DepEd MIMAROPA

Curriculum and Learning Management Division

Senior High School

Basic Calculus
Module 1: Limit of a Function

Basic Calculus
RO_MIMAROPA_SHS_Academic-STEM_Basic
Calculus_Mod1
Contextualized Self-Learning Module
Module 1: The Basic Concept of Limit of a Function
First Edition, 2022
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 Lesson 1

The Basic Concept of Limit of a Function

MELC : Illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and the
graph of the function. (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-1)
: Distinguish between lim ( f ( x ) )and f(c) (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-2)
x →c

Objectives
At the end of the module, the learner should be able to:
1. define the limit of the function,
2. illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values
and the graph of the function and
3. evaluation of limits using a table of values.

Let’s Try
Prior Knowledge. This test determines your pre-existing knowledge of the topic in this
module. Be ready to show what you know.
Directions: Read and analyze the statements below. Write the letter of the
correct answer in a clean sheet of paper
1. It is defined as the unique real value that f(x) will approach as x
approaches a certain number.
A. Limit of the function C. Domain
B. Value of the function D. Range
2. What is the limit of the function f(x) = 3x – 1 as x approaches 1?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
3. Given the graph of f(x) = x + 1, what is the limit of f(x)?
A. 2 C. 4
B. 3 D. 5
4. Given the table of values of g(x), what is the limit of the
g(x) as x approaches 1?
x 0.9 0.99 1 1.01 1.1
y 0.81 0.98 1 1.02 1.21
A. 0.98 B. 0.81 C. 1.02 D. 1
5. Refer to #3 graph, what is the limit of f(x) = x + 1 when x is approaching
0?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
 Let’s Explore and Discover

Introduction

The concept of limit is very

important in dealing with calculus. We
must understand fully the concept of
limit in order to become successful in
studying calculus. The notion of limit of
a function will help s to describe the way
f(x) behaves when x is close to but not
equal to a certain value a.
Bolzano, in 1817 introduced the
basics of the epsilon-delta technique to
state continuous functions. This was
also the birth of the modern idea of the
limit of a function.

Visualizing Limit
Observe the polygon inscribed in a circle.

Question: Do you think the polygon inside the

circle will become a circle? Why or why not?

When increasing the number of sides of the

polygon, what do you observe about the polygon
with respect to the circle?

You will notice that as the number of sides

of the polygon increases, the image of the polygon
becomes closer and closer to a circle.

We call the polygon an x-gon, where x is the

number of sides. We can say that as the number of
sides denoted by x increases, the x-gon gets closer
and closer to being the circle.
In the mathematical statement:

As x approaches infinity, the x-gon approaches the circle. Therefore, the

limit of the x-gon, as x goes to infinity, is the circle. (Note: Take note that the x-gon
never really gets to be the circle)

In symbol: lim ( x−gon )= ¿˚ ¿

x→ ∞

Definition:

Limit of a Function
The limit of the function is the behavior of the function as it approaches a
particular number.
Let us consider f(x) as a function, and c and L are numbers. If x
approaches c, the limit of f(x) approaches L. We can illustrate this in different
ways:

A. In symbol: lim ( f ( x ) )=LB. Graphical Illustration C. Table of Values

x →c

x a c d
f(x) M L K

as x approaches c as x approaches c
from the left side from the right side

Question: What does lim ( f ( x ) )=L mean?

x →c

Answer: The lim ( f ( x ) )=L, means that as x get closer and closer to c, f(x) gets
x →c
closer and closer to L.
To illustrate this, let us consider the following examples.
x x
1. Consider the function f(x) = , if x increases its value, f ( x )= approaching 1.
x+1 x +1
x
Solution: Using the table of values for x to evaluate f(x) = , we have,
x+1
x 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 … 99 … 9999
x 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 … 99 … 9999
x+1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 100 10000
Deci 0. 0.666 0.7 0. 0.8333 0.85 0.888 0. 0.9090 0.91 … 0.9 … 0.99
mal 5 … 5 8 … 7.. … 9 … 6 9 99
From the above table of values, we can observe that as x becomes bigger and bigger,
x
gets closer and closer to 1.
x+1
 In mathematical statement The limit of as x approaches infinity is 1.

In mathematical symbol

1 1
2. Given f(x) = , if x increases its value, approaching 0.
x x
1
Solution: Using the table of values for x to evaluate f(x) = , we have,
x
x 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 … 100 … 10000

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 … 1 … 1
x 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 100 10000
Decimal 0.5 0.333… 0.25 0.2 0.1666… 0.857... 0.1429 0.9 0.09090… … 0.01 … 0.0001
1
We can observe that as x becomes bigger and bigger, gets closer and closer to 0.
x
In mathematical statement The limit of as x approaches infinity is 0.

In mathematical symbol

x2 +2 x−3
3. Find the limit of f(x) = .
x−1
Solution:
Let us examine the table of values for x approaching from left and right sides of 1, we
have
x 0 0.25 0. 0.9 0.99 0.999 0.999 1 1.000 1.001 1.0 1.1 1.25 1.75 2
5 9 1 1
f(x) 3 3.25 3. 3.9 3.99 3.999 3.999 Not 4.000 4.001 4.0 4.1 4.25 4.75 5
5 9 defined 1 1

as x gets closer and closer to 1 from

as x gets closer and closer to 1 from the
the right side of 1
left side of 1
f(x)
gets closer to 4

In mathematical statement The limit of f(x) = as x approaches 1is 4.

In mathematical symbol

2
x +2 x−3
But you will notice that if x = 1, the function f(x) = is not defined because if
x−1
we substitute 1 in x in the function, we have
 2
x +2 x−3
f(x) = , if x = 1
x−1
2
(1) + 2(1)−3
f(1) = substituting x = 1
(1)−1
1+ 2−3 0
f(1) = = simplify
(1)−1 0
f(1) is not defined

We can also present the limit of the function using its graph. Let us examine the graph
x2 +2 x−3
of f(x) = .
x−1

x 0 1 2
f(x) 3 Not 5
f(x) define
d

It is empty inside because x = 1 is not defined

As the values of x approaches 1 from left and

right sides, the values of f(x) or y approaches 4

ts, then it is unique.

LIMIT is the number that the value of a function gets closer to but can never be reached. Many times, the limit of a function f(x) as x app

In symbol

4. Find the limit of f(x) = x + 2 as x approaches 4.

Solution: Using the table of values for x, evaluate f(x) = x + 2.

as x gets closer and closer to 6 from the right

as x gets closer and closer to 6 from the left side
side of 6
 is defined
at x = 4

x 2 2.5 3 3.1 3.7 3.9 3.99 3.999 4 4.000 4.001 4.01 4.1 4.25 4.5 5 6
1
f(x) 4 4.5 5 5.1 5.7 3.9 5.99 5.999 6 6.000 6.001 6.01 6.1 6.25 6.5 7 8
1

In mathematical statement The limit of f(x) = x + 2 as x approaches 4 is 6.

In mathematical symbol

6. Find the limit:

{
2
f(x) = x −1 when x <2
x−4 when x ≥ 2

For f(x) = x 2−1when x < 2

x -2 -1 0 1 2
f(x) 3 0 -1 0 3

Note: Point (2,3) is not included

Because of the statement x<2

For f(x) = x−4 when x ≥ 2

x 2 3 4 5 6
f(x) -2 -1 0 1 2

Note: Point (2, -2) is included

because of the statement x≥ 2

We observed from the graph of f(x) = { x2 −1 , when x < 2 (left side of 2),
x−4
f(x) = x – 1 approaches 3, and when x ≥ 2(right side of 2), f(x) = x - 4 approaches -2,
2

{ x−4
2
since they are not equal, the limit of f(x) = x −1 as x approaches 2 does not exist.
 Question:

f ( x ) always equal to f(c), where c is a real number?

Is lim x →c

This is an important topic when studying limits since the limit of a function,
lim f ( x ) is not necessarily equal to its value, f(c). This implies that the limit of a
x →c
function is not dependent on its value since f(c) may be undefined. Understanding the
similarities and difference between the limit and value of a function will aid in our
comprehension of the idea of continuity.

Let us study the following illustrative examples by comparing the process of

illustrating the limit of the function and evaluating a function.

Process of finding the limit of a function Process of finding the value

lim f ( x ) of the function,
x →c f(c)

as x approaches 2
In finding the
x 1 1. 1. 1. 1.9 1.99 1.999 value of
4 7 9 9 9 9 f(x) = 3x + 1
f(x) 4 5. 6. 6. 6.9 6.99 6.999 when x = 2,
2 1 7 7 7 7 just plug in
(from the left side of 2) the value of x
Find the in the
as x approaches 2 Find the function and
limit:
value of simplify to
x 3 2. 2. 2. 2.0 2.00 2.00 f(x) = 3x + 1 find f(2).
lim ( 3 x +1 )
x →2 7 5 1 1 1 1 at x = 2
f(x) 1 9. 8. 7. 7.0 7.00 7.00 Solution:
0 1 5 3 3 3 03 f(x) = 3x + 1
(from the right side of 2) f(2) = 3(2) + 1
=6+1
Based on the table of values of f(x) for every x in =7
both directions (left and right), you will notice f(2) = 7
that f(x) becomes closer to 7.
In symbol, we have
lim ( 3 x +1 ) = 7
x →2
Graphical
Representa
tion of
lim ( 3 x +1 )
x →2
and
f(x) = 3x + 1
at x = 2

Solution

We can find the limit by direct substitution of Solution

Find the x = 5, we have
limit: lim (5 x−8 )
x →5 Find f(x) = 5x – 8
lim (5 x−8 ) f(x) = 5x – f(5) = 5(5) – 8
x →5 8, if x = 5 =25 -8
5(5) – 8 by substitution
= 17
25 – 8 = 17
f(5) = 17
lim (5 x−8 ) = 17
x →5
Solution
Solution
lim ( x −4 x +5 )
2

Find the x →2
f(x) =
limit: Find f(x) = 2
3 x −4 x +5
2 f(2) =
(2) - 4(2) + 5 by substitution
2 x −4 x+5 ,
lim ( x2 −4 x +5 ) 4 -8 +5=1 if x = 2
2
(2) −4 (2)+ 5 =
x →2
4–8+5=1

lim ( x −4 x +5 ) =1
2
f(2) = 1
x →2

Solution Solution

f(x) =
x2 −9

( xx−3−9 ) ( x−3)(x
2
Find the +3) x−3
lim = by factoring Find the
limit: x →3 x −3 value of f(x)
2
3 −9
f(3) =
lim (
x−3 )
2
x −9 ( x−3)(x +3) 2
x −9 , if x (3)−3
lim (
x−3 )
2
x −9 = by cancellation =
x →3 x −3 x−3 0
=
x →3 =3 0
lim ( x +3 ) = 3 + 3 = 6 f(3) is
x →3 undefined
 Solution

lim
x →1
( 2 x 2 + x−3
x−1 )
(2 x+ 3)( x−1)
x−1
= by factoring
Find
( )
2
2 x + x−3 (2 x+ 3)( x−1)
lim = by cancellation

( )
x →1 x−1 x−1 2
2 x + x−3
f ( x )=
Find the x−1
lim ( 2 x +3 ) = 2(1) + 3 = 5
limit: x →1
at x = 1

( )
2 x + x−3 Using table of values to show the limit of the
2
lim
x →1 x−1 function 2
2 x + x−3
from left side of 1: As x approaches 1, f(x) becomes f(x) =
closer and closer to 5 x−1
f(1) =
2
2 ( 1 ) +( 1 ) – 3
0 from ( 1 )−1
note : is NOT
0 right side of 1: As x approaches 1, f(x) becomes closer =
❑
a number. and closer to 5 2 +(1)−3
We call it
INDETERMINATE (1)−1
Form – it means 0
that we cannot =
conclude about 0
the limit of the  f(1) is
function if we
have this Using graph undefined
expression.
In algebra, we call it
Common factor
In General Mathematics, we
call it hole – the value of x
that makes the equation
undefined and the cause
discontinuity of a function
(point of discontinuity)
To find the limit, we need to redefine the equation by
removing the common factor
At x = 1, f(x) is not defined (represented by a
hole in the graph)
Find the Solution for a. lim
−¿
¿ √
f(x) = x−1 If we substitute the
values of x at the
x→ 1 √ x−1 ¿
limit: when x < 1
left side of 1, we
The limit of the f(x) = √ x−1 does not exist (DNE) have,
lim ¿ because the value of f(x) when x < 1(left side of 1) are √
f(x) = x−1
a. not real numbers.
√ 0−1 =
−¿
x→ 1 √ x−1 ¿ −¿ ¿ f(0) =
Note: 1 is not a number, it implies the direction
lim ¿ ¿) √−1 undefined
b. +¿ (imaginary number,
x→ 1 √ x−1 ¿ not a real

number
Let us take some values of x at the left side of 1, √
f(-1) = −1−1 =
we have, √−2 undefined
f(x) = √ x−1 (imaginary number,
not a real
f(0) = √ 0−1 = √ −1
 f(0) is undefined number
Note: √ −1 is an imaginary number and not a real
number f(x) = √ x−1
f(-1) = √ −1−1 = √ −2
 f(1) is undefined

After substituting values of x from the left side of 1,

we obtained undefined values of f(x), therefore we can
conclude that lim ¿ does not exist or (DNE)
−¿
x→ 1 √ x−1 ¿

Solution for b. lim

+¿
¿
x→ 1 √ x−1 ¿
+¿¿
Note: 1 is not a number, it implies the direction
¿)

Substituting some values of x at the right side of

1.
If we substitute the
If x = 2, values of x at the
f(x) = √ x−1 right side of 1, we
have,
f(2) = √ 2−1 = √ 1 = 1
 f(2) is defined √
f(x) = x−1

√
f(2) = 2−1 = 1 √
= 1 defined (it is a
If x = 3 real number)
f(x) = √ x−1 √
f(3) = 3−1 = 2 √
f(3) = √ 3−1 = √ 2 = 1.41 defined (it is a real
number)
 f(3) is defined
when x > 1
You will notice that f(x) = √ x−1is define in all values
of x at the right side of 1, therefore we can conclude
that the limit exists.
Using the table of values, we have

x 1.00 1.00 1.00

3 2 1.5 1.1 1.01
1 01 001
f(x) 0.03 0.00
1.41 1 0.70 0.31 0.1 0.01
1 31

You will notice that as x approaches 1 from the right

side, the value of f(x) or y approaches 0.  lim ¿
+¿
x→ 1 √ x−1 ¿
=0

Using graph:
 Let’s Practice
ACTIVITY 1. COMPLETE ME!
Putting in to practice what one has learned is a clear manifestation of interest
and eagerness to unleash the potential and to further expound the numerical ability.
This activity will help you explore and discover for yourself the innate skill you might
have mastery over.
Directions: Complete the table of values of the given function by determining its
limit.
1. Given: f(x) = 2x + 1
x 2 2.9 2.99 2.999 3 3.001 3.01 3.1 4

f(x)

What is the lim ( 2 x +1 )?__________________________________

x →3

2. Given: f(x) = x 2+ 1
x 0 0.5 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.1 2

f(x)

What is the lim ( x +1 ) ?__________________________________

2

x →1

x2 −16
3. Given: f(x) =
x+ 4

x -5 -4.5 -4.01 -4.001 -4 -3.999 -3.99 -3.5 -3

f(x)

What is the lim

x→−4
( x2 −16
x+ 4 )
?__________________________________

4. Given: f(x) = √ 1−x

x 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4

f(x)

What is the lim ¿?__________________________________

x→ 1 ( √ 1−x ) ¿
−¿

ACTIVITY 2. FIND ME!

Directions: Determine the limit using the given graph.

1.
What is the limit of the
function?

______________
2.
What is the limit of the
function?

______________

3.

What is the limit of the function?

______________

4. 5.

6.

Let’s Do More
ACTIVITY 3. APPLYING LEARNED CONCEPT
Learning by doing is significant for a deeper understanding of the concept. At
this point, you will perform an activity where you can best exhibit your numerical,
linguistic and analytical skills.
Directions: Examine the details of the given function. Answer the following
questions and write a brief explanation to justify your answer.

1. Evaluate: lim
x →3
2 x +3 Solution:

2. Explanation your solution in 2-3 sentences

3. Can the function Answer:

f(x) = 2x + 3 attain the
limit in number 1?
4. Justify your answer?

Let’s Sum Up
ACTIVITY 4. FRAYER MODEL
Do more to learn better. Dig deeper as you brainstorm on the potential factors
necessary to familiarize the various theories of the limit of a function.
Directions: Fill out the Frayer Model with the required information to help you easily
remember the different concepts about the limit of a function. Do this on a clean bond
paper.

Choose one of the methods of Explain why?

finding the limit of the function,
you find easy to use?
a. table of values
b. graph
c. direct substitution

Concept of Limit of a function

Give 1 example Solution

Let’s Assess
“What a good start to learn the basic calculus! Isn’t it fulfilling that you are able
to accomplish every learning task with minimal assistance? We’re almost done! Now
let’s try these assessment tests to evaluate what and how well you have achieved our
learning goals.”
Test I.
Directions: Given the graph of f(x), Identify the limit of the following functions. Write
your answer on the Space provided before the number.
 __________ 1.

__________ 2.

__________ 3.

__________ 4.

__________ 5.

__________ 6.

Test II.
Directions: Complete the table below for the function f(x) = 5x + 3 and find the limit.
( 7 pts)
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
x
1.7 1.9 1.99 2.001 2.01 2.5

f(x)

13 . lim 5 x+ 3 = ______________
x→2

Test III.
Directions: Illustrate the limit of a function using a graph. (3 pts each)

{
2
x x≠2
Given f(x) = 1
x=2

lim f (x )= _____________
x →2
Key to Correction

Activity 1

1. Given: f(x) = 2x + 1
x 2 2.9 2.99 2.999 3 3.001 3.01 3.1 4
7.00
f(x) 5 6.8 6.98 6.998 7 7.02 7.2 9
2
What is the lim ( 2 x +1 ) Answer: 7
x →3

2. Given: f(x) = x 2+ 1
x 0 0.5 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.1 2
0 1.25 1.98 1.99 2 2.002 2.020 2.21 5
 f(x) 8

What is the lim ( x +1 ) ? Answer: 2

2

x →1

x2 −16
3. Given: f(x) =
x+ 4

x -5 -4.5 -4.01 -4.001 -4 -3.999 -3.99 -3.5 -3

f(x) -9 -8.5 -8.01 -8.001 -8 -7.999 -7.99 -7.5 -7

( )
2
x −16
What is the lim ? Answer: -8
x→−4 x+ 4

4. Given: f(x) = √ 1−x

x 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4

f(x) 0 1 1.41 1.73 2 2.24

What is the lim ¿? Answer: ∞

x→ 1 ( √ 1−x ) ¿
−¿

Activity 2
1. 7 4. 1
2. 2 5. 3
3. -3 6. 0

Let’s Assess
1. 1 11. 13.05
2. DNE 12. 15.5
3. 1 13. 13
4. 2
5. 1
6. 2
7. 11.5
8. 12.5
9. 12.95
10.13.005

14-15.

{
2
x x≠2
Given f(x) = 1
x=2
 y

lim f ( x )= ______4_______
x →2

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