97909_02_ch02_p100-109.

qk:97909_02_ch02_p100-109 9/21/10 9:00 AM Page 106

106 CHAPTER 2 LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

approach 0. To do this we use our knowledge of the sine function. Because the sine of
any number lies between !1 and 1, we can write
1
4 !1 " sin "1
x

Any inequality remains true when multiplied by a positive number. We know that x 2 # 0
for all x and so, multiplying each side of the inequalities in 4 by x 2, we get
y
y=≈ 1
!x 2 " x 2 sin " x2
x
as illustrated by Figure 8. We know that
0 x
lim x 2 ! 0 and lim !!x 2 " ! 0
xl0 xl0

y=_≈ Taking f !x" ! !x 2, t!x" ! x 2 sin!1#x", and h!x" ! x 2 in the Squeeze Theorem, we
obtain
FIGURE 8 1
y=≈ sin(1/x) lim x 2 sin ! 0
xl0 x

2.3 Exercises

1. Given that 3–9 Evaluate the limit and justify each step by indicating the
appropriate Limit Law(s).
lim f !x" ! 4 lim t!x" ! !2 lim h!x" ! 0
xl2 xl2 xl2
3. lim !5x 3 ! 3x 2 $ x ! 6"
x l3
find the limits that exist. If the limit does not exist, explain why.
(a) lim $ f !x" $ 5t!x"% (b) lim $ t!x"% 3 4. lim !x 4 ! 3x"!x 2 $ 5x $ 3"
xl !1
xl2 xl2

3f !x" t4 ! 2
(c) lim sf !x" (d) lim 5. lim 6. lim su 4 $ 3u $ 6
xl2 xl2 t!x" t l !2 2
2t ! 3t $ 2 ul!2

(e) lim
x l2
t!x"
h!x"
(f ) lim
xl2
t!x"h!x"
f !x" 7. lim (1 $ sx )!2 ! 6x $ x "
xl8
3 2 3
8. lim
tl2
' 3
t2 ! 2
t ! 3t $ 5
( 2

2. The graphs of f and t are given. Use them to evaluate each

limit, if it exists. If the limit does not exist, explain why.
y y
9. lim
xl2
& 2x 2 $ 1
3x ! 2

y=ƒ y=©
1 1 10. (a) What is wrong with the following equation?

1 x 0 1 x
x2 $ x ! 6
!x$3
x!2

(a) lim $ f !x" $ t!x"% (b) lim $ f !x" $ t!x"% (b) In view of part (a), explain why the equation
x l2 x l1

f !x" x2 $ x ! 6
(c) lim $ f !x" t!x"% (d) lim lim ! lim !x $ 3"
x l0 x l!1 t!x" x l2 x!2 x l2

(e) lim $x 3 f !x"% (f ) lim s3 $ f !x" is correct.

x l2 x l1

; Graphing calculator or computer required 1. Homework Hints available at stewartcalculus.com

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p100-109.qk:97909_02_ch02_p100-109 9/21/10 9:01 AM Page 107

SECTION 2.3 CALCULATING LIMITS USING THE LIMIT LAWS 107

11–32 Evaluate the limit, if it exists.

; 36. Use the Squeeze Theorem to show that
x 2 ! 6x " 5 x 2 ! 4x #
11. lim 12. lim 2 lim sx 3 " x 2 sin !0
x l5 x!5 x l 4 x ! 3x ! 4
x l0 x

13. lim
x 2 ! 5x " 6
14. lim
x 2 ! 4x Illustrate by graphing the functions f, t, and h (in the
x l5 x!5 x l!1 x 2 ! 3x ! 4 notation of the Squeeze Theorem) on the same screen.
t2 ! 9 2x 2 " 3x " 1 37. If 4x ! 9 ' f !x" ' x 2 ! 4x " 7 for x % 0, find lim f !x".
15. lim 2
16. lim xl4
t l!3 2t " 7t " 3 x l!1 x 2 ! 2x ! 3
38. If 2x ' t!x" ' x 4 ! x 2 " 2 for all x, evaluate lim t!x".
xl1
!!5 " h"2 ! 25 !2 " h"3 ! 8 2
17. lim 18. lim 39. Prove that lim x 4 cos ! 0.
hl0 h h l0 h x l0 x
x"2 t4 ! 1 40. Prove that lim" sx e sin!##x" ! 0.
19. lim 20. lim x l0
x l!2 x3 " 8 tl1 t3 ! 1
s9 " h ! 3 s4u " 1 ! 3 41– 46 Find the limit, if it exists. If the limit does not exist,
21. lim 22. lim explain why.
hl0 h ul 2 u!2
2x " 12
1
"
1 41. lim (2x " x ! 3
xl3
& &) 42. lim
x l!6
&
x"6 &
4 x x 2 " 2x " 1
23. lim 24. lim
x l!4 4 " x x l!1 x4 ! 1 2x ! 1 2 ! &x&

$ %
43. lim ! 44. lim
s1 " t ! s1 ! t 1 1 x l0.5
& 2x3
! x2 & x l!2 2"x
25. lim 26. lim ! 2

$ % $ %
tl0 t tl0 t t "t
1 1 1 1
4 ! sx !3 " h"!1 ! 3 !1 45. lim! ! 46. lim" !
27. lim
x l 16 16x ! x 2
28. lim
hl0 h
x l0 x x & & x l0 x x & &

29. lim $ 1
t s1 " t
!
1
% 30. lim
sx 2 " 9 ! 5
47. The signum (or sign) function, denoted by sgn, is defined by

'
tl0 t x l!4 x"4
1 1 !1 if x $ 0
! 2
!x " h"3 ! x 3 !x " h"2 x sgn x ! 0 if x ! 0
31. lim 32. lim
hl0 h hl0 h 1 if x & 0

(a) Sketch the graph of this function.

; 33. (a) Estimate the value of (b) Find each of the following limits or explain why it does
x not exist.
lim
x l0 s1 " 3x ! 1 (i) lim" sgn x
x l0
(ii) lim! sgn x
x l0

by graphing the function f !x" ! x#(s1 " 3x ! 1). (iii) lim sgn x
xl0
(iv) lim sgn x
xl0
& &
(b) Make a table of values of f !x" for x close to 0 and guess
the value of the limit. 48. Let
(c) Use the Limit Laws to prove that your guess is correct.
; 34. (a) Use a graph of
f !x" ! '
x2 " 1
!x ! 2"2
if x $ 1
if x % 1
s3 " x ! s3
f !x" ! (a) Find lim x l1! f !x" and lim x l1" f !x".
x
(b) Does lim x l1 f !x" exist?
to estimate the value of lim x l 0 f !x" to two decimal (c) Sketch the graph of f.
places.
(b) Use a table of values of f !x" to estimate the limit to four x2 " x ! 6
49. Let t!x" ! .
decimal places. &x!2 &
(c) Use the Limit Laws to find the exact value of the limit. (a) Find
; 35. Use the Squeeze Theorem to show that (i) lim" t!x" (ii) lim! t!x"
lim x l 0 !x 2 cos 20# x" ! 0. Illustrate by graphing the x l2 x l2

functions f !x" ! !x 2, t!x" ! x 2 cos 20# x, and h!x" ! x 2 on (b) Does lim x l 2 t!x" exist?
the same screen. (c) Sketch the graph of t.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p100-109.qk:97909_02_ch02_p100-109 9/21/10 9:33 AM Page 108

108 CHAPTER 2 LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

50. Let f !x" ! 8

57. If lim ! 10, find lim f !x".
xl1 x!1 xl1
x if x%1
3 if x!1 f !x"
t!x" ! 58. If lim ! 5, find the following limits.
2 ! x2 if 1%x$2 xl0 x2
f !x"
x!3 if x&2 (a) lim f !x" (b) lim
xl0 xl0 x
59. If

(
(a) Evaluate each of the following, if it exists.
(i) lim! t!x" (ii) lim t!x" (iii) t!1" x2 if x is rational
x l1 xl1 f !x" !
(iv) lim! t!x" (v) lim" t!x" (vi) lim t!x" 0 if x is irrational
x l2 xl2 xl2

(b) Sketch the graph of t. prove that lim x l 0 f !x" ! 0.

51. (a) If the symbol $ % denotes the greatest integer function 60. Show by means of an example that lim x l a & f !x" " t!x"' may
defined in Example 10, evaluate exist even though neither lim x l a f !x" nor lim x l a t!x" exists.
(i) lim" $x% (ii) lim $x% (iii) lim $x% 61. Show by means of an example that lim x l a & f !x" t!x"' may
x l!2 x l!2 x l!2.4
(b) If n is an integer, evaluate exist even though neither lim x l a f !x" nor lim x l a t!x" exists.
(i) lim! $x% (ii) lim" $x%
x ln xln s6 ! x ! 2
(c) For what values of a does lim x l a $x% exist? 62. Evaluate lim .
xl2 s3 ! x ! 1
52. Let f !x" ! $cos x%, !# $ x $ # . 63. Is there a number a such that
(a) Sketch the graph of f.
3x 2 " ax " a " 3
(b) Evaluate each limit, if it exists. lim
x l!2 x2 " x ! 2
(i) lim f !x" (ii) lim ! f !x"
xl0 x l!##2"
exists? If so, find the value of a and the value of the limit.
(iii) lim " f !x" (iv) lim f !x"
x l!##2" x l ##2 64. The figure shows a fixed circle C1 with equation
(c) For what values of a does lim x l a f !x" exist? !x ! 1"2 " y 2 ! 1 and a shrinking circle C2 with radius r and
center the origin. P is the point !0, r", Q is the upper point of
53. If f !x" ! $ x % " $!x % , show that lim x l 2 f !x" exists but is not intersection of the two circles, and R is the point of intersection
equal to f !2". of the line PQ and the x-axis. What happens to R as C2 shrinks,
that is, as r l 0 " ?
54. In the theory of relativity, the Lorentz contraction formula
y

L ! L 0 s1 ! v 2#c 2
P
Q
expresses the length L of an object as a function of its velocity
C™
v with respect to an observer, where L 0 is the length of the
object at rest and c is the speed of light. Find lim v lc! L and
interpret the result. Why is a left-hand limit necessary? 0 R x
55. If p is a polynomial, show that lim xl a p!x" ! p!a". C¡

56. If r is a rational function, use Exercise 55 to show that

lim x l a r!x" ! r!a" for every number a in the domain of r.

2.4 The Precise Definition of a Limit

The intuitive definition of a limit given in Section 2.2 is inadequate for some purposes
because such phrases as “x is close to 2” and “ f !x" gets closer and closer to L” are vague.
In order to be able to prove conclusively that

xl0
)
lim x 3 "
cos 5x
10,000
* ! 0.0001 or lim
xl0
sin x
x
!1

we must make the definition of a limit precise.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p120-129.qk:97909_02_ch02_p120-129 9/21/10 9:20 AM Page 127

SECTION 2.5 CONTINUITY 127

a root must lie between 1.2 and 1.3. A calculator gives, by trial and error,

f !1.22" ! !0.007008 $ 0 and f !1.23" ! 0.056068 # 0

so a root lies in the interval !1.22, 1.23".

We can use a graphing calculator or computer to illustrate the use of the Intermediate
Value Theorem in Example 10. Figure 10 shows the graph of f in the viewing rectangle
#!1, 3$ by #!3, 3$ and you can see that the graph crosses the x-axis between 1 and 2. Fig-
ure 11 shows the result of zooming in to the viewing rectangle #1.2, 1.3$ by #!0.2, 0.2$.

3 0.2

_1 3 1.2 1.3

_3 _0.2

FIGURE 10 FIGURE 11

In fact, the Intermediate Value Theorem plays a role in the very way these graphing de-
vices work. A computer calculates a finite number of points on the graph and turns on the
pixels that contain these calculated points. It assumes that the function is continuous and
takes on all the intermediate values between two consecutive points. The computer there-
fore connects the pixels by turning on the intermediate pixels.

2.5 Exercises
1. Write an equation that expresses the fact that a function f 4. From the graph of t, state the intervals on which t is
is continuous at the number 4. continuous.
y
2. If f is continuous on !!", "", what can you say about its
graph?

3. (a) From the graph of f , state the numbers at which f is

discontinuous and explain why. _4 _2 2 4 6 8 x
(b) For each of the numbers stated in part (a), determine
whether f is continuous from the right, or from the left,
or neither.
y 5–8 Sketch the graph of a function f that is continuous except for
the stated discontinuity.
5. Discontinuous, but continuous from the right, at 2
6. Discontinuities at !1 and 4, but continuous from the left at !1
and from the right at 4
_4 _2 0 2 4 6 x
7. Removable discontinuity at 3, jump discontinuity at 5
8. Neither left nor right continuous at !2, continuous only from
the left at 2

; Graphing calculator or computer required 1. Homework Hints available at stewartcalculus.com

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p120-129.qk:97909_02_ch02_p120-129 9/21/10 9:21 AM Page 128

128 CHAPTER 2 LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

9. The toll T charged for driving on a certain stretch of a toll road

is $5 except during rush hours (between 7 AM and 10 AM and
between 4 PM and 7 PM) when the toll is $7.
(a) Sketch a graph of T as a function of the time t, measured in
22. f !x" !
6
x!3
#
2x 2 ! 5x ! 3
if x " 3

if x ! 3
a!3

hours past midnight.

(b) Discuss the discontinuities of this function and their
23–24 How would you “remove the discontinuity” of f ? In other
significance to someone who uses the road.
words, how would you define f !2" in order to make f continuous
10. Explain why each function is continuous or discontinuous. at 2?
(a) The temperature at a specific location as a function of time
(b) The temperature at a specific time as a function of the dis- x2 ! x ! 2 x3 ! 8
23. f !x" ! 24. f !x" !
tance due west from New York City x!2 x2 ! 4
(c) The altitude above sea level as a function of the distance
due west from New York City 25–32 Explain, using Theorems 4, 5, 7, and 9, why the function is
(d) The cost of a taxi ride as a function of the distance traveled continuous at every number in its domain. State the domain.
(e) The current in the circuit for the lights in a room as a func-
tion of time 2x 2 ! x ! 1 x2 $ 1
25. F!x" ! 26. G!x" !
11. Suppose f and t are continuous functions such that t!2" ! 6 x2 $ 1 2
2x ! x ! 1
and lim x l2 %3 f !x" $ f !x" t!x"$ ! 36. Find f !2". s
3
x!2 e sin t
27. Q!x" ! 28. R!t" !
x3 ! 2 2 $ cos ( t
12–14 Use the definition of continuity and the properties of limits
to show that the function is continuous at the given number a. tan x
29. A!t" ! arcsin!1 $ 2t" 30. B!x" !
12. f !x" ! 3x ! 5x $ sx $ 4 ,
4 3 2 a!2 s4 ! x 2

13. f !x" ! !x $ 2x " ,

2t ! 3t 2
3 4
a ! !1
31. M!x" ! ) 1$
1
x
32. N!r" ! tan!1 !1 $ e!r "
2

14. h!t" ! , a!1

1 $ t3
; 33–34 Locate the discontinuities of the function and illustrate by
15–16 Use the definition of continuity and the properties of limits graphing.
to show that the function is continuous on the given interval. 1
33. y ! 34. y ! ln!tan2 x"
2x $ 3 1 $ e 1&x
15. f !x" ! , !2, &"
x!2
35–38 Use continuity to evaluate the limit.
16. t!x" ! 2 s3 ! x , !!&, 3$
5 $ sx
35. lim 36. lim sin!x $ sin x"
x l4 s5 $ x x l(

' (
17–22 Explain why the function is discontinuous at the given num-
ber a. Sketch the graph of the function. 2 x2 ! 4
37. lim e x !x 38. lim arctan
x l1 x l2 3x 2 ! 6x
1
17. f !x" ! a ! !2
x$2

#
39– 40 Show that f is continuous on !!&, &".

#
1
if x " !2 x2 if x " 1
18. f !x" ! x $ 2 a ! !2 39. f !x" !
1 if x ! !2 sx if x % 1

19. f !x" ! # ex

x2
if x " 0
if x % 0
a!0
40. f !x" ! # sin x
cos x
if x " ( &4
if x % ( &4

#
x2 ! x
20. f !x" ! x 2 ! 1
1
if x " 1

if x ! 1
a!1
41– 43 Find the numbers at which f is discontinuous. At which
of these numbers is f continuous from the right, from the left, or

#
neither? Sketch the graph of f .
cos x
21. f !x" ! 0
1 ! x2
if x " 0
if x ! 0
if x # 0
a!0
41. f !x" ! 2 ! x
#
1 $ x 2 if x ' 0
if 0 " x ' 2
!x ! 2" if x # 2
2

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p120-129.qk:97909_02_ch02_p120-129 9/21/10 9:21 AM Page 129

SECTION 2.5 CONTINUITY 129

x!1
42. f !x" ! 1&x
%
if x % 1
if 1 $ x $ 3
sx # 3 if x & 3
50. Suppose f is continuous on '1, 5( and the only solutions of the
equation f !x" ! 6 are x ! 1 and x ! 4. If f !2" ! 8, explain
why f !3" ( 6.

%
51–54 Use the Intermediate Value Theorem to show that there is a
x!2 if x $ 0 root of the given equation in the specified interval.
43. f !x" ! e x if 0 % x % 1
51. x 4 ! x # 3 ! 0, !1, 2" 52. s
3
x ! 1 # x, !0, 1"
2#x if x ( 1
53. e ! 3 # 2x,
x
!0, 1" 54. sin x ! x # x, 2
!1, 2"

44. The gravitational force exerted by the planet Earth on a unit

mass at a distance r from the center of the planet is 55–56 (a) Prove that the equation has at least one real root.
(b) Use your calculator to find an interval of length 0.01 that
GMr contains a root.
if r $ R
R3 55. cos x ! x 3 56. ln x ! 3 # 2x
F!r" !
GM
if r & R
r2
; 57–58 (a) Prove that the equation has at least one real root.
where M is the mass of Earth, R is its radius, and G is the grav- (b) Use your graphing device to find the root correct to three
itational constant. Is F a continuous function of r? decimal places.
57. 100e#x&100 ! 0.01x 2 58. arctan x ! 1 # x
45. For what value of the constant c is the function f continuous
on !#', '"?

f !x" ! % cx 2 ! 2x if x $ 2
x 3 # cx if x & 2
59. Prove that f is continuous at a if and only if

lim f !a ! h" ! f !a"

hl0

46. Find the values of a and b that make f continuous everywhere. 60. To prove that sine is continuous, we need to show that
lim x l a sin x ! sin a for every real number a. By Exercise 59
x2 # 4 an equivalent statement is that
if x $ 2
x#2
f !x" ! lim sin!a ! h" ! sin a
ax 2 # bx ! 3 if 2 % x $ 3 hl0

2x # a ! b if x & 3
Use 6 to show that this is true.

47. Which of the following functions f has a removable disconti- 61. Prove that cosine is a continuous function.
nuity at a ? If the discontinuity is removable, find a function t
that agrees with f for x " a and is continuous at a . 62. (a) Prove Theorem 4, part 3.
4
(b) Prove Theorem 4, part 5.
x #1
(a) f !x" ! , a!1
x#1 63. For what values of x is f continuous?

%
3 2
x # x # 2x
(b) f !x" ! , a!2 0 if x is rational
x#2 f !x" !
1 if x is irrational
(c) f !x" ! # sin x $ , a!" 64. For what values of x is t continuous?

48. Suppose that a function f is continuous on [0, 1] except at

0.25 and that f !0" ! 1 and f !1" ! 3. Let N ! 2. Sketch two
possible graphs of f, one showing that f might not satisfy
t!x" ! % 0
x
if x is rational
if x is irrational
the conclusion of the Intermediate Value Theorem and one 65. Is there a number that is exactly 1 more than its cube?
showing that f might still satisfy the conclusion of the Inter-
mediate Value Theorem (even though it doesn’t satisfy the 66. If a and b are positive numbers, prove that the equation
hypothesis).
a b
! 3 !0
x 3 ! 2x 2 # 1 x !x#2
49. If f !x" ! x 2 ! 10 sin x, show that there is a number c such
that f !c" ! 1000. has at least one solution in the interval !#1, 1".
Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p130-139.qk:97909_02_ch02_p130-139 9/21/10 9:22 AM Page 130

130 CHAPTER 2 LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

67. Show that the function (c) Is the converse of the statement in part (b) also true? In
! !
$
other words, if f is continuous, does it follow that f is
x 4 sin"1%x# if x " 0 continuous? If so, prove it. If not, find a counterexample.
f "x# !
0 if x ! 0
69. A Tibetan monk leaves the monastery at 7:00 AM and takes his
is continuous on "!", "#. usual path to the top of the mountain, arriving at 7:00 P M. The
following morning, he starts at 7:00 AM at the top and takes the
68. (a) Show that the absolute value function F"x# ! x is ! ! same path back, arriving at the monastery at 7:00 P M. Use the
continuous everywhere. Intermediate Value Theorem to show that there is a point on the
(b) Prove that if f is a continuous function on an interval, then path that the monk will cross at exactly the same time of day
! !
so is f . on both days.

2.6 Limits at Infinity; Horizontal Asymptotes

In Sections 2.2 and 2.4 we investigated infinite limits and vertical asymptotes. There we let
x approach a number and the result was that the values of y became arbitrarily large (posi-
tive or negative). In this section we let x become arbitrarily large (positive or negative) and
x f "x#
see what happens to y.
0 !1 Let’s begin by investigating the behavior of the function f defined by
$1 0
x2 ! 1
$2 0.600000 f "x# !
$3 0.800000 x2 # 1
$4 0.882353
as x becomes large. The table at the left gives values of this function correct to six decimal
$5 0.923077
places, and the graph of f has been drawn by a computer in Figure 1.
$10 0.980198
$50 0.999200 y
$100 0.999800 y=1
$1000 0.999998

0 1 x
!-1
y=
!+1
FIGURE 1

As x grows larger and larger you can see that the values of f "x# get closer and closer
to 1. In fact, it seems that we can make the values of f "x# as close as we like to 1 by taking
x sufficiently large. This situation is expressed symbolically by writing

x2 ! 1
lim !1
xl" x2 # 1
In general, we use the notation
lim f "x# ! L
xl"

to indicate that the values of f "x# approach L as x becomes larger and larger.

1 Definition Let f be a function defined on some interval "a, "#. Then

lim f "x# ! L
xl"

means that the values of f "x# can be made arbitrarily close to L by taking x suf-
ficiently large.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p140-149.qk:97909_02_ch02_p140-149 9/21/10 9:24 AM Page 140

140 CHAPTER 2 LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

y Finally we note that an infinite limit at infinity can be defined as follows. The geometric
y=M illustration is given in Figure 19.
M

9 Definition Let f be a function defined on some interval !a, "". Then

lim f !x" ! "

0 N x xl"

FIGURE 19
means that for every positive number M there is a corresponding positive number
lim ƒ=`
N such that
x `
if x $ N then f !x" $ M

Similar definitions apply when the symbol " is replaced by !". (See Exercise 74.)

2.6 Exercises

1. Explain in your own words the meaning of each of the (e) lim# t!x" (f ) The equations of the asymptotes
x l2
following.
(a) lim f !x" ! 5 (b) lim f !x" ! 3 y
xl" x l !"

2. (a) Can the graph of y ! f !x" intersect a vertical asymptote? 1

Can it intersect a horizontal asymptote? Illustrate by
sketching graphs. 1 x
(b) How many horizontal asymptotes can the graph of y ! f !x"
have? Sketch graphs to illustrate the possibilities.

3. For the function f whose graph is given, state the following.

(a) lim f !x" (b) lim f !x" 5–10 Sketch the graph of an example of a function f that
x l" x l!" satisfies all of the given conditions.
(c) lim f !x" (d) lim f !x"
x l1 x l3 5. lim f !x" ! !", lim f !x" ! 5, lim f !x" ! !5
xl0 x l!" x l"
(e) The equations of the asymptotes
6. lim f !x" ! ", lim f !x" ! ", lim f !x" ! !",
xl2 x l!2# x l!2!
y
lim f !x" ! 0, lim f !x" ! 0, f !0" ! 0
x l!" x l"

7. lim f !x" ! !", lim f !x" ! ", lim f !x" ! 0,

1 x l2 x l" x l!"

lim f !x" ! ", lim f !x" ! !"

1 x x l0# x l0!

8. lim f !x" ! 3, lim f !x" ! ", lim f !x" ! !", f is odd

xl" x l2! x l2#

9. f !0" ! 3, lim f !x" ! 4, lim f !x" ! 2,

x l0! x l0#

lim f !x" ! !", lim f !x" ! !", lim f !x" ! ",

x l!" x l 4! x l 4#
4. For the function t whose graph is given, state the following.
lim f !x" ! 3
(a) lim t!x" (b) lim t!x" x l"
x l" x l!"
10. lim f !x" ! !", lim f !x" ! 2, f !0" ! 0, f is even
(c) lim t!x" (d) lim! t!x" xl3 x l"
xl0 x l2

; Graphing calculator or computer required 1. Homework Hints available at stewartcalculus.com

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p140-149.qk:97909_02_ch02_p140-149 9/21/10 9:25 AM Page 141

SECTION 2.6 LIMITS AT INFINITY; HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES 141

; 11. Guess the value of the limit ; 39. (a) Estimate the value of
2
x
lim lim (sx 2 ! x ! 1 ! x)
x l# 2x x l"#

by evaluating the function f !x" ! x 2#2 x for x ! 0, 1, 2, 3, by graphing the function f !x" ! sx 2 ! x ! 1 ! x.
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Then use a graph of f (b) Use a table of values of f !x" to guess the value of the
to support your guess. limit.
(c) Prove that your guess is correct.
; 12. (a) Use a graph of

% & x
; 40. (a) Use a graph of
2
f !x" ! 1 " f !x" ! s3x 2 ! 8x ! 6 " s3x 2 ! 3x ! 1
x

to estimate the value of lim x l # f !x" correct to two to estimate the value of lim x l # f !x" to one decimal place.
decimal places. (b) Use a table of values of f !x" to estimate the limit to four
(b) Use a table of values of f !x" to estimate the limit to decimal places.
four decimal places. (c) Find the exact value of the limit.

13–14 Evaluate the limit and justify each step by indicating the 41– 46 Find the horizontal and vertical asymptotes of each curve.
appropriate properties of limits. If you have a graphing device, check your work by graphing the

$
curve and estimating the asymptotes.
3x 2 " x ! 4 12x 3 " 5x ! 2
13. lim 14. lim 2x ! 1 x2 ! 1
xl# 2x 2 ! 5x " 8 xl# 1 ! 4x 2 ! 3x 3 41. y ! 42. y ! 2
x"2 2x " 3x " 2

2x 2 ! x " 1 1 ! x4
15–38 Find the limit or show that it does not exist. 43. y ! 44. y !
x2 ! x " 2 x2 " x4
3x " 2 1 " x2
15. lim 16. lim
xl# 2x ! 1 xl# 3
x "x!1 x3 " x 2e x
45. y ! 2 46. y ! x
x " 6x ! 5 e "5
x"2 4x 3 ! 6x 2 " 2
17. lim 18. lim
x l "# x2 ! 1 x l "# 2x 3 " 4x ! 5
st ! t 2
t " t st ; 47. Estimate the horizontal asymptote of the function
19. lim 20. lim
tl# 2t " t 2 tl # 2t 3#2 ! 3t " 5
3x 3 ! 500x 2
!2x ! 1" 2 2
x 2 f !x" !
21. lim 22. lim x 3 ! 500x 2 ! 100x ! 2000
xl# !x " 1"2!x 2 ! x" xl# sx 4 ! 1
by graphing f for "10 $ x $ 10. Then calculate the
s9x 6 " x s9x 6 " x
23. lim 24. lim equation of the asymptote by evaluating the limit. How do
xl# x3 ! 1 x l "# x3 ! 1 you explain the discrepancy?
25. lim (s9x 2 ! x " 3x) 26. lim ( x ! sx 2 ! 2x )
x l# x l"#
; 48. (a) Graph the function
27. lim (sx ! ax " sx ! bx
2 2 ) 28. lim sx ! 1 2
s2x 2 ! 1
x l# x l#
f !x" !
3x " 5
x 4 " 3x 2 ! x
29. lim 30. lim !e"x ! 2 cos 3x"
xl# x3 " x ! 2 xl# How many horizontal and vertical asymptotes do you
6 observe? Use the graph to estimate the values of the
1!x
31. lim !x 4 ! x 5 " 32. lim limits
x l "# x l "# x4 ! 1
s2x 2 ! 1 s2x 2 ! 1
e 3x " e"3x lim and lim
33. lim arctan!e " x
34. lim 3x x l# 3x " 5 x l"# 3x " 5
xl# xl# e ! e"3x
(b) By calculating values of f !x", give numerical estimates
1 " ex sin2 x of the limits in part (a).
35. lim 36. lim 2
x l # 1 ! 2e x xl# x ! 1 (c) Calculate the exact values of the limits in part (a). Did
you get the same value or different values for these two
37. lim !e"2x cos x" 38. lim! tan"1!ln x"
xl# xl0 limits? [In view of your answer to part (a), you might
have to check your calculation for the second limit.]
Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p140-149.qk:97909_02_ch02_p140-149 9/21/10 9:25 AM Page 142

142 CHAPTER 2 LIMITS AND DERIVATIVES

49. Find a formula for a function f that satisfies the following 61. Find lim x l " f !x" if, for all x % 1,
conditions:
lim f !x" ! 0, lim f !x" ! !", f !2" ! 0, 10e x ! 21 5sx
x l &" x l0 $ f !x" $
2e x sx ! 1
lim f !x" ! ", lim f !x" ! !"
x l3! x l3#
62. (a) A tank contains 5000 L of pure water. Brine that contains
50. Find a formula for a function that has vertical asymptotes 30 g of salt per liter of water is pumped into the tank at a
x ! 1 and x ! 3 and horizontal asymptote y ! 1. rate of 25 L#min. Show that the concentration of salt after
t minutes (in grams per liter) is
51. A function f is a ratio of quadratic functions and has a ver-
tical asymptote x ! 4 and just one x-intercept, x ! 1. It is 30t
known that f has a removable discontinuity at x ! !1 and C!t" !
200 # t
lim x l!1 f !x" ! 2. Evaluate
(a) f !0" (b) lim f !x" (b) What happens to the concentration as t l "?
xl"

52–56 Find the limits as x l " and as x l !". Use this infor- 63. In Chapter 9 we will be able to show, under certain assump-
mation, together with intercepts, to give a rough sketch of the tions, that the velocity v!t" of a falling raindrop at time t is
graph as in Example 12.
v!t" ! v *!1 ! e !tt#v * "
52. y ! 2x 3 ! x 4 53. y ! x 4 ! x 6
54. y ! x 3!x # 2" 2!x ! 1" where t is the acceleration due to gravity and v * is the
terminal velocity of the raindrop.
55. y ! !3 ! x"!1 # x" 2!1 ! x" 4 (a) Find lim t l " v!t".
56. y ! x 2!x 2 ! 1" 2!x # 2" ; (b) Graph v!t" if v* ! 1 m#s and t ! 9.8 m#s2. How long does
it take for the velocity of the raindrop to reach 99% of its
sin x terminal velocity?
57. (a) Use the Squeeze Theorem to evaluate lim .
x xl"
; 64. (a) By graphing y ! e
!x#10
and y ! 0.1 on a common screen,
; (b) Graph f !x" ! !sin x"#x. How many times does the graph
cross the asymptote? discover how large you need to make x so that e !x#10 $ 0.1.
(b) Can you solve part (a) without using a graphing device?
; 58. By the end behavior of a function we mean the behavior of
its values as x l " and as x l !". ; 65. Use a graph to find a number N such that
(a) Describe and compare the end behavior of the functions

P!x" ! 3x 5 ! 5x 3 # 2x
by graphing both functions in the viewing rectangles
Q!x" ! 3x 5 if x%N then & 3x 2 # 1
2x 2 # x # 1
! 1.5 $ 0.05 &
$!2, 2% by $!2, 2% and $!10, 10% by $!10,000, 10,000%. ; 66. For the limit
(b) Two functions are said to have the same end behavior if s4x 2 # 1
their ratio approaches 1 as x l ". Show that P and Q lim !2
xl" x#1
have the same end behavior.
59. Let P and Q be polynomials. Find illustrate Definition 7 by finding values of N that correspond
to ' ! 0.5 and ' ! 0.1.
P!x"
lim
xl" Q!x" ; 67. For the limit
if the degree of P is (a) less than the degree of Q and s4x 2 # 1
lim ! !2
(b) greater than the degree of Q. x l!" x#1
60. Make a rough sketch of the curve y ! x ( n an integer) n
illustrate Definition 8 by finding values of N that correspond
for the following five cases: to ' ! 0.5 and ' ! 0.1.
(i) n ! 0 (ii) n % 0, n odd
(iii) n % 0, n even (iv) n $ 0, n odd ; 68. For the limit
(v) n $ 0, n even 2x # 1
lim !"
Then use these sketches to find the following limits. xl" sx # 1
(a) lim# x n (b) lim! x n
x l0 x l0 illustrate Definition 9 by finding a value of N that corre-
(c) lim x n (d) lim x n sponds to M ! 100.
x l" x l!"

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
97909_02_ch02_p140-149.qk:97909_02_ch02_p140-149 9/21/10 9:25 AM Page 143

SECTION 2.7 DERIVATIVES AND RATES OF CHANGE 143

69. (a) How large do we have to take x so that 1!x 2 # 0.0001? 72. Prove, using Definition 9, that lim x 3 ! ".
xl"
(b) Taking r ! 2 in Theorem 5, we have the statement
73. Use Definition 9 to prove that lim e x ! ".
1 xl"
lim 2 ! 0
xl" x 74. Formulate a precise definition of
Prove this directly using Definition 7. lim f "x# ! !"
x l!"

70. (a) How large do we have to take x so that 1!sx # 0.0001? Then use your definition to prove that
(b) Taking r ! 12 in Theorem 5, we have the statement
lim "1 $ x 3 # ! !"
x l!"
1
lim !0 75. Prove that
xl" sx
lim f "x# ! lim$ f "1!t#
xl" t l0
Prove this directly using Definition 7.
and lim f "x# ! lim! f "1!t#
1 x l !" t l0
71. Use Definition 8 to prove that lim ! 0.
x l!" x if these limits exist.

2.7 Derivatives and Rates of Change

The problem of finding the tangent line to a curve and the problem of finding the velocity
of an object both involve finding the same type of limit, as we saw in Section 2.1. This spe-
cial type of limit is called a derivative and we will see that it can be interpreted as a rate of
change in any of the sciences or engineering.
y
Q{ x, ƒ }
Tangents
ƒ-f(a)
P { a, f(a)} If a curve C has equation y ! f "x# and we want to find the tangent line to C at the point
P"a, f "a##, then we consider a nearby point Q"x, f "x##, where x " a, and compute the slope
x-a of the secant line PQ :

f "x# ! f "a#
mPQ !
0 a x x x!a

Then we let Q approach P along the curve C by letting x approach a. If mPQ approaches a
y t number m, then we define the tangent t to be the line through P with slope m. (This
amounts to saying that the tangent line is the limiting position of the secant line PQ as Q
Q
approaches P. See Figure 1.)
Q

P Q
1 Definition The tangent line to the curve y ! f "x# at the point P"a, f "a## is the
line through P with slope

f "x# ! f "a#
m ! lim
0 x xla x!a

provided that this limit exists.

FIGURE 1

In our first example we confirm the guess we made in Example 1 in Section 2.1.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.