BASIC CALCULUS HANDOUTS

LIMIT OF A FUNCTION THE LIMIT THEORIES

- Consider a function � of a single LIMIT THEOREM 1
variable � and a constant � which - If k is any constant, then lim � = �.
�→c
the variable � will approach (� may
or may not be in the domain of �). LIMIT THEOREM 2
The limit of the function �(�) as � - The limit of x as x approaches to c
approaches � is equal to �, written I equal to c lim � = �.
as �→c

lim �(�) = �
�→c LIMIT THEOREM 3
- The Constant Multiple Theorem.
- If for any ∈> � , however small, - Let lim � � = � and lim � � = �.
�→c �→c
there exists a � > � such that
- If k is any constant, then
� � − � <∈ whenever � < � −
Lim � ∙ � � = k ∙ lim � � = � ∙ �.
� < �. �→c �→c

- The limit, to be denoted by L, is the LIMIT THEOREM 4

unique real value that f(x) will - The Addition/Subtraction Theorem.
approach as x approaches to c. - Lim � � ± � � = Lim � � ±
�→c �→c
Lim � � = � ± �.
�→c

ONE- SIDED LIMITS

LIMIT THEOREM 5
- The Multiplication Theorem
- Left hand limit is the value that f(x)
- Lim � � ∙ � � = Lim � � ∙
approaches as x approaches c �→c �→c
from the left, or through values Lim � � = � ∙ �.
�→c
less than c. In symbol lim− �(�).
�→�
LIMIT THEOREM 6
- Right hand limit is the value that - The Division Theorem
lim � �
f(x) approaches as x approaches c - lim
� �
= �→c
=
�
,� ≠ 0.
�→c �
� lim � � �
from the right, or through values �→c

less than c. In symbol lim+ �(�).

�→�
LIMIT THEOREM 7
- The Power Theorem
�
� = �� , for
REMARK: - lim �(�) = lim �(�)
�→c �→c
- ��� �(�) exist and is equal to L if any integer n.
�→�
and only if ���− �(�) = � and
�→�
LIMIT THEOREM 8
���+ � � = �.
�→� - The Radical Theorem
� � �
- lim � � = lim � � = � , for
�→c �→c
any positive integer n and provided
that � > 0 when � is even.
 BASIC CALCULUS HANDOUTS

THE LIMIT OF ALGEBRAIC FUNCTIONS LIMIT OF A LOGARITHMIC FUNCTION

- If � is a logarithmic function and �
LIMIT OF A POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION is a real number which the domain
- Let � be a polynomial of the form of �, then
� � = ���� + ��−1 ��−1 + ��−2 ��−2 … lim �(�) = �(�)
�→c
+ �1 � + �0 .

- If c is a real number, then LIMIT OF A TRIGONOMETRIC

lim �(�) = �(�) FUNCTION
�→c
- If � is a trigonometric function and
LIMIT OF A RATIONAL FUNCTION � is a real number which the
- Let ℎ be a rational function of the domain of �, then
�(�) lim �(�) = �(�)
form ℎ � = �(�) where � and � are �→c
polynomial functions. If � is a real
number and �(�) ≠ 0, then
�(�) lim �(�)
lim ℎ � = lim = �→c LIMIT OF AN INDETERMINATE FORM
�
�→c �→c �(�) lim �(�) �
�→c
�(�)
= INDETERMINATE FORM TYPE OF 0
0
�(�)
- If lim � � = 0 and lim �(�) = 0 ,
�→c �→c
LIMIT OF A RADICAL FUNCTION lim �(�)
- Apply Limit Theorem 8 (The then �→c
lim � �
�→c
Radical Theorem)
�
-
�
lim � � = �
lim � � = � , for REMARK: A limit that is indeterminate
�→c �→c �
type � may exist. To find the actual value,
any positive integer n and provided
that � > 0 when � is even. one should find an expression equivalent
to the original. It is commonly done by
factoring or rationalizing.

LIMIT OF SOME TRANSCENDENTAL SPECIAL LIMITS

FUNCTIONS
sin �
lim =1
LIMIT OF AN EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION �→0 �

- If � is an exponential function and �

1 − cos �
is a real number which is the lim =0
domain of �, then �→0 �
lim �(�) = �(�)
�→c �� − 1
lim =1
�→0 �
 BASIC CALCULUS HANDOUTS

Steps in solving special limits

0
a. Check if limit will lead to 0.
THEOREM
b. Manipulate the expression
sin � 1−cos � ��−1
obtaining �
, � , and �
. a. Polynomial functions are
c. Apply limit laws and the values of continuous everywhere.
the special limits. b. The absolute value function � � =
� is continuous everywhere.
c. Rational functions are continuous
CONTINUITY OF FUNCTION AT A on their respective domains.
POINT d. The square root function � � = �
is continuous on its domain 0, ∞
- A function is �(�) is said to be
continuous at � = � if the
following three conditions are A function � is said to be continuous…
satisfied.
1. Everywhere if � is continuous at
a. �(�) exists; every real number. In this case, we
b. lim �(�) exists; and also say � is continuous on ℝ.
�→c
c. � � = lim �(�)
�→c 2. On �, � if � is continuous at every
point � in (�, �).
- If at least one of these conditions is
not met � is said to be
3. On �, � if � is continuous on (�, �)
discontinuous at � = �.
and from the right at �.

4. On �, � if � is continuous on (�, �)
CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION ON AN
and from the left at �.
INTERVAL
5. On �, � if � is continuous on �, �)
ONE SIDED CONTINUITY
on (�, � .
a. A function � is said to be
continuous from the left at � = �
6. On (�, ∞) if � is continuous at all
if �(�) = lim− � � .
�→� � > �.

b. A function � is said to be 7. On �,∞) if � is continuous on

continuous from the right at � = (�, ∞) and from the right at �.
� if �(�) = lim+ � � .
�→�
8. On ( − ∞, �) if � is continuous at all
� < �.

9. On ( − ∞, � if � is continuous on
( − ∞, �) and from the left at �.