Limits | Basic Calculus | Nova Schola Tanauan

Prepared by: Roi Vincent V. Montenegro

A . The Lim it of a Function

• Lim its
o Is the mathematization of “change.”
o is the value that a function approaches as the input approaches some value. Limits are
essential to calculus and mathematical analysis, and are used to define continuity,
derivatives, and integrals.
The limit of a function f(x) is the value it approaches as the value of x approaches c certain value “As
x approaches c, the limit of f(x) approaches L.” This is written in symbol as follows:

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄
Note: The value of a function is the actual calculation done at a certain point. The limit is - roughly speaking -
the value at points that are “arbitrarily close” to the same point.

Examples:
𝑥 2 −4
1. lim
𝑥 → 2 𝑥−2

Using direct substitution to get the limit, we get an indeterminate or 0/0. Since this is not
mathematically acceptable, trying values close to 2 may work.

From the right of 2 From the left of 2

f (2.1) = 4.1 f (1.9) = 3.9
f (2.01) = 4.01 f (1.99) = 3.99
f (2.001) = 4.001 f (1.999) = 3.999
f (2) = 0/0 (indeterminate)

Based on the values, we can see that as the function gets closer and closer to 2, the limit becomes 4.
However, it will never approach 2 because 2 results to indeterminate or undefined, which means f(2)
is what we call the restriction of x .
On the other hand, we can also determine this limit by factoring the given function.

𝑥2 − 4 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = = =𝑥+2
𝑥−2 (𝑥 − 2)

lim 𝑥 + 2 = 2 + 2 = 𝟒
𝑥→2
Limits | Basic Calculus | Nova Schola Tanauan
Prepared by: Roi Vincent V. Montenegro

• One Sided Lim its

o A one-sided limit is the value the function approaches as the x-values approach the limit
from “one side only”.

Right: Left:
lim 𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓 (𝑥)
𝑥 → 𝑐+ 𝑥 → 𝑐−

Note: If the right-sided limit is equal to the left-sided limit, then the whole function has a limit and
the limit exists. If it is not equal, then the limit does not exist (DNE).

Let’s see this in this graph f(x):

Let’s see the limit of f(x) as x approaches to 4.

lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = −4
𝑥 → 4+

lim 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 4
𝑥 → 4−

lim 𝑓(𝑥 ) ≠ lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥 )

𝑥 → 4− 𝑥→4

lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝐷𝑁𝐸
𝑥→4

𝑓 (4) = 2

Open dot means everything up to that number not including it. While closed dot means including that
number as well.

• C om m on Lim its
o A common limit mostly has linear appearance. This means this is mostly one line and
not in rational form. Common limits have no restrictions, and the limits can be easily
derived by substitution.
Examples:
1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟗 = (2)2 − 5(2) + 9 = 4 − 10 + 9 = 𝟑
𝒙→𝟐
Limits | Basic Calculus | Nova Schola Tanauan
Prepared by: Roi Vincent V. Montenegro

2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟗𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎 = 9(4) − 10 = 36 − 10 = 𝟐𝟔
𝒙→𝟒

3. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 − 𝟓 = 2 − 5 = −𝟑
𝒙→𝟐

4. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 = 02 + 1 = 0 + 1 = 𝟏
𝒙→𝟎

𝟐𝒙+𝟑 2(2)+3 4+3 𝟕

5. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = = =𝟗
𝒙 → 𝟐 𝒙+𝟕 2+7 9

Try this:
𝑥+3
a. lim
𝑥 → 5 𝑥+13
b. lim 𝑥 3 − 7𝑥 + 6
𝑥→2
c. lim 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥
𝑥 → −2

• Lim its w ith N ot 0 / 0 and 0 / 0

o Limits that are rational in form mostly results to limits that are undefined (not 0 / 0) or
indeterminate (0/0).
o There are two ways to approach this type of limits:
▪ (1) Simplify using factoring technique, then determine the limit.
▪ (2) If it cannot be simplified, use table of values to determine its limit. Do not
forget to check the left and right side of the limit.
Examples:
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐 (−3)2 +7(−3)+12 0
1. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = = 𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝒙 → −𝟑 𝒙+𝟑 −3+3 0
Through inspection, it seems that the function can be simplified using factoring trinomials.
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐 (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 3)
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = = =𝑥+4
𝒙+𝟑 (𝑥 + 3)
Using simplification, we can now determine the limit of the function.
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 + 𝟒 = −3 + 4 = 𝟏 The limit of the function is 1.
𝒙 → −𝟑

𝒙𝟑 −𝟐𝟕 (3)3 −27 0

2. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = = 𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝒙→𝟑 𝒙−𝟑 3−3 0
Through inspection, it seems that the function can be simplified using difference on two cubes.
𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 9)
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = = = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 9
𝒙−𝟑 (𝑥 − 3)
Limits | Basic Calculus | Nova Schola Tanauan
Prepared by: Roi Vincent V. Montenegro

Using simplification, we can now determine the limit of the function.

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟗 = (3)2 + 3(3) + 9 = 𝟐𝟕 The limit of the function is 27.
𝒙→𝟑

𝟏 1
3. 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝒙→𝟎 𝒙 0
Given that the function cannot be simplified further, table of values will be used.

f(x) = 1 / x
Left of 0 Right of 0
f(-0.1) = -10 f(0.1) = 10
f(-0.001) = -1 000 f(0.001) = 1 000
f(-0.0001) = -10 000 f(0.0001) = 10 000

It can be seen that the left side of the limit goes to -∞ as it approaches to 0, while on the right side,
the limit goes to +∞ as it approaches to 0.

1
lim =∞
𝑥 → 0+ 𝑥

1
lim− = −∞
𝑥→0 𝑥

1 1
lim− ≠ lim+
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥

1
lim = 𝐷𝑁𝐸
𝑥→0 𝑥

Try this:
1
• lim
𝑥 → 0 𝑥2
𝑥+5
• lim
𝑥 → 2 𝑥 2 −4
𝑥 2 −8𝑥+15
• lim
𝑥→3 𝑥−3
18𝑥 2 + 36𝑥
• lim
𝑥 → −2 𝑥+2
3
• lim
𝑥 → −2 𝑥+2
Limits | Basic Calculus | Nova Schola Tanauan
Prepared by: Roi Vincent V. Montenegro

• Lim it of a C onstant
o The limit of a constant is the constant itself.

Examples:
1. lim 6 = 6
𝑥 → −3
2. lim −4 = −4
𝑥→0

• Lim its in G raphs

o In reading graphs, it is very important to take note of the direction and the dots present
in the graph.
o To determine the limit of a function graphically, determine first the limits of the one-
sided limits.

Example 1:
Since the left and right
lim 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −2 are not equal, the limit
𝑥→−4+
does not exist. But it
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 3
𝑥→−4− shall be noted that the
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝐷𝑁𝐸 function is still defined
𝑥→−4
𝑓 (−4) = 3 at 3.

lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4 Since the left and right limits are

𝑥→−1+
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4 equal, the limit does exist at 4 and
𝑥→−1− is defined at 4.
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4
𝑥→−1
𝑓 (−1) = 4

lim 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2
𝑥→4+
As seen in the graph, as the right and
lim− 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2
𝑥→4 left limits are approaching to 4, it
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 2 results to 2. But since it is an open dot,
𝑥→4
the function is not defined.
𝑓 (4) = 𝐷𝑁𝐸
Limits | Basic Calculus | Nova Schola Tanauan
Prepared by: Roi Vincent V. Montenegro

Example 2: As seen in the graph, the

limit approaches 1 as x
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 1
𝑥→5+ approaches 5 from the right.
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = −3 The limit approaches -3 as x
𝑥→5−
approaches 5 from the left.
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝐷𝑁𝐸
𝑥→5 Since these are not equal, the
𝑓 (5) = 1 limit DNE. Closed dot is seen
at 1, hence the function is
defined at 5 with 1.

Try this:
a. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) (from Example 2 Graph)
𝑥→3
b. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) (from Example 2 Graph)
𝑥→−5
c. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) (from Example 1 Graph)
𝑥→2
d. f (3) (from Example 2 Graph)
e. f (-5) (from Example 2 Graph)
f. f (2) (from Example 1 Graph)

• Lim its at Infinity

o In solving limits at infinity, it is very important to note that infinity is not a number
but a concept of a very large number.

Examples:
1. lim 𝑥 2 = ∞ A large + number squared will be a very large + number
𝑥→∞
2. lim 𝑥 2 = ∞ A large - number squared will be a very large + number
𝑥→−∞
3. lim 𝑥 3 = ∞ A large + number cubed will be a very large + number
𝑥→∞
4. lim 𝑥 3 = −∞ A large - number cubed will be a very large – number
𝑥→−∞
5. lim 5 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 3
𝑥→−∞
In solving limits at infinity of polynomial function, insignificant terms shall be cancelled and the
term with the largest power shall be considered together with its sign.
Limits | Basic Calculus | Nova Schola Tanauan
Prepared by: Roi Vincent V. Montenegro

In can be written as lim − 𝑥 3 = −(−∞)3 = −(−∞) = ∞. Hence, the limit is +∞.

𝑥→−∞
6. lim 3𝑥 − 5𝑥 3 4
Choosing the term with the best power, we have:
𝑥→−∞
lim − 5𝑥 4 = −5(−∞)4 = −5(+∞) = −∞
𝑥→−∞

Try this:
a. lim 3𝑥 5 − 5𝑥 4
𝑥→∞
b. lim 4𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 3
𝑥→−∞
c. lim 𝑥 6 + 2𝑥
𝑥→∞

Lim its at Infinity on R ational Functions/P olynom ials

• (n > d) If the degree of the numerator is greater than the degree of the denominator, then
same rule applies, and the answer may be +∞ or -∞ depending on the case (same with the
previous one)
• (n < d) If the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator, then the
answer will be zero since dividing by a large number will approach to zero.
• (n = d) If the degree of the numerator is equal to the degree of the denominator, then the
answer will be the numerical coefficients of the terms with highest degree (fractional form).

Examples:
1
1. lim =0 The degree of 1 (which is 0) is less than the degree of x (which is 1)
𝑥→∞ 𝑥
1
2. lim =0 The degree of 1 (which is 0) is less than the degree of x (which is 3)
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 3
5𝑥+7
3. lim =∞ The degree of 5x (which is 1) is greater than the degree of 5 (which is 0)
𝑥→∞ 5
𝑥 7 +8𝑥 5
4. lim = −∞ The degree of x7 (which is 7) is greater than the degree of x3 (which is 3)
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥 3
5𝑥 3 +2𝑥 5
5. lim = The degree of 5x3 (which is 3) is equal to the degree of 6x3 (which is 3)
𝑥→∞ 6𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 6
2𝑥 2
6. lim = The degree of 2x (which is 1) is equal to the degree of 7x (which is 1)
𝑥→∞ 7𝑥 7

Try this:
3𝑥 5 − 5𝑥 4
a. lim
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥2
4𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 3
b. lim
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥8
𝑥 6 +2𝑥
c. lim
𝑥→∞ 8𝑥 6 −5