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5.7 Basic Limits & Continuity

Question Paper

Course DP IB Maths
Section 5. Calculus
Topic 5.7 Basic Limits & Continuity
Difficulty Hard

Time allowed: 60
Score: /46
Percentage: /100

Page 1 of 8

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Question 1a
For each of the following, either show that the limit converges and find its value, or else explain why the limit diverges:
(a)
1
lim
2 4x 2 − 25
x→
5

[2 marks]

Question 1b
(b)
1
lim
5 4x 2 − 25
x→
2

[2 marks]

Question 1c
(c)
2x − 5
lim
5 4x 2 − 25
x→
2

[3 marks]

Page 2 of 8

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Question 2a
(a)
Evaluate the limit
⎛ 5 + (2x − 3) 2 ⎞⎟
lim ⎜⎜ ⎟
x → −∞ ⎝ 2x 2 ⎠
justifying your answer by clear mathematical reasoning.
[3 marks]

Question 2b
(b)
(i)
Show that the limit
x2 − x + 3
lim
x → +∞ x

diverges. Be sure to show clear algebraic working.

(ii)
Determine any asymptotes on the graph of the curve with equation
x2 − x + 3
y=
x
[4 marks]

Page 3 of 8

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Question 3a
A student has attempted to evaluate the limit
⎛ x 2 + x ⎞⎟
lim ⎜⎜ 3
⎟
x → +∞ ⎝ x ⎠
as follows:
⎛ x2 + x ⎞⎟ (+ ∞ ) 2 + (+ ∞ ) + ∞
lim ⎜⎜ ⎟= = =1
x → +∞ ⎝ x
3
⎠ (+ ∞ ) 3 +∞

(a)
Explain what is wrong with the student’s work.

[2 marks]

Question 3b
(b)
Determine the correct evaluation of the limit, justifying your answer by clear mathematical reasoning.
[2 marks]

Question 3c
(c)
x2 + x
Use technology to help you sketch the graph of y = , and show that the graph confirms your answer to part (b).
x3
[2 marks]

Page 4 of 8

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Question 4a
Consider the function f defined by
1
f (x ) =
(2x + 6) 2
(a)
Evaluate the limits
(i)
lim f (x )
x → −3 −
(ii)
lim f (x )
x → −3 +

[3 marks]

Question 4b
(b)
Evaluate the limits
(i)
lim f (x )
x → −∞
(ii)
lim f (x )
x → +∞

[3 marks]

Page 5 of 8

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Question 4c
(c)
Use your results from parts (a) and (b) to write down the equations of any asymptotes on the graph of y = f (x ) .

[2 marks]

Question 4d
(d)
Use technology to help you sketch the graph of y = f (x ) , and show that this confirms your results from parts (a), (b) and (c).

[2 marks]

Question 5a
Consider the function g defined by
1
g (x ) = +1
x3 − 8
(a)
Evaluate the limits
(i)
lim g (x )
x →2 −
(ii)
lim g (x )
x →2 +

[3 marks]

Page 6 of 8

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Question 5b
(b)
Evaluate the limits
(i)
lim g (x )
x → −∞
(ii)
lim g (x )
x → +∞

[3 marks]

Question 5c
(c)
Use your results from parts (a) and (b) to write down the equations of any asymptotes on the graph of y = g (x ) .
[2 marks]

Question 5d
(d)
Use technology to help you sketch the graph of y = g (x ) , and show that this confirms your results from parts (a), (b) and (c).
[2 marks]

Page 7 of 8

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Question 6a
(a)
The function f is a piecewise function defined by
⎧⎪
⎪⎪ 3x − 7, x <3
⎪⎪
f (x ) = ⎪⎪ ⎨ 1, x =3
⎪⎪ 2
⎪⎩ x − 8x + 17, x > 3

Explain why f is not continuous at x = 3 .

[3 marks]

Question 6b
(b)
Give an example of a function g that is continuous for all values of x ∈ℝ , but is not differentiable for all values of x ∈ℝ .
Include a sketch of the graph of the function, identifying the point(s) where the function is not differentiable.
[3 marks]

Page 8 of 8

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