CHAPTER 1

LIMIT AND CONTINUITY

1.1 Limit

1. Definition of Limit
Definition:(formal Definition of Limit)
Let f be a function defined on an open interval containing a, with the possible
exception of a itself. Then the limit of f (x) as x approaches a is the number L,
written as

lim f (x) = L iff

x→0

for every number  > 0 there is a number δ > 0 such that if 0 < |x − a| < δ, then
|f (x) − L| < .
This idea can be represented graphically by the figure below
Remark:

(a) δ is a function of 

(b) δ is not unique

(c) For all δ 0 < δ it is true

Example: Show that lim (3x − 4) = 8

x→4

1
1.1 Limit 2

Proof: Let  > 0 be given. We must find δ > 0 such that

0 < |x − 4| < δ⇒ |f (x) − 8| < 

Consider

|f (x) − 8| <  ⇒ |(3x − 4) − 8| <  ⇒ |3x − 12| <  ⇒ |x − 4| <
3

Now choose δ =
3

Thus 0 < |x − 4| < δ ⇒ |x − 4| <
3
⇒ 3|x − 4| = |(3x − 4) − 8| <  Example:Show that lim (x2 − 1) = 3
x→2

Proof: Let  > 0 be given. We must find δ > 0 such that

0 < |x − 2| < δ⇒ |f (x) − 3| < 

Consider
|f (x) − 3| <  ⇒ |(x2 − 1) − 3| < 
⇒ |x2 − 4| < 
⇒ |(x − 2)(x + 2)| < 
Let δ = 1 , thus, |x − 2| < 1 ⇒ −1 < x − 2 < 1 ⇒ 3 < x + 2 < 5,
Hence, |x + 2| < 5

⇒ |x2 − 4| = |x + 2||x − 2| < 5|x − 2| <  ⇒ |x2 − 4| <
5

Now choose δ = min( , 1)
5
Thus 0 < |x − 2| < δ

⇒ |(x2 − 1) − 3| < 5|x − 2| < 5 = 
5
Example:Using  − δ definition of limit prove that

(a) lim (x2 + x) = 12

x→3
2 1
(b) lim =
x→3 x + 3 3
√
(c) lim 2 + x = 5
x→3

Proof:

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1.1 Limit 3

(a) Let  > 0 be given. We must find δ such that

0 < |x − 3| < δ ⇒ |f (x) − 12| < 

Consider
|f (x) − 12| = |(x2 + x) − 12)| = |(x + 4)(x − 3)| = |x + 4||x − 3|
Take δ = 1, then
|x − 3| < δ ⇒ |x − 3| < 1
⇒ −1 < x − 3 < 1
⇒ 2 < x < 4 ⇒ 6 < |x + 4| < 8

Thus we have |f (x) − 12| = |x + 4||x − 3| < 8|x − 3| <  iff |x − 3| <
8

Now choose δ = min(1, )
8

Thus, 0 < |x − 3| < δ ⇒ |f (x) − 12| = |x2 + x − 12| = |x + 4||x − 3| < 8 = 
8
(b) Let  > 0 be given. We must find δ such that
1
0 < |x − 3| < δ ⇒ |f (x) − | < 
3
Consider
1 2 1 6 − (x + 3)
|f (x) − | = | − |=| |<
3 x+3 3 3(x + 3)
1 x−3
⇒ | |<
3 x+3
Take δ = 1, then
|x − 3| < δ ⇒ |x − 3| < 1
⇒ −1 < x − 3 < 1
⇒ 2 < x < 4 ⇒ 5 < |x + 3| < 7
1 1 1 1 1 1
⇒ < < Thus we have |x − 3| < |x − 3| <  iff
7 x+3 5 3 |x + 3| 15
|x − 3| < 15
Now choose δ = min(1, 15)
1 2 1
Thus, 0 < |x − 3| < δ ⇒ |f (x) − | = | − |
3 x+3 3
1 x−3
= | |
3 x+3
1
< 15 = 
15

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1.1 Limit 4

(c) Let  > 0 be given. We must find δ such that

0 < |x − 9| < δ ⇒ |f (x) − 5| < 

Consider
√ √
|f (x) − 5| = |(2 + x − 5| = | x − 3| < 
x−9
⇒ |√ |<
x+3
Take δ = 1, then
|x − 9| < δ ⇒ |x − 9| < 1
⇒ −1 < x − 9 < 1
√ √ √
⇒ 8 < x < 10 ⇒ 8 + 3 < x + 3| < 10 + 3
1 1 1
⇒√ <√ <√ Thus we have
10 + 3 x+3 8+3
1 1 √
|x − 9| √ <√ |x − 9| <  iff |x − 9| < ( 8 + 3)
x+3 8 + 3√
Now choose δ = min(1, ( 8 + 3))
√ x−9 1 √
Thus, 0 < |x − 9| < δ ⇒ |(2 + x − 5| = | √ |< √ ( 8 + 3) = 
x+3 8+3

2. Basic Limit Theorems

Theorem:

(a) If m and b are any consants,then

lim (mx + b) = ma + b
x→a

(b) If c is a constant, then for any number a,

lim c = c
x→a

(c) If lim f (x) = L and lim g(x) = M then;

x→a x→a

i. lim (f (x) + g(x)) = lim f (x) + lim g(x) = L + M

x→a x→a x→a

ii. lim (f (x) − g(x)) = lim f (x) − lim g(x) = L − M

x→a x→a x→a

iii. lim (f (x).g(x)) = lim f (x). lim g(x) = L.M

x→a x→a x→a

f (x) lim f (x) L

iv. lim = x→a = provided that M 6= 0
x→a g(x) lim g(x) M
x→a

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1.1 Limit 5

(d) If lim f (x) = L and n is any positive integer, then

x→a

lim [f (x)]n = Ln
x→a

(e) If lim f (x) = L, then

x→a
p √
lim n
f (x) = n L
x→a

if L > 0 and n is any positive integer, or if L ≤ 0 and n is a positive odd

integer

3. One sided Limits Definition:

(a) Let f be a function which is defined at every number in some open interval
(a, c).Then the limit of f (x), as x approaches a from the right, is L, written

lim f (x) = L
x→a+

if for any  > 0, however small, there exists a δ > 0 such that,

|f (x) − L| <  whenever 0 < x − a < δ

(b) Let f be a function which is defined at every number in some open interval
(d, a).Then the limit of f (x), as x approaches a from the left, is L, written

lim f (x) = L
x→a−

if for any  > 0, however small, there exists a δ > 0 such that,

|f (x) − L| <  whenever −δ < x − a < 0

4. Infinite Limits, Limit at infinity and Asymptotes

(a) Infinite limits and Vertical Asymptotes

Definition: Let f be defined on an interval that contains a except possibly
at a itself. Then

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1.1 Limit 6

i. lim f (x) = ∞ iff for every M > 0, there is a δ > 0, such that
x→a

if 0 < |x − a| < δ, then f (x) > M

ii. lim f (x) = −∞ iff for every N > 0, there is a δ > 0,

x→a

if 0 < |x − a| < δ, then f (x) < N

Definition: The line x = a is called a vertical asymptote of the graph of

y = f (x) if any one of the following limits holds true:

lim f (x) = ±∞, lim− f (x) = ±∞, lim f (x) = ±∞

x→a− x→a x→a

Example:
2x
i. lim+ =∞
x→3 x − 3
2x
ii. lim− = −∞
x→3 x − 3
2x
Therefore, the line x = 3 is the vertical asymptote of f (x) =
x−3
(b) Limit at infinity and Horizontal asymptotes Definition:

i. Let f be defined on an interval (a, ∞), then

lim f (x) = L iff

x→∞

for every  > 0 there is a number M > 0 such that if x > M , then
|f (x) − L| < .

ii. Let f be defined on an interval (−∞, a), then

lim f (x) = L iff

x→−∞

for every  > 0 there is a number M < 0 such that if x < M , then
|f (x) − L| < .

Definition: The line y = f (x) if either

lim f (x) = L , or lim f (x) = L

x→∞ x→−∞

Example:
1
i. lim =0
x→∞ x

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1.1 Limit 7

1
ii. lim =0
x→−∞ x
1
Therefore, the line y = 0 is the horizontal asymptote of f (x) =
x
Example: Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the graph of
√
9x2 + 1
f (x) =
3x − 5
Solution:

i. If lim− f (x) = ±∞, or lim+ f (x) = ±∞ or lim f (x) = ±∞ then the line
x→a x→a x→a

x = a is a vertical asymptote
√ of f (x)
2
9x + 1
Now, find lim− = = −∞
5 3x − 5
x→
3
5
Thus, the line x = is the vertical asymptote of f (x)
3
ii. To find the horizontal Asymptote
If lim f (x) = L, or lim f (x) = L, then the line y = L is the horizontal
x→∞ x→−∞

asymptote of f (x)√
9x2 + 1
Now, find lim =
x→∞ 3x −
r5
√ 1
x2 (9 + )
9x2
+1 x2
lim = lim
x→∞ 3xr −5 x→∞ 3x − 5
1
x 9+ 2 √
x
= lim , since x > 0, x2 = x
x→∞r 3x − 5 r
1 1 √
x 9+ 2 9+ 2
x x 9
lim = lim = =1
x→∞ 5 x→∞ 5 3
x(3 − ) (3 − )
x √ x
9x2 + 1
Again, find lim =
x→−∞ −5
3x r
√ 1
2 x2 (9 + 2 )
9x + 1 x
lim = lim
x→−∞ 3x − 5r x→−∞ 3x − 5
1
(−x) 9 + 2 √
x
= lim , since x < 0, x2 = −x
x→−∞ 3x − 5

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1.2 Continuity 8

r r
1 1 √
(−x) 9 + 2 (−1) 9 + 2
x x − 9
lim = lim = = −1
x→−∞ 5 x→−∞ 5 3
x(3 − ) (3 − )
x x
Thus, the lines y = 1 and y = −1 are the horizontal asymptote of f (x)

Exersice: Find the asymptote of the following functions

2x
i. f (x) =
1 − x2
2x − 5
ii. g(x) = 3
x − 2x2 + x

1.2 Continuity

5. Continuity of a function; One sided continuity; Intermediate Value

Theorem Definition: A function f is said to be continuous at a if
lim f (x) = f (a) Note: If f is continuous at a, then
x→a

(a) f (a) is defined

(b) lim f (x) exists

x→a

(c) lim f (x) = f (a)

x→a

If f is not continuous at a, then we say that f is discontinuous at a. Example:

Find the points of discontinuity of

x2 − x − 2
(a) f (x) =
x−2
2x
(b) f (x) =
1 − x2

 1 , if x 6= 0


2
(c) f (x) = x

1, if x = 0


 x2 − x − 2

 , if x 6= 2
(d) f (x) = x−2

1,
 if x=2

One sided continuity Definition:

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1.2 Continuity 9

(a) f is said to be continuous from the right at a if

lim f (x) = f (a)

x→a+

(b) f is said to be continuous from the left at a if

lim f (x) = f (a)

x→a−

Continuity on Intervals
Definition: f is said to be continuous on (a, b) if it is continuous at each point of
(a, b) Theorem: If f and g are continuous at a, and c is a constant then the
following are also continuous at a.

(a) f ± g,

(b) cf ,

(c) f g,
f
(d) , if g(a) 6= 0
g

Theorem: The following functions

Polynomial, Rationals, Root functions,Trigonometric functions Inverse

trigonometric functions, exponential functions and Logarithmic functions

are continuous on thier domain.

Theorem: If lim g(x) = b and f is continuous at b, then
x→a

lim f (g(x)) = f (b) i.e., lim f (g(x)) = f (lim g(x))

x→a x→a x→a

Theorem: If g is continuous at a and f is continuous at g(a), then f og is

continuous at a i.e.,

lim f (g(x)) = f (g(a))

x→a

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1.2 Continuity 10

Example: Find the constant a and b such that


ax + 3, if x > 1





f (x) = 4 if x = 1



 x2 + b if x < 1


Solution:
f is continuous at a iff lim+ f (x) = lim− f (x) = f (a)
x→a x→a
lim+ f (x) = f (1) ⇒ lim+ (ax + 3) = f (1)
x→1 xto1
⇒a+3=4⇒a=4−3=1
and lim− f (x) = f (1) ⇒ lim− (x2 + b) = f (1)
xto1 xto1
⇒1+b=4⇒b=4−1=3
Excersice: Determine whether f is continuous or discontinuous at a.
√
(a) f (x) = x − 2; a = 2
|x − 4|


 f or x 6= 4
(b) f (x) = x − 4|
 e4−x

f or x = 4

Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT)

Let f be continuous on [a, b] and let N be any number between f (a) and f (b), where
f (a) 6= f (b) then there exists a number c in (a, b) such that f (c) = N
Example: Show that the equation

x5 − 2x4 − 2x3 + 8x2 − 3x − 3

has a solution between 1 and 2

Solution: Let

f (x) = x5 − 2x4 − 2x3 + 8x2 − 3x − 3

Since f is a polynomial function, then f is continuous on R .

Note that f (1) = −1 and f (2) = 7

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1.2 Continuity 11

Thus, f (1) < 0 < f (2)

i.e., N = 0 is between f (1) and f (2)
So, by the IVT there is a number c between 1 and 2 such that f (c) = 0.
Excersice: Show that the equation given below has at least one real root.

1. 2x3 + x2 − x + 1 = 5 in [1, 2]

π
2. x + tanx = 1 in [0, ]
4

3. x5 − x2 + 2x + 3 = 0 in [−1, 0]

Yadeta
c Ch. Seboka