BASIC CALCULUS

NAME: ____________________________________________________ CLUSTER: _________________

The learners should be able to:
 llustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and the graph of the function
 distinguish between lim
x →c
¿ f ( x ) and f(c)
 illustrate the limit laws
 apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions (polynomial, rational, and radical
 compute the limits of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions using table of values and graphs
 illustrate the transcendental limit

Lesson 1: Limits of Algebraic Expressions using Tables and Graphs

Everyone has their own limitation. Knowing your own limit helps you understand why some things are favorable to you and some
are not. In this branch of Mathematics called Calculus, Limit is one of the important lessons that you need to understand because it
plays a vital role in the application of differentiation towards a function.
• The limit of a function 𝑓(𝑥) is the value it approaches as the value of 𝑥 approaches a certain value. “As 𝑥 approaches 𝑎, the limit
of 𝑓(𝑥) approaches L”. (Mercado, 2016) This is written in symbols as follows;
lim f ( x )=L
x →c
One sided limit is the value (𝐿) as the 𝒙 value gets closer and closer to a certain value 𝒄 from one side only (either from the left or
from the right side). In symbols,
From the left side lim ¿ From the right side lim ¿
−¿ +¿
x→ c f ( x ) =L ¿ x→ c f ( x ) = L¿
 Always remember that if the limit value from the left side is not equal to the limit value from the right, then the limit Does Not
Exist or DNE. In symbols, if x→ clim
−¿
f ( x ) =L ¿
¿≠ lim
+¿
x→ c f ( x ) = L¿
¿ , then lim f ( x ) 𝑫𝑵𝑬
x →c

• The limit of a function lim

x →c
f ( x )=L is not the same as evaluating a function 𝒇(𝒄) because they are different in terms of concept.
The limit of a function gets its value by providing inputs that approaches the particular number while evaluating a function is more
like direct substitution process.
How to Illustrate the Limit of a Function
Example: Express in mathematical symbol: limit of the function (𝑥 + 3 ) as 𝑥 approaches 2 is equivalent to 5.
Solution: Write down your given 𝑓(𝑥) equivalent to (𝑥 + 3). Your 𝑐 is equal to 2 and your limit 𝐿 is 5.
Then substitute into the limit expression lim𝑥→𝑐 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.
Answer: lim
x →2
¿ (𝑥 + 3) = 5
How to Solve for the Limit of a Function
Example: 1. With the given function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3, solve for its limit when 𝑥 approaches 2 and graph the function.
Solution:
Step 1: Create two tables of value, one for x <2 f ( x )∨ y x >2 f ( x )∨ y the
inputs that approaches 2 from the left and the 0 4
other is for the inputs that gets closer to 2 1 3
from the right side. (See figure below). 1.5 2.5
1.9 2.1
1.99 2.01
1.999 2.001
1.9999 2.0001
Step 2: Choose 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 that approach 2 from the
left side and also from the right side. Remember that we
cannot choose 2 because we are dealing with limits.
(See the number line figure below).
After choosing 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 that approach 2 from the left and from the right side, evaluate each input to its corresponding function
and solve for its corresponding output. (Refer to the table of values).

Step 3: Now that the output values on both tables are solved, notice that it approach 5 as the inputs gets closer and closer to 2. We
can illustrate both tables as one sided limits from the left x→ 2 lim
−¿
(x+3 )=5 ¿
¿ and lim
+¿
x→ 2 ( x+3)=5 ¿
¿ from the right.
Step 4: Since both one sided limits from the left and right side is equivalent to 5, therefore the limit of the function 𝑥 + 3 as 𝑥 gets
closer and closer to 2 is 5. In symbols,

lim (x +3)=5
x →2
How to Graph the Limit of a Function
Use the coordinates from the table of values and plot them into a
Cartesian plane.

x 2−1
2. Calculate lim
x →1
( x−1 )
and graph the function.

12−1 0
On this particular given, evaluating the function f (1)= ( )
1−1
will result into or indeterminate answer. But in the
0
application of limits, there is a possibility that you’ll get a defined value. For this reason, we can say that solving for the limit of a
function is different from evaluating a function. Solution:
Step 1: Make two table of values, one for the inputs that approaches 1 from the left and the other is for the inputs that gets closer to
1 from the right side.
Step 2: Choose 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 that approaches 1 from the left side and also from the right side. Remember that we cannot choose 1
because we are dealing with limits. After choosing 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 that approaches 1 from the left and from the right side, evaluate
each input to its corresponding function and solve for its corresponding output. (Refer to the table of values below).
Step 3: Once the output values on both tables were solved, notice that it approaches 2 as the inputs gets closer and closer to 1.
lim ¿ lim ¿
We can illustrate both tables as one sided limits from the left 2
x −1 and x→ 1 2
x −1 from the right.
x→ 1
−¿
( x−1 )
=2 ¿
+¿
( x−1 )=2 ¿

x 2−1
Step 4: Since both one sided limits from the left and right side is equivalent to 2, therefore the limit of the function ( x−1 )as 𝑥

x 2−1
gets closer and closer to 1 is 2. In symbols, lim
x →1
( x−1 ) =2
Graph of the function: In a single Cartesian plane, plot the coordinates from the table of values.

ACTIVITY 1: Solve the following limits of the function by following the steps.
1. Evaluate lim (4+ x)
x →2

x2 −2 x−3 ¿
2. Solve lim ( )¿
x →3 x−3

LESSON
2: LIMIT
LAWS

Limit laws are used as alternative ways in solving the limit of a function without using table of values and graphs. Below are the
different laws that can be applied in various situations to solve for the limit of a function.
A. The limit of a constant is itself. If k is any constant, then, lim
x →c
( k )=k

Examples: 1. lim
x →c
(5 )=5 2. lim
x →c
(−9 )=−9

B. The limit of 𝑥 as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is equal to c. That is, lim x =C

x →c

Examples: 1. lim x =8
x →8
lim ( x )=−2
2. x→−2
C. The Constant Multiple Theorem. The limit of a constant 𝑘 times a function is equal to the product of that constant and its
function’s limit. [𝒌 ∙ 𝒇(𝒙)] = 𝒌 ∙ lim
x →c
¿ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒌 ∙ L

Examples: If lim
x →c
¿ 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 , then

1. lim 5∙ f ( x)=5 ∙ f (x)=5 ∙ 3=15

x →c
 2. lim
x →c
¿(−9) ∙ 𝑓 (𝑥) = (−9) ∙ lim ¿𝑓(𝑥) = (−9) ∙ 3 = −27
x →c

D. The Addition theorem. The limit of a sum of functions is the sum of the limits of the individual functions.
lim ¿ [ 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙) ] = lim ¿𝒇(𝒙) + lim ¿𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 + 𝑴
x →c x →c x →c
Examples:
1. If lim
x →c
¿ 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim ¿𝑔(𝑥) = −4, then
x →c
lim ¿ ( 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim ¿ 𝑓(𝑥) + lim ¿𝑔(𝑥) = 3 + (−4) = −1
x →c x →c x →c
E. The Subtraction Theorem. The limit of a difference of functions is the difference of the limits of the individual functions.
lim ¿ [ 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙)] = lim ¿𝒇(𝒙) − lim ¿𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 − 𝑴
x →c x →c x →c

Example: 1. If lim ¿𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim ¿𝑔(𝑥) = −4, then

x →c x →c
lim ¿ ( 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim ¿𝑓(𝑥) − lim ¿𝑔(𝑥) = 3 − (−4) = 7
x →c x →c x →c

F. The Multiplication Theorem. The limit of a product of functions is the product of the limits of the individual functions.
lim ¿ [ 𝒇(𝒙) ∙ 𝒈(𝒙)] = lim ¿ 𝒇(𝒙) ∙ lim ¿ 𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 ∙ 𝑴
x →c x →c x →c

Example: 1. If lim
x →c
¿ 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim ¿ 𝑔(𝑥) = −4, then
x →c
lim ¿ ( 𝑓(𝑥) . 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim ¿ 𝑓(𝑥) . lim ¿ 𝑔(𝑥) = (3)(−4) = −12
x →c x →c x →c

G. The Division Theorem. The limit of a quotient of functions is the quotient of the limits of the individual functions, provided that the
lim f (x)
lim ¿ f (x ) x → c L
denominator is not equal to zero. x →c [ ]= = ,𝑴≠𝟎
g ( x) lim g(x ) M
x→ c
lim f (x)
Example: 1. If lim ¿ 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim ¿𝑔(𝑥) = −6, then lim ¿ [ f (x ) ] = x →c
=
3 −1
=
x →c x →c x →c g ( x) lim g(x ) −6 2
x→ c
H. The Power Theorem. The limit of an integer power 𝑝 of a function is just that power of the limit of the function.
p p
[
lim [ f ( x ) ] = lim f ( x ) = ( L )
x →c x→ c ]
4 4
1. If lim
x →c
¿ 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 , then lim [ f ( x ) ] = lim f ( x ) =3 ( 4 )=81
[ ]
x →c x→ c
I. The Radical/Root Theorem. If 𝑛 is a positive integer, the limit of the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of a function is just the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of the limit of the
function, provided that the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of the limit is a real number. lim
x →c
¿ n f ( x) = n lim f (x) = √n L
√ √
x→ c

Example: 1. If lim ¿ 𝑓(𝑥) = 8, then lim ¿ √3 f ( x)= 3 lim f ( x )=√3 8=2

√
x →c x →c x →c
More examples:
1. 2
lim (x + 4 x−3)
x→ 4

2. lim
x →1
( x+5
x+ 2 )
Lesson 3: Limits of Transcendental Functions
For this lesson, we are going to find the limit of a transcendental function instead of algebraic.
Transcendental functions are functions that cannot be expounded in algebraic form. Some examples of
transcendental functions are exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. The method that will be used in
solving the limit of transcendental function is also table of values and graphs.
Example 1: Exponential function 1. Solve the lim
x →2
¿ [2 x] using table of values and sketch its graph.
SOLUTION: Create two tables for 𝒙 value that approaches 2 from the left and from the right.
Observation: As the 𝒙 value approaches 2 from
the left and right, the 𝒚 value approaches 4.
After the 𝒚 values on both tables were solved,
determine the one-sided limits from the left and right
side.
lim 2x = 4 −¿
lim 2x = 4 +¿
x→ 2 ¿ x→ 2 ¿
Since both one-sided limits from the left and right is
equivalent to 4, therefore the limit of the function 2 x
as 𝒙 gets closer to 2 is 4. The limit is written as,
lim 2x = 4
x→ 2

To illustrate the limit of the function through graph, plot all

coordinates from tables 1 and 2 below on a Cartesian plane.

Example 2: Logarithmic function

Findlim
x →1
¿ [log 3 ( x )] using table of values and sketch its graph.
SOLUTION: Create two tables for 𝒙 value that approaches 1 from the left and from the right.

Observation: As the 𝒙 value approaches 1

from the left and right, the 𝒚 value
approaches 0. After the 𝒚 values on both
tables were solved, determine the one-
sided limits from the left and right side.

lim ¿ log (x )=0 lim ¿ log (x )=0

−¿
x→ 1 ¿ 3 +¿
x→ 1 ¿ 3

Since both one-sided limits from the left

and right is equivalent to 0, therefore the
limit of the functionlog 3 ( x ) as 𝒙 gets
closer to 1 is 0.
The limit is written as lim
x →1
¿ [log 3 ( x )]=0.
To illustrate the limit of the function through graph, plot all
coordinates from tables 3 and 4 on a cartesian plane.

Example 3: Trigonometric function 3. Evaluate

sin (t)
lim [ ] using table of values and sketch its graph.
t
t →0
SOLUTION: Create two tables for 𝒕 value that approaches 0 from the left and from the right. On this example, 𝒕 was
used instead of the variable 𝒙.

Observation: As the 𝑡 value approaches 0 from the left

and right, the 𝒚 value approaches 1. After the 𝒚 values
on both tables were solved, determine the one-sided
limits from the left and right side.

lim ¿ lim ¿
sin(t)
Since both one-sided limits from the left and right is equivalent to 1, therefore the limit of the function as 𝑡
t
sin (t)
gets closer to 0 is 1. The limit is written as lim [ t
]=1.
t →0

ACTIVITY 3: Solve and illustrate.

1. lim
x →0
[ tan( x )]
x
2. lim ( 3 )
x →1