CALCULUS 1

Dr. THUC PHUNG TRONG

University of Technology–VNU Vietnam

Limits and continuity

Limits and continuity

Limits and continuity
Definition
Let x be closer and closer to x0 (but do not touch x0 ), if
the values f (x) are closer and closer to L, then
we say that
lim f (x) = L.
x→x0

y
f (x)

x
→ x0 ←
Limits and continuity
Definition
Let x be closer and closer to x0 (but do not touch x0 ), if
the values f (x) are closer and closer to L, then
we say that
lim f (x) = L.
x→x0

Example
Calculate the limit
x2 + x − 2
lim .
x→1 x 2 − 1
Limits and continuity
Definition
Let x be closer and closer to x0 (but do not touch x0 ), if
the values f (x) are closer and closer to L, then
we say that
lim f (x) = L.
x→x0

Example
Calculate the limit
x2 + x − 2
lim .
x→1 x 2 − 1

Warning
Do not insert 1 into the function because x is not allowed to
be 1. Remember that x is only close to 1, but not 1.
Limits and continuity

Answer

x2 + x − 2 (x − 1) (x + 2)
lim 2
= lim (rewrite our function)
x→1 x − 1 x→1 (x − 1) (x + 1)

x−
(X XX1) (x + 2)
= lim X (cancel (x − 1) out, it’s ok
x→1 (x −
XX1) (x + 1)
to do this since x − 1 ≠ 0)

x +2 3
= lim = (because the numerator is
x→1 x + 1 2 close to 3, while the denominator
is close to 2).
Limits and continuity

Exercise
The change in the tidal force of the moon on the earth, which results
in the change of the sea level, can be calculated by

GMe Mm 1 1
lim ( 2− ).
x→0 x d (d + x)2

Here G , Me , Mm , d are constants,

G = 6.67 × 10−11 (m3 ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ s −2 ) , the gravitational constant,

Me = 5.97 × 1024 (kg) , the mass of the earth,
Mm = 7.35 × 1022 (kg) , the mass of the moon,
d = 3.84 × 105 (km) , the distance between the moon and the earth.

Calculate this limit explicitly (numerically).

Limits and continuity
Exercise
The change in the tidal force of the moon on the earth, which results
in the change of the sea level, can be calculated by

GMe Mm 1 1
lim ( 2− ).
x→0 x d (d + x)2

Here G , Me , Mm , d are constants,

G = 6.67 × 10−11 (m3 ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ s −2 ) , the gravitational constant,

Me = 5.97 × 1024 (kg) , the mass of the earth,
Mm = 7.35 × 1022 (kg) , the mass of the moon,
d = 3.84 × 105 (km) , the distance between the moon and the earth.

Answer.
GMe Mm 1 1 2GMe Mm
lim ( 2− 2
)= ≈ 1.03 × 1021 .
x→0 x d (d + x) d3
Limits and continuity

What is the value of

lim (x 2 + 5x) =?
x→1
Limits and continuity

What is the value of

lim (x 2 + 5x) =?
x→1

Answer. When x is close to 1 (not equal 1), then

x 2 ≈ 12 and 5x ≈ 5.

Therefore x 2 + 5x is close to 12 + 5 = 6. Thus

lim (x 2 + 5x) = 6.
x→1
Limits and continuity

What is the value of

lim (x 2 + 5x) =?
x→1

Answer. When x is close to 1 (not equal 1), then

x 2 ≈ 12 and 5x ≈ 5.

Therefore x 2 + 5x is close to 12 + 5 = 6. Thus

lim (x 2 + 5x) = 6.
x→1

Observation Sometimes (but not always), the value of a limit is

equal to that by inserting the limit point into the function.
When will we have
lim f (x) = f (x0 )?
x→x0
Limits and continuity

Theorem
If f is an elementary function, and x0 is in the domain of f then

lim f (x) = f (x0 ) .

x→x0
Limits and continuity

Elementary functions
Elementary functions are
▸ trigonometric functions: sin (x), cos (x), tan (x), arccos (x),
arcsin (x), sinh (x), cosh (x);
▸ exponential or power functions: ax , x a (a is a constant);
▸ logarithmic functions: loga (x) (a is a constant);
▸ if f and g are already elementary functions then f ± g , f × g , gf ,
f ○g and a×f (a is a constant) are also considered as elementary
functions.
Limits and continuity
▸ trigonometric functions: sin (x), cos (x), tan (x), arccos (x),
arcsin (x), sinh (x), cosh (x);
▸ exponential or power functions: ax , x a (a is a constant);
▸ logarithmic functions: loga (x) (a is a constant);
▸ if f and g are already elementary functions then f ± g , f × g , gf ,
f ○g and a×f (a is a constant) are also considered as elementary
functions.
Example
▸ x 2 and sin (x) are elementary functions so x 2 − sin (x) is also
an elementary function.
▸ Similarly, ln (x) + cos (x) is also an elementary function.
▸ Therefore
x 2 − sin (x)
f (x) =
ln (x) + cos (x)
is also an elementary function.
Limits and continuity

Theorem
If f is an elementary function, and x0 is in the domain of f then

lim f (x) = f (x0 ) .

x→x0

Example
Calculate the following limits
1. √
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim .
x→1 x +1
2. √
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim .
x→1 x −1
Limits and continuity
Theorem
If f is an elementary function, and x0 is in the domain of f then

lim f (x) = f (x0 ) .

x→x0

1. √
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim .
x→1 x +1
Answer. The function
√
x 2 − 2x + 1
f (x) ∶=
x +1
is elementary, and x = 1 is in the domain of f . Therefore by
our theorem
√
12 − 2 + 1
lim f (x) = f (1) = = 0.
x→1 1+1
Limits and continuity
Theorem
If f is an elementary function, and x0 is in the domain of f then

lim f (x) = f (x0 ) .

x→x0

2. √
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim .
x→1 x −1
Answer. The function
√
x 2 − 2x + 1
f (x) ∶=
x −1
is elementary, however x = 1 is not in the domain of f . Thus
we cannot apply our theorem.
Limits and continuity

2. √
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim .
x→1 x −1
Answer. First, try to simplify our limit
√ √
2
x − 2x + 1 (x − 1)2 ∣x − 1∣
lim = lim = lim .
x→1 x −1 x→1 x −1 x→1 x − 1

In order to remove the absolute sign, we can consider two situ-

ations:

▸ S1 x is close to 1 and x > 1, then

∣x − 1∣ x −1 x−
X X
X1
lim+ = lim+ = lim+ X = lim 1 = 1.
x→1 x − 1 x→1 x − 1 x→1 x − X
X1 x→1+
Limits and continuity

2. √
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim .
x→1 x −1
Answer. First, try to simplify our limit
√ √
2
x − 2x + 1 (x − 1)2 ∣x − 1∣
lim = lim = lim .
x→1 x −1 x→1 x −1 x→1 x − 1

In order to remove the absolute sign, we can consider two situ-

ations:

▸ S2 x is close to 1 and x < 1, then

∣x − 1∣ − (x − 1) x−
X X
X1
lim− = lim− = lim− − (X ) = lim− −1 = −1.
x→1 x − 1 x→1 x −1 x→1 x−X
X1 x→1
Limits and continuity

2. √
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim .
x→1 x −1
In summary,
√ √
x 2 − 2x + 1 x 2 − 2x + 1
lim+ = 1 and lim− = −1.
x→1 x −1 x→1 x −1
What is the value of
√
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim ?
x→1 x −1
Limits and continuity

2. √
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim .
x→1 x −1
In summary,
√ √
x 2 − 2x + 1 x 2 − 2x + 1
lim = 1 and lim− = −1.
x→1+ x −1 x→1 x −1
What is the value of
√
x 2 − 2x + 1
lim ?
x→1 x −1
Answer. The limit does not exist since the value f (x) are not
close to an exact number as x approaches 1.
Limits and continuity

Exercise
Let
⎧
⎪2x if x > 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪
f (x) = ⎨3 if x = 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪ 2
⎩x + 1 if x < 1.
⎪

1. Calculate
lim f (x) .
x→1

2. Calculate
lim f (x) .
x→0

Remark. A piecewise function is not considered as an elementary

function.
Limits and continuity

Exercise
Let
⎧
⎪2x if x > 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪
f (x) = ⎨3 if x = 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪ 2
⎩x + 1 if x < 1.
⎪

1. Answer.
lim f (x) = 2.
x→1

2. Answer.
lim f (x) = 1.
x→0
Limits and continuity

Exercise
Let
⎧
⎪2x if x > 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪
f (x) = ⎨3 if x = 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪ 2
⎩x + 1 if x < 1.
⎪

1. Observation

lim f (x) = 2, and f (1) = 3, so lim f (x) ≠ f (1) .

x→1 x→1

2. Observation

lim f (x) = 1, and f (0) = 1, so lim f (x) = f (0) .

x→0 x→0
Limits and continuity
⎧
⎪2x if x > 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪
f (x) = ⎨3 if x = 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪ 2
⎩x + 1 if x < 1.
⎪

lim f (x) = 2 ≠ f (1) = 3

x→1
3

2
lim f (x) = 1 = f (0)
x→0
1

0 x
1
Limits and continuity
⎧
⎪2x if x > 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪
f (x) = ⎨3 if x = 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪ 2
⎩x + 1 if x < 1.
⎪

y
lim f (x) = 2 ≠ f (1) = 3
x→1

lim f (x) = 1 = f (0)

x→0
3

f (x) is not continuous at x = 1

2
(has a hole)
1
f (x) is continuous at x = 0
(no hole)

0 x
1
Limits and continuity

Definition
A function f is said to be continuous at x0 if

lim f (x) = f (x0 ) .

x→x0
Limits and continuity

Definition
A function f is said to be continuous at x0 if

lim f (x) = f (x0 ) .

x→x0

Observation
If f is an elementary function and x0 is in its domain then f is
continuous at x0 .
Limits and continuity

Exercise
Let
⎧
⎪ax + b if x > 2,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪a − b
⎪ if x = 2,
f (x) = ⎨ 2
⎪
⎪
⎪x − 2b if 0 < x < 2,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩c cos x
⎪ if x ≤ 0.

1. Determine a, b and c such that f is continuous at x = 1.

2. Determine a, b and c such that f is continuous at x = 2.
3. Determine a, b and c such that f is continuous everywhere.
Limits and continuity
Exercise
Let
⎧
⎪ax + b if x > 2,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪a − b
⎪ if x = 2,
f (x) = ⎨ 2
⎪
⎪
⎪x − 2b if 0 < x < 2,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩c cos x
⎪ if x ≤ 0.

1. Determine a, b and c such that f is continuous at x = 1.

Answer. By hypothesis, f (1) = 12 − 2b = 1 − 2b , and

lim f (x) = lim (x 2 − 2b) = 12 − 2b = 1 − 2b .

x→1 x→1

Thus we see that lim f (x) = f (1) without any assumption on

x→1
a, b and c. Therefore f is continuous at x = 1 for any a, b and
c.
Limits and continuity
Exercise
Let
⎧
⎪ax + b if x > 2,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪a − b
⎪ if x = 2,
f (x) = ⎨ 2
⎪
⎪
⎪x − 2b if 0 < x < 2,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩c cos x
⎪ if x ≤ 0.

2. Determine a, b and c such that f is continuous at x = 2.

Answer. By hypothesis, f (2) = a − b . In order to calculate

lim f (x), we split it into two one-sided limits:
x→2

lim f (x) = lim− (x 2 − 2b) = 22 − 2b = 4 − 2b ,

x→2− x→2

lim f (x) = lim+ (ax + b) = 2a + b .

x→2+ x→2
Limits and continuity
2. Determine a, b and c such that f is continuous at x = 2.

Answer. By hypothesis, f (2) = a − b , and

lim f (x) = lim− (x 2 − 2b) = 22 − 2b = 4 − 2b ,

x→2− x→2

lim f (x) = lim+ (ax + b) = 2a + b .

x→2+ x→2

In order to have lim f (x) = f (2) , we need

x→2

▸ First, lim− f (x) = lim+ f (x). This makes sure that lim f (x)
x→2 x→2 x→2
exists, so 4 − 2b = 2a + b .

▸ Second, this existing limit must be equal to f (2), so in summary

4 − 2b = 2a + b = a − b .
Limits and continuity
2. Determine a, b and c such that f is continuous at x = 2.

Answer. By hypothesis, f (2) = a − b , and

lim f (x) = lim− (x 2 − 2b) = 22 − 2b = 4 − 2b ,

x→2− x→2

lim f (x) = lim+ (ax + b) = 2a + b .

x→2+ x→2

In order to have lim f (x) = f (2) , we need

x→2

▸ First, lim− f (x) = lim+ f (x). This makes sure that lim f (x)
x→2 x→2 x→2
exists, so 4 − 2b = 2a + b .

▸ Second, this existing limit must be equal to f (2), so in summary

4 − 2b = 2a + b = a − b Ð→ a = 8, b = −4 .
Limits and continuity
Exercise
Let
⎧
⎪ax + b if x > 2,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪a − b
⎪ if x = 2,
f (x) = ⎨ 2
⎪
⎪
⎪x − 2b if 0 < x < 2,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩c cos x
⎪ if x ≤ 0.

3. Determine a, b and c such that f is continuous everywhere.

Answer.
▸ If x0 ≠ 2 and x0 ≠ 0, then we are sure that f is continuous at
x = x0 without any requirement, by just arguing similarly as
in the first question.
▸ If x0 = 2 then we need a = 8, b = −4 to be sure that f is
continuous at x = 2.
▸ If x0 = 0, we need c = −2b for the continuity of f at x = 0 (just
do similarly as in the second question).
In summary, a = 8, b = −4, c = 8.
Limits and continuity

Limits involving infinity

Limits and continuity

Limits involving infinity

What is
1
lim =?
x→1 (x − 1)2
Limits and continuity

Limits involving infinity

What is
1
lim =?
x→1 (x − 1)2
Answer. Let x be so close to 1 (not equal 1), then

1
(x − 1)2

become very huge, positive numbers.

Limits and continuity

Limits involving infinity

What is
1
lim =?
x→1 (x − 1)2
Answer. Let x be so close to 1 (not equal 1), then

1
(x − 1)2

become very huge, positive numbers.

We use the notation +∞ for this huge quantity, so we write

the limit as
1
lim = +∞ .
x→1 (x − 1)2
Limits and continuity

Limits involving infinity

Similarly,
−1
(x − 1)2
become extremely negative as x approaches 1. We will denote this
by
−1
lim = −∞ .
x→1 (x − 1)2
Limits and continuity

Limits involving infinity

What is the following limit asking for?

3x − 4x 2
lim =?
x→+∞ 2x 2 − x + 5
Limits and continuity

Limits involving infinity

What is the following limit asking for?

3x − 4x 2
lim =?
x→+∞ 2x 2 − x + 5

Answer. Let x become large, positive numbers, what are

3x − 4x 2
2x 2 − x + 5
close to?
Limits and continuity
Limits involving infinity
What is the following limit asking for?

3x − 4x 2
lim =?
x→+∞ 2x 2 − x + 5

Answer. Let x become large, positive numbers, what are

3x − 4x 2
2x 2 − x + 5
close to? It is not so hard to find out the answer
3
3x − 4x 2 x −4 0−4
2
= 1 5
≈ = −2,
2x − x + 5 2 − x + x 2 − 0 + 0

as x → +∞.