LECTURE 4

INFINITE LIMITS AND LIMITS AT INFINITY

4.1 Theorems on Infinite Limits
a. If 𝑟 is any positive integer, then
1
a.1 𝑙𝑖𝑚+ 𝑥𝑟 = +∞
𝑥→0

1 −∞ 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑
a.2 𝑙𝑖𝑚− 𝑥𝑟 = {
𝑥→0 +∞ 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛
b. If 𝑎 is any real number, and if 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 0 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is a
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
constant not equal to 0 then
b.1 if 𝑐 > 0 and if 𝑓 (𝑥 ) → 0 through positive values of 𝑓 (𝑥 ),
𝑔 (𝑥 )
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = +∞
𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)

b.2 if 𝑐 > 0 and if 𝑓 (𝑥 ) → 0 through negative values of 𝑓 (𝑥 ),

𝑔 (𝑥 )
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = −∞
𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)

b.3 if 𝑐 < 0 and if 𝑓 (𝑥 ) → 0 through positive values of 𝑓 (𝑥 ),

𝑔 (𝑥 )
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = −∞
𝑥→a 𝑓(𝑥)

b.4 if 𝑐 < 0 and if 𝑓 (𝑥 ) → 0 through negative values of 𝑓 (𝑥 ),

𝑔 (𝑥 )
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = +∞
𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)

The theorem is also valid if “𝑥 → 𝑎” is replaced by “𝑥 → 𝑎+ ” or “𝑥 → 𝑎− ”

c. If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = +∞, and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant, then
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
𝑙𝑖𝑚 [𝑓(𝑥 ) + 𝑔(𝑥 )] = +∞. The theorem is valid if “𝑥 → 𝑎” is replaced by “𝑥 →
𝑥→𝑎
𝑎 ” or “𝑥 → 𝑎− ”
+

d. If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −∞, and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant, then
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
𝑙𝑖𝑚 [𝑓(𝑥 ) + 𝑔(𝑥 )] = −∞. The theorem is valid if “𝑥 → 𝑎” is replaced by “𝑥 →
𝑥→𝑎
𝑎 ” or “𝑥 → 𝑎− ”
+

e. If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = +∞, and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant except 0, then
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

e.1 if 𝑐 > 0, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 [𝑓(𝑥 ) ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥 )] = +∞

𝑥→𝑎
 e.2 if 𝑐 < 0, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 [𝑓(𝑥 ) ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥 )] = −∞
𝑥→𝑎

The theorem is valid if “𝑥 → 𝑎” is replaced by “𝑥 → 𝑎+” or “𝑥 → 𝑎− ”

f. If 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −∞, and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑐, where 𝑐 is any constant except 0, then
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

f.1 if 𝑐 > 0, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 [𝑓(𝑥 ) ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥 )] = −∞

𝑥→𝑎

f.2 if 𝑐 < 0, 𝑙𝑖𝑚 [𝑓(𝑥 ) ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥 )] = +∞

𝑥→𝑎

The theorem is valid if “𝑥 → 𝑎” is replaced by “𝑥 → 𝑎+” or “𝑥 → 𝑎− ”

g. The line 𝑥 = 𝑎 is said to be a vertical asymptote of the graph of the function 𝑓
if at least one of the following statements is true:
1. 𝑙𝑖𝑚+ 𝑓(𝑥 ) = +∞
𝑥→𝑎
2. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −∞
𝑥→𝑎+
3. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = +∞
𝑥→𝑎−
4. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −∞
𝑥→𝑎−

Example 4.1
Find the limit
−𝑥+2
1. lim− (𝑥−2)2
𝑥→2
1 1
2. lim (𝑥−2 − 𝑥2 −4)
𝑥→2
6𝑥 2 +𝑥−2
3. lim + 2𝑥2 +3𝑥−2
𝑥→−2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
4. lim+ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝑥
𝑥→0

Solution
−𝑥+2
1. lim− (
𝑥→2 𝑥−2)2
−𝑥+2 −(𝑥−2) −1 −1 −1
lim (𝑥−2)2 = lim (𝑥−2)2 = lim (𝑥−2) = 2−2 = 0 = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
−𝑥+2 −(𝑥−2) −1 −1 −1
lim− (𝑥−2)2 = lim− (𝑥−2)2 = lim− (𝑥−2) = 1.9999−2 = −0.0001
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
−1 −
Note that −0.0001 → − 𝑏𝑦 𝑏. 4
−𝑥+2
Therefore the lim− (𝑥−2)2 = +∞ 𝑜𝑟 ∞
𝑥→2

Vertical asymptote: 𝑥 = 2
 1 1
2. lim (𝑥−2 − 𝑥2 −4)
𝑥→2
1 1 𝑥+2−1 𝑥+1 2+1 3
lim (𝑥−2 − 𝑥2 −4) = lim (𝑥−2)(𝑥+2) = lim (𝑥−2)(𝑥+2) = = 0 = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 0

Since the value being approached by x is 2 then we have to evaluate the limits
from both sides as follows:
1 1 𝑥+2−1 𝑥+1
lim+ (𝑥−2 − 𝑥2 −4) = lim+ (𝑥−2)(𝑥+2) = lim+ (𝑥−2)(𝑥+2)
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
𝑥
2.0001+1 3.0001
= (2.0001−2)(2.0001+2)
= 0.0004
3.0001 +
Note that → + 𝑏𝑦 𝑏. 1
0.0004
1 1
The lim+ ( − ) = +∞ 𝑜𝑟 ∞
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥 2 −4

1 1 𝑥+2−1 𝑥+1
lim− ( − ) = lim− ( = lim− (
𝑥→2 𝑥−2 𝑥 2 −4 𝑥→2 𝑥−2)(𝑥+2) 𝑥→2 𝑥−2)(𝑥+2)
𝑥
1.9999+1 2.9999
= (1.9999−2)(1.9999+2)
= −0.0004

2.9999 +
Note that → 𝑏𝑦 𝑏. 2
−0.0004 −
1 1
The lim− (𝑥−2 − 𝑥2 −4) = −∞
𝑥→2

Since the limit on both sides are different, therefore the

1 1
lim (𝑥−2 − 𝑥2 −4) does not exist.
𝑥→2

Vertical asymptote: 𝑥 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = −2

6𝑥 2 +𝑥−2
3. lim + 2𝑥2 +3𝑥−2
𝑥→−2
6𝑥 2 +𝑥−2 (3𝑥+2)(2𝑥−1) 3𝑥+2 3(−2)+2 −4
lim = lim = lim = = = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝑥→−2 2𝑥 2 +3𝑥−2 𝑥→−2 (2𝑥−1)(𝑥+2) 𝑥→−2 𝑥+2 −2+2 0
6𝑥 2 +𝑥−2 (3𝑥+2)(2𝑥−1) 3𝑥+2 3(−1.9999)+2 −3.9997
lim = lim + (2𝑥−1)(𝑥+2) = lim + 𝑥+2 = −1.9999+2 =
𝑥→−2+ 2𝑥 2 +3𝑥−2 𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2 0.0001
−3.9997 −
Note that → + 𝑏𝑦 𝑏. 3
0.0001

6𝑥 2 +𝑥−2
Therefore the lim + 2𝑥2 +3𝑥−2 = −∞
𝑥→−2

2𝑥 − 1 = 0
1
𝑥=2
 1
Vertical asymptote: 𝑥 = −2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 2

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
4. lim
𝜋−
𝑥→ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝑥
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 1 1 1
lim𝜋 = lim𝜋 = lim𝜋 = 𝜋 = 0 = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝑥→ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝑥 𝑥→ 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 𝑥→ 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 2 cos
2 2 2 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 1 1 1
lim
𝜋−
= lim
𝜋−
= lim
𝜋− 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥
= 2 cos 1.5666 = 0.00839
𝑥→ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝑥 𝑥→ 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 𝑥→
2 2 2
1 +
Note that → + 𝑏𝑦 𝑏. 1
0.00839

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
Therefore the lim
𝜋−
= +∞ 𝑜𝑟 ∞
𝑥→ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝑥
2

𝜋
Vertical asymptote: 𝑥 = ±𝑘
2

4.2 Theorems on limits at infinity

a. Let 𝑓 be a function that is defined at every number in some interval (𝑎, +∞).
The limit of 𝒇(𝒙), as 𝒙 increases without bound , is 𝑳, written 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝐿 if
𝑥→+∞
for any 𝜀 > 0, however small, there exists a number 𝑁 > 0 such that if 𝑥 > 𝑁
then |𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝐿| < 𝜀
b. Let 𝑓 be a function that is defined at every number in some interval (−∞, 𝑎).
The limit of 𝒇(𝒙), as 𝒙 decreases without bound , is 𝑳, written 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝐿 if
𝑥→−∞
for any 𝜀 > 0, however small, there exists a number 𝑁 < 0 such that if 𝑥 < 𝑁
then |𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝐿| < 𝜀
c. If 𝒓 is any positive integer, then
1
c.1 𝑙𝑖𝑚 =0
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 𝑟
1
c.2 𝑙𝑖𝑚 =0
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥 𝑟
d. The 𝑦 = 𝑏 is said to be a horizontal asymptote of the graph of the function 𝑓 if at
least one of the following statements is true:
d.1 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑏, and for some number 𝑁, if 𝑥 > 𝑁, then 𝑓 (𝑥 ) ≠ 𝑏;
𝑥→+∞

d.2 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑏, and for some number 𝑁, if 𝑥 < 𝑁, then 𝑓(𝑥 ) ≠ 𝑏;
𝑥→−∞

Example 4.2

Find the limits of the following:

 2𝑥+7
1. 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→−∞ 4−5𝑥
4𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 −3
2. 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→−∞ 8𝑥 3 +𝑥+2
1
3. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (3𝑥 + 2)
𝑥→∞ 𝑥
√8𝑥 2 −2𝑥+3
4. 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥−∞ 𝑥+5
5. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (√3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2𝑥)
𝑥→∞

Solution:
2𝑥 7 7
2𝑥+7 + 2+𝑥 2+0 2
𝑥 𝑥
1. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 4 5𝑥 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 4 = =−
𝑥→−∞ 4−5𝑥 𝑥→−∞ − 𝑥→−∞ 𝑥−5 0−5 5
𝑥 𝑥
2
Horizontal asymptote: 𝑦 = −
5
4𝑥3 2𝑥2 3 2 3
4𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 −3 + − 4+𝑥− 3 4+0+0 4 1
𝑥3 𝑥3 𝑥 3 𝑥
2. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 3 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 1 2 = = =
𝑥→−∞ 8𝑥 3 +𝑥+2 𝑥→−∞ 8𝑥
+ +
2 𝑥→−∞ 8+ 2 + 3 8+0+0 8 2
𝑥3 𝑥 3 𝑥 3 𝑥 𝑥
1
Horizontal asymptote: 𝑦 =
2

3𝑥3 1 1
1 3𝑥 3 +1 + 3+ 3 3+0 3
𝑥3 𝑥3 𝑥
3. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (3𝑥 + ) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 2 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥2
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚 1 = = = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
𝑥→∞ 𝑥2 𝑥→∞ 𝑥 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 0 0
𝑥3 𝑥
1
𝑙𝑖𝑚 (3𝑥 + ) = 3(∞) + 0 = ∞
𝑥→∞ 𝑥2
Horizontal asymptote: 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑒

√8𝑥 2 −2𝑥+3 √8𝑥 2 −2𝑥+3 √8𝑥 2 −2𝑥+3 8𝑥 2 −2𝑥+3

4. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 √
𝑥−∞ 𝑥+5 𝑥−∞ √(𝑥+5)2 𝑥−∞ √𝑥 2 +10𝑥+25 𝑥−∞ 𝑥 2 +10𝑥+25
8𝑥2 2𝑥 3 2 3
− + 8−𝑥+ 2 8−0+0
𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚 √ 𝑥2 10𝑥 25
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚 √ 10 25 =√ = √8 = √4 ∗ 2 = 2√2
𝑥−∞ + + 𝑥−∞ 1+ 𝑥 + 2 1+0+0
𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥

Horizontal asymptote: 𝑦 = ±2√2

√3𝑥 2 +𝑥+2𝑥 3𝑥 2 +𝑥−4𝑥 2 𝑥−𝑥 2

5. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 (√3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2𝑥) ( ) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ( ) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ( )
𝑥→∞ √3𝑥 2 +𝑥+2𝑥 𝑥→∞ √3𝑥 2 +𝑥+2𝑥 𝑥→∞ √3𝑥 2 +𝑥+2𝑥

𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥 𝑥2 1
−
√𝑥 4 √𝑥 4 𝑥 2 − 𝑥2 𝑥
−1
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→∞ 2 𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞
√3𝑥4 + 𝑥4 + 2𝑥 √ 32 + 13 + 2𝑥2 √ 32 + 13 + 2
𝑥 𝑥 4
√𝑥 ) ( 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 ) ( 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥)
(
0−1 −1
= = = −∞
√0+0+0 0