Instructor: Avinash Sir Cont. No.

: 7503361430

The Wave Classes

SAHITYANAKA MODE NEAR ST. STEPHEN’S SCHOOL RAMNAGAR
Class – XI (Maths)
Limits and Derivatives

Section I
Some very important formulae on limits:
1. lim = 𝑛𝑎 , where 𝑛 is a rational number.
→
2. (a) lim = 1 and lim =1
→ →
(b) lim = 1 and lim =1
→ →
Where 𝑥 is the angle measured in radians both for formulae (a) and (b).
Some very useful tips for doing problems on limits:
1. Rationalise 3. Take common 5. Cancel
2. L.C.M 4. Form factors 6. 1 − cos 𝜃 = 2 sin
7. sin 𝐶 − sin 𝐷 = 2 cos sin
8. cos 𝐶 − cos 𝐷 = −2 sin sin
9. For tan 𝐶 = tan 𝐷 or cot 𝐶 − cot 𝐷; change these T-ratios into sin and 𝑐𝑜𝑠; then take L.C.M. and then
apply sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 − cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵 = sin(𝐴 − 𝐵).
10. To evaluate lim 𝑓(𝑥) ; we can also put 𝑥 = 𝑎 + ℎ so that as 𝑥 → 𝑎, 𝑎 + ℎ →, i.e., ℎ → 0.
→
∴ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim 𝑓 (𝑎 + ℎ).
→ →
Remark. All the tips listed in above result help us in getting rid of negative sign in the problems on
limits which is our most important objective in problems on limits.
Algebra of limits: Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be two functions such that both lim 𝑓(𝑥) and lim 𝑔(𝑥) exist. Then
→ →
1. lim [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥)
→ → →
[i.e., limit of sum = sum of limits]
2. lim [𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) − lim 𝑔(𝑥)
→ → →
[i.e., limit of difference =difference of limits]
3. lim [𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑔(𝑥)
→ → →
[i.e. limit of product =product of limits]
( ) ( )
4. lim ( )
= →
( )
, provided lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
→ →
→

[i.e., limits of quotient =quotient of limits, provided limit of the denominator is non-zero.]
5. lim [𝐶𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝐶 . lim 𝑓(𝑥), where 𝐶 is a constant.
→ →

6. lim [𝑓(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥)

→ →
7. lim 𝐶 = 𝐶
→
8. lim 𝑥 = 𝑎
→
9. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎), where 𝑓(𝑥) is a polynomial function.
→
( )
10. If 𝑓(𝑥) is a rational function (i.e., quotient of polynomials) given by 𝑓(𝑥) = ( )
, then
( ) ( ) ( )
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim ( )
= →
( )
= ( )
. Provided ℎ(𝑎) ≠ 0
→ → →
Instructor: Avinash Sir Cont. No.: 7503361430

One sided limits

1. To evaluate right hand limit = lim 𝑓(𝑥)
→
Put 𝑥 = 𝑎 + ℎ, ℎ > 0 so that ℎ → 0 as 𝑥 → 𝑎
∴ lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim 𝑓(𝑎 + ℎ)
→ →
2. To evaluate left hand limit = lim 𝑓(𝑥)
→
Put 𝑥 = 𝑎 − ℎ, ℎ > 0 so that ℎ → 0 as 𝑥 → 𝑎
∴ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim 𝑓(𝑎 − ℎ)
→ →
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙 if and only if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙(say).
→ → →
If lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim 𝑓(𝑥), then we say that limit does not exist,
→ →
Remark. Both for right hand and left hand limit, ℎ → 0 .
The following types of problems on limits can be done only by finding both right hand limit and left hand
limit:
1. Limits of modulus function
Definition of modulus function
|𝑥| = 𝑥 if 𝑥 ≥ 0
And |𝑥| = −𝑥 if 𝑥 < 0
2. Limits of bracket function or greatest integer function [𝑥].
3. Limits of functions with partitioned domain
𝑔(𝑥) 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 𝑎
i.e., 𝑓 (𝑥 ) =
ℎ(𝑥) 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 𝑎
Remark
1. In fact, any problem on limits can be done by finding both left hand limit and right hand limit but for the
above three type of limits, we have to find both left hand limit and right hand limits separately.
2. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙 (say), then we say that lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
→ → →
3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim 𝑓(𝑥); then we say that lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exists .
→ → →
( ) ( ).( ( ) )
4. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) =𝑒 → where 𝑓 (𝑥 ) → 1 & 𝑔(𝑥) → ∞.
→

Section II
1. Differentiability (or derivability) at a point 𝒙 = 𝒂
𝑓(𝑥) is said to be derivable at a point 𝑥 = 𝑎 if
( ) ( )
lim exists (i.e., is unique and finite). Then, this limit is denoted by 𝑓′(𝑎).
→
𝒅𝒚
To find or 𝒇′(𝒙) from first principles or by definition or by 𝒂 − 𝒃 initio method
𝒅𝒙
( ) ( )
𝑓 (𝑥) = lim
.
2. Formulae on differentiation (i.e., to find or 𝑓′(𝑥))
(1) (𝑐) = 0 where 𝑐 is a constant.
(2) (a) (𝑥 ) = 𝑛𝑥 where 𝑛 is a fixed number, integer or rational.
(b) (𝑢 ) = 𝑛𝑢 where 𝑢 is a function of 𝑥.
(3) (𝑐𝑢 ) = 𝑐 (𝑢) where 𝑐 is a constant and 𝑢 is a function of 𝑥.
3. Product rule.
(a) (𝑢𝑣) = . 𝑣 + 𝑢. where 𝑢 and 𝑣 are functions of 𝑥.
(b) (𝑢𝑣𝑤) = . 𝑣𝑤 + 𝑢 𝑤 + 𝑢𝑣 where 𝑢, 𝑣, 𝑤 are function of 𝑥.
Instructor: Avinash Sir Cont. No.: 7503361430

The above formula is also true for derivative of product of four functions also in fact true for the product
of any finite number of functions.
4. (𝑢 ± 𝑣 ± 𝑤 ± ⋯ ) = (𝑢) ± (𝑣) ± (𝑤) ± ⋯ where 𝑢, 𝑣, 𝑤, … are functions of 𝑥.
.
5. Quotient rule. = where 𝑢 and 𝑣 are functions of 𝑥.
𝒗𝟐
6. (a) (sin 𝑥) = cos 𝑥
(b) (sin 𝑢 ) = cos 𝑢 where 𝑢 is a function of 𝑥.
7. (a) (cos 𝑥 ) = − sin 𝑥 (b) (cos 𝑢) = − sin 𝑢
8. (a) (tan 𝑥) = sec 𝑥 (b) (tan 𝑢) = sec 𝑢
9. (a) (cot 𝑥 ) = −𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 (b) (cot 𝑢 ) = −𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑢
10. (a) (sec 𝑥 ) = sec 𝑥 tan 𝑥
(b) (sec 𝑢) = sec 𝑢 tan 𝑢
11. (a) (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 ) = −𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 cot 𝑥
12. (b) (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑢)=−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑢 cot 𝑢
Note: It can be observed from formulae 6 to 12 that derivatives of T-functions beginning with letter C
i.e., cos 𝑥 , cot 𝑥 and 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 are negative.
Note: chain rule of differentiation.
Level – 1
√ √ √
1. Evaluate the following limits: lim .
→√
√ √
2. Evaluate the following limit: lim .
→
√ √
3. Evaluate the limit: lim
→ √ √
4. Evaluate: lim 𝑓(𝑥) where 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|
→
5. If 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 . cos 𝑥, find .

6. Evaluate: lim
→

7. Differentiate w.r.t. 𝑥 using first principle method.

( ) ( )
8. Evaluate: lim
→

9. If 𝑦 = , find .
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎, 𝑥 ≤ −2
10. Let 𝑓(𝑥 ) − . Find ‘𝑎’ if lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥 , 𝑥 > −2 →

11. Evaluate the limits: lim −

→
12. Evaluate the following limit: lim √𝑥 √𝑥 + 5 − √𝑥
→
√
13. Evaluate the following limits: lim
→

14. The function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined by

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑥 ≤ 2
𝑓(𝑥) = 2, 𝑥 =2.
2𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏, 𝑥 > 2
If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(2), find ‘𝑎’ and ‘𝑏’.
→
Instructor: Avinash Sir Cont. No.: 7503361430

15. Evaluate lim 𝑓(𝑥) if it exists, where

→
𝑥 − [𝑥], 𝑥 < 2
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4, 𝑥=2
3𝑥 − 5, 𝑥 > 2
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑥>1
16. If 𝑓(𝑥 ) = and lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, find the relation between 𝑎 and 𝑏.
3𝑏𝑥 − 2𝑎 + 1, 𝑥 < 1 →
17. Evaluate lim | | .
→
18. Differentiate sin 2𝑥 w.r.t. 𝑥 by first principle method.
19. Find the derivative of tan 𝑥 w.r.t. 𝑥 by definition.
20. Differentiate 𝑥 . 𝑒 (cos 𝑥 − 4).
21. If 𝑦 = 𝑥 + , prove that 𝑥 . − 𝑥𝑦 + 2 = 0
22. Differentiate w.r.t. 𝑥.
23. Differentiate w.r.t. 𝑥.
24. Differentiate 𝑥 − 2𝑥 w.r.t. using first derivative method.
( ) .
25. Evaluate: lim
→

26. Evaluate: lim , 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 > 0.

→

27. Evaluate: lim

→

28. Evaluate the limit: lim

→

29. Evaluate lim −( )

→

30. Evaluate lim

→√ √
Level - 2

1. If the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥∈ ,− (0) is continuous at 𝑥 = 0, then 𝑘 is

𝑘 𝑥=0
equal to:
a. 1 b. –1 c. 𝑒 d. 0
2. The value of the limit lim ( )
is equal to:
→
a. − b. − c. 0 d.
( )
3. If the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous at each point in its domain and 𝑓(0) = , then 𝑘 is
___________.
4. If the value of lim 2 − cos 𝑥 √cos 2𝑥 is equal to 𝑒 then 𝑎 is equal to ___________.
→

5. If lim ( )
exists and is equal to 𝑏, then the value of 𝑎 − 2𝑏 is ___________.
→
√
6. The value of lim 2 is:
→ √ √

a. b. c. d.
√

7. The value of lim is equal to:

→ √ √
a. 0 b. 4 c. – 4 d. – 1
8. If lim 1 − cos − cos + cos cos = 2 , then the value of 𝑘 is ___________.
→
Instructor: Avinash Sir Cont. No.: 7503361430

( ) ( )
9. lim (𝑎 ≠ 0) is equal to:
→ ( ) ( )
/ / / /
a. b. c. d.
( ( ))
10. If 𝛼 is the positive root of the equation, 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2 = 0, then lim is equal to:
→
a. b. c. d.
√ √

11. lim / is equal to ________.

→
/
12. lim is equal to:
→
a. 𝑒 b. 𝑒 c. d.

13. lim equals :

→ √ √
a. 4√2 b. √2 c. 2√2 d. 4
14. If lim = lim , then 𝑘 is:
→ →
a. b. c. d.

15. If lim = 5, then 𝑎 + 𝑏 is equal to:

→
a. – 4 b. 1 c. – 7 d. 5
( )
16. lim ( )
is equal to:
→
a. 0 b. 1 c. 4 d. 2
17. lim is:
→ √ √
a. 6 b. 2 c. 3 d. 1
18. lim is:
→

a. 4√2 b. 4 c. 8 d. 8√2
19. lim ( )
equals
→

a. b. c. d.
/
20. Let 𝑝 = lim 1 + tan √𝑥 , then log 𝑝 is equal to:
→
a. 2 b. 1 c. d.
( )( )
21. lim is equal to:
→
a. 4 b. 3 c. 2 d.
( )
22. lim is equal to:
→
a. b. 1 c. – 𝜋 d. 𝜋