LIMIT AND

CONTINUITY

CALCULUS I NOTEBOOK PART II

First Semester 2023-2024

Irbid National University
Chapter 2: Limits
2.2 The limit of a function
Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥) =
√

The following table examines the values of the function when 𝑥 is close to 0:

𝑋 −0.01 −0.001 −0.0001 0 0.0001 0.001 0.01

𝑓(𝑥) 3.99749 3.99975 3.99997 4.00002 4.00025 4.00249

Therefore,

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥)

Thus, we have 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 4.

Note that: 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 is read as:

“The limit of 𝒇(𝒙) as 𝒙 approaches 𝒂 is equal to 𝑳”

Also, note that the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches to 𝑎 exists and equals to 𝐿 if:

𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒙⟶𝒂 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 = 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒙⟶𝒂 𝒇(𝒙)

Note that: 𝑓(0) = = is undefined but, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 (exists).

√

1
Example 1: Consider the graph of 𝑓 below. Find the indicated limits.

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =

Exercise: Find 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥).

1+𝑥 , 𝑥 ≤ −1
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 , −1≤𝑥 <1
2−𝑥, 𝑥≥1
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥).

2
 1 + sin 𝑥 ,𝑥 < 0
B) 𝑓(𝑥) = cos 𝑥 ,0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋
sin 𝑥 ,𝑥 > 𝜋
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥).

2.3 Calculating Limits Using the Limit Laws:

Suppose that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑔(𝑥) exist and that 𝑐 is any constant. Then:

1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ [𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑔(𝑥).

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑐𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐 ∙ 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥).

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ [𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑔(𝑥).

( ) ⟶ ( )
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ = , provided that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0.
( ) ⟶ ( )

2) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ [𝑓(𝑥)] = [𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥)] .

In particular, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥), where if 𝑛 is even, then we must

have that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) > 0.

3) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑐=𝑐

4) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑥 = 𝑎.

3
 In particular, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑐𝑥 = 𝑐. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑎 .

Direct Substitution Property:

( )
If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 + 𝑎 𝑥 + ⋯ + 𝑎 𝑥 is a polynomial function or 𝑓(𝑥) = is a rational
( )
function and 𝑎 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛(𝑓) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑞(𝑎) ≠ 0, then
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)

Example: The graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔 are given. Use them to evaluate the following limits.

a) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] =

b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ [𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] =

c) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ [𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥)] =

( )
d) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =
( )

e) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ [𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)] =

f) 𝑓(−1) + 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑔(𝑥) =

( ) ( )
Example: Given that 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 16, calculate 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ ( )
.

4
Example: Determine the infinite limit.

1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =

2) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ ( )
=

3) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =

( )
Note that: , if 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑔(𝑥) = 0, then 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ = is an
( )
indeterminant form, so you must use ALGEBRA to determine the limit.

Example: Evaluate the following limits:

1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =

2) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =

3) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =

( )
4) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =

5
HOMEWORK:

Evaluate the following limits:

1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶
( )
2) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶

3) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ ( )

4) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ ( )

Recall that:

 (𝑥 − 𝑎 ) = (𝑥 − 𝑎)(𝑥 + 𝑎)

 − =

 =

Example: Evaluate the following limits:

√
1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =

√ √
2) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ =

3) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶

6
4) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ − =
√

Definition: The line 𝑥 = 𝑎 is a vertical asymptote if 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = ±∞ and /or

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = ±∞.

Note that in Example 1, 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 3 are vertical asymptotes.

Example: Find the vertical asymptote of

2 , 𝑥≥1
𝑓(𝑥) = 1
, 𝑥<1
1−𝑥

Example: Find the vertical asymptote(s) of:

1) 𝑓(𝑥) =

2) 𝑓(𝑥) =

7
 𝑥 , 𝑥<0
⎧
⎪𝑥 , 0≤𝑥<2
Example: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 8 − 𝑥 , 2 ≤ 𝑥 < 5
⎨ −2 , 𝑥=5
⎪
⎩𝑥 − 2 , 𝑥>5
Calculate:
1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =

2) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) =

Example: Evaluate:

1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ | |

2) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ | |

HOMEWORK:
Evaluate the following limit:
| |
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶

8
The Squeeze Theorem:

If 𝑔(𝑥) ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ ℎ(𝑥) when 𝑥 is near 𝑎 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ ℎ(𝑥) = 𝐿, then
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.

Example: If 4𝑥 − 2 ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 𝑥 + 2 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3, find 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥).

Example: Find the following limit:

1
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑥 sin .
𝑥

2.5 Continuity

Definition: A function 𝑓 is continuous at a number 𝑎 if

𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)

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

Note: To determine continuity, we must check:

9
 i) 𝑓(𝑎) is defined (𝑎 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛(𝑓)).
ii) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) exists (𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥))
iii) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎).

Example: Given the function:

1) 𝑓(1) is undefined ⟹ 𝑓 is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 1.

𝑓(2) = −1
2) ⟹ 𝑓 is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 2.
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐷. 𝑁. 𝐸

𝑓(4) = 3
3) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 ⟹ 𝑓 is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 4.
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(4)

𝑓(−1) = 3
4) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 ⟹ 𝑓 is continuous at 𝑥 = −1.
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(−1) = 𝑓(−1)

cos 𝑥 , 𝑥 < 0
Example: Explain why 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 ,𝑥 = 0
1 − 𝑥 ,𝑥 > 0
Is discontinuous at 𝑎 = 0.

Definition: A function 𝑓 has:

1) Removable discontinuity at 𝒂: If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) exists and either 𝑓(𝑎) is
undefined or 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑎).
10
 2) Jump discontinuity at 𝒂: If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥).
3) Infinite discontinuity: If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = ±∞.

Example:

1) 𝑓 has a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 0

2) 𝑓 has a jump discontinuity at 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = 5.
3) 𝑓 has an infinite discontinuous at 𝑥 = −3 and at 𝑥 = 4.

Example: Determine whether the function is discontinuous and classify the

discontinuities as removable, jump, or vertical asymptote(infinite discontinuity).

1) 𝑓(𝑥) = .

, , 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 5
2) 𝑓(𝑥) =
−2 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 5

3) ℎ(𝑥) =
| |

Definition: A function 𝑓 is continuous on an interval if it is continuous at every

number in the interval.
11
Theorem: Polynomials, rational functions, root functions, trigonometric are
continuous at every number in their domains.

Example: For what value of the constant 𝑐 is the function

𝑐𝑥 + 2𝑥, 𝑥 < 2
𝑓(𝑥) = continuous everywhere, i.e. continuous on (−∞, ∞).
𝑥 − 𝑐𝑥, 𝑥 ≥ 2

Theorem: If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are continuous at 𝑎 and if 𝑐 is a constant, then:

𝑓 ± 𝑔; 𝑐𝑓; 𝑓 ∙ 𝑔; if 𝑔(𝑎) ≠ 0 are also continuous at 𝑎.

Example: Suppose 𝑓 and 𝑔 are continuous function such that 𝑔(−2) = 4 and
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ [11𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] = 30. Find 𝑓(−2).

Example: If 𝑓 is continuous and 𝑔(1) = 3, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑔(𝑥) = 5, 𝑓(3) = 4 and 𝑓(5) = 6.

Find 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))

The Intermediate Value Theorem(IVT):

Suppose that 𝑓 is continuous on [𝑎, 𝑏] and let 𝑁 be any number between 𝑓(𝑎) and 𝑓(𝑏).
Then there exists a number 𝑐 in (𝑎, 𝑏) such that 𝑓(𝑐) = 𝑁.

12
Example: Use I.V.T to show that there is a root of 𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3 = 0 in (1,2).

Limits at infinity: Horizontal Asymptotes:

The end behavior of a function is computed by 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥).

Definition: If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 or 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, then 𝑦 = 𝐿 is called a horizontal

asymptote of 𝑓(𝑥).

Theorem: 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶± = 0.

Recall: and ∞ − ∞ can’t be defined.

Example: Evaluate the following limits:

1) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶

2) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶

13
3) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶

√
4) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶

√
5) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ ( )

6) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ (𝑥 + 2𝑥 )

( )
7) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶

8) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ √𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 𝑥

14
 9) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ √9𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3𝑥 (Exercise)

10) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ √𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 5 + 𝑥

11) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ⟶ √𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 5 + 𝑥

Example: Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes:

1) 𝑓(𝑥) =
( )( )

2) 𝑓(𝑥) =
√

3) 𝑓(𝑥) =

15
2.7 Derivatives and Rates of Change.
Defenition: The derivative of a function 𝑓 at a number 𝑎, denoted by 𝑓′(𝑎), is defined
by:
𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑓 (𝑎) = lim
→ 𝑥−𝑎
Let ℎ = 𝑥 − 𝑎. Then 𝑥 = 𝑎 + ℎ, as 𝑥 → 𝑎 ⇒ ℎ → 0
( ) ( )
∴ 𝑓 (𝑎) = lim
→

Geometrical interpretation of the derivative:

Defenition: The tangent line to the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) at the point 𝑝(𝑎, 𝑓(𝑎)) is the line
through 𝑝 with slope
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
𝑚 = 𝑓 (𝑎) = lim = lim
→ →

The equation of the tangent line at 𝑥 = 𝑎:

𝑦 − 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑎)

16
 ∴ 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑎)(𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝑓(𝑎)

Example: Find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 4 at
𝑥 = 5.

2.8 The derivative as a Function

In section 2.7 we have considered the derivative of a function 𝑓 at a fixed number 𝑎:
( ) ( )
𝑓 (𝑎) = lim as a number
→

If we replace 𝑎 by variable 𝑥, we get:

( ) ( )
𝑓 (𝑥) = lim as a function
→

Example: Find the derivative of:

1) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥.

2) 𝑔(𝑥) = √2𝑥 − 1

17
 3) ℎ(𝑥) = (Exercise)

Other notations:
Let 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). The derivative is denoted by:
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑓 𝑑
𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥) = = = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

If we want to find the derivative at a specific number 𝑎, we use one of the following
notations:
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑓 𝑑
𝑦 (𝑎) = 𝑓 (𝑎) = = = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Definition: A function 𝑓 is differentiable at 𝑎 if:

1) 𝑓 is continuous at 𝑎
2) 𝑓 (𝑎 ) = 𝑓 (𝑎 )

How can a function fail to be differentiable:

Example: Find the numbers at which 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥 − 1| is not differentiable.

18
 Note that:

𝑓 is differentiable at 𝑎 ⇒ 𝑓 is continuous at 𝑎
⇍

19