Limits of Exponential,

Logarithmic, and
Trigonometric Functions
(a) If b > 0,b  1, the exponential
function with base b is defined
by

(b) Let b > 0, b  1. If by = x then y is

called the logarithm of x to the base b,
denoted
 EVALUATING LIMITS OF
EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Natural exponential function:

f(x) = ex
Euler number = 2.718281....
EXAMPLE 1
Construct the table of values for f(x) = ex.
 Graph

e= 2.718…

e2 = 7.389…

e-1 = 0.367…
Natural logarithmic function
f(x) = ln x

The inverse of the natural

exponential function y = e x
EXAMPLE 2
Common logarithmic function:
f(x) = log10 x
EXAMPLE 3
 Consider the graphs of both the natural and
common logarithmic functions. Use the
following graphs to determine their limits as x
approaches 1.
Verify our observations that
and

1 log 3= 0.47…
1 -
In3=1.09… -
 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
EXAMPLE 4
Table of values for f(x) = sin x
The graph of f(x) = sin x.

1 -1

0 0
Evaluate the following limits by
constructing the table of values

Answer: -1

Answer: 0
Some Special Limits
 Special Functions

These functions will be vital to the computation

of the derivatives of the sine, cosine and natural
exponential functions
1.Evaluate the function
The graph of below confirms that the
y-values approach 1 as t approaches 0.
2.Evaluate the function
The graph of below confirms that the
y-values approach 0 as t approaches 0.
3.Evaluate the function
 INDETERMINATE FORM

There are functions whose limits cannot be

determined immediately using the Limit
Theorems we have so far.
In these cases, the functions must be manipulated so
that the limit, if it exists, can be calculated. We call
such limit expressions indeterminate forms.
Definition of Intermediate Form of
Type
Remark 1:
A limit that is indeterminate of type
may exist. To find the actual value, one
should find an expression equivalent to
the original. This is commonly done by
factoring or by rationalizing. Hopefully,
the expression that will emerge after
factoring or rationalizing will have a
computable limit
4.Evaluate the function
The limit of both the numerator and the denominator as x
approaches 1 is 0

By factoring: