Introduction

Aims and Objective MAT 101

Limit of
Functions
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
Supplementary Mathematics
Solution
Limit of f (x) as Limit of Functions
x → ∞
Special Limits

Continuity

Ogunfolu O. Bamidele

Mathematics department
University of Ibadan
 Outline

Introduction
Aims and Objective
1 Introduction
Limit of Aims and Objective
Functions
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
Solution
2 Limit of Functions
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
Definition of Limits
Special Limits
Rules fo Evaluating Limits
Continuity
Limit of f (x) as x → ∞
Special Limits

3 Continuity
 Introduction

This is MAT 101 course which is basically for medical students

and students from the faculty of Agriculture.
Introduction By the end of this course the students should be able to :
Aims and Objective

Limit of Find the limit of any type of single-variable function e.g

Functions
Definition of Limits
polynomial,trigonometry,,e.t.c
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits Find the derivative of any function and also be able to find
Solution
Limit of f (x) as their higher derivatives.
x → ∞
Special Limits
Apply differentiation to calculate: the gradients of curves,
Continuity
the approximation of some values, the maxima, minima,
stationary points and the location of absolute extrema of
curves,etc
Find the anti-derivative (integral) of functions (indefinite
and definite).
Approximate the area under curves using the Trapezoidal
and Simpson’s rule
 Limit of Functions

There are times when a function is not defined for a particular

value of x, say x = x0 but it is defined for values of x that are
Introduction
arbitrarily close to x0
Aims and Objective For example the expression:
Limit of
Functions x2 − 1
Definition of Limits f (x) =
Rules fo Evaluating x −1
Limits
Solution
Limit of f (x) as is not defined when x = 1 because at that point the
x → ∞
Special Limits denominator is zero and division by zero is not defined. However
Continuity we note that:
x2 − 1 (x − 1)(x + 1)
f (x) = = =x +1
x −1 x −1
provided that x 6= 1
We still cannot permit the value x = 1 because to do so would
mean that the cancellation of the factor x − 1 would be division
by zero. But we can say that as the value of x approaches 1,
the value of f (x) approaches 2.
 Definition of Limits

Introduction
Aims and Objective
We say that the limit of the function f (x) is L if x approaches
Limit of
a and write this as
Functions
lim f (x) = L
Definition of Limits x→a
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
Solution provided we can make f (x) as close to L as we want for all x
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞ sufficiently close to a, from both sides, without letting x be a.
Special Limits

Continuity Note:
lim f (x) = L
x→a

reads ”Limit of f (x) as x approaches a”

We will see this in the forthcoming examples.
 Example
x 3 −8
We firstly try to investigate the function f (x) = x−2 as x
Introduction approaches 2 from both left and right.
Aims and Objective

Limit of The values of f (x) when x approaches 2 from below.

Functions
Definition of Limits
x 1.9 1.99 1.999 1.9999
Rules fo Evaluating f (x) 11.4 11.940 11.994 11.999
Limits
Solution The values of f (x) when x approaches 2 from above.
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
x 2.1 2.01 2.001 2.0001
Special Limits f (x) 12.61 12.060 12.006 12.000
Continuity From the two tables we see that f (x) approaches the same
value in both cases.
Thus, f (x) approaches 12, as x tends to 2.
Algebraically, the limit of f (x) can also be calculated without
having to punch our calculator, we will see below.

x3 − 8
lim f (x) = lim
x→2 x→2 x − 2
 Remark
3 −8
Introduction
Aims and Objective
If we just try to input the value of x = 2 into f (x) = xx−2 we
Limit of will get an indeterminate form 00 which makes no sense. It will
Functions
Definition of Limits be better to factorize and simplify to get our limit.
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞ x3 − 8 (x − 2)(x 2 + 2x + 4)
Special Limits
lim f (x) = lim = lim
Continuity x→2 x→2 x − 2 x→2 x −2
2 2
= lim (x + 2x + 4) = 2 + 2(2) + 4 = 4 + 4 + 4
x→2
= 12

We are still going to study one more example concerning

numerical computation.
Introduction Example
Aims and Objective

Limit of
The following table gives values of f (x) = xx−1
2 −1 , correct to 6
Functions decimal places for values of x that approaches 1 but are not
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
equal to 1:
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞ x >1 f (x) x <1 f (x)
Special Limits

Continuity
1.1 0.476190 0.99999 0.500002
1.01 0.49512 0.9999 0.500025
1.001 0.499750 0.999 0.500250
1.0001 0.499975 0.99 0.502513
1.00001 0.499997 0.9 0.526316
 Remark
From the tables above we see that from the values of x to the
Introduction
Aims and Objective
left of 1 (i.e x < 1) the values of f (x) approaches the same
Limit of value which is 0.5 and also the same for when x > 1. So with
Functions
Definition of Limits
this we can guess that the limit is 0.5.
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
There are some cases when the values of f (x) as x → a from
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
the left and the right hand side of a does not tend to the same
x → ∞
Special Limits
value. In this case we say that the limit of f (x) as x → a does
Continuity not exist.
Mathematically the limit of f (x) to the right and the left hand
side of a is written as limx→a− and limx→a+ respectively.
Hence we say f (x) the limit L ∈ R as x approaches a fixed
number a if, and only if,

lim f (x) = lim+ f (x) = L

x→a− x→a
 Remark
A function f (x) cannot have more than one limit.
Introduction

Also the limit of f (x) = xx−1

Aims and Objective
2 −1 as x approaches 1 can also be
Limit of
Functions calculated algebraically without the use of numerical
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
approximation (which is what we will be making use of as we
Limits
Solution proceed in this course.)
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
Special Limits

Continuity x −1 x −1 1 1
lim = lim = lim = = 0.5
x→1 x 2 − 1 x→1 (x − 1)(x + 1) x→1 x + 1 2

Remark
Mostly when computing the limit of f (x) as x approaches a
firstly simplify f (x) if it is a rational function the now substitute
the value of a directly into f (x).
Introduction Exercise
Aims and Objective .
Limit of 1
Functions 1 If f (x) = x+1 , calculate: (i) f (0) (ii) f (1) (iii) f (−2) (iv)
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
f (−5)
Limits
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
2 Consider the function y = f (x) = x 2 + 3. Tabulate values
x → ∞
Special Limits
of f (x) for x = 1, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 1.95, 1.99, 1.999, 1.9999.
Continuity Also tabulate values of f (x) for
x = 3, 2.5, 2.3, 2.1, 2.05, 2.01, 2.001, 2.0001.
What happens to f (x) as x gets closer and closer to 2.
1 from the left (or from below)
2 from the right (or from above).
 Rules for Evaluating Limits

If limx→a f (x) and limx→a g (x) exist, then the following rules
hold:
Introduction
1
Aims and Objective

Limit of lim αf (x) = α lim f (x)

Functions x→a x→a
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
for any α ∈ R
Solution
2
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
Special Limits lim [f (x) ± g (x)] = lim f (x) ± lim g (x)
x→a x→a x→a
Continuity
3

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

x→a x→a x→a
4
 
f (x) limx→a f (x)
lim =
x→a g (x) limx→a g (x)
provided limx→a g (x) 6= 0
 Example
Introduction
Evaluate the following limits.
Aims and Objective
1 limx→0 (x 2 − 5x + 2)
Limit of
x 2 −x−2
Functions
Definition of Limits
2 limx→2 x 2 −4
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
Solution We use rules (1) and (2) of 2 above. Thus,
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞

lim (x 2 − 5x + 2) = lim x 2 − 5 lim x + lim 2 = 2

Special Limits

Continuity x→0 x→0 x→0 x→0

Note: We can also find the limit of f(x) a x → x0 by putting

x = x0 + h, where h is a variable so that

f (x) = f (x0 + h)
= g (h)
 Now as h → 0, we see that x = x0 + h → x0 .
Thus, if
lim g (h) = l
Introduction h→0
Aims and Objective
, then
Limit of
Functions lim f (x) = l
Definition of Limits
x→x0
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits We will make use of this in the part 2 of this example.
Solution
Limit of f (x) as Method 1
x → ∞
Special Limits
x2 − x − 2 (2 + h)2 − (2 + h) − 2
Continuity lim 2
= lim
x→2 x −4 h→0 (2 + h)2 − 4
(4 + 4h + h2 ) − (2 + h) − 2
= lim
h→0 4 + 4h + h2 − 4
2
h + 3h
= lim 2
h→0 h + 4h
h+3 limh→0 (h + 3) 3
= lim = =
h→0 h + 4 limh→0 (h + 3) 4
Introduction
Aims and Objective
Method 2
Limit of
Functions
Definition of Limits x2 − x − 2 (x + 1)(x − 2)
Rules fo Evaluating lim = lim
Limits x→2 x2 − 4 x→2 (x + 2)(x − 2)
Solution
Limit of f (x) as x +1
x → ∞
= lim
Special Limits
x→2 x + 2
Continuity
limx→2 (x + 1) 3
= =
limx→2 (x + 2) 4
Introduction
Aims and Objective

Limit of
Remark
Functions
Definition of Limits
In the part 2 of the example above if we make a direct
2
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
substitution of x = 2 into x x−x−2
2 −4 we will get an indeterminate
Solution 0
Limit of f (x) as form 0 which makes no sense. So it is better to factorize and
x → ∞
Special Limits simplify whenever we are given to find the limit of a rational
Continuity function. There are also cases when we don’t have to factorize
but we just have to rationalize we will see this in the example
below.
 Example
Introduction
Aims and Objective Evaluate the following:
Limit of
Functions 1
Definition of Limits x −4
Rules fo Evaluating lim √
Limits
Solution
x→4 x −2
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞ 2
√
Special Limits
h2 + 9 − 3
Continuity lim
h→0 h2

Solution
We will see that a direct substitution in both (a) and (b) will
give an indeterminate answer 00 . Now we will see the power of
rationalization.
   √ 
x −4 x −4 x +2
lim √ = lim √ · √
Introduction x→4 x − 2 x→4 x −2 x +2
Aims and Objective √
(x − 4)( x + 2)
Limit of = lim
Functions x→4 x −4
Definition of Limits
√ √
Rules fo Evaluating
= lim ( x + 2) = 4 + 2 = 2 + 2
Limits x→4
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
=4
x → ∞
Special Limits √ √ ! √ !
h2 + 9 − 3 h2 + 9 − 3 h2 + 9 + 3
Continuity lim = lim · √
h→0 h2 h→0 h2 h2 + 9 + 3
h2 + 9 − 9 h2
= lim √ = lim √
h→0 h2 ( h2 + 9 + 3) h→0 h2 ( h2 + 9 + 3)
1 1
= lim √ =√
h→0 h2 + 9 + 3 02 + 9 + 3
1 1
= =
3+3 6
 We now try the limits of trigonometric functions.
Introduction
Aims and Objective
Example
Limit of
Functions
Find the following limits:
Definition of Limits
1
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits tan x
Solution lim
Limit of f (x) as x→ π4 sin x
x → ∞
Special Limits
2
Continuity
lim (3x − tan x)
x→ π4

3
π2
(x 2 − 4 ) sin(cos x)
lim
x→ π2 x − π2
 Solution

Introduction
Aims and Objective
tan x limx→ π4 tan x
Limit of limπ =
Functions x→ 4 sin x limx→ π4 tan x
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating tan π4 1
Limits
= π = √1
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
sin 4 ( 2)
x → ∞
Special Limits
√
= 2
Continuity

lim (3x − tan x) = 3 limπ x − limπ tan x

x→ π4 x→ 4 x→ 4
3π π
= − tan
4 4
3π
= −1
4
 π2
(x 2 − 4 ) sin(cos x) (x − π2 )(x + π2 ) sin(cos x)
Introduction limπ = limπ
Aims and Objective x→ 2 x − π2 x→ 2 x − π2
Limit of π
Functions = limπ (x + ) sin(cos x)
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
x→ 2 2
Limits
π π π
Solution
= limπ (x + ) limπ sin(cos x) = ( + )
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞ x→ 2 2 x→ 2 2 2
Special Limits

Continuity
= π sin(0) = π · 0
=0
 Limit of f (x) as x → ∞

Introduction
Aims and Objective In some cases the value of x does not tends to a value say
Limit of
Functions
α ∈ R instead the value of x keep increasing. In this case we
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
say that the value of x grows or it tends to infinity, which is
Limits
Solution
written as x → ∞. As x grows the value of f (x) will either
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
tend to a value λ ∈ R or it also grows.
Special Limits

Continuity Also there are case when f (x) → ∞ even when x → α ∈ R.

When f (x) → λ ∈ R we say that the limit is convergent,
1
otherwise we say that the limit is divergent. Consider f (x) = x
as x → 0
Introduction
Aims and Objective
x >0 f (x) x <0 f (x)
Limit of
Functions 0.1 10 -0.00001 -100000
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
0.01 100 -0.0001 -10000
Limits
Solution
0.001 1000 -0.001 -1000
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
0.0001 10000 -0.01 -100
Special Limits
0.00001 100000 -0.1 -10
Continuity

Clearly, we see that f (x) → +∞ as x → 0+ and f (x) → −∞

as x → 0− . Which show us that it is not every time the limit of
f (x) is convergent.
 Now let consider the limit of f (x) as x → ∞. Consider the two
functions f (x) = x1 and g (x) = x 2 .
1
x →∞ f (x) = x x →∞ g (x) = x 2
Introduction
Aims and Objective
1 1 1 1
10 0.1 10 100
Limit of
Functions 100 0.01 100 10000
Definition of Limits 1000 0.001 1000 1000000
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
10000 0.0001 10000 100000000
Solution 100000 0.00001 100000 10000000000
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
1000000 0.000001 1000000 10000000000000
Special Limits
clearly from the above tables we see that f (x) → 0 as x → ∞
Continuity
and g (x) → ∞ as x → ∞.
Remark
1
1
lim =0
x→∞ x
2

lim f (x) = ∞
x→∞

whenever f (x) is a polynomial function.

Introduction Example
Aims and Objective

Limit of Evaluate the following:

Functions
1
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating 4x
Limits lim
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
x→∞ x +3
x → ∞
Special Limits
2
5x + 1
Continuity lim
x→∞ 10 + 2x
3
x2 + 1
lim
x→∞ x
 Solution
Note: In each cases if x → ∞ both numerator and
Introduction
Aims and Objective denominator approach ∞ and we have the indeterminate form
∞
∞ , which is meaningless. In order to get the limit we divide
Limit of
Functions
Definition of Limits both numerator and denominator by the highest power of x.
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
Solution 4x
4x 4
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞ lim = lim x x 3 = lim
x→∞ x + 3 x→∞ 1 + 3
x + x
Special Limits x→∞
x
Continuity
limx→∞ 4 4
= 3
= 1
limx→∞ (1 + x ) limx→∞ 1 + 3 limx→∞ x
4 4
= =
1 + 3(0) 1+0
=4
 5x 1
Introduction 5x + 1 x + x 5 + x1
Aims and Objective lim = lim 10 2x
= lim 10
x→∞ 10 + 2x
x + x x +2
x→∞ x→∞
Limit of
Functions 1
Definition of Limits limx→∞ (5 + x) limx→∞ 5 + limx→∞ x1
Rules fo Evaluating = =
Limits
Solution
limx→∞ ( 10
x + 2) 10 limx→∞ x1 + limx→∞ 2
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
5+0 5
Special Limits
= =
10(0) + 2 0+2
Continuity
5
=
2
x2 + 1
 2   
x 1 1
lim = lim + = lim x +
x→∞ x x→∞ x x x→∞ x
=∞+0=∞
 Exercise
. Evaluate the following:
Introduction
1
x 2 − x − 12
Aims and Objective

Limit of lim
Functions x→−3 x +3
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
2
Solution lim (x 2 − 6x + 4)
Limit of f (x) as x→2
x → ∞
Special Limits 3
Continuity x3 − x
lim
x→1 x 2 − 1

4 √ √
2−x − 2
lim
x→0 x
5
x2 + x − 2
lim
x→1 x 2 − 3x + 2
 Exercise
6  
x −2
lim√ cos sin−1
Introduction
Aims and Objective
√
x→2+ 3 x− 3
Limit of
Functions 7
Definition of Limits π
Rules fo Evaluating lim [2x 2 cos(3x − )]
Limits x→ π2 2
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞ 8
Special Limits
3x 3 − 1
Continuity lim
x→ 21 4 − 2x 2
9
x2 − 1
 
−1
lim tan
x→1 2(x − 1)
10
3x 2 + 2x − 1
  
lim ln exp
x→−1 x +1
 Special Limits

Here we give the limits of some special functions.

Introduction
Aims and Objective 1
Limit of
sin x
Functions
lim =1
x→0 x
Definition of Limits
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits 2
Solution 1 − cos x
Limit of f (x) as lim =0
x → ∞
Special Limits
x→0 x
Continuity 3
1 x
 
lim 1 + =e
x→∞ x
4
1
lim+ (1 + x) x = e
x→0
 Special Limits [Cont’d]

5
ex − 1
lim =1
Introduction x→0 x
Aims and Objective
6
Limit of x −1
Functions lim =1
Definition of Limits x→1 ln(x)
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
Solution
7
Limit of f (x) as
x → ∞
lim sin x = 0
Special Limits
x→0
Continuity 8
lim (1 − cos x) = 0
x→0
9
lim cos x = 1
x→0
10
xln(x)
lim =1
x→1 x −1
 Continuity

The function f (x) is said to be continuous at x = x0 if

lim f (x) = f (x0 ) = l
Introduction x→x0
Aims and Objective

Limit of
i.e, f (x) is said to be continuous at x = x0 if the following
Functions
Definition of Limits
conditions are satisfied
Rules fo Evaluating
Limits
(i) limx→x0 f (x) = l must exist
Solution
Limit of f (x) as
(ii) f (x0 ) must exist. i.e, f (x) is defined at x0
x → ∞
Special Limits
(iii) l = f (x0 )
Continuity Similarly as we have left and right limit so is the case with
continuity. f (x) is continuous (on the right) at x = x0 if
lim f (x) = f (x0 )
x→x0+

Similarly, f (x) is continuous (on the left) at x = x0 if

lim f (x) = f (x0 )
x→x0−