Module 2 in Math 4
Module 2 in Math 4
1. Overview
This module covers the limits of functions. In this module, you will use the different limit laws to
evaluate algebraic functions. Particularly, limits of polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and
trigonometric functions. Also, you will compute the limit of polynomial, and exponential functions using
limit laws, table of values and graph.
Opening Prayer
God our Father, we come to you in our need to ask your protection against the COVID-19
that has disturbed and even claimed lives.
We pray that you guide the people tasked to find cures for this disease and to stem its
transmission.
Protect the medical experts that they may minister to the sick with competence and
compassion.
We pray for those afflicted, may they be restored to health soon.
Protect those who care for them. Grant eternal rest to those who have died.
Give us the grace in this trying time to work for the good of all and to help those in need.
We implore you to stop the spread of this virus and to save us from our fears.
Grant all these through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you, in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Dear Mother Mary who assumed into heaven, all the angels and saints acclaim you as our
Queen.
We bless the Lord God who chose you to be our mother of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
For this, we offer you love and devotion.
Watch over us today with your tender, motherly love.
Lead us always to see and feel the presence of Jesus in our midst, that we may manifest his
kindness, his peace and love for all.
Dear Mother, you are our life, our sweetness, and our hope. We look to you for help in our
needs especially…
(pause and mention special class petitions of the day).
May this day be an opportunity for us all to be like you, O wise (biasa), kind (maganaca) and
loving (mayap) Virgin Mary. Amen.
Hail Mary…
Our Lady Assumed into heaven,
Pray for us.
Motivation
Questions to Ponder
What are the different algebraic techniques that you can use to evaluate the limits of a
function?
How do these algebraic techniques being used?
The process of evaluating limits using the limit laws may be simplified further. For instance,
notice that lim(2𝑥 + 1) is simply 2(1) + 1 = 3 and lim (4𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 4) is 4(−2)2 + 5(−2) − 4 = 2.
𝑥→1 𝑥→−2
Thus, you can use the 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑 to evaluate limits. This method is always
applicable when you deal with polynomial functions and other functions for which 𝑓(𝑐) exists.
𝑥+2
Example 3: Evaluate lim 𝑥−2
𝑥→2
Solution: When you substitute 𝑥 = 2 to the function, the numerator is 4, and the denominator is 0.
Division by 0 will eventually lead to an undefined value, so the limit of this function does not exist.
Activity 1.1
2. lim (𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3)
𝑥→−1
𝑥+1
3. lim 𝑥−1
𝑥→1
1
4. lim 𝑥
𝑥→1
𝑥 3 −1
5. lim 𝑥 2 −1
𝑥→0
It is not always possible to determine limits by simply direct substitution. In particular, in cases
where the given function is a rational function, direct substitution often generates a number where
0
both the denominator and the numerator are 0. In calculus, the number 0 is called indeterminate as
it has no definite or definable value.
Unlike in the case where only the denominator is 0, it does not imply the non-existence of the
0
limit to obtain an indeterminate number of the form 0 upon direct substitution. In fact, this implies
that to assess the limit, we need to apply algebraic manipulations.
Factoring Method
𝑥 2 −9
Example 1: Consider lim .
𝑥→3 𝑥−3
𝑥2 − 9 (3)2 − 9 𝟎
lim = 𝑔(3) = =
𝑥→3 𝑥 − 3 3−3 𝟎
This is an indeterminate quantity, which can be circumvented algebraically to evaluate the limit.
Notice that the rational function can still be simplified using factoring and cancellation of common
factors.
𝑥2 − 9 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3)
lim = lim = lim(𝑥 + 3)
𝑥→3 𝑥 − 3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→3
Now that the function is already simplified, you can proceed with direct substitution. Therefore,
𝑥2 − 9
lim = lim(𝑥 + 3)
𝑥→3 𝑥 − 3 𝑥→3
=3+3 = 𝟔
Therefore, bypass the indeterminate form by simplifying the expression prior to direct substitution.
Thus,
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 3)
lim 2
= lim
𝑥→3 𝑥 −9 𝑥→3 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 3)
𝑥−3
= lim
𝑥→3 𝑥 + 3
3−3
=
3+3
0
= =𝟎
6
0
Functions that yield an indeterminate number 0
usually give an idea on the appearance of their
𝑥 2 −9
graph. For example, the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−3
in
the previous example is essentially the same as
the graph of the linear function 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 3 with a
hole at the point (3,6).
(2+𝑥)2 −4
Example 3: Evaluate lim 𝑥
.
𝑥→0
Solution: By direct substitution,
(𝑥 + 2)2 − 4 (0 + 2)2 − 4
lim =
𝑥→0 𝑥 0
2
2 −4
=
0
4−4 𝟎
= =
0 𝟎
On this example, expand the function first before you get the factors. Therefore,
(𝑥 + 2)2 − 4 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 − 4
lim = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥
=
𝑥
𝑥(𝑥 + 4)
=
𝑥
So,
(𝑥 + 2)2 − 4
lim = lim (𝑥 + 4)
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0
=0+4
=𝟒
Activity 1.2
𝑥 2 −3𝑥−10
2. lim
𝑥→6 𝑥−5
𝑥 4 −1
3. lim
𝑥→−1 2𝑥 2 −𝑥−3
(1−𝑥)2 +1
4. lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥+2
2𝑥 2 +𝑥
5. lim
𝑥→3 5𝑥
Rationalization Method
Often in a rational function that includes radical expressions, the indeterminate form 0/0 upon
direct substitution is induced by the term. Using another method called rationalization, situations
like this can be circumvented. The function is transformed to its equivalent form in this procedure,
so that the radical expression is rationalized.
𝑥−9
Example 1: Evaluate lim .
𝑥→9 √𝑥−3
Solution: By direct substitution,
𝑥−9 9−9
lim =
𝑥→9 √𝑥 −3 √9 − 3
9−9 𝟎
= =
3−3 𝟎
In this case, the function must be converted to its equivalent form so that the radical expression is
rationalized. That is,
𝑥−9 𝑥 − 9 √𝑥 + 3
lim = lim .
𝑥→9 √𝑥 − 3 𝑥→9 √𝑥 − 3 √𝑥 + 3
(𝑥 − 9)(√𝑥 + 3)
=
𝑥−9
Prepared by: Ms. Camille D. Franco 6 | Page
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 4: BASIC CALCULUS
2nd Semester | AY 2020-2021
= √𝑥 + 3
So,
𝑥−9
lim = lim √𝑥 + 3
𝑥→9 √𝑥 −3 𝑥→9
= √9 + 3
=3+3
=𝟔
3−√2𝑥+5
Example 2: Evaluate lim 𝑥−2
.
𝑥→2
Bypass the indeterminate form by multiplying the numerator and denominator by 3 + √2𝑥 + 5.
3 − √2𝑥 + 5 3 − √2𝑥 + 5 3 + √2𝑥 + 5
lim = lim .
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥→2 𝑥−2 3 + √2𝑥 + 5
(3 − √2𝑥 + 5)(3 + √2𝑥 + 5)
=
(𝑥 − 2)(3 + √2𝑥 + 5)
2
9 − (√2𝑥 + 5)
=
(𝑥 − 2)(3 + √2𝑥 + 5)
9 − (2𝑥 + 5)
=
(𝑥 − 2)(3 + √2𝑥 + 5)
9 − 2𝑥 − 5
=
(𝑥 − 2)(3 + √2𝑥 + 5)
−2𝑥 + 4
=
(𝑥 − 2)(3 + √2𝑥 + 5)
−2(𝑥 − 2)
=
(𝑥 − 2)(3 + √2𝑥 + 5)
−2
=
3 + √2𝑥 + 5
Therefore,
3 − √2𝑥 + 5 −2
lim = lim
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥→2 3 + √2𝑥 + 5
−2
=
3 + √2(2) + 5
Activity 1.3
√𝑥−2
2. lim
𝑥→4 𝑥−4
2−√4−𝑥
3. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
49−𝑥
4. lim
𝑥→49 √𝑥−7
𝑥2
5. lim
𝑥→9 √𝑥
Limits that include absolute values also include splitting stuff into instances. Bear in mind that,
𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0
|𝑥| = { .
−𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0
|𝑥−2|
Example 1: Evaluate lim .
𝑥→2 𝑥−2
Solution: Using direct substitution,
|𝑥 − 2| |2 − 2| 𝟎
lim = lim =
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥→2 2−2 𝟎
𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0 |𝑥−2| |𝑥−2|
Now, recall that |𝑥| = { . In this case, you have to consider lim− 𝑥−2 and lim+ 𝑥−2 .
−𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
Left: Right:
−(𝑥 − 2) 𝑥−2
lim− = −𝟏 lim+ =𝟏
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥→2 𝑥−2
𝑥
Example 2: Evaluate lim |𝑥| .
𝑥→1
Solution: Using direct substitution,
𝑥 1
lim = lim = 𝟏.
𝑥→1 |𝑥| 𝑥→1 |1|
Activity 1.4
|𝑥 2 +2𝑥+2|
5. lim+
𝑥→2 𝑥+1
In general mathematics, you have learned that exponential functions can be used to model and
solve certain real-life problems. It is very necessary for calculus applications that one can generate
these mathematical models. Let's begin this lesson by remembering these functions and their
corresponding graphs.
The following table of values for 𝑦 = 2𝑥 verifies that lim 2𝑥 = ∞ and lim 2𝑥 = 0.
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→−∞
𝒙 -15 -10 -1 0 1 3 5 10 15
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙 0.00003 0.001 0.5 1 2 8 32 1 024 32 768
Based on the table above, the function increases without bound as it approaches infinity, and it
approaches 0 as it approaches negative infinity.
Note that this is an indeterminate form. To circumvent this form, divide each term by the highest
power (4𝑥 ).
4𝑥 3𝑥
𝑥
4 +3 𝑥 lim 𝑥 + lim 𝑥
𝑥→∞ 4 𝑥→∞ 4
lim = 𝑥
𝑥→∞ 2𝑥 2
lim 4𝑥
𝑥→∞
4𝑥 3𝑥
lim 4𝑥 + lim 4𝑥
= 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞
2𝑥
lim 𝑥
𝑥→∞ 4
3𝑥
lim 1 + lim 4𝑥
= 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞
1𝑥
lim 2𝑥
𝑥→∞
1+0 1
= = =∞
0 0
Activity 2.1
𝑥 2 −4
3. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
√𝑥−3
4. lim
𝑥→9 𝑥−9
(1+𝑥)2 −1
5. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
5. Assignment (optional)
0
When direct substitution of the constant 𝑐 gives an indeterminate number of the form , the limit can
0
be evaluated by first simplifying the rational function using factoring, and then directly substituting
𝑐.
𝑓(𝑥) 0
If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0, then lim 𝑔(𝑥) is called an indeterminate form of type " 0 ".
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
Rationalization is one way to circumvent a function with radicals. It transformed to its equivalent
form in this procedure, so that the radical expression is rationalized.
𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0
Remember that, |𝑥| = { .
−𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0
7. Evaluation:
Quiz 2
Closing Prayer
Pope Francis prayer during the pandemic to Our Lady of Salus Populi
Romani (First Period)
O Mary, You shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust
ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus’
suffering, and persevered in your faith. “Protectress of the Roman people”, you know our
needs, and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration
may return after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the
will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us. For he took upon himself our suffering, and
burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the
Resurrection. Amen.
Let us pray:
References:
Canlapan, R. B., et.al. (2017). DIWA Senior High School Series Basic Calculus. Makati City. Diwa
Learning Systems, Inc.