Limits

Definitions
Precise Definition : We say lim f ( x ) = L if
Limit at Infinity : We say lim f ( x ) = L if we
x a

for every e > 0 there is a d > 0 such that

whenever 0 < x - a < d then f ( x ) - L < e .

can make f ( x ) as close to L as we want by

taking x large enough and positive.

Working Definition : We say lim f ( x ) = L

There is a similar definition for lim f ( x ) = L

if we can make f ( x ) as close to L as we want

by taking x sufficiently close to a (on either side
of a) without letting x = a .

except we require x large and negative

vvee

Left hand limit : lim- f ( x ) = L . This has the

x a

om

x a

the same definition as the limit except it

requires x > a .

Infinite Limit : We say lim f ( x ) = iiff w

we
x a

can make f ( x ) arbitrarily

y llar
large
arggee (a
(and
nd pos
positive)
y ccll ssee tto
o a ((on either side
by taking x sufficiently
of a) without letting
g x = a.

.c

Right hand limit : lim+ f ( x ) = L . This has

x -

imila
imila ddefin
eeffi
fin tion
tion for lim f ( x ) = -
There is a simila

ce

x a

x a

except we
we make
maak
m
kee f ( x ) arbitrarily large and
negative.
aati
tivve.
e.

x a

x a

x a

x a

x a

lim f ( x ) lim- f ( x llim

im f ( x ) Does Not Exist

am

x a

ra

same definition as the limit except it requires

x<a.
Relationship between the li
lim
limit
miitt aand
nd oon
one-sided
neelimits
lim f ( x ) = L lim+ f ( x ) = lim- f ( x ) = L
lim
lli
im
m f ( x ) = lim- f ( x ) = L lim f ( x ) = L
x a +

x a

a
a

P
Properties
Prroop
p
Assume lim f ( x ) and lim g ( x ) bo
both
bot
thh eex
exist
xiisstt and
and c is any number then,
x a

.e
x

x a

1. lim cf ( x ) = c lim f ( x )
x a
x a

2. lim f ( x ) g ( x ) = li
llim
im f ( x ) lim g ( x )
im
x a
xa
x a

lim
im
m f ( x ) lim g ( x )
3. lim f ( x ) g ( x ) = lli
x a
x a
x a

f ( x)
f ( x ) lim
4. lim
= x a
provided lim g ( x ) 0

x a
x a g ( x )
g ( x)

lim
x a
n

n
5. lim f ( x ) = lim f ( x )
x a
x a

6. lim n f ( x ) = n lim f ( x )

x a
xa

Basic Limit Evaluations at

Note
No
N
ottee sg
sgnn ( a ) = 1 if a > 0 and sgn ( a ) = -1 if a < 0 .

1. lim
lim e x = &
x
x

2. lim ln ( x ) =
x

lim e x = 0

x-

&

lim ln ( x ) = -

x 0 -

b
=0
xr
4. If r > 0 and x r is real for negative x
b
then lim r = 0
x - x

3. If r > 0 then lim

5. n even : lim x n =
x

6. n odd : lim x n = & lim x n = -

x

x -

7. n even : lim a x + L + b x + c = sgn ( a )

n

8. n odd : lim a x n + L + b x + c = sgn ( a )

x

9. n odd : lim a x n + L + c x + d = - sgn ( a )

x -

Evaluation Techniques
Continuous Functions
LHospitals Rule
f ( x) 0
f ( x)
If f ( x ) is continuous at a then lim f ( x ) = f ( a )
x a
If lim
= or lim
=
then,
x a g ( x )
x a g ( x )
0

Continuous Functions and Composition

f ( x)
f ( x)
=
a is a number, or -
lim
lim
f ( x ) is continuous at b and lim g ( x ) = b then
x a g ( x )
x a g ( x )
x a

x a

Polynomials at Infinity
p ( x ) and q ( x ) are polynomials. To cco
compute
om
mpu
puttee

Factor and Cancel

( x - 2 )( x + 6 )
x 2 + 4 x - 12
lim
= lim
2
x2
x2
x - 2x
x ( x - 2)

p ( x)
factor largest power ooff x ou
outt o
off bo
both
x q ( x )
lim

-1
1
=(18)( 6 ) 108
Combine Rational Expressions
1 1
1
1 x - ( x + h)
lim
- = lim

h 0 h x + h
x h 0 h x ( x + h )

1 -h
lim
im
= lim
=

h 0 h x ( x + h )
h x ( x + h )

.e
x

.c

x 2 3 42
3 - 42
3x 2 - 4
3
x
lim
= lim
m 2 5
= lim 5 x = x - 5 x - 2 x 2
x
x

2
x x -2
x -2

Piecewise Function
unct
un
ctiion
on

x 2 + 5 if x < -2
lim g ( x ) w
where
wh
here
ere g ( x ) =
x -2
1 - 3x if x -2
oom
mpu
puttee two
ttw
woo one
on sided limits,
Compute
lim
lli
im
m g ( x ) = lim- x 2 + 5 = 9

x -2

lim
lli
im
m g ( x ) = lim+ 1 - 3x = 7

am

p ( x ) and q ( x ) and then co

compute
com
mpu
puttee lli
limit.
imit
mit

ra

x+6 8
= lim
= =4
x2
x
2
Rationalize Numerator/Denominator
3- x
3- x 3+ x
lim 2
= lim 2
x 9 x - 81
x 9 x - 81 3 +
x
9- x
-1
= lim
= lim
2
x 9
( x - 81) 3 + x x9 ( x + 9 ) 3 + x

om

lim f ( g ( x ) ) = f lim g ( x ) = f ( b )

ce

x a

x
-2+

x -2

One sided limits are different so lim g ( x )

O

1
x2

x -2

doesnt exist. If the two one sided limits had

been equal then lim g ( x ) would have existed
x -2

and had the same value.

Some Continuous Functions

Partial list of continuous
tinuous
ti
nuous fun
ffunctions
unccti
ti
and the values of x for which they are continuous.
1. Polynomials
aallss for
for aall
fo
ll x.
x.
7. cos ( x ) and sin ( x ) for all x.
2. Rationall function,
funccti
fun
tion,
on, xxcept for xs that give
8. tan ( x ) and sec ( x ) provided
division
iion
on by
by zero.
zzer
eroo..
3p p p 3p
3. n x ((nn odd fo
ffor
or all x.
x L , - , - , , ,L
2
2 2 2
4.
x ((nn eev
even)
veenn for all x 0 .
9. cot ( x ) and csc ( x ) provided
5. e x fo
ffor
or all x.
x L , -2p , -p , 0, p , 2p ,L
6. ln x for x > 0 .
Intermediate Value Theorem
Suppose that f ( x ) is continuous on [a, b] and let M be any number between f ( a ) and f ( b ) .
Then there exists a number c such that a < c < b and f ( c ) = M .