1.

2 Infinite Limits

1 Discussion
Remark 1 Let a ∈ R.
1. The expression x − a is negative when x < a, zero when x = a, and positive when x > a.
2. The expression a − x is positive when x < a, zero when x = a, and negative when x > a.
Important! Remark 1 is useful in evaluating infinite limits (see, for instance, Example 5).
Illustration 2 As an application of Remark 1,
1−
 
1
as x → , 1 − 2x = 2 −x → 0+
2 2
1 1 1
since 2 − x = 0 when x = 2 and 2 − x > 0 when x < 12 . 4
Theorem 3 In the following tables, “x → a” can be replaced by “x → a− ” or “x → a+ .”
f (x)
If lim f (x) and lim g(x) = 0 then lim
x→a x→a x→a g(x)
+ g(x) → 0+ +∞
+ g(x) → 0− −∞
− g(x) → 0+ −∞
− g(x) → 0− +∞

If lim f (x) and lim g(x) then lim f (x)g(x)

x→a x→a x→a
+ ±∞ ±∞
− ±∞ ∓∞
+∞ ±∞ ±∞
−∞ ±∞ ∓∞

If lim f (x) and lim g(x) then lim (f (x) + g(x))

x→a x→a x→a
−, 0 or + ±∞ ±∞
+∞ +∞ +∞
−∞ −∞ −∞
Informally, the third table states that a constant limit has no effect when added to an infinite limit.
This remark is used in particular in Example 7 and Exercise 9.
Definition 4 In the following table, “x → a” can be replaced by “x → a− ” or “x → a+ .”
If lim f (x) and lim g(x) then the limit is an indeterminate form of type
x→a x→a
f (x) 0
0 0 lim 0
x→a g(x)
+∞ +∞ lim (f (x) − g(x)) ∞−∞
x→a
−∞ −∞ lim (f (x) − g(x)) ∞−∞
x→a
+∞ −∞ lim (f (x) + g(x)) ∞−∞
x→a
−∞ +∞ lim (f (x) + g(x)) ∞−∞
x→a
0 ±∞ lim f (x)g(x) 0·∞
x→a

1
Important! Some limits described in the above definition can be dealt with by algebraic manipula-
tions such as factoring, rationalization and factoring, and combining fractions, while others need the
application of L’Hopital’s Rule, a technique that we will learn for the fifth exam.

2 Examples
Indicate all the indeterminate forms involved.

x2 − 4
Example 5 Evaluate lim .
x→ 32
− 2x2 − 7x + 6

Solution. Since the numerator approaches a negative constant while the denominator approaches
zero, the limit is either +∞ or −∞ depending on whether the denominator approaches zero through
negative values or through positve values, respectively. In view of this, writing the denominator as a
product of linear factors allows us to apply Remark 1:

x2 − 4 x2 − 4
lim = lim
x→ 32
− 2x2 − 7x + 6 x→ 3 − (2x − 3)(x − 2)
2
! !
x2 − 4 − 74 − 47
= lim 3
2(0− ) − 12 0+



x→ 32 2 x − 2 (x − 2)
−

= −∞.

Important! It was not necessary to write the numerator as a product of linear factors since it does
not approach zero. 4
 
1 1
Example 6 (1.4.3 Exercises, 13) Evaluate lim 1− √ .
t→0+ t 2t + 1

Solution. Here, we deal with indeterminate forms of types 0 · ∞ and 00 :

   
1 1 1
lim 1− √ ·0 (+∞ · 0) indeterminate form of type 0 · ∞
t→0+ t 2t + 1 0+
√  √ 
1 2t + 1 − 1 2t + 1 + 1
= lim √ √
t→0+ t 2t + 1 2t + 1 + 1
!
1 (2t + 1) − 1
= lim √ √

t→0+ t 2t + 1 2t + 1 + 1
!  
1 2t 0
= lim √ √

t→0 t
+ 2t + 1 2t + 1 + 1 0
2
= lim √ √

t→0+2t + 1 2t + 1 + 1
2
=p p
2(0) + 1( 2(0) + 1 + 1)
= 1.

2
  
2 1 7s
Example 7 (1.4.3 Exercises, 12) Evaluate lim + + .
s→−1+ s2 − 1 s2 + 3s + 2 s3 + 8

Solution. Here, we deal with indeterminate forms of types ∞ − ∞ and 00 :

 
2 1 7s
lim + 2 +
s→−1+ s2 − 1 s + 3s + 2 s3 + 8
 
2 1 7s
= lim + + 3
s→−1+ (s − 1)(s + 1) (s + 2)(s + 1) s + 8
   
2 1 2 1
+ −1 + −1 ((−∞) + (+∞) − 1)
(−2)(0+ ) (1)(0+ ) 0− 0+
((−∞) + ((+∞) − 1)) ((−∞) + (+∞)) indeterminate form of type ∞ − ∞
 
2(s + 2) + (s − 1) 7s
= lim + 3
s→−1+ (s − 1)(s + 1)(s + 2) s +8
   
3s + 3 7s 0
= lim + 3 −1
s→−1+ (s − 1)(s + 1)(s + 2) s +8 0
 
3(s + 1) 7s
= lim + 3
s→−1 + (s − 1)(s + 1)(s + 2) s + 8
 
3 7s
= lim + 3
s→−1+ (s − 1)(s + 2) s +8
3 7(−1)
= +
(−1 − 1)(−1 + 2) (−1)3 + 8
5
=− .
2
Important! It was not necessary to factor s3 + 8 since it does not approach zero. Why did we
combine only the first two rational expressions? 4

3 Exercises
Indicate all the indeterminate forms involved.
 
1 3
Exercise 8 Evaluate lim −3 .
t→0+ 5t t2 + 1
 
4 1 1
Exercise 9 (1.4.3 Exercises, 9) Evaluate lim − − .
x→−2− (x + 2)2 (2 − x) (x + 2)2 x

Prepared by Jade T. Ventura

Instructor, Institute of Mathematics, UP Diliman

Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens...

To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.
— Psalm 119:89,96