BUM1223 Calculus

Chapter 1
Limit and Continuity

Dr Norazaliza Mohd Jamil

1.1 • The Concepts of Limit

1.2 • Computation of Limit

1.3 • Limit involving Infinity

1.4 • L’Hopital’s Rule

1.5 • Continuity and its consequence

 1.1 The Concepts of Limit

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

Use the concept of limit at

any given point and state
LESSON
OUTCOMES

Use the basic properties of

limit
Limit of A Function

• The limit is the most important concept of all

calculus.

• The main ideas of calculus, the derivative and

the integral, are defined using limits.

• All you need is to develop an intuitive

understanding, and you'll see how simple these
concepts are.
Motivation
• There is a fireplace with a raging fire therein. As you
move closer to the fire source, the distance x,
between you and fireplace decreases. At any given
distance, x, you feel heat on your face. Let the
temperature on the surface of your facial skin
measured as f(x).

• Now as you continue to move closer and closer to the

heat source, you feel increased heat on your face.
The closer you get, the greater the sense of heat.
Now you would not want to actually put x=0 as then
you will be in the fire, but yet as you get closer, you
have a sense that the temperature on the surface of
your face will continue will continue to increase until it
reaches the temperature of the fire.
What is a limit?

• A limit is the intended

height of a function.

• Functions that don’t reach

their intended heights.

lim f ( x)  2
x2

f (2)  5
Definition of limit

• We are not interested in the value of f(x) when x=c.

• We are interested in the behavior of f(x) as x comes

closer and closer to a value of c

• The notation of limit;

lim f ( x)  L
x c

f(x) approaches L as x is read as “the limit

approaches c of f(x) as x
approaches c is L”
When does a limit exist?

• A limit exists if and only if both corresponding one

sided limits exist and are equal.

lim f  x   lim f  x   L
x c x c

LEFT SIDE LIMIT: RIGHT SIDE LIMIT:

x approaches c from x approaches c from
left right
 lim f ( x)  4
lim f ( x)  2 x 2
x2
 Example
The diagram below shows the graph of function, f .
Find:
(a) lim f ( x ) , lim f ( x ) , lim f ( x )
x 2 x 2 x 2

f(x)

x
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 1.2 FINDING LIMIT USING GRAPHICAL METHOD

EXAMPLE (cont.)
(b) lim f ( x) , lim f ( x) , lim f ( x)
 x 3
x 3 x 3

f(x)

x
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5
EXAMPLE (cont.)

(c) lim f ( x ) , lim f ( x ) , lim f ( x )

x 1 x 1 x 1
f(x)

x
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Why we need to study limit?

• To know the value of f(x) when x approaches to

something.

• Example:
• To estimate the temperature of an oven at one
time.
• To know how much power is needed to
maintain the temperature of a machine to be
200 degree Celcius.
 Constant Rule lim k  k
x c

Identity Rule lim x  c

x c

Sum and lim( f ( x)  g ( x))  lim f ( x)  lim g ( x)

Limits Law
Difference Rule x c x c x c

Product Rule lim( f ( x).g ( x))  lim f ( x ).lim g ( x )

x c x c x c

Constant Multiple
lim(k . f ( x))  k .lim f ( x)
Rule x c x c

f ( x) lim f ( x)
Quotient Rule lim  x c
x c g ( x ) lim g ( x) lim g ( x )  0
x c x c

 
n
Power Rule lim( f ( x))  lim f ( x)
n
x c x c
Constant Rule
lim 6  6
• The limit of a constant is the constant x 2
itself
lim  11  11
x 3

Identity Rule
• The limit of function f(x), where f(x)=x, is lim x  2
x 2
c since x approaches c.
lim x  7
x 7

Sum and Difference Rule

lim( x  4)  2  4  6
x 2
• The limit of the sum of two functions is
the sum of their limits lim( x  4)  3  4  1
x 3
Product Rule lim( x  1)( x  2)
x 2
• The limit of a product of two functions is
the product of their limits.  lim( x  1)  lim( x  2)
x 2 x 2

 3  4  12

Constant Multiple Rule

lim 2(4 x  1)
x 2
• The limit of a constant, multiply by a
function is the constant multiply by the  2 lim(4 x  1)
x 2

limits of the function  2(7)  14

Quotient Rule x  1)
 x  1  lim(

x 3
lim 
• The limit of quotient of two functions is x 3 x  3
  lim( x  3)
x 3
the quotient of their limits, provided the 3 1 1
limit of the denominator is not zero  
3 3 3
Power Rule
• The limit of the nth power is the nth
power of the limit where n is a positive
integer and f(c)>0.

 
n
lim( f ( x))  lim f ( x)
n
lim n f ( x)  n lim f ( x)
x c x c x c x c

 
2
lim(3x)  lim(3x)2
 (3)2  9
x 1 x 1

lim 5x2  4  lim(5x2  4)  20  4  4

x2 x2
 Example

Evaluate each of the following limits.

 3x  4 
(a) lim( x  5) (d) lim  
x 1 x 2
 x  3 

 
1/ 3
(b) lim (3 x  5) (e) lim x 2  11
x 2 x 4

(c) lim 2 x( x  4)
x 1
Solution:
(a) lim( x  5)  1  5  6
x 1

(b) lim (3x  5)  3(2)  5  1

x 2

(c) lim 2 x( x  4)  2(1  4)  10

x 1
 3x  4  3(2)  4 10
(d) lim     2
x2
 x3  23 5

   
1/ 3 1/ 3
(e) lim x  11
2
 (4)  11
2
 ( 27)1/ 3  3
x 4
 Homework 1.1

1. Evaluate each of the following limits.

 2x  3 
(a) lim( x  9) (d) lim  
x 1 x 2
 x  4 

 
1/ 3
(b) lim (2 x  8) (e) lim x 2  15
x 2 x 7

(c) lim 3 x(4 x  1)

x 1
2. Find lim f ( x ) and f (2)
x2
3. What does it mean by lim g ( x)  3
x 4
 “Push yourself
because, no
one else is
going to do it for
you."
 1.2 Computation of Limit

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

Find limits numerically

LESSON
OUTCOMES Find limits graphically

Find limits analytically

 How do you evaluating limit?
Finding limit
• How do you evaluating limit?

• There are three methods in evaluating limit.

a) Numerical Method

b) Graphical Method

c) Analytical Method
A. Finding Limit : Numerical Method

In this method, limit is solved by

 inserting an appropriate value of x from left (left
side limit) and right (right side limit) and calculate
the corresponding f ( x) .
 By doing so, we are expecting to reach a certain
value  LIMIT
 Example

Evaluate lim 2 x by using table.

x 1

Solution:

x approaching 1 from left x approaching 1 from right

x 0.9 0.99 0.999 0.9999 1 1.0001 1.001 1.01 1.1

f(x) 1.8 1.98 1.998 1.9998 ? 2.0002 2.002 2.062 2.1

lim 2 x  2 lim 2 x  2
x 1 x 1

 lim 2 x  2
x 1
 Example

sin x
Evaluate lim numerically where x is in radian.
x 0 x

Solution:
x approaching 0 from left x approaching 0 from right

x -0.1 -0.01 -0.01 -0.0001 0 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1

f(x) 0.99833 0.99998 0.99999 0.99999 ? 0.99999 0.99999 0.99998 0.99833

sin x sin x
lim 1 lim 1
x 0 x x 0 x
sin x
 lim 1
x 0 x
 Example

x2 1
Evaluate lim by using table.
x 1 x  1

Solution:
x approaching -1 from right x approaching -1 from left

x -0.9 -0.99 -0.999 -0.9999 -1 -1.0001 -1.001 -1.01 -1.1

f(x) -1.9 -1.99 -1.999 -1.9999 ? -2.0001 -2.001 -2.01 -2.1

x2 1 x2 1
lim  2 lim  2
x 1 x  1 x 1 x  1
x2 1
 lim  2
x 1 x  1
 Example

3x 2  2 x  8
Evaluate lim using numerical method.
x 2 x2

Solution:

x approaching 2 from left x approaching 2 from right

x 1.9 1.99 1.999 2 2.001 2.01 2.1

f(x) 9.7 9.97 9.997 ? 10.003 10.03 10.3

lim f ( x)  10 lim f ( x)  10
x2 x2
 Example

1
Evaluate lim numerically.
x0 x

Solution:

x approaching 0 from left x approaching 0 from right

x -0.1 -0.01 -0.01 -0.0001 0 0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1

f(x) -10 -100 -1000 -10000 ? 10000 1000 100 10

1 1
lim   lim  
x0 x x0 x
1
 lim does not exist
x 0 x
 Example

x3  1
Evaluate lim
x 1 x  1
numerically.

Solution:
B. Finding Limit : Graphical Method

• In this method, limit is solved through a graph.

• From the graph, we can determine the limit exist or

not

when does a limit exist?

lim f  x   lim f  x   L
x c x c
 Example

Find lim 2 x using graphical method.

x 1

Solution: f(x)4

lim 2 x  lim 2 x  2 2
x 1 x 1
1

 lim 2 x  2 0 x
x 1 -1 0 1 2 3 4

-1

-2
 Example
f(x)

Find lim( x  2)2 graphically.

x 1
Solution:

9
lim(

x  2)  lim(
2

x  2)  9
2
x1 x1

 lim( x  2)2  9
x 1
x
-8 -6 -4 -2 0 1 2 4
 Example

x2 1 f(x)
Find lim graphically. 1
x 1 x  1

Solution: 0 x
-2 -1 0 1 2

x2 1 x2 1
lim  lim  2
x 1 x  1 x 1 x  1 -1

x2 1 -2

 lim  2
x 1 x  1
-3
 Example

f(x)

 x  1, x 1
3

3

f ( x)   , x 1 . 2

2 3/2

2  x, x 1 1

lim f ( x)  2 x
x 1 -3 -2 -1
0
0 1 2 3 4

lim f ( x)  1
-1

x 1

-2
Hence, limit f ( x) does not exist.
C. Finding Limit : Analytical Method

• Limits law will be used extensively in solving limit

problem. If the limit cannot be evaluated by limit laws
(1), then the algebraic technique (2) will be used

1) Limits Law Technique

• Substitutions

2) Algebraic Technique
indeterminate
• Factorization form
• Multiplication of conjugate
 Example

Evaluate the following limit.

x2  x  6
lim
x 2 x2

Solution:

x 2  x  6 (2)2  2  6 0
lim   indeterminate form
x 2 x2 22 0

substitution doesn’t always work!

• There are cases that we can’t solve using the limit laws
technique  indeterminate form

 x2  x  6  0
e.g. lim   
x 2
 x2  0
0
• If f ( x) 
, it cannot be evaluated direct substitution.
0
• Use algebraic Technique such as

Factoring

Long division

Multiplying conjugate
 1. Finding Limit using Factoring

Example
x2  x  6
Evaluate lim
x 2 x2
x2  x  6 0
By substitution, lim 
x 2 x2 0
x 2  x  6 ( x  3)( x  2)
Using factoring,   x3
x2 x2

Thus, lim  x  6  lim x  3  5

2
x
x 2 x2 x 2
 Example

Evaluate each of the following limits analytically.

x2 1 x 2  3x  2
(a) lim (b) lim
x 1 x  1 x 2 x2
 Finding Limit using Long Division

Example
x3  1
Evaluate lim
x 1 x  1

x3  1 0
By substitution, lim 
x 1 x  1 0
Since the power of x in the numerator > denominator,
we can use long division: x3  1
 x  x 1
2

x 1
Thus, lim  1  lim( x 2  x  1)  3
3
x
x 1 x  1 x 1
 Example

Evaluate each of the following limits analytically.

x5  1
(a) lim x  4 x  x  6
3 2
(b) lim
x 1 x  1
x 1 x 1
 Finding Limit using Multiplying Conjugate

Example
x 1
Evaluate lim
x 1 x  1

x 1 0
By substitution, lim 
x 1 x 1 0

x 1  x 1  x 1 1
Multiply with conjugate,    
x  1  x  1  ( x  1)( x  1) x 1

x 1 0
Thus, lim  lim 0
x 1 x  1 x 1 x 1
 Example

Evaluate each of the following limits analytically.

x 1
(a) lim
x 1 x 1
x 2
(b) lim
x4 x  4

3 h  3
(c) lim
h 0 h
 Limit of absolute value functions

Example

Evaluate lim | x | 5
x 5

 x , x  0
lim | x | 5  5  5  0 | x | 
x 5  x ,x 0

lim | x | 5  5  5  0
x 5

lim | x | 5  0 The limit exists

x 5
 Limit of absolute value functions

Example  x , x  0
| x  1| | x | 
Evaluate lim
x 1 x  1
 x ,x 0

| x  1| ( x  1) ( x  1) , x  1
lim  lim  1 | x  1| 
x 1 x  1 x 1 x 1  x 1 , x  1
| x  1| x 1
lim  lim 1
x 1 x  1 x 1 x  1

The limit does not exists

 Limit of absolute value functions

 x , x  0
Example | x | 
1 1   x ,x 0
Evaluate lim   

x 0 x | x|

1 1  1 1  1
lim     lim     lim  
x 0
 x | x |  x 0  x (  x )  x 0 2 x
1 1  1 1
lim     lim     0
x 0
 x | x |  x 0  x x 
The limit does not exists
 Homework 1.2

1. Find each of the following limits by using table.

x 2  25 x 6 3
(a) lim (d) lim
x 5 x  5 x 3 x 3
3x 2  2 x  8 1
(b) lim (e) lim
x 2 x2 p 2 p  2

3x 2  1
(c) lim (f) lim 2 x 2  x  7
x 1 x  2 x 1
2. Find the following limit by graphical method
1
(a) lim  1
2
x (c) lim  x  11
x 1 x  1 x 4 2

(b) lim x 2
 7 x  10 (d) lim ( x  3)2
x1 x 2

 x  1, x3
3. Given f ( x)   . Find:
3x  7, x3

(a) lim f ( x)
x 3 (c) lim
x 3
f ( x)

(b) lim f ( x) (d) f (3)

x 3
4. Evaluate each of the following limits analytically.

x 2  25 x6 3
(a) lim (d) lim
x 5 x  5 x 3 x 3
t 9 3 1
(b) lim (e) lim
t 0 t p 2
3 p3  1
3x 2  1
(c) lim (f) lim 2 x 2  x  7
x 1 x  2 x 1

3x 2  x  2 x2  x
( g ) lim 2 ( h) lim
x  5 x  4 x  1 x  3  x
5. Evaluate
| x2|
(a) lim |x| (c) lim
x2 x  2
x 0

lim | x | 3  1 1 
(b) x 3 (d) lim   
x 1 x  1 | x  1|
 
 "There is no
elevator to
success. You
have to take the
stairs."
 1.3 Limit involving infinity

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

LESSON
OUTCOMES
Find limit
at infinity
Limit at Infinity

Infinity:  or 

Assume that we are given a function y = f(x). What

happens to f(x) as x gets larger and larger?
1
Example Evaluate lim
x  x
Limit at Infinity

1
lim k  k lim n  0
x  x  x

 1 1
lim  5    lim 5  lim  5  0  5
x 
 x  x x  x

Sum and Difference Rule

Substitution won’t always work!

If 
lim f ( x) 
x  
use algebra manipulation techniques:

• Factoring
• Long division
• Multiplying conjugate
• Division by higher power variable
Notes: To evaluate the limit of infinity of rational function, divide the
numerator and denominator by the largest power of the variable that
appear in the denominator
12t 2  15t  12
Example Find lim
t  t2  1

12t 2 15t 12
 2  2
12t 2  15t  12 2
lim  lim t 2 t t
t  t 1
2 t  t 1

t2 t2
15 12 lim  12  15  12 
12   2  
 lim t t 
t 
 t t2 
t 
1 2
1  1
lim  1  2 
t t 
 t 
15 12
lim12  lim  lim 2
t  t  t t  t

1
lim1  lim 2
t  t  t

12  0  0
  12
1 0
Tips!

• IF The Example
higher power of numerator > higher power of x3  3 
denominator lim 2 
x  x  5 
• Use long division technique or
• Use Division of Higher Variable technique

• IF The Example
higher power of numerator < higher power of
denominator or higher power of numerator = 11x  2 
higher power of denominator lim 3 
x  2 x  1 
• Use Division of Higher Variable technique
x 2  3x  2 
lim 2 
x  x  x  2 
 Finding limit using division by higher power

Example
5x2  8x  3
Evaluate lim
x  3x 2  2
5x2  8x  3 
By substitution, xlim 
 3x  2
2

8 3
5  2
5x2  8x  3 x x
Divide by higher power, 
3x 2  2 2
3 2
x
8 3
5   2
Thus, 5x2  8x  3 x x 5
lim  lim 
x  3x  2
2 x 
3 2
2 3
x
 Example

Evaluate each of the following limits analytically.

x3  3
(a) lim 2
x  x  5

11x  2
(b) lim
x  2 x 3  1
 Example

Evaluate each of the following limits.

x2  x  6 11x  2
(a) lim (d) lim 3
x  x2 x  2 x  1

x 1
(b) lim
x  x  1

x3  1
(c) lim
x  x  1
 Homework 1.3
1. Evaluate each of the following.
 2x 1   3x 2  2 x  7 
(a) lim  2  (d) lim  
x   x  3 x  5
  x 
 7x  5 

 x2 1   2 3

(b) lim   (e) lim  x  x 
2
x   4 x  1  x 
   

 2  x4  2 
(c) lim  1  3  (f) lim  2 
x   x  1 
x 
 x   
2. Evaluate each of the following limits.

 1  5x2  8x  3
(a) lim  3  2  (c) lim
x 
 x  x  3x 2  2

11x  2
(b) lim 1  x 2
 (d) lim 3
x  x  2 x  1
3. Evaluate

 2x2  x  1   2x 1 
(a) lim   (c) lim  2 
x   x  3
 x 3   
x  2

 2x  x  1 
2  x2 1 
(b) lim   (d) lim  
x   3 x  5 
x 
 x 3   
"Always do your
best. What you
plant now, you
will harvest
later."
 1.4 L’Hopital’s Rule

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

LESSON
OUTCOMES
Find limit using
L'Hopital's Rule
Indeterminate form

0
(a)
0

(b)

(c) 0  (  )
(d) 1
(e) 00
(f)  0
L’ Hopital’s Rule

L’Hospital’s Rule tells us that if we have an indeterminate form, all we need to

do is differentiate the numerator and differentiate the denominator and then
take the limit.
 Example

Evaluate each of the following limits by using L’Hopital’s

rule.
sin x
(a) lim
x 0 x
5t 4  4t 2  1
(b) lim
t 1 10  t  9t 3

ex
(c) lim 2
x  x
 Example

Evaluate each of the following limits by using L’Hopital’s

rule.
x2
(a) lim 2
x 2 x  4

2x  7
(b) lim 2
x  3 x  5

x2 1
(c) lim 2
x 1 x  3 x  4

x4
(d ) lim
x 4 x 2
 L’Hospital’s Rule won’t work on products, it only works on quotients.

Example

Evaluate each of the following limits by using L’Hopital’s

rule.

(a) lim x ln x
x 0
(a) lim x ln x
x 0
 Homework 1.4
1. Evaluate each of the following using L’Hopital’s rule.

(a) 1/ x  1/ 3 (d) x 2  3x  10
lim 2 lim 2
x 3 x 9 x  7 x  5 x  4

(b) e3 x
lim
x  5 x  200

(c) 3  ln x
lim 2
x  x  7
 1.5 Continuity and its consequence

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

Identify continuity
LESSON at a given point by
OUTCOMES
refer to three (3)
conditions
 Continuity

• Continuous
• Without interruption
• Flows nicely

• We will discuss the continuity of a graph

(of a function)
• Continuity of a graph/function:
• CONTINUOUS:

• NOT CONTINUOUS:
Continuity

A function f(x) is said to be continuous if its

graph can be drawn with a continuous
motion of the pen (without lifting the pen)
 THE CONTINUITY TEST
A function y  f (x) is continuous at x  c if it
satisfies the following conditions

1. f (c ) is defined
Failure to
meet one of
these
2. lim f ( x ) exists conditions,
x c
then the
function is
discontinuous
3. lim f ( x )  f (c ) at c
x c
Example 1 f(x)

x
c

lim f ( x)  f (c)
x c

Hence, f(x) is continuous at c

f is not continuous

Example 2 f(x)

x
c

lim f ( x ) exist but lim f ( x)  f (c)

x c x c

Hence, f (x) not continuous at c

f is not continuous
f(x)
Example 3

x
c

f (c) exist but lim

x c
f ( x ) does not exist

Hence, f (x) not continuous at c

f is not continuous

Example 4 f(x)

x
c

lim f ( x ) and f (c) does not exist

x c

Hence, f (x) not continuous at c

f is not continuous
f(x)
Example 5

x
c

lim f  x  exist but f (c ) does not exist

xc

Hence, f  x  not continuous at c

 Example

• Determine whether the function f (x) is x2  x  2

continuous at given x values? f ( x)  ,x 1
x2

1 x2  x  2 1  1  2
f (c)  f (1)   2
x2 1 2

2 x  x  2 lim x  lim x  lim 2 1  1  2

2
2 2
lim f ( x)   x 1 x 1
 x 1
2
x 1 x2 lim x  lim 2 1 2
x 1 x 1

3 lim f ( x)  f  c 
x c

Hence, f (x) is continuous at x = 1

 Example

• Determine whether the function f (x) is x2  x  2

continuous at given x values? f ( x)  ,x 2
x2

1 x 2  x  2 22  2  2 0
f (c)  f (2)    not defined
x2 22 0

2 x 2  x  2 ( x  1)( x  2)
lim f ( x)   3
x 2 x2 ( x  2)
3 lim f ( x)  f (c)
x c

Part 1 and 3 fail. Hence, f (x) is not continuous at x = 2

EXAMPLE 6
Determine whether the function f (x ) is continuous at
x  1, x  2, x  3 using continuity test.
f(x)

x
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5
EXERCISE
Determine whether the function f (x ) is continuous at
x  2, x  4, x  8, x  10 using continuity test.
f(x)

x
-1 0 2 4 6 8 10
 Homework 1.5

1. Consider the function y = f (x) in figure below, whose

domain is the closed interval [1, 4]. Discuss the
continuity of f at x = 1, 2, 3 and 4.
2. Determine whether the function f (x) is continuous at
given x values?
f ( x)  3 x 2  1 , x  1

3. Determine whether the function f (x) is continuous at

given x values?
1
 2 if x  0
f ( x)   x ,x 0
1 if x  0
4.
 “It does not
matter how
slowly you go
as long as you
do not stop."
~ Confucius
Thank you