Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE
GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

BASIC CALCULUS
WEEK 1
LIMIT OF A FUNCTION
MELC: The learner illustrates the limit of a function using a table of values and the graph of the function.
(STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-1)
The learner distinguishes between limx →c
f (x ) and f (c ). (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-2)
The learner illustrate limit laws. (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-3)
The learner apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions
(polynomial, rational and radical).(STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-4)
Instructional Objectives: At the end of the lessons, the learner is able to:
a. Illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and the graph of the function.
b. Determine existence of limits
c. Evaluate limit of algebraic functions using limit laws.
INTRODUCTION
Things to Remember:
 The limit of a function f (x) is the value it approaches as the value of x approach a certain
value. “As x approaches a , the limit of f (x) approaches L”. This is written in symbols as
follows: lim f ( x )=L
x→ a

 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 left or from the right side). In symbols,
lim ¿ lim ¿
−¿ +¿
x→ c f (x)=L ¿ x→ c f (x)= L¿

From the left From the right

 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 – DNE.
In symbols, if
lim ¿ lim ¿
−¿
x→ c f (x¿)=L ≠ lim ¿ ¿¿ then −¿
−¿
x →c f( x¿)=,¿¿
x→ c f (x¿)Does Not Exist (DNE)¿¿

 The limit of a function lim

x →c
f (x ¿)=L ¿ is not the same as evaluating 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.

 Theorems of Limits of Functions

1. The limit of a constant is that constant.
lim c=c
x→ a

Illustration: a. lim
x →2
7=7 b. lim
x →6
23=23

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REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE
GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
2. Limit of the identity function
lim x =a
x→ a

Illustration: a. lim
x →2
x =2 b. lim
x →6
x =6

3. The limit of a constant c times a function is equal to the constant c times the limit of the
function provided that lim f (x ) exists.
x→ a
lim c ∙ f ( x )=c lim f (x )
x→ a x→ a

Illustration: lim 7 x =7 lim x

x →5 x →5
¿ 7(5)
¿ 35

4. The limit of the sum of two functions is equal to the sum of the individual limit provided
that the limit of each function as x → a exists.
lim [ f ( x )+ g ( x) ] ¿ lim f ( x ) +lim g (x)
x→ a x→a x→ a

Illustration: lim x +7=lim x + lim 7

x →5 x →5 x →5
¿ 5+7
¿ 12

5. The limit of the difference of two functions is equal to the difference of the individual limit
provided that the limit of each function as x → a exists.
lim [ f ( x )−g(x) ] ¿ lim f ( x ) −lim g(x )
x→ a x→ a x→ a

Illustration: lim x −9=lim x−lim 9

x →3 x→3 x →3
¿ 3−9
¿−6

6. The limit of the product of two functions is the product of their limits provided that the limit
of each function as x → a exists.
lim [ f ( x ) ∙ g (x) ] ¿ lim f ( x ) ∙ lim g(x )
x→ a x→a x →a

Illustration: a. lim 2(3 x +1)¿ lim 2∙ lim (3 x+ 1)

x →2 x →2 x →2
¿ 2(7)
¿ 14

b. lim x (5 x +4 )¿ lim x ∙ lim (5 x + 4)

x →3 x →3 x→3
¿ 3(19)

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“GMATHSIANS, LIFELONG CHAMPIONS”
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE
GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
¿ 57

7. The limit of the quotient of two functions is the quotient of their limits provided that the
limit of the divisor is not equal to 0 and the limit of each function exists.
lim f (x )
f ( x) x→ a
lim = provided that lim g ( x) ≠ 0
x→ a g( x ) lim g( x) x→ a
x →a

lim 2 x +5
2 x+5 x →2 2 ( 2 )+5 9
Illustration: a. lim = = =
x →2 x+ 3 lim x+3 2+ 3 5
x →2

lim 5 x+ 4
5 x+ 4 x →3 5 ( 3 ) +4 19
b. lim = = =
x →3 x+1 lim x +1 3+ 1 4
x→ 3

8. The limit of the nth power of a function is equal to the power of the limit of that function
provided that n is a positive integer and the limit of f (x) as x → a exists.
n n
lim [ f ( x ) ] = lim f (x)
x→ a [ x→a ]
3 3 3
Illustration: a. lim
x →1
(3 x+ 4) = lim 3 x+ 4 =( 7 ) =343
x→1 ( )
lim (4 x +9)2= lim 4 x +9 2=(−3 )2=9
b. x→−3 ( )
x →−3

9. The limit of the nth power of a function is equal to the principal nth root of the limit of that
function provided that n is a positive integer and the limit of the function is positive if n is
even.
lim √n f ( x)= n lim f ( x)
√
x→ a x→a

3 2 3 2
Illustration: a. lim √ x +4= lim x + 4 √
x →2 x →2
3 2
¿ √(2) + 4
¿ √3 4 +4
¿ √3 8
¿2
10. The f is a polynomial and c is a real number, then
lim f (x )=c
x →c

Illustration: Find lim

x →5
2 x−8 .
Solution: 2 x−8 is a polynomial and 5 is a real number.

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Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE
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Hence, lim f ( x )=f (c )

x →5
¿ f (5)
¿ 2 ( 5 )−8
¿2

 The limit of the function is not always equal to the value of f(c) of the function. If the
function is a polynomial function, then f ( c ) =lim f ( x).
x→ c

 The limit of a function is not dependent on the value of the function.

Illustrative Examples:
A. Limits from Tables and Graphs
Find lim
x →1
(x +4)
Solution: The arrow pointing at 1 indicates that x approaching 1 from the left side and from the
right side. This means that x can take on value less than 1 and values greater than 1. It cannot take 1 as a
value because it is approaching.
The first thing to do to find the limit of the given function is to construct the table of values.
Table 1:
x -2 0 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 0.99 0.999
f(x) 2 4 4.1 4.3 4.5 4.7 4.9 4.99 4.999

Table 2:
x 3 2 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.1 1.01 1.001
f(x) 7 6 5.9 5.7 5.5 5.3 5.1 5.01 5.001
The graph is shown below.

In table 1, as the value of x that is less than 1 gets closer and closer to 1, the value of f (x) gets closer and
closer to 5. In table 2, as the value of xthat is greater than 1 gets closer and closer to 1, the value of f (x) gets
closer and closer to 5.

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[email protected]
“GMATHSIANS, LIFELONG CHAMPIONS”
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE
GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
B. One Sided Limit and When a Limit Does Not Exist (DNE).

Use the graph on the right to understand why lim x →3

f ( x ) does not
exist. f (x)approaches two different values depending on which
direction is x approaches from.
In the graph, we noticed that x→ 3lim −¿
f ( x ) ≈2 ¿
¿ and that lim ¿
+¿
x→ 3 f ( x ) ≈ 3¿
Even though the graph only allows us to approximate the one sided
limits, it is certain that the value f (x) is approaching depend on the
direction of x is coming from. Therefore, the limit does not exist.

C. Evaluating Limits Using Limit Laws

2
1. Find lim ( 2 x −5 x +3 )
x →3
Solution:
2 2
lim ( 2 x −5 x +3 ) =lim 2 x −lim 5 x +lim 3
x →3 x→ 3 x→ 3 x→ 3
2
¿ 2(3) −5 ( 3 ) +3
¿ 18−15+ 3
¿6
( x 2−16 )
2. Find lim
x→ 4 x−4
Solution: The limit law for the quotient of two functions cannot be applied here because lim
x→ 4
x −4=0
. If x → 4, the x can be close to 4 but not equal to 4, that is, x ≠ 4. Hence, the numerator and denominator can
be divided by x – 4. Notice that x 2−16 is a difference of two squares and is equal to ( x +7)(x−7) .
( x 2−16 ) ( x+ 4 )( x−4 )
lim =lim
x→ 4 x−4 x→4 ( x−4)
¿ lim x + 4
x→ 4
¿ lim x + lim 4
x→ 4 x→ 4
¿8
(2+ r)2 −4
3. Evaluate lim
r→0 r
(2+r )2−4 4 +4 r+ r 2−4
Solution: =
r r
r 2+ 4 r r (r + 4)
¿ = =( r +4)
r r
(2+ r)2 −4
So, lim =lim ( r + 4 ) =0+ 4=4
r→0 r r →0

DEVELOPING
Exercises 1.1 Warm Up [8 points]

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“GMATHSIANS, LIFELONG CHAMPIONS”
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE
GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Use the graph of the function f(x) to answer each question. Use ∞ ,−∞ or DNE where appropriate.
1. f ( 0 )=¿
2. f ( 2 ) =¿
3. f ( 3 )=¿
4. lim ¿
−¿
x→ 0 f ( x ) =¿¿ ¿

5. lim
x →0
f ( x )=¿ ¿

6. lim ¿
+¿
x→ 3 f (x)=¿¿

7. lim
x →3
f ( x )=¿

8. lim f ( x)=
x→−∞

ENGAGEMENT
Exercises 1.2 Independent Practice [5 points]
Evaluate the following limits.
4 3 2
1. lim ( 2 x −6 x + 3 x +4 x−12 )=¿ ¿
x →3
x 2−1
2. lim =¿ ¿
x →1 x−1
x 3−6 x 2 +10 x −4
3. lim =¿
x →2 x−2
2 x 2−5 x +7
4. lim
x →2 √
x −4
x 2+5
=¿

5. lim =¿
x→ 4 √ x−2

ASSIMILATION
Assessment 1.0 [5 points]
Multiple Choice. Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Assume that the watermelon dropped from a tall building falls y=16 t 2 ft in t sec.
Find the watermelon’s average speed during the first 6 sec of fall.
a. 97 ft/sec b. 48 ft/sec c. 96 ft/sec d. 192 ft/sec
2
2. Determine the limit by substitution: lim √ x +14 x +49
x→ 4
a. 121 b. DNE c. ± 11 d. 11
x +12 x 2−5 x
3
3. Determine the limit algebraically, if it exists. lim
x →0 5x
a. 0 b. DNE c. -1 d. 5

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[email protected]
“GMATHSIANS, LIFELONG CHAMPIONS”
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE
GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

4. Determine the limit graphically, if it exists. lim ¿

−¿
x→ 1 f (x)¿

a. Does not exist

1
b.
2
c. -1
d. 2

x 2−4
5. Complete the table values. lim
x →2 x−2

x 1.9 1.99 1.999 2 2.001 2.01 2.1

f(x) ?
a. 3.9 , 3.99 , 3.999 , ? , 4.001 , 4.01 , 4.1
b. -1 , -1 , -1 , ? , 1 , 1 , 1
c. 1.9 , 1.99 , 1.999 , ? , 2.001 , 2.01 , 2.1

Reflection
3-2-1
Three things I learned today.
1.
2.
3.
Two things I’d like to learn more about.
1.
2.
One question I have.
1.

Congressional Road, Brgy. Poblacion I, General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite

(046) 443-9890, 487-3947, 487-1912
[email protected]
“GMATHSIANS, LIFELONG CHAMPIONS”
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE
GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Congressional Road, Brgy. Poblacion I, General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite

(046) 443-9890, 487-3947, 487-1912
[email protected]
“GMATHSIANS, LIFELONG CHAMPIONS”