BASIC CAL PRELIM NOTES

● LIMIT OF A FUNCTION f(x)

- the value it approaches as the value of 𝑥 approaches a certain value 𝑐 (constant).
“The limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 is 𝐿”. This is written in symbols as follows:

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐

c = constant
L = limit

(𝑥−1)(5−2𝑥)
Ex 1. Consider the function defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−1
, Determine lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1
-----> Notice that the function is not defined at 𝑥 = 1 because when 𝑥 is 1, the function
0
becomes 0
or indeterminate.

So we observe the values that the function takes as 𝑥 becomes closer and closer to 1, and not
the value of the function at 1.

THREE WAYS TO DETERMINE THE LIMIT OF A FUNCTION

● LOOKING AT THE TABLE OF VALUES

- The values must be real numbers, if not then the limit does not exist

Following the example above, On a number line, 𝑥 may approach a number in two ways:
through values on its left and through the values on its right.

From its LEFT: values that are less than 1

It can be observed that as 𝑥 takes values that are close to, but less than 1, 𝑓(𝑥) takes values that
are close to 3
From its RIGHT: values that are greater than 1

It can be observed that as 𝑥 takes values that are close to, but greater than 1, 𝑓(𝑥) takes values
that are close to 3.

(𝑥−1)(5−2𝑥)
Therefore, the lim = 𝑥−1
=3
𝑥→1

● LOOKING AT THE GRAPH OF THE FUNCTION

- (the graph will always be given)

(𝑥−1)(5−2𝑥)
Ex 1. Consider the function defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−1
, Determine lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→1

Since the x is 1, and the limit will always be

the y,

(𝑥−1)(5−2𝑥)
Therefore, the lim = 𝑥−1
=3
𝑥→1
 3 2
𝑥 +𝑥 −𝑥−1
Ex 2. lim 𝑥−1
𝑥→1

Method 1: Looking at the Table of Values

Left: Right:

It can be observed that as 𝑥 takes values It can be observed that as 𝑥 takes values
that are close to, but less than 1, 𝑓(𝑥) takes that are close to, but greater than 1, 𝑓(𝑥)
values that are close to 4. takes values that are close to 4.

Method 2: Looking at the Graph of the Function

It can be observed that as 𝑥 takes values that are

close to 1 (from the left or from the right), the
values of y becomes closer and closer to 4.

3 2
𝑥 +𝑥 −𝑥−1
Therefore the lim 𝑥−1
=4
𝑥→1
 ● ONE SIDED LIMIT
- Approaching the limit from 1 side
- Either from the left or right hand limit

a. LEFT HAND LIMIT

- values less than c
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
−
𝑥→𝑐
b. RIGHT HAND LIMIT
- values greater than 𝑐.

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
+
𝑥→𝑐

2
𝑋 −5𝑥+4
Ex 1. Evaluate the left-hand and right-hand limit of lim 𝑥−1
, and determine if it exists
𝑥→1

Method 1: Looking at the Table of Values

2
𝑋 −5𝑥+4
Left-hand limit: lim 𝑥−1
, 2
−
𝑥→1 𝑋 −5𝑥+4
Right-hand limit: lim 𝑥−1
,
+
𝑥→1

2
𝑋 −5𝑥+4
Therefore lim 𝑥−1
= −3 2
−
𝑥→1 𝑋 −5𝑥+4
Therefore, lim 𝑥−1
= −3
+
𝑥→1
Method 2: Looking at the Graph of the Function

Based on the graph and as well the right and left hand
limit

2
𝑋 −5𝑥+4
Therefore, the lim 𝑥−1
= -3
𝑥→1
Ex 2. Evaluate the left-hand and right-hand limit and determine if the limit exists if :

Method 1: Looking at the Table of Values

Left-hand limit: lim 𝑥 + 1 2

Right-hand limit: lim (𝑥 − 4) + 3
−
𝑥→4 𝑥→4
+

Therefore, lim 𝑥 + 1 = 5 2
𝑥→4
− Therefore, lim (𝑥 − 4) + 3 = 3
+
𝑥→4

Since the left-hand and right-hand limits are not equal, therefore the lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not
𝑥→4
exist.

------> If the right-hand limit and the left-hand limit are different values, therefore the limit does
not exist

------> If the result of the table of values are imaginary numbers or errors, then the limit does
not exist
 LIMIT LAWS

1. THE LIMIT OF A CONSTANT IS THE CONSTANT ITSELF

lim 𝑎 = 𝑎
𝑥→𝑐

Ex 1. lim 4 = 4 Ex 2. lim 9 = 9
𝑥→2 𝑥→6

2. THE LIMIT OF A LINEAR FUNCTION IS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER X IS

APPROACHING
lim 𝑥 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐

Ex 1. lim 𝑥 = 5 Ex 2. lim 𝑥= −8
𝑥→5 𝑥 → −8

3. THE LIMIT OF A CONSTANT a TIMES A FUNCTION IS EQUAL TO THE CONSTANT

a TIMES THE LIMIT OF A FUNCTION

lim [𝑎 · 𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑎 lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Ex 1. lim 4𝑥 = 4(2) Ex 2. lim 5𝑥 = 5(− 3)

𝑥→2 𝑥 → −3
=2 = - 15

4. THE LIMIT OF THE SUM/ DIFFERENCE IS EQUAL TO THE SUM/ DIFFERENCE OF

THE INDIVIDUAL LIMITS

lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Ex 1. lim (𝑥 + 7) = (2) + 7 Ex 2. lim (𝑥 − 6) = (− 2) − 6

𝑥→2 𝑥 → −2
=9 = -8
 5. THE LIMIT OF THE PRODUCT OF TWO FUNCTIONS IS EQUAL TO THE
DIFFERENCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL LIMITS

lim [𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) · lim 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Ex 1. lim 3(2𝑥 + 1) = 3[2(2) + 1] Ex 2. lim 𝑥(5𝑥 + 4) = 3[5(3) + 4]

𝑥→2 𝑥→3
= 15 = 57

6. THE LIMIT OF THE QUOTIENT OF TWO FUNCTIONS IS THE QUOTIENT OF THE

LIMITS, PROVIDED THAT THE LIMIT OF THE DIVISOR IS NOT EQUAL TO 0

lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑔(𝑥)
= lim 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

2𝑥+5 2(2)+5 5𝑥+5 5(4)+5

Ex 1. lim 𝑥+3
= (2)+3
Ex 2. lim 𝑥+1
= (4)+1
𝑥→2 𝑥→4
9 25
= 5
= 5
or 5

7. THE LIMIT OF THE NTH POWER OF A FUNCTION IS EQUAL TO THE NTH POWER
OF THE LIMIT OF THAT FUNCTION

𝑛 𝑛
lim [𝑓(𝑥)] = [ lim 𝑓(𝑥)]
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Ex 1. Ex 2.
3 3 2 2
lim (3𝑥 + 4) = [3(1) + 4] lim (4𝑥 + 9) = [4(− 3) + 9]
𝑥→1 𝑥 → −3
3 2
= (7) = (− 3)
= 343 =9
 8. THE LIMIT OF THE NTH ROOT OF POSITIVE FUNCTION IS EQUAL TO THE
PRINCIPAL NTH ROOT OF THE LIMIT OF THE FUNCTION

𝑛
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑛 lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

3 2 3 2
Ex 1. lim = 𝑥 + 4= (2) + 4
𝑥→2
3
= 8 (means it is squared 3 times)
=2

9. IF f IS A POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION AND c IS A REAL NUMBER, THEN

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)

𝑥→𝑐

2 2
Ex 1. lim (4𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 1) = 4(3) + 2(3) − 1
𝑥→3
= 41
 ● FACTORING

2
𝑥 −4 (𝑥−2)(𝑥+2)
Ex 1. lim 𝑥−2
= 𝑥−2
𝑥→2
=𝑥 + 2
=2+2
=4

2
2𝑥 −7𝑥−15 (𝑥−5)(2𝑥+3)
Ex 2. lim 𝑥−5
= 𝑥−5
(cancel similar values)
𝑥→5
= 2𝑥 + 3
= 2(5) + 3
= 13

3 2
𝑥 −8𝑥 +18𝑥−8 (?)(𝑥−4)
Ex 3. lim 𝑥−4
= 𝑥−4
𝑥→4
(since we know we need (x-4) to cancel the
equation out, now we have to find the other
factors)
x-4=0
x=4

3 2
4 l 1 - 8 + 18 - 8 (add all the values of 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 18𝑥 − 8)
+ 4 - 16 +8 (multiply the 4 to the values and subtract the resultant)
1 -4 2 0 (bring down the values)

2
(𝑥 −4𝑥+2)(𝑥−4)
= (cancel similar values)
𝑥−4
2
= 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 2
2
= (4) − 4(4) + 2 (substitute the 4)
=2
 ● RATIONALIZATION

𝑥−2 𝑥−2 𝑥+2 𝑥+2 𝑥−2 𝑥−4

Ex 1. lim 𝑥−4
= 𝑥−4
· =
𝑥+2 (𝑥−4)( 𝑥+2)
𝑥→4

𝑥−4
= (cancel similar values)
(𝑥−4)( 𝑥+2)

1
=
𝑥+2

1
= (substitute 4)
4+2

1
= 4

● LEAST COMMON DENOMINATOR (LCD)

1 1 3−3−𝑥
3+𝑥
−3 (3+𝑥)(3)
Ex 1. lim 𝑥
= 𝑥
𝑥→0
−𝑥

= (3+𝑥)(3)
𝑥

−𝑥 1
= (3+𝑥)(3) · 𝑥

−1
= (3+𝑥)(3)

−1
= (3+0)(3)

−1
= 9
 1
Ex 1. lim 𝑥−1
𝑥→1

The limit of this function can’t be solved by using substitution, factoring, rationalization, nor by
getting the LCD. So we create a table of values

1 1
Left-hand limit: lim 𝑥−1
Right-hand limit: lim 𝑥−1
− +
𝑥→1 𝑥→1

Notice both the left and right are approaching to infinity, this means that the limit DOES
NOT EXIST.

As ∞ are not real numbers

------> The graph of the equation

1
lim 𝑥−1
𝑥→1

● INFINITE LIMITS
- As x approaches c, f(x) increases/decreases without bounds
 LIMITS OF EXPONENTIAL, LOGARITHMIC, AND TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION

𝑥
Ex 1. lim 𝑒
𝑥→0

𝑥
Left hand limit: lim 𝑒
−
𝑥→0

𝑥
Right hand limit: lim 𝑒
+
𝑥→0

𝑥
Since both left-hand and right-hand limits are equal to 1, therefore, lim 𝑒 = 1
𝑥→0
 𝑥
Ex 2. lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔
𝑥→1

Note: to input log in your calculators, just press log + value of x.

𝑥
Left hand limit: lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔
−
𝑥→1

𝑥
Right hand limit: lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔
+
𝑥→1

𝑥
Since both left-hand and right-hand limits are equal to 0, therefore lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔 = 0
𝑥→1
 1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
Ex 3. lim 𝑡
𝑡→0

Note: you could use any variable. In this case, instead of x, we are using t.

1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
Left hand limit: lim 𝑡
−
𝑡→0

1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
Right hand limit: lim 𝑡
+
𝑡→0

1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
Since both left-hand and right-hand limits are equal to 0, therefore lim 𝑡
=0
𝑡→0