑚−𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 and this means that the values of 𝑓 arbitrarily
𝑥→𝑎
close to 𝐿 by taking 𝑥 to be sufficiently close to 𝑎 and 𝑥 less than 𝑎.
Theorem:
Relationship between the limit and one-sided limits
Note:
Example:
Infinite Limit:
Definition: Let 𝑓 be a function defined on both sides of 𝑎 , except possibly at 𝑎 itself. Then:-
a. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞ means that the values of 𝑓(𝑥) can be made arbitrarily large by taking 𝑥 sufficiently
𝑥→𝑎
close to 𝑎, but not equal to 𝑎.
b. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ means that the values of 𝑓(𝑥) can be made arbitrarily large negative by taking 𝑥
𝑥→𝑎
sufficiently close to 𝑎, but not equal to 𝑎.
Definition: The line 𝑥 = 𝑎 is called a vertical asymptote of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) if at least one of the
following statements is true:
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
Example: Find the vertical asymptote(s) of the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 −9𝑥.
Limit at Infinity
a. We say 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 if we can make 𝑓(𝑥) as close to 𝐿 as we want by taking 𝑥 large enough and
𝑥→∞
positive.
b. We say lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 if we can make 𝑓(𝑥) as close to 𝐿 as we want by taking 𝑥 large enough and
𝑥→−∞
negative.
Definition: The line 𝑦 = 𝐿 is called a horizontal asymptote of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) if 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 OR
𝑥→∞
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→−∞
√5𝑥 2 +4
Example: Find the horizontal asymptote(s) of the curve 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 .
√1+𝑥 3
𝑥 2 −4
Example: Find the limit of 𝑙𝑖𝑚 .
𝑥→∞ 𝑥+2
2−𝑥 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−8
c) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥−1)2 f) 𝑙𝑖𝑚− 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑥 I) 𝑙𝑖𝑚+ 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6
𝑥→1 𝑥→𝜋 𝑥→2
Theorem: Assume 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑀 both exists and 𝑐 is a constant then
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
Theorem: Assume 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥) both exists and 𝑐 is a constant then
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
𝑓(𝑥)
i. If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 with 𝐿 ≠ 0 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥) = 0 then 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑔(𝑥)) doesn’t exist.
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
𝑛 𝑛
ii. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 [𝑓(𝑥)] = [𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥)] .
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
𝑛
iii. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 [ √𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑛√ 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) if 𝑛 is positive we assume that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) > 0.
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
Example:
1. Suppose 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 , 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑔(𝑥) = 5 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚ℎ(𝑥) = 8 then compute the following
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
𝑥𝑓(𝑥)−𝑔(𝑥)
a) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ( ℎ(𝑥) ) 𝑏) 𝑙𝑖𝑚(6𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) + ℎ(𝑥)).
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
𝑥 2 +𝑐𝑥+𝑐+1
2. Find a number 𝑐 for which 𝑙𝑖𝑚 exists.
𝑥→2 𝑥 2 +𝑥−6
3. The greatest integer function is defined by ⟦𝑥⟧ = the largest integer that is less than or equal to 𝑥
then Show that 𝑙𝑖𝑚⟦𝑥⟧ does not exists.
𝑥→2
𝑥 2 −1 𝑥2 𝑥−2𝑥 2
b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 e) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 h) 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→0 √𝑥 2 +1−1 𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 −1
(3+ℎ)2 −9 𝑥−2𝑥 2
c) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 f) 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑥|𝑥| I) 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ 𝑥→0 𝑥→−∞ 𝑥 2 −1
𝑥 + 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 1
j) Find 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥) where 𝑔(𝑥) = {
𝑥→1 𝜋 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 1
Exercise: Evaluate the following limit
x3 −x+4
a) lim (3x 2 − 5x + 4) b) lim
x→2 x→−3 x+3
𝑥2 1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
d) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 −1+𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 e) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
If 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 𝑔(𝑥) ≤ ℎ(𝑥) for all 𝑥 in an open interval that contains 𝑎 (except possibly at 𝑎) and
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝜋
a) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚√𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 𝑥→0 𝑥
c) If 4𝑥 − 9 ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7 for 𝑥 ≥ 0, find 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑓(𝑥).
𝑥→4
Continuity
Definition:
1. A function 𝑓 is continuous at a number 𝑎 in its domain if 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎).
𝑥→𝑎
2. A function 𝑓 is continuous from the right at a point 𝑎 in its domain if 𝑙𝑖𝑚+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎).
𝑥→𝑎
3. A function 𝑓 is continuous from the left at a point 𝑎 in its domain if 𝑙𝑖𝑚− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎).
𝑥→𝑎
Example:
𝑥 2 −𝑥−2
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−2
Determine the number at which f is discontinuous.
1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 0
2. If 𝑓(𝑥) = { is continuous from the left at 0 but not continuous from the right at 0
0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 0
3. Find the values of the constant 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 is that makes the function 𝑓 continuous everywhere
𝑥 2 −4
2 𝑥−2
; 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
𝑐𝑥 + 2𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = { 3 b) 𝑓(𝑥) = {𝑎𝑥 2 − 𝑏𝑥 + 3 ; 𝑖𝑓 2 ≤ 𝑥 < 3
𝑥 − 𝑐𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2
2𝑥 − 𝑎 + 𝑏 ; 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 3
Exercise
1. Where are each of the following functions discontinuous?
𝑥 2 −𝑥−2 1
𝑥 2 −𝑥−2 ; 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 2 ; 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 0
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = b) 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥−2 c) 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥 2
𝑥−2
1 ; 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 2 1 ; 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 0
Theorem: If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are continuous at 𝑎 and 𝑐 is a constant, then the following functions are also
continuous at 𝑎
𝑓(𝑥)
a) 𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥) b) 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) c) 𝑖𝑓 𝑔(𝑎) ≠ 0
𝑔(𝑥)
Continuity on interval
Definition:
ii. A function is continuous on [𝑎, 𝑏] if it is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏) and is also continuous from the
right at 𝑎 and continuous from the left at 𝑏.
Exercise
1. Use the definition of continuity and properties of limits to show that the function is continuous on the
given interval.
2𝑥+3
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−2
, (2, ∞) b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 2√3 − 𝑥 ; (−∞, 3]
2. Suppose 𝑓and 𝑔 are continuous such that 𝑔(2) = 6 and lim[3𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] = 36 find 𝑓(2).
x→2
3. Use the definition of continuity and properties of limit to show that the function is continuous at a
given number 𝑎.
3 2𝑥−3𝑥 2
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 − 5𝑥 + √𝑥 2 + 4 at 𝑎 = 2 c) 𝑓(𝑥) = 1+𝑥 3
at 𝑎 = 1
b) 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 2𝑥 3 )4 at 𝑎 = −1
The Intermediate Value Theorem
Theorem
Suppose that 𝑓 is continuous on the closed interval [𝑎, 𝑏] and let 𝑁 be any number strictly
between 𝑓(𝑎) and 𝑓(𝑏). Then there exists a number 𝑐 𝑖𝑛 (𝑎, 𝑏) such that 𝑓(𝑐) = 𝑁.
Example
Summery Exercise
1. If 𝑓 is a continuous function at 𝑥 = 1 such that 𝑓(1) = 𝑒 4 then find
√x + 1 − √1 − x
lim ln(f ( )
x→0 x
2. determine values of 𝑎 and 𝑏 so that the given function is continuous in its domain
2sin x
, x<0 a(tan−1 x + 3), x<0
x
a) f(x) = a, x=0 b) f(x) = {2ebx + 1, 0≤x≤3
{ bcos x, x>0 ln(x − 2) + x 2 x>3
3. Evaluate
|x+2|+x2 −4 3|𝑥|+4𝑥 5𝑥 −2𝑥
a) lim 1−|x|
b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 2𝑥−7|𝑥| c) 𝑙𝑖𝑚
x→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
𝑎 𝑥 −1 𝑎 𝑥 −𝑏𝑥
g) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 , 𝑎 >0, 𝑎 ≠1 h) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 , 𝑎 > 0 , 𝑏 > 0 , 𝑎 ≠ 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 ≠ 1
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥
𝑘𝑥 − 3 , 𝑥 ≤ −1
4. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = { find the value of 𝑘 so that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) exists
𝑥 2 + 𝑘 𝑥 > −1 𝑥→−1
5. Find a constant 𝑐 for which
3
√1+𝑐𝑥−1 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6
a) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥
=2 b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 exists
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥−𝑐
6. If 𝑙𝑖𝑚− 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 8, then find 𝑙𝑖𝑚− 𝑓(𝑥 3 − 4𝑥) and 𝑙𝑖𝑚+ 𝑓(𝑥 3 − 4𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
2 𝑝(𝑥)
7. Find a quadratic function 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 that satisfies both 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 2 and
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
𝑝(𝑥)
𝑙𝑖𝑚 =1
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 −𝑥−6
𝑥2 + 3 , 𝑥 ≤ 1 𝑥2, 𝑥≤1
8. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = { Show that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 > 1 2, 𝑥>1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
𝑒 2𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2 , 𝑥<2
11. let 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝐼𝑓 𝑓(𝑐) = 0, then which of the following interval must
𝑠𝑖𝑛(4𝑥) − 2 , 𝑥≥2
contain 𝑐 ? 𝑎) (1,3) 𝑏) (−2, −1) 𝑐) (−∞, − 2) 𝑑) (2,3)
12. Write a rational function 𝑓 with aslant asymptote 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 4, a vertical asymptote at 𝑥 = 5 and
one of the zeros at 𝑥 = 2
13. Show that there is a number 𝑐 in [1,2] such that 4 − 𝑐 = 2𝑐
14. Let 𝑓(𝑥)be a continuous function such that 𝑓(1) = 3and 𝑓(2) = 1. Show that 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 1
has a real root in [1,2]
15. Given that 𝑓 and 𝑔 are continuous and 𝑓(0) < 𝑔(0) < 𝑔(1) < 𝑓(1) Prove that for some point 𝑐
between 0 and 1, 𝑓(𝑐) = 𝑔(𝑐).
𝑠𝑖𝑛(3𝑥 2 ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛(3𝑥)+𝑡𝑎𝑛 2𝑥
d) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 √𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 𝑥 e) 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝜋 𝑥 3 −𝑥
f) 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝜋 𝑥−2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→ 𝑥→
2 2
𝑥+1 𝑥 6𝑒 4𝑥 −𝑒 −2𝑥
g) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 3𝑒 −2𝑥 + 1 h) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥+2) i) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 8𝑒 4𝑥 −𝑒 2𝑥 +3𝑒 −𝑥
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞
[𝑥]−1 𝑙𝑛(3+ℎ)−𝑙𝑛 3
m) 𝑙𝑖𝑚+ [𝑥]−𝑥 n) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ℎ
𝑥→2 ℎ→0
𝑒 −𝑎𝑥 −𝑒 −𝑏𝑥
17. Prove that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥
=𝑏−𝑎
𝑥→0
18. Use the squeezing theorem to find each of the limits
1 1 1
a) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ((𝑒 𝑥 − 1) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥) b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥. 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥) c) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
1 1
d) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ((𝑥 − 1) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥−1
) e) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑙𝑛 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥−1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
a) 𝑙𝑖𝑚+𝑓(𝑥 3 − 𝑥) b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚−𝑓(𝑥 3 − 𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
c) 𝑙𝑖𝑚−𝑓(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 ) d) 𝑙𝑖𝑚+𝑓(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 )
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
20. If 𝑙𝑖𝑚+𝑓(𝑥) = 8 but 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑓(𝑥)Does not exit, what can you say about 𝑙𝑖𝑚−𝑓(𝑥)?
𝑥→0 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
𝑓(𝑥)−5
21. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 3 find 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥→2
22. Find all horizontal asymptotes of the graph of
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1 − √𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 1 b) 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1 − 𝑥
23. Find the vertical asymptotes (if any) of the graph of the function 𝑓 given by
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 √6−𝑥−𝑥 √𝑥 3 −1 3−2|𝑥|
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥2 −1) b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−2
c) 𝑓(𝑥) = 1−𝑥
d) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−4
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥−1 𝑥2 , 𝑥 ≤ −2
e) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 −1
f) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 + 𝑥
g) 𝑓(𝑥) = { 1
𝑥+2
, 𝑥 > −2
24. Calculate each of the following limit.
3 3
√8𝑥 3 −1 3
a) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 4 b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (1 + 𝑥)2𝑥 c) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (1 + 2𝑥)𝑥
𝑥→−∞ √𝑥 4 +2𝑥−1 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞
3𝑥 −5𝑥 1 2𝑥+1
d) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 3𝑥 +5𝑥 e) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (1 − 3𝑥) f) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (1 + 𝑥)2𝑥
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞
𝑥+1 𝑥−4
3
√𝑥
g) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (𝑥−1) h) 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 3 3
√2𝑥 3 + √𝑥 3 + 3√𝑥 3 +5