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Limits andedit Master title style
Continuity

1.1. The Limit of a Function

1.2. Theorems on Limits of Functions
Mathematics 26
Limits and Continuity 1.4. Infinite Limits
1.5. Limits at Infinity
Based from:
1.6. Continuity of a Function at a Number
Worktext in Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics
1.7. Continuity of an Interval
University of the Philippines Los Baños 1.8. The Intermediate Value Theorem
*For educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended*

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When we defined the limit of a function 𝑓 as 𝑥 approaches a number 𝑎, note

that there should be an open interval containing 𝑎, such that, although 𝑓 need
not be defined at 𝑎, 𝑓 must be defined anywhere else in that interval.
One-sided Limits
Given any real number 𝑎, we can always find functions which are only defined
only to the right of 𝑎 or only to the left of 𝑎. If 𝑓 is one such function, then the
lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist. This is because there is no open interval containing 𝑎
𝑥→𝑎
that will satisfy the definition.

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In this section, we will investigate the behavior of a function as 𝑥 approaches a Definition

number, 𝑎, but only from one direction. Let 𝑓 be a function defined at every number in some open interval containing
(𝑎, 𝑐).
For example, if our function is defined only on (𝑎, 𝑐), then we will investigate The limit of 𝒇(𝒙) as 𝒙 approaches 𝒂 from the right is 𝑳, written as:
what happens to the function values as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the right.
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎 +

if the values of 𝑓 get closer and closer to 𝐿, as the values of 𝑥 get closer and
closer to 𝑎, and when these values of 𝑥 are greater than 𝑎.

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Definition Note
Let 𝑓 be a function defined at every number in some open interval containing If the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit both exist and are both equal to 𝐿,
(𝑎, 𝑐). then (the two-sided) lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists and is equal to 𝐿.
𝑥→𝑎
The limit of 𝒇(𝒙) as 𝒙 approaches 𝒂 from the left is 𝑳, written as:
If the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit both exist but are not equal to 𝐿, or
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 if one of these exists while the other does not, then (the two-sided) lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎 − 𝑥→𝑎
does not exist.
if the values of 𝑓 get closer and closer to 𝐿, as the values of 𝑥 get closer and
closer to 𝑎, and when these values of 𝑥 are less than 𝑎.
Remark: Theorems on limits of functions also apply to one-sided limits.

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Example 1.3.1. Evaluate the following: Example 1.3.1. Evaluate the following:
a. lim− 𝑥 − 2 b. lim+ 𝑥 − 2
𝑥→2 𝑥→2

Solution: Solution:
a. Since 𝑥 − 2 is not defined for 𝑥 < 2, then lim− 𝑥 − 2 does not exist. b. Let 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 2. Then 𝑓 is defined at 𝑥 > 2.
𝑥→2
lim 𝑥−2 = lim (𝑥 − 2) = 2 − 2 = 0
𝑥→2+ 𝑥→2−

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Example 1.3.1. Evaluate the following: Example 1.3.2.

c. lim 𝑥 − 2 −1, 𝑥 < 0
𝑥→2
Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ 0 , 𝑥 = 0 . Find: a) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) b) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) c) lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
1 ,𝑥 > 0
Solution:
c. Recall that 𝑥 − 2 is not defined for 𝑥 < 2, so lim− 𝑥 − 2 does not exist. Solution:
𝑥→2
Since lim− 𝑥 − 2 does not exist, then lim 𝑥 − 2 does not exist. a. To find lim− 𝑓(𝑥), consider values of 𝑓 when 𝑥 < 0.
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→0
Thus, lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim−(−1) = −1
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

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Example 1.3.2. Example 1.3.2.

−1, 𝑥 < 0 −1, 𝑥 < 0
Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ0 , 𝑥 = 0 . Find: a) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) b) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) c) lim 𝑓(𝑥) Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ 0 , 𝑥 = 0 . Find: a) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) b) lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) c) lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
1 ,𝑥 > 0 1 ,𝑥 > 0

Solution: Solution:
b. To find lim+ 𝑓(𝑥), consider values of 𝑓 when 𝑥 > 0. c. Since lim− 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim+ 𝑓(𝑥), then lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist.
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
Thus, lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+(1) = 1
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

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Example 1.3.3. Example 1.3.3.

𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≤ 3 𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≤ 3
Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ 2 . Find: a) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ 2 . Find: a) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) c. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥 − 7, 𝑥 > 3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥 − 7, 𝑥 > 3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3

Solution: Solution:
a. To find lim− 𝑓(𝑥), consider values of 𝑓 when 𝑥 < 3. b. To find lim+ 𝑓(𝑥), consider values of 𝑓 when 𝑥 > 3.
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
Thus, lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim−(𝑥 − 1) = 3 − 1 = 2 Thus, lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim−(𝑥 2 − 7) = 32 − 7 = 9 − 7 = 2
𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3

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Example 1.3.3. Example 1.3.4.

𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≤ 3 2𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≠ 2
Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ 2 . Find: a) lim− 𝑓(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) Let 𝑔 𝑥 = ቊ . Find: a) lim− 𝑔(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) c. lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥 − 7, 𝑥 > 3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 1, 𝑥 = 2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2

Solution: Solution:
c. Since lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥), then lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 a. To find lim− 𝑔(𝑥), consider values of 𝑔 when 𝑥 < 2, i.e. 𝑔 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 1.
𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→2
Thus, lim− 𝑔(𝑥) = lim−(2𝑥 − 1) = 2(2) − 1 = 3
𝑥→2 𝑥→2

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Example 1.3.4. Example 1.3.4.

2𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≠ 2 2𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≠ 2
Let 𝑔 𝑥 = ቊ . Find: a) lim− 𝑔(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) c. lim 𝑔(𝑥) Let 𝑔 𝑥 = ቊ . Find: a) lim− 𝑔(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) c. lim 𝑔(𝑥)
1, 𝑥 = 2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 1, 𝑥 = 2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2

Solution: Solution:
b. To find lim+ 𝑔(𝑥), consider values of 𝑔 when 𝑥 > 2, i.e. 𝑔 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 1. c. Since lim− 𝑔(𝑥) = lim+ 𝑔(𝑥), then lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 3
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
Thus, lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) = lim+(2𝑥 − 1) = 2(2) − 1 = 3
𝑥→2 𝑥→2

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Example 1.3.5. Example 1.3.5.

Let 𝑔 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 6 − 4. Find: a) lim− 𝑔(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) c. lim 𝑔(𝑥) Let 𝑔 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 6 − 4. Find: a) lim− 𝑔(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) c. lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3

Solution: Solution:
Note that: a. lim− 𝑔(𝑥) = lim− (−2𝑥 + 2) = −2 3 + 2 = −4
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
2𝑥 − 6 − 4, 𝑖𝑓 2𝑥 − 6 ≥ 0 b. lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) = lim+ (2𝑥 − 10) = 2 3 − 10 = −4
𝑔 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 6 − 4 = ቊ 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
− 2𝑥 − 6 − 4, 𝑖𝑓 2𝑥 − 6 < 0
c. Since lim− 𝑔(𝑥) = lim+ 𝑔(𝑥), then lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −4
2𝑥 − 10, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
=ቊ
−2𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 3
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