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Chapter 12 Limits and an Introduction

to Calculus
Section 12.1 Introduction to Limits

Objective: In this lesson you learned how to estimate limits and use
properties and operations of limits.

I. The Limit Concept and Definition of Limit (Pages 852−854) What you should learn
How to use the definition
Define limit. of a limit to estimate
limits
If f (x) becomes arbitrarily close to a unique number L as x
approaches c from either side, the limit of f (x) as x approaches c
is L. This written as lim f (x) = L.
x→c

x 2 + 4x + 4
Describe how to estimate the limit lim numerically.
x →−2 x+2

Let f (x) = (x2 + 4x + 4)/(x + 2). Then construct a table that shows
values of f (x) for two sets of x-values—one set that approaches
− 2 from the left and one that approaches − 2 from the right. Use
the table to look for a numerical trend in the value of f (x) as x
approaches − 2. This is an estimate of the limit.

The existence or nonexistence of f (x) when x = c has no bearing

on the existence of . . . the limit of f (x) as x approaches c.

II. Limits That Fail to Exist (Pages 855−856) What you should learn
How to determine
The limit of f (x) as x → c does not exist if any of the following whether limits of
conditions is true: functions exist
1. f (x) approaches a different number from the right side of c
than it approaches from the left side of c.

2. f (x) increases or decreases without bound as x approaches c.

3. f (x) oscillates between two fixed values as x approaches c.

Give an example of a limit that does not exist.

Answers will vary.

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196 Chapter 12 • Limits and an Introduction to Calculus

III. Properties of Limits and Direct Substitution What you should learn
(Pages 857−859) How to use properties of
limits and direct
Let b and c be real numbers and let n be a positive integer. substitution to evaluate
Complete each of the following properties of limits. limits
1. lim b = b
x →c

2. lim x = c
x →c

3. lim x n = cn
x →c

4. lim n x = n
√ c , for n even and c > 0
x →c

Let b and c be real numbers, let n be a positive integer, and let f

and g be functions with the following limits.
lim f ( x) = L and lim g ( x) = K
x →c x →c
Complete each of the following statements about operations with
limits.

1. Scalar multiple: lim[b f ( x)] = bL

x →c

2. Sum or difference: lim[ f ( x) ± g ( x)] = L±K

x →c

3. Product: lim[ f ( x) ⋅ g ( x)] = LK

x →c

f ( x)
4. Quotient: lim = L/K, provided K ≠ 0
x →c g ( x)

5. Power: lim[ f ( x)] n = Ln

x →c

Example 1: Find the limit: lim 3x 2 .

x→ 4

48

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
 Section 12.1 • Introduction to Limits 197
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If p is a polynomial function and c is a real number, then
lim p( x) = p(c) .
x →c

If r is a rational function given by r(x) = p(x)/q(x), and c is a real

number such that q(c) ≠ 0, then
lim r ( x) = r(c) = p(c)/q(c) .
x →c

4 − x2
Example 2: Find the limit: lim .
x→2 x

Additional notes

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
198 Chapter 12 • Limits and an Introduction to Calculus

Additional notes

Homework Assignment

Page(s)

Exercises

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.