LIMIT

1. LimitsofFunctionValues
Lets begin with an informal definition of limit, postponing the precise definition until
weve gained more insight. Let (x) be defined on an open interval about x0 except
possibly at x0 itself. If (x) gets arbitrarily close to L (as close to L as we like) for all x
sufficiently close to x0 , we say that approaches the limit L as x approaches x0 and we
write
lim f ( x) = L ,
x x0

which is read the limit of (x) as x approaches x0 is L. Essentially, the definition says
that the values of (x) are close to the number L whenever x is close to x0 (on either side
of ). This definition is informal because phrases like arbitrarily close and sufficiently
close are imprecise; their meaning depends on the context.

2. DefinitionofLimit
Let (x) be defined on an open interval about except possibly at itself. We say that the
limit of (x) as x approaches is the number L, and write
lim f ( x ) = L,
x x0

if, for every number > 0 , there exists a corresponding number > 0 such that for all
x,
0 < x x0 <
f ( x) L < .

3. TheLimitLaws
The next theorem tells how to calculate limits of functions that are arithmetic
combinations of functions whose limits we already know.
If L, M, c and k are real numbers and
lim f ( x) = L
and
x c

lim g ( x) = M
x c

(1) Sum Rule:

The limit of the sum of two functions is the sum of their limits.
lim( f ( x) + g ( x) ) = L + M
x c

(2) Difference Rule:

The limit of the difference of two functions is the difference of their limits.
lim( f ( x) g ( x) ) = L M
x c

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(3) Product Rule:

The limit of a product of two functions is the product of their limits.
lim( f ( x) g ( x) ) = L M
x c

(4) Constant Multiple Rule:

The limit of a constant times a function is the constant times the limit of the
function.
lim(k f ( x) ) = k L
x c

(5) Quotient Rule:

The limit of a quotient of two functions is the quotient of their limits, provided the
limit of the denominator is not zero.
f ( x) L
=
lim
M 0
x c g ( x )

M
(6) Power Rule:
If r and s are integers with no common factor and s 0, then
r/s
lim( f ( x) ) = Lr / s
x c

provided that Lr / s is a real number. (If s is even, we assume that L > 0 )

The limit of a rational power of a function is that power of the limit of the function,
provided the latter is a real number.

4. LimitsofPolynomials
Limits of polynomials can be found by substitution

5. LimitsofRationalFunctions
Limits of rational functions can be found by substitution if the limit of the denominator
is not zero

6. TheSandwichTheorem
Suppose that f ( x) g ( x) h( x) for all x in some open interval containing c, except
possibly at x = c itself. Suppose also that
lim f ( x) = lim h( x) = L
x c

Then
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x c

lim g ( x ) = L
x c

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7. OneSidedLimits
To have a limit L as x approaches c, a function must be defined on both sides of c and
its values (x) must approach L as x approaches c from either side. Because of this,
ordinary limits are called two-sided.
If fails to have a two-sided limit at c, it may still have a one-sided limit, that is, a limit
if the approach is only from one side. If the approach is from the right, the limit is a
right-hand limit. From the left, it is a left-hand limit.
Intuitively, if (x) is defined on an interval (c, b), where c < b and approaches arbitrarily
close to L as x approaches c from within that interval, then has right-hand limit L at c.
We write
lim+ f ( x) = L .
x c

The symbol x c + means that we consider only values of x greater than c.

Similarly, if (x) is defined on an interval (a, c), where and approaches arbitrarily close
to M as x approaches c from within that interval, then has left-hand limit M at c. We
write
lim f ( x) = M .
x c

The symbol x c means that we consider only x values less than c.

Fig 3 Different right-hand and left-hand limits at the origin.

A function (x) has a limit as x approaches c if and only if it has left-hand and righthand limits there and these one-sided limits are equal:
lim f ( x) = L
lim+ f ( x) = L and
lim f ( x) = L .
x c

x c

x c

8. DefinitionsofRightHandandLeftHandLimits
We say that (x) has right-hand limit L at x0 and write
lim+ f ( x) = L
(See Figure )
x x0

if for every number > 0 there exists a corresponding number > 0 such that for all x
f ( x) L < .

x < x0 < x0 +

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Fig 4 Intervals associated with the definition of right-hand limit.

We say that has left-hand limit L at and write

lim f ( x) = L
(See Figure )
x x0

if for every number > 0 there exists a corresponding number > 0 such that for all x
f ( x) L < .

x0 < x < x 0

Fig 5 Intervals associated with the definition of left-hand limit.

9. FiniteLimitsasx
(1) We say that (x) has the limit L as x approaches infinity and write
lim f ( x) = L
x

if, for every number > 0 there exists a corresponding number M such that for all x
x>M
f ( x) L <

(2) We say that (x) has the limit L as x approaches minus infinity and write

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lim f ( x) = L

if, for every number there exists a corresponding number N such that for all x
x<N
f ( x) L <

10. Limitsofsin,cosandtan
(1) lim sin x = 0
x 0

(2) lim cos x = 1

x 0

(3) lim tan x = 0

x 0

sin x
=1
x 0
x
1 cos x
(5) lim
=0
x 0
x
cos x 1
(6) lim
=0
x 0
x
tan x
(7) lim
=1
x 0
x

(4) lim

11. SpecialLimits(x=fixed,n)
ln n
=0
n n
(2) lim n n = 1

(1) lim

1
n

(3) lim x = 1

(x > 0)

(4) lim x n = 0

( x < 1)

x
(5) lim1 + = e x
n
n
xn
(6) lim = 0
n n!

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(any x)
(any x)

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