LIMIT LAWS

Outcomes of Learning
Determine the limit of a function using
the limit laws

Determine the limit of a function through

factoring and conjugation
Limit Laws
For every law, let 𝑐 be any constant, 𝑛 as
any positive integer, 𝑓 and 𝑔 as the functions,
and 𝑘 as limiting value.
A. Limit of a Constant

The limit of any constant as 𝑥 approaches any

limiting value is ALWAYS equal to the given
constant.
 A. Limit of a Constant
Examples:
1. lim 9 = 9
𝑥→3

2. lim −15 = −15 4. lim 𝜋 = 𝜋

1
𝑥→0.5 𝑥→
5
B. Limit of an Identity Function

The limit of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 as 𝑥 approaches

a certain value 𝑘 is ALWAYS equal to 𝑘.
 B. Limit of an Identity Function
Examples:

1. lim 𝑥 = 3 2. lim 𝑥 = 0.25

𝑥→3 𝑥→0.25

3. lim 𝑥
3
𝑥→
4
C. Limit of a Constant Multiple
 C. Limit of a Constant Multiple
Examples:

1. lim 5𝑥 = 5 lim 𝑥 2. lim −3𝑥 = −3 lim 𝑥

𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
= 5(−2) = −3(3)
= −10 = −9
C. Limit of a Constant Multiple
Example:

3. lim 6𝑥 = 6 lim 𝑥
1 1
𝑥→ 𝑥→
2 2

=6

=3
D. Limit of Power of a Function
Examples:
3
3
1. lim 𝑥 = lim 𝑥 2. lim 6𝑥 2 = 6 lim 𝑥 2
𝑥→3 1 1
𝑥→3 𝑥→− 𝑥→−
2 2
3
= (3) 2
lim 𝑥
=6 1
= 27 𝑥→−
2

=6

=6
Example:

lim 𝑥 3
𝑥→2
3
lim 𝑥
𝑥→2

(2)3

(8)

=1
E. Limit of Root of a Function
 E. Limit of Root of a Function
Examples:

1. lim 𝑥 = lim 𝑥 2. lim 2 𝑥 = 2 lim 𝑥

𝑥→8 𝑥→8 𝑥→9 𝑥→9

= 8 = 2 lim 𝑥
𝑥→9
= 23
=2 9
=2 2
= 2(3)
=6
Example:
3 3
3. lim 3𝑥 2 = lim 3𝑥 2
𝑥→3 𝑥→3

3
= 3 lim 𝑥 2
𝑥→3

3 2
= 3 3
3
= 33
=3
F. Limit of Sum and Difference of
Functions
 F. Limit of Sum and Difference
of Functions
Examples:
1. lim (𝑥 + 3) = lim 𝑥 + lim 3 2. lim (2 − 5𝑥)= lim 2 − lim 5𝑥
𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2

=3+3 = lim 2 − 5 lim 𝑥

𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2
=6 = 2− 5(−2)
= 2 + 10
= 12
F. Limit of Sum and Difference
of Functions
Example:

3. lim (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 4) = lim 𝑥 2 − lim 2𝑥 + lim 4

𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
= (lim 𝑥)2− 2 lim 𝑥 + lim 4
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
2
= (1) − 2(1) + 4
= 1−2 +4
=3
G. Limit of Product of Functions
 G. Limit of Product of Functions
Example:

1. lim [ 2𝑥 𝑥 − 3 ] = ( lim 2𝑥)( lim (𝑥 − 3))

𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1

=(2 lim 𝑥)( lim 𝑥− lim 3)

𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1
= 2(−1) (−1− 3)
=(−2)(−4)
=8
 G. Limit of Product of Functions
Example:
2. lim [ 𝑥 + 3 5 − 2𝑥 ] = (lim (𝑥 + 3))( lim(5 − 2𝑥))
𝑥→5 𝑥→5 𝑥→5
= (lim 𝑥 + lim 3) (lim 5 − lim 2𝑥)
𝑥→5 𝑥→5 𝑥→5 𝑥→5
= (lim 𝑥 + lim 3)(lim 5 − 2 lim 𝑥)
𝑥→5 𝑥→5 𝑥→5 𝑥→5
= (5 + 3)(5 − 2(5))
= (8)(5 − 10)
= (8)(−5)
= −40
 Example:
3. lim [ 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 ] = (lim (3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥)) ( lim(2 − 𝑥))
𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4
= (lim 3𝑥 2 − lim 4𝑥)(lim 2 − lim 𝑥)
𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4
= (3lim 𝑥 2 − 4lim 𝑥)(lim 2 − lim 𝑥)
𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4
= (3(lim 𝑥)2 − 4lim 𝑥)(lim 2 − lim 𝑥)
𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4
2
= (3 4 − 4(4))(2 − 4)
= (3(16) − 16)(−2)
= (48 − 16)(−2)
= (32)(−2)
= − 64
H. Limit of Quotient of a Functions
Example:
Example:

= −2
Example:
I. Substitution Method

The limit of the function 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches

𝑘 is 𝑓(𝑘).
 I. Substitution Method
Example:

lim (2𝑥 + 1) = 2(−5)+1 lim (4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) = 4 (2)3−3 2 2−2(2)

𝑥→−5 𝑥→2
= −10+1 = 4(8)−3(4)−4
= −9 = 32 −12 −4
= 16
Example: 2 2 2−5(2) + 7
0 2− 7 2 2+ 5
=
0+3
2(4)−10 + 7
0− 7
= (4) + 5
0+ 3
7 8 −10+ 7
=−
3
9
 J. Factoring Method
0
If a rational function gives the indeterminate form ,
0

and that the rational function can be simplified, the

factoring method is used. To evaluate the limit using the
Factoring Method, follow these steps:
J. Factoring Method
STEP #1 STEP #2

Use the substitution Factor the numerator

rule to check if the and/or the
𝟎 denominator of the
result is 𝟎.
given function.

STEP #4
STEP #3
Evaluate the limit
Eliminate the
using the
common factor/s.
Substitution Rule.
 Step 1:
2 2− 4 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
= lim Step 2
= 𝑥→2 𝑥−2
2−2
4 −4 = lim (𝑥 + 2) Step 3
= 𝑥→2
2−2
= 2+2 Step 4
=4
𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
Step 1:
−6+6
=
(−6)3 + 216
−6 + 6
=
− 216 + 216

𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
 𝑥+6
Step 2: = lim
𝑥→−6 (𝑥 + 6) (𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 36)

1
Step 3: = lim
𝑥→−6 (𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 36)

1
Step 4: =
( −6 2− 6 (−6) + 36

(36 + 36 + 36)

108
 K. Conjugation Method
When the rational function involves a radical, and,
0
after using the Substitution Rule, the result is 0, it is often

helpful to use the conjugation method. In order to use

this method, we define the conjugate.
The Conjugate
• The conjugate of any binomial 𝑎 + 𝑏 is 𝒂 − 𝒃.
• The conjugate of any binomial 𝑎 − 𝑏 is 𝒂 + 𝒃.
 K. Conjugation Method
STEP #1 STEP #2 STEP #3

Use the substitution Identify the expression Multiply the

rule to check if the with a radical and numerator and the
𝟎 determine its denominator by the
result is . conjugate. conjugate.
𝟎

STEP #4 STEP #5
Eliminate the common
factors on both the Evaluate the limit
numerator and the using the
denominator. Substitution Rule.
 Step 1:
𝑥 +3 Step 2
9− 9 · Step 3
= 𝑥+3
9− 3
𝑥−9 𝑥+3
9 −9 = lim Step 4
= 𝑥→9 𝑥−9
3−3
= lim ( 𝑥 + 3)
𝑥→9

= 9+3 Step 5
𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
=3+3
=6
 𝑥 +2 Step 2
Step 1: · Step 3
𝑥+2
4−2 𝑥−4
= = lim Step 4
4 −4 𝑥→4 𝑥 − 4 𝑥+2
2 −2
=
4−4

Step 5
4+2
𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
2 +2
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Resources
Web Sources

Dummies: How to Solve Limits by Conjugate Multiplication

https://www.dummies.com/education/math/calculus/how-to-solve-limits-by-conjugate-
multiplication/#:~:text=To%20solve%20certain%20limit%20problems,need%20the%20conju
gate%20multiplication%20technique.&text=Multiply%20the%20numerator%20and%20denom
inator,to%20addition%20or%20vice%20versa.
Enotes: Math Questions and Answers https://www.enotes.com/homework-
help/how-limits-calculus-limits-used-applied-daily-life-355280
LibreTexts Mathematics: Calculating Limits Using the Limit Laws
https://math.libretexts.org/Courses/Misericordia_University/MTH_171-172%3A_Calculus_-
_Early_Transcendentals_(Stewart)/02%3A_Limits_and_Derivatives/2.03%3A_Calculating_Limit
s_Using_the_Limit_Laws

Textbooks
Marcelo, G. (2014), Basic Calculus. Rex Bookstore Inc. Manila
Mercado, J. (2016), Next Century Mathematics 11 (Basic Calculus), Phoenix Publishing House,
Quezon City