August 31, 2011 19:37 C01 Sheet number 21 Page number 87 cyan magenta yellow black

1.2 Computing Limits 87

✔QUICK CHECK EXERCISES 1.2 (See page 88 for answers.)

1. In each part, find the limit by inspection. 3. Find the limits.

(a) lim 7 = (b) lim+ 12y = (a) lim (x 3 + x 2 + x)101 =
x →8 y →3 x → −1
x w (x − 1)(x − 2)
(c) lim− = (d) lim = (b) lim− =
x → 0 |x| w → 5 |w| x →2 x+1
1 (x − 1)(x − 2)
(e) lim− = (c) lim + =
z→1 1 − z x → −1 x+1
2. Given that limx → a f(x) = 1 and limx → a g(x) = 2, find the x 2 − 16
(d) lim =
limits. x →4 x − 4
(a) lim [3f(x) + 2g(x)] = 4. Let 
x →a x + 1, x≤1
f(x) =
2f(x) + 1 x − 1, x>1
(b) lim =
x → a 1 − f(x)g(x)
√ Find the limits that exist.
f(x) + 3 (a) lim− f(x) =
(c) lim = x →1
x →a g(x) (b) lim+ f(x) =
x →1
(c) lim f(x) =
x →1

EXERCISE SET 1.2

1. Given that 3. lim x(x − 1)(x + 1) 4. lim x 3 − 3x 2 + 9x

x →2 x →3
lim f(x) = 2, lim g(x) = −4, lim h(x) = 0 x 2 − 2x 6x − 9
x →a x →a x →a
5. lim 6. lim
find the limits. x →3 x + 1 x →0 x 3 − 12x + 3
(a) lim [f(x) + 2g(x)] x4 − 1 t3 + 8
x →a 7. lim+ 8. lim
(b) lim [h(x) − 3g(x) + 1] x →1 x − 1 t → −2 t + 2
x →a
x 2 + 6x + 5 x 2 − 4x + 4
(c) lim [f(x)g(x)] (d) lim [g(x)]2 9. lim 2 10. lim 2
x →a x →a x → −1 x − 3x − 4 x →2 x + x − 6
 2
(e) lim 3 6 + f(x) (f ) lim 2x 2 + x − 1 3x 2 − x − 2
x →a x → a g(x) 11. lim 12. lim
x → −1 x+1 x → 1 2x 2 + x − 3
2. Use the graphs of f and g in the accompanying figure to
find the limits that exist. If the limit does not exist, explain t 3 + 3t 2 − 12t + 4 t 3 + t 2 − 5t + 3
13. lim 14. lim
why. t →2 t 3 − 4t t →1 t 3 − 3t + 2
x x
(a) lim [f(x) + g(x)] (b) lim [f(x) + g(x)] 15. lim 16. lim
x →2 x →0 x → 3+ x − 3 x → 3− x − 3
(c) lim+ [f(x) + g(x)] (d) lim− [f(x) + g(x)] x x
x →0 x →0 17. lim 18. lim+ 2
x →3 x − 3 x →2 x − 4
f(x) 1 + g(x)
(e) lim (f ) lim x x
x → 2 1 + g(x) x →2 f(x) 19. lim 20. lim
  x → 2− x 2 − 4 x →2 x2 − 4
(g) lim+ f(x) (h) lim− f(x) y+6 y+6
x →0 x →0 21. lim 22. lim
y → 6+ y 2 − 36 y → 6− y 2 − 36
y y
y = f (x) y = g(x) y+6 3−x
23. lim 2 24. lim+ 2
y → 6 y − 36 x → 4 x − 2x − 8
3−x 3−x
1 1 25. lim 26. lim
x x x → 4− x 2 − 2x − 8 x → 4 x 2 − 2x − 8

1 1
1 1
27. lim 28. lim
x → 2+ |2 − x| x → 3− |x − 3|
x−9 4−y
29. lim √ 30. lim √
x →9 x−3 y →4 2 − y
31. Let 
Figure Ex-2
x − 1, x≤3
f(x) =
3x − 7, x>3 (cont.)
3–30 Find the limits. ■
August 31, 2011 19:37 C01 Sheet number 22 Page number 88 cyan magenta yellow black

88 Chapter 1 / Limits and Continuity

Find 42. (a) Explain why the following argument is incorrect.

   
(a) lim− f(x) (b) lim+ f(x) (c) lim f(x). 1 2 1 2
x →3 x →3 x →3 lim − 2 = lim 1−
⎧ x →0 x x + 2x x →0 x x+2
32. Let ⎨t − 2, t < 0
=⬁ ·0=0
g(t) = t 2 , 0≤t ≤2  
⎩ 1 2 1
2t, t >2 (b) Show that lim − 2 = .
x →0 x x + 2x 2
Find 43. Find all values of a 
such that
(a) lim g(t) (b) lim g(t) (c) lim g(t). 
t →0 t →1 t →2
1 a
lim − 2
x →1 x − 1 x −1
33–36 True–False Determine whether the statement is true or exists and is finite.
false. Explain your answer. ■ 44. (a) Explain informally why
33. If limx → a f(x) and limx → a g(x) exist, then so does  
1 1
limx → a [f(x) + g(x)]. lim− + 2 = +⬁
x →0 x x
34. If limx → a g(x) = 0 and limx → a f(x) exists, then
limx → a [f(x)/g(x)] does not exist. (b) Verify the limit in part (a) algebraically.
35. If limx → a f(x) and limx → a g(x) both exist and are equal, 45. Let p(x) and q(x) be polynomials, with q(x0 ) = 0. Dis-
then limx → a [f(x)/g(x)] = 1. cuss the behavior of the graph of y = p(x)/q(x) in the
vicinity of x = x0 . Give examples to support your con-
36. If f(x) is a rational function and x = a is in the domain of
clusions.
f , then limx → a f(x) = f (a).

37–38 First rationalize the numerator and then find the limit. 46. Suppose that f and g are two functions such that
■ limx → a f(x) exists but limx → a [f(x) + g(x)] does not ex-
√ 
x+4−2 x2 + 4 − 2 ist. Use Theorem 1.2.2. to prove that limx → a g(x) does not
37. lim 38. lim exist.
x →0 x x →0 x
39. Let x3 − 1 47. Suppose that f and g are two functions such that both
f(x) = limx → a f(x) and limx → a [f(x) + g(x)] exist. Use Theo-
x−1
rem 1.2.2 to prove that limx → a g(x) exists.
(a) Find limx → 1 f(x). 48. Suppose that f and g are two functions such that
(b) Sketch the graph of y = f(x). f(x)
⎧ 2 lim g(x) = 0 and lim
40. Let x →a x → a g(x)
⎨x − 9
, x  = −3 exists. Use Theorem 1.2.2 to prove that limx → a f(x) = 0.
f(x) = x + 3
⎩
k, x = −3 49. Writing According to Newton’s Law of Universal Grav-
itation, the gravitational force of attraction between two
(a) Find k so that f (−3) = limx → −3 f (x).
masses is inversely proportional to the square of the dis-
(b) With k assigned the value limx → −3 f (x), show that
tance between them. What results of this section are useful
f (x) can be expressed as a polynomial.
in describing the gravitational force of attraction between
the masses as they get closer and closer together?
F O C U S O N C O N C E P TS
50. Writing Suppose that f and g are two functions that are
41. (a) Explain why the following calculation is incorrect. equal except at a finite number of points and that a denotes
  a real number. Explain informally why both
1 1 1 1
lim+ − 2 = lim+ − lim+ 2 lim f(x) and lim g(x)
x →0 x x x → 0 x x → 0 x x →a x →a

= +⬁ − (+⬁) = 0 exist and are equal, or why both limits fail to exist. Write a
  short paragraph that explains the relationship of this result
1 1 to the use of “algebraic simplification” in the evaluation of
(b) Show that lim+ − 2 = −⬁.
x →0 x x a limit.

✔QUICK CHECK ANSWERS 1.2

1. (a) 7 (b) 36 (c) −1 (d) 1 (e) +⬁ 2. (a) 7 (b) −3 (c) 1 3. (a) −1 (b) 0 (c) +⬁ (d) 8
4. (a) 2 (b) 0 (c) does not exist
Exercise Set 1.2 43

3.5

– 0.000001 0.000001
(c) 2.5 The limit does not exist.

Exercise Set 1.2

1. (a) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is 2 + 2 · (−4) = −6.

(b) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is 0 − 3 · (−4) + 1 = 13.

(c) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is 2 · (−4) = −8.

(d) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is (−4)2 = 16.

√
3
(e) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is 6 + 2 = 2.

2 1
(f ) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is =− .
(−4) 2

2. (a) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is 0 + 0 = 0.

(b) The limit doesn’t exist because lim f doesn’t exist and lim g does.

(c) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is −2 + 2 = 0.

(d) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is 1 + 2 = 3.

(e) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is 0/(1 + 0) = 0.

(f ) The limit doesn’t exist because the denominator tends to zero but the numerator doesn’t.
p
(g) The limit doesn’t exist because f (x) is not defined for 0 < x < 2.
√
(h) By Theorem 1.2.2, this limit is 1 = 1.

3. By Theorem 1.2.3, this limit is 2 · 1 · 3 = 6.

4. By Theorem 1.2.3, this limit is 33 − 3 · 32 + 9 · 3 = 27.

5. By Theorem 1.2.4, this limit is (32 − 2 · 3)/(3 + 1) = 3/4.

6. By Theorem 1.2.4, this limit is (6 · 0 − 9)/(03 − 12 · 0 + 3) = −3.

x4 − 1
7. After simplification, = x3 + x2 + x + 1, and the limit is 13 + 12 + 1 + 1 = 4.
x−1

t3 + 8
8. After simplification, = t2 − 2t + 4, and the limit is (−2)2 − 2 · (−2) + 4 = 12.
t+2

x2 + 6x + 5 x+5
9. After simplification, 2
= , and the limit is (−1 + 5)/(−1 − 4) = −4/5.
x − 3x − 4 x−4
44 Chapter 1

x2 − 4x + 4 x−2
10. After simplification, = , and the limit is (2 − 2)/(2 + 3) = 0.
x2 + x − 6 x+3

2x2 + x − 1
11. After simplification, = 2x − 1, and the limit is 2 · (−1) − 1 = −3.
x+1

3x2 − x − 2 3x + 2
12. After simplification, 2
= , and the limit is (3 · 1 + 2)/(2 · 1 + 3) = 1.
2x + x − 3 2x + 3

t3 + 3t2 − 12t + 4 t2 + 5t − 2
13. After simplification, = , and the limit is (22 + 5 · 2 − 2)/(22 + 2 · 2) = 3/2.
t3 − 4t t2 + 2t

t3 + t2 − 5t + 3 t+3
14. After simplification, 3
= , and the limit is (1 + 3)/(1 + 2) = 4/3.
t − 3t + 2 t+2

15. The limit is +∞.

16. The limit is −∞.

17. The limit does not exist.

18. The limit is +∞.

19. The limit is −∞.

20. The limit does not exist.

21. The limit is +∞.

22. The limit is −∞.

23. The limit does not exist.

24. The limit is −∞.

25. The limit is +∞.

26. The limit does not exist.

27. The limit is +∞.

28. The limit is +∞.

x−9 √ √
29. After simplification, √ = x + 3, and the limit is 9 + 3 = 6.
x−3

4−y √ √
30. After simplification, √ = 2 + y, and the limit is 2 + 4 = 4.
2− y

31. (a) 2 (b) 2 (c) 2

32. (a) does not exist (b) 1 (c) 4

33. True, by Theorem 1.2.2.

x2
34. False; e.g. lim = 0.
x→0 x
Exercise Set 1.2 45

35. False; e.g. f (x) = 2x, g(x) = x, so lim f (x) = lim g(x) = 0, but lim f (x)/g(x) = 2.
x→0 x→0 x→0

36. True, by Theorem 1.2.4.

√
x+4−2 1
37. After simplification, =√ , and the limit is 1/4.
x x+4+2
√
x2 + 4 − 2 x
38. After simplification, =√ , and the limit is 0.
x 2
x +4+2

x3 − 1
39. (a) After simplification, = x2 + x + 1, and the limit is 3.
x−1
y

x
(b) 1

x2 − 9
40. (a) After simplification, = x − 3, and the limit is −6, so we need that k = −6.
x+3

(b) On its domain (all real numbers), f (x) = x − 3.

41. (a) Theorem 1.2.2 doesn’t apply; moreover one cannot subtract infinities.
   
1 1 x−1
(b) lim+ − 2 = lim+ = −∞.
x→0 x x x→0 x2

42. (a) Theorem 1.2.2 assumes that L1 and L2 are real numbers, not infinities. It is in general not true that ”∞·0 = 0 ”.

x2
 
1 2 1 1 2 1
(b) − 2 = = for x 6= 0, so that lim − = .
x x + 2x x(x2 + 2x) x+2 x→0 x x2 + 2x 2

1 a x+1−a
43. For x 6= 1, − 2 = and for this to have a limit it is necessary that lim (x + 1 − a) = 0, i.e.
x−1 x −1 x2 − 1 x→1
1 2 x+1−2 x−1 1 1 1
a = 2. For this value, − = = 2 = and lim = .
x − 1 x2 − 1 x2 − 1 x −1 x+1 x→1 x + 1 2

44. (a) For small x, 1/x2 is much bigger than ±1/x.

1 1 x+1
(b) + 2 = . Since the numerator has limit 1 and x2 tends to zero from the right, the limit is +∞.
x x x2

45. The left and/or right limits could be plus or minus infinity; or the limit could exist, or equal any preassigned real
number. For example, let q(x) = x − x0 and let p(x) = a(x − x0 )n where n takes on the values 0, 1, 2.

46. If on the contrary lim g(x) did exist then by Theorem 1.2.2 so would lim [f (x) + g(x)], and that would be a
x→a x→a
contradiction.

47. Clearly, g(x) = [f (x) + g(x)] − f (x). By Theorem 1.2.2, lim [f (x) + g(x)] − lim f (x) = lim [f (x) + g(x) − f (x)] =
x→a x→a x→a
lim g(x).
x→a
46 Chapter 1

   
f (x) f (x) f (x)
48. By Theorem 1.2.2, lim f (x) = lim lim g(x) = lim · 0 = 0, since lim exists.
x→a x→a g(x) x→a x→a g(x) x→a g(x)

Exercise Set 1.3

1. (a) −∞ (b) +∞

2. (a) 2 (b) 0

3. (a) 0 (b) −1

4. (a) does not exist (b) 0

5. (a) 3 + 3 · (−5) = −12 (b) 0 − 4 · (−5) + 1 = 21 (c) 3 · (−5) = −15 (d) (−5)2 = 25
√
3
(e) 5+3=2 (f ) 3/(−5) = −3/5 (g) 0

(h) The limit doesn’t exist because the denominator tends to zero but the numerator doesn’t.
√
6. (a) 2 · 7 − (−6) = 20 (b) 6 · 7 + 7 · (−6) = 0 (c) +∞ (d) −∞ (e) 3 −42

(f ) −6/7 (g) 7 (h) −7/12

7. (a) x 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.0001 0.00001 0.000001

f (x) 1.471128 1.560797 1.569796 1.570696 1.570786 1.570795

The limit appears to be ≈ 1.57079 . . ..

(b) The limit is π/2.

8. x 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000

f (x) 1.258925 1.047129 1.006932 1.000921 1.000115 1.000014

The limit appears to be 1.

9. The limit is −∞, by the highest degree term.

10. The limit is +∞, by the highest degree term.

11. The limit is +∞.

12. The limit is +∞.

13. The limit is 3/2, by the highest degree terms.

14. The limit is 5/2, by the highest degree terms.

15. The limit is 0, by the highest degree terms.

16. The limit is 0, by the highest degree terms.

17. The limit is 0, by the highest degree terms.

18. The limit is 5/3, by the highest degree terms.

19. The limit is −∞, by the highest degree terms.

20. The limit is +∞, by the highest degree terms.

21. The limit is −1/7, by the highest degree terms.

22. The limit is 4/7, by the highest degree terms.