12 The AP CALCULUS PROBLEM BOOK

1.5 Take It to the Limit

Evaluate each limit.

93. lim (3x2 − 2x + 1) 3x2 − 7x + 2

x→−2 99. lim
x→1/3 −6x2 + 5x − 1

94. lim 4 p3 − 64
x→5
100. lim
p→4 4 − p
95. lim (x3 − 2) &
x→−3 3k − 5
101. lim 3
k→−1 25k − 2
z 2 − 64
96. lim &
z→8 z − 8 x2 − 4
102. lim
x→2 2x2 + x − 6
4t − 1
97. lim x
t→1/4 1 − 16t2 103. lim √ √
x→0 x+3− 3
x2 + 5x + 6 √ √
98. lim 3y + 2 − 2
x→−2 x2 − 4 104. lim
y→0 y

3x − 1
. Find lim F (x). Is this the same as the value of F 13 ?
' (
105. Let F (x) = 2
9x − 1 x→1/3

4x2 − 3x
. Find lim G(x). Is this the same as the value of G 34 ?
' (
106. Let G(x) =
4x − 3 x→3/4
!
3x − 2 x %= 13
Find lim P (x). Is this the same as the value of P 13 ?
' (
107. Let P (x) = 1
4 x = 3. x→1/3

 2
 x − 16
x %= 4
108. Let Q(x) = x−4 Find lim Q(x). Is this the same as the value of Q(4)?
x→4
3 x = 4.


Solve each system of equations.

! !
2x − 3y = −4 6x + 15y = 8
109. 110.
5x + y = 7 3x − 20y = −7
!
2x − 5 x > 12
111. If F (x) = then find the value of k such that lim F (x) exists.
3kx − 1 x < 12 x→1/2
CHAPTER 1. LIMITS 13

1.6 One-Sided Limits

Find the limits, if they exist, and find the indicated value. If a limit does not
exist, explain why.
!
4x − 2 x > 1
112. Let f (x) =
2 − 4x x ≤ 1.

a) lim f (x) b) lim f (x) c) lim f (x) d) f (1)

x→1+ x→1− x→1

3 − 6x
 x>1
113. Let a(x) = −1 x=1

 2
x x < 1.

a) lim a(x) b) lim a(x) c) lim a(x) d) a(1)

x→1+ x→1− x→1

3t − 1 t > 2

114. Let h(t) = −5 t=2

1 + 2t t < 2.


a) lim h(t) b) lim h(t) c) lim h(t) d) h(2)

t→2+ t→2− t→2

2
x − 9 x < 3

115. Let c(x) = 5 x=3

 2
9 − x x > 3.

a) lim c(x) b) lim c(x) c) lim c(x) d) c(3)

x→3+ x→3− x→3

116. Let v(t) = |3t − 6|.

a) lim v(t) b) lim v(t) c) lim v(t) d) v(2)

t→2+ t→2− t→2

|3x|
117. Let y(x) = .
x
a) lim y(x) b) lim y(x) c) lim y(x) d) y(0)
x→0+ x→0− x→0

118. Let k(z) = | − 2z + 4| − 3.

a) lim k(z) b) lim k(z) c) lim k(z) d) k(2)

z→2+ z→2− z→2

Explain why the following limits do not exist.

x
119. lim
x→0 |x|

1
120. lim
x→1 x − 1
14 The AP CALCULUS PROBLEM BOOK

1.7 One-Sided Limits (Again)

In the first nine problems, evaluate each limit.
x−5 3x x+2
121. lim 124. lim 127. lim
x→5+ x2 − 25 x→4− 16 − x2 x→2− 2−x
2−x x2 − 7 3x
122. lim 125. lim 128. lim
x→2+ x2 − 4 x→0 3x3 − 2x x→4+ x2 −4
|x − 2| )
3 2
*
x2
123. lim 126. lim − 129. lim √
x→2 x−2 x→0− x2 x x→0 3x2 + 1 − 1
Solve each system of equations.
! !
x − y = −7 8x − 5y = 1
130. 1
131.
2 x + 3y = 14 5x − 8y = −1

2
3x − kx + m x ≥ 1

132. If G(x) = mx − 2k −1 < x < 1 then find the values of m and k such that both

−3m + 4x3 k x ≤ −1

lim G(x) and lim G(x) exist.
x→1 x→−1

For the following, find a) the domain; b) the y-intercept; and c) all vertical
and horizontal asymptotes.
x3 + 3x2
133. y =
x4 − 4x2
x5 − 25x3
134. y =
x4 + 2x3
x2 + 6x + 9
135. y =
2x
Suppose that lim f (x) = 5 and lim g(x) = −2. Find the following limits.
x→4 x→4

136. lim f (x)g(x) 139. lim xf (x)

x→4 x→4

137. lim (f (x) + 3g(x)) 140. lim (g(x))2

x→4 x→4

f (x) g(x)
138. lim 141. lim
x→4 f (x) − g(x) x→4 f (x) − 1

How can you shorten the subject? That stern struggle with the multiplication table, for many people not yet
ended in victory, how can you make it less? Square root, as obdurate as a hardwood stump in a pasture, nothing
but years of effort can extract it. You can’t hurry the process. Or pass from arithmetic to algebra; you can’t
shoulder your way past quadratic equations or ripple through the binomial theorem. Instead, the other way;
your feet are impeded in the tangled growth, your pace slackens, you sink and fall somewhere near the binomial
theorem with the calculus in sight on the horizon. So died, for each of us, still bravely fighting, our mathematical
training; except for a set of people called “mathematicians” – born so, like crooks. —Stephen Leacock
CHAPTER 1. LIMITS 15

1.8 Limits Determined by Graphs

Refer to the graph of h(x) to evaluate the following limits.

142. lim h(x)

x→−4+
5
143. lim h(x) h(x)
x→−4−

144. lim h(x) −4

x→∞

145. lim h(x)

x→−∞

Refer to the graph of g(x) to evaluate the following limits.

146. lim g(x) 151. lim g(x)

x→a+ x→b−

147. lim g(x) g(x)

x→a−

148. lim g(x)

x→0
a b
149. lim g(x) d
x→∞
c
150. lim g(x)
x→b+

Refer to the graph of f (x) to determine which statements are true and which
are false. If a statement is false, explain why.

152. lim f (x) = 1 159. lim f (x) = 1

x→−1+ x→1

153. lim f (x) = 0 160. lim f (x) = 0

x→1
x→0−
161. lim f (x) = 2
154. lim f (x) = 1 x→2−
x→0−
162. lim f (x) does not exist
155. lim f (x) = lim f (x) x→−1−
x→0− x→0+
163. lim f (x) = 0
156. lim f (x) exists x→2+
x→0

157. lim f (x) = 0 1

x→0 f (x)

158. lim f (x) = 1

x→0 −1 1 2

If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment. —Ernest Rutherford
CHAPTER 1. LIMITS 17

1.10 The Possibilities Are Limitless...

Refer to the graph of R(x) to evaluate the following.

170. lim R(x) 178. lim R(x)

x→∞ x→b

171. lim R(x) 179. lim R(x)

x→−∞ x→c

172. lim R(x) 180. lim R(x)

x→a+
x→d
173. lim R(x)
x→a− 181. lim R(x)
x→e
174. lim R(x)
x→a 182. R(e)
175. lim R(x)
x→0 183. R(0)
176. lim R(x)
x→b+ 184. R(b)

177. lim R(x) 185. R(d)

x→b−

k
f

R(x)
i

a e b c d

One of the big misapprehensions about mathematics that we perpetrate in our classrooms is that the teacher
always seems to know the answer to any problem that is discussed. This gives students the idea that there is
a book somewhere with all the right answers to all of the interesting questions, and that teachers know those
answers. And if one could get hold of the book, one would have everything settled. That’s so unlike the true
nature of mathematics. —Leon Hankin
20 The AP CALCULUS PROBLEM BOOK

1.14 Take It To the Limit—One More Time

Evaluate each limit.
5x − 3 3 231. lim (3x + 2)
215. lim 223. lim x→−3
x→∞ 3 − 2x x→∞ x5
4y − 3 5x − 1 232. lim (−x2 + x − 2)
216. lim 224. lim x→2
y→∞ 3 − 2y x→−2 x + 2
√
3
3x2 + 2x + 1 −4x + 3 233. lim x+4
217. lim 225. lim x→4
x→∞ 5 − 2x2 + 3x x→5 x − 5
) * 1
3x + 2 2 234. lim
218. lim 226. lim 3 − x→2 x
x→∞ 4x2 − 3 x→0 x
√
x+1
4x2 − 3
) *
2 235. lim
219. lim 227. lim 3 − 2 x→3 x−4
x→∞ 3x + 2 x→0 x
3x3 − 1 3x2 x2 + x − 2
220. lim 228. lim 2 236. lim
x→∞ 4x + 3 x→5 x − 25
x→1 x2 − 1
) * √ √ √ √
3 x+3− 3 2+x− 2
221. lim 4x + 2 229. lim 237. lim
x→∞ x x→0 x x→0 x
√ √ √
z2 + 9 x2 − 5x + 6 2+x− 2
222. lim 230. lim 238. lim
z→∞ z + 9 x→−3 x2 − 9 x→∞ x
For the following, a) sketch the graph of f and b) determine at what points c
in the domain of f , if any, does lim f (x) exist. Justify your answer.
x→c
!
1 − x2 x %= −1
!
3−x x<2
239. f (x) = x 242. f (x) =
+1 x>2 2 x = −1
2
√
2
 1−x 0≤x<1

3 − x x < 2
 
243. f (x) = 1 1≤x<2

240. f (x) = 2 x=2
x

2 x=2
 
 x>2
2 
 1
 x −1 ≤ x < 0 or 0 < x ≤ 1

x<1 244. f (x) = 1 x = 0
241. f (x) = x − 1 
x3 − 2x + 5 x ≥ 2 
0 x < −1 or x > 1

The discovery in 1846 of the planet Neptune was a dramatic and spectacular achievement of mathematical
astronomy. The very existence of this new member of the solar system, and its exact location, were demonstrated
with pencil and paper; there was left to observers only the routine task of pointing their telescopes at the spot
the mathematicians had marked. —James R. Newman
24 The AP CALCULUS PROBLEM BOOK

1.18 Multiple Choice Questions on Limits

3x4 − 2x + 1
313. lim =
x→∞ 7x − 8x5 − 1

3
A) ∞ B) −∞ C) 0 D) 7 E) − 38
1
314. lim =
x→0− x
A) ∞ B) −∞ C) 0 D) 1 E) does not exist
9x2 − 1
315. lim =
x→1/3 3x − 1

A) ∞ B) −∞ C) 0 D) 2 E) 3
x3 − 8
316. lim =
x→0 x2 − 4

A) 4 B) 0 C) 1 D) 3 E) 2

317. In order for the line y = a to be a horizontal asymptote of h(x), which of the following
must be true?

A) lim h(x) = ∞
x→a+

B) lim h(x) = −∞
x→a−

C) lim h(x) = ∞
x→∞

D) lim h(x) = a
x→−∞

E) lim h(x) = ∞
x→−∞

x − 3
 x>2
318. The function G(x) = −5 x = 2 is not continuous at x = 2 because

3x − 7 x<2


A) G(2) is not defined

B) lim G(x) does not exist

x→2

C) lim G(x) %= G(2)

x→2

D) G(2) %= −5

E) All of the above

3x2 + 2x
319. lim =
x→0 2x + 1

3
A) ∞ B) −∞ C) 0 D) 1 E) 2
CHAPTER 1. LIMITS 25

2x2 − 3x − 2
320. lim =
x→−1/2− 2x + 1
3
A) ∞ B) −∞ C) 1 D) 2 E) − 52
√
2x + 5 − 1
321. lim =
x→−2 x+2
A) 1 B) 0 C) ∞ D) −∞ E) does not exist
3x2 + 2x3 + 5
322. lim =
x→−∞ x4 + 7x2 − 3

3
A) 0 B) 2 C) 7 D) ∞ E) −∞

−x2 + 4
323. lim =
x→0 x2 − 1

A) 1 B) 0 C) −4 D) −1 E) ∞
!
x2 x>2
324. The function G(x) = is not continuous at x = 2 because
4 − 2x x<2

A) G(2) does not exist

B) lim G(x) does not exist

x→2

C) lim G(x) = G(2)

x→2

D) All three statements A, B, and C

E) None of the above

√
325. The domain of the function f (x) = 4 − x2 is

A) x < −2 or x > 2 B) x ≤ −2 or x ≥ 2 C) −2 < x < 2 D) −2 ≤ x ≤ 2 E) x ≤ 2

x2 − 25
326. lim =
x→5 x − 5

A) 0 B) 10 C) −10 D) 5 E) does not exist

 2
 x − 16
x %= 4
327. Find k so that f (x) = x−4 is continuous for all x.
k x=4


A) any value B) 0 C) 8 D) 16 E) no value

Insanity means we keep trying the same thing and hope it comes out differently. —Albert Einstein
26 The AP CALCULUS PROBLEM BOOK

1.19 Sample A.P. Problems on Limits

2x − 1
328. For the function f (x) = , find the following:
|x|
a) lim f (x);
x→∞

b) lim f (x);
x→−∞

c) lim f (x);
x→0+

d) lim f (x);
x→0−

e) All horizontal asymptotes;

f) All vertical asymptotes.

1
329. Consider the function h(x) = .
1 − 21/x
a) What is the domain of h?

b) Find all zeros of h.

c) Find all vertical and horizontal asymptotes of h.

d) Find lim h(x).

x→0+

e) Find lim h(x).

x→0−

f) Find lim h(x).

x→0

sin |x|
330. Consider the function g(x) = defined for all real numbers.
x
a) Is g(x) an even function, an odd function, or neither? Justify your answer.

b) Find the zeros and the domain of g.

c) Find lim g(x).

x→0
√
2
 1−x
 0≤x<1
331. Let f (x) = 1 1 ≤ x < 2.

2 x=2


a) Draw the graph of f .

b) At what points c in the domain of f does lim f (x) exist?

x→c

c) At what points does only the left-hand limit exist?

d) At what points does only the right-hand limit exist?

CHAPTER 1. LIMITS 29

ln x
4. lim is
x→1 x

A) 1

B) 0

C) e

D) −e

E) nonexistent

) *
1 1
5. lim + 2 =
x→0 x x

A) 0
1
B) 2

C) 1

D) 2

E) ∞

x3 − 4x + 1
6. lim =
x→∞ 2x3 − 5

A) − 15
1
B) 2
2
C) 3

D) 1

E) Does not exist