Department of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering
Bicol University
Legazpi City

MODULE IN MATH 11 – CALCULUS 1

LESSON 2 – ONE SIDED AND INFINITE LIMITS AND LIMITS AT INFINITY

Objectives:
1. Discuss one sided limits and their application to continuity;
2. Discuss infinite limits and limits at infinity;
3. Apply these four concepts to problems.

A. One-Sided Limits
• Right-handed Limits
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎
• Left-handed Limits
lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎
• Theorem:
If lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) and lim− 𝑓(𝑥) both exist and are equal, them lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
exists
• Example 1
Determine whetherlim sgn 𝑥 exists.
𝑥→0
Solution:
+1 if 𝑥 > 0
𝑦 = sgn 𝑥 = { 0 if 𝑥 > 0
−1 if 𝑥 < 0
lim+ sgn 𝑥 = +1; lim− sgn 𝑥 = −1
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
Since the right and left-handed limits are not equal, ∴ lim sgn 𝑥 does
𝑥→0
not exist
• Example 2
Find the left- and right-handed limits of the given function as it approaches 1:
2
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = {4 − 𝑥 2 if 𝑥 ≤ 1
2+𝑥 if 𝑥 > 1 40
Solution: 35
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ 2 + 𝑥 2 = 2 + 12 = 3 30
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 25
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ 4 − 𝑥 2 = 4 − 12 = 3 20
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
15
Therefore: 10
lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists and is equal to 1 5
𝑥→1
0
-2 0 2 4 6 8

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B. Infinite Limits
• The limit of a function as it approaches a certain value is increasing/decreasing without bound
• Consider the function:
3
𝑓(𝑥) =
(𝑥 − 2)2
𝒙 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒙 𝒇(𝒙)

3 3 0 0.75

2.5 12 1.5 12

2.25 48 1.75 48

2.1 300 1.9 300

2.01 30000 1.99 30000

2.00 3000000 1.999 3000000

1

98

78

58

38

18

-2
0 1 2 3

3
lim+ = +∞
𝑥→2 (𝑥 − 2)2
3
lim− = +∞
𝑥→2 (𝑥 − 2)2
• Theorem on Infinite Limits
1. If 𝑟 is any positive integer, then
1
a. lim+ = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑟
𝑥
Example 3:
1 1
lim+ 2 = +∞; lim+ 5 = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥
1 +∞ if 𝑟 is even
b. lim− 𝑟 = {
𝑥→0 𝑥 −∞ if 𝑟 is odd
Example 4:
1 1
lim− 2 = +∞; lim− 5 = −∞
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥

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 2. If 𝑎 is any real number and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant not
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
equal to zero,
a. If 𝑐 > 0 and if 𝑓(𝑥) → 0 through positive value of 𝑥, then
𝑔(𝑥)
lim = +∞
𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)
a. If 𝑐 < 0 and if 𝑓(𝑥) → 0 through positive value of 𝑥, then
𝑔(𝑥)
lim = −∞
𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)
Example 5:
𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2
lim+ 2
𝑥→3 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2; 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3
lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) = lim+(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2) = 32 + 3 + 2 = +14
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3) = 32 − 2(3) − 3 = 0
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 2
lim+ = lim+ 2 = +∞
𝑥→3 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→3 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3
Example 5:
−𝑥 − 2
lim+ 2
𝑥→3 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3
𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 − 2; 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3
lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) = lim+(−𝑥 − 2) = −3 − 2 = −5
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3) = 32 − 2(3) − 3 = 0
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
𝑔(𝑥) −𝑥 − 2
lim+ = lim+ 2 = −∞
𝑥→3 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥→3 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3
3. a. If 𝑎 is any real number and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = +∞ and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant not
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
equal to zero,
lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥] = +∞
𝑥→𝑎
b. If 𝑎 is any real number and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
not equal to zero,
lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) ] = −∞
𝑥→𝑎
Example 6:
1
lim ( 2 + 𝑥 2 + 1)
𝑥→0 𝑥
1
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1; 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2
1
lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) = lim+(𝑥 2 + 1) = 0 + 1 = +1; lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ ( 2 ) = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
1
lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim+ ( 2 + 𝑥 2 + 1) = +∞
𝑥→0+ 𝑥→0 𝑥
Example 7:
1
lim− ( 3 + 𝑥 2 + 1)
𝑥→0 𝑥
1
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1; 𝑓(𝑥) = 3
𝑥
1
lim− 𝑔(𝑥) = lim−(𝑥 2 + 1) = 0 + 1 = +1; lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim− ( 3 ) = −∞
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
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lim−[𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim− ( 3 + 𝑥 2 + 1) = −∞
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
4. If 𝑎 is any real number and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = +∞ and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant not
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
equal to zero,
a. If 𝑐 > 0 , then lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥] = +∞
𝑥→𝑎
b. If 𝑐 < 0, then lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥] = −∞
𝑥→𝑎
Example 8:
1
lim+ ( 2 + 𝑥 2 + 1)
𝑥→0 𝑥
1
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1; 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2
1
lim+ 𝑔(𝑥) = lim+(𝑥 2 + 1) = 0 + 1 = +1; lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = lim+ ( 2 ) = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
1 2
lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim+ [ 2 ∙ (𝑥 + 1)] = +∞
𝑥→0+ 𝑥→0 𝑥
Example 9:
1
lim ( − 𝑥 2 − 1)
𝑥→0− 𝑥 2
1
𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 − 1; 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥
1
lim− 𝑔(𝑥) = lim−(−𝑥 2 − 1) = 0 − 1 = −1; lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim− ( 2 ) = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
1
lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim− [ 2 ∙ (−𝑥 2 − 1)] = −∞
𝑥→0− 𝑥→0 𝑥
5. If 𝑎 is any real number and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant not
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
equal to zero,
a. If 𝑐 > 0 , then lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥] = −∞
𝑥→𝑎
b. If 𝑐 < 0, then lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)] = +∞
𝑥→𝑎
Example 10:
1
lim ( + 𝑥 2 + 1)
𝑥→0− 𝑥 3
1
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1; 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2
1
lim− 𝑔(𝑥) = lim−(𝑥 2 + 1) = 0 + 1 = +1; lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim− ( 3 ) = −∞
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
1
lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim+ [ 2 ∙ (𝑥 2 + 1)] = +∞
𝑥→0+ 𝑥→0 𝑥
Example 11:
1
lim− ( 3 − 𝑥 2 − 1)
𝑥→0 𝑥
1
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1; 𝑓(𝑥) = 3
𝑥
2
1
lim− 𝑔(𝑥) = lim−(−𝑥 − 1) = 0 − 1 = −1; lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = lim− ( 3 ) = −∞
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
1
lim [𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim− [ 3 ∙ (−𝑥 2 − 1)] = +∞
𝑥→0− 𝑥→0 𝑥

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 6. If lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = ±∞, lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = ±∞ or lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ±∞, then the line 𝑥 = 𝑎 is a vertical
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
asymptote of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
Example 12:
1 1
lim− ( 2 ) = +∞ ⇒ 𝑥 = 0 is a veritical asymptote of 𝑦 = 2
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥
3 3
lim+ ( ) = +∞ ⇒ 𝑥 = 0 is a veritical asymptote of 𝑦 =
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥−2

C. Limits at Infinity
• the behavior of the function as it approaches a certain value of 𝑥 increases indefinitely
2𝑥 2
• Consider 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥 2 +1
2𝑥 2 2𝑥 2
• We can say that lim = 2 and lim =2
𝑥→+∞ 2 +1
𝑥 𝑥→−∞ 2 +1
𝑥

𝒙 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒙

1 1 -1

5 1.923077 -5

10 1.980198 -10

100 1.9998 -100

1000 1.99998 -1000

• Theorem on Limits at Infinity

1
1. a. lim = 0; 𝑟 is any positive integer
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 𝑟
1
b. lim 𝑟 = 0; 𝑟 is any positive integer
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥
Example 13:
1 1
lim 2 = 0; lim 3 = 0
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 𝑥→−∞ 𝑥
2. The line 𝑦 = 𝑏 is said to be a horizontal asymptote of the graph of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) if at
least one of the ff. statements is true:
a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏
𝑥→+∞
b. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏
𝑥→−∞
Example 13:

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 Evaluate the ff. limits:
3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 2
a. lim
𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1
1 2 2
3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 2 3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 2 𝑥 3 3− + 2− 3
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
lim = lim ( ∙ 3 ) = lim ( )
𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1 𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 1
5− 3
𝑥
1 1 1
lim 3 − lim + lim 2 ∙ lim 2 − lim 2 ∙ lim 3 3
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥
= 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞
=
1 5
lim 5 − lim 3
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 2
b. lim
𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1
1 2 2
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 2 𝑥 3 + −
𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥3
lim = lim ( ∙ 3 ) = lim ( )
𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1 𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 1
5− 3
𝑥
1 1 1
lim + lim 2 ∙ lim 2 − lim 2 ∙ lim 3
𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥
= 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞
=0
1
lim 5 − lim 3
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥
4
𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 2
c. lim
𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1
2 2
𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 − 2 𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 − 2 𝑥 4 1+ 3− 4
lim = lim ( ∙ 4 ) = lim ( 𝑥 𝑥 )
𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1 𝑥→+∞ 5𝑥 3 − 1 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 5 1
− 4
𝑥 𝑥
1 1
lim 1 + lim 2 ∙ lim 3 − lim 2 ∙ lim 3
= 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 = +∞
5 1
lim − lim 4
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥
Note (Shortcut):
𝑔(𝑥)
In lim , if 𝑔(𝑥) has the same degree, the limit is the ratio of the
𝑥→+∞ or−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)
leading coefficients of 𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑔(𝑥)
In lim , if 𝑔(𝑥) has the lower degree than 𝑓(𝑥), the limit zero.
𝑥→+∞ or−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑔(𝑥)
In lim , if 𝑔(𝑥) has the higher degree than 𝑓(𝑥), the limit is either + ∞ or
𝑥→+∞ or−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)
− ∞ (apply Theorem 2 of Infinite Limits)

Example 13:
Find the horizontal asymptote of the function
𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) =
2
√𝑥 + 1
Solution:
𝑥
𝑥 𝑥𝑥 𝑥
lim = lim ( ∙ ) = lim
𝑥→+∞ √𝑥 2 + 1 𝑥→+∞ √𝑥 2 + 1 𝑥 𝑥→+∞ 2
√𝑥 2 + 12
( 𝑥 𝑥 )

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 1 lim (1) 1
𝑥→+∞
= lim = = = ±1
𝑥→+∞ 1 √1 + 0
√1 + 12 √ lim (1) + lim ( 2 )
( 𝑥 ) 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥
𝑥
∴ 𝑦 = ±1 are horizontal asympotes of the curve 𝑦 =
√𝑥 2 +1

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