Limits Involving Infinities

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Infinite Limits
Theorem
Let c be a nonzero real number. Suppose that lim f (x) = c and lim g (x) = 0.
x→a x→a
1. If c > 0,
f (x)
1.1 and lim g (x) = 0+ , then lim = +∞.
x→a x→a g (x)
f (x)
1.2 and lim g (x) = 0− , then lim = −∞.
x→a x→a g (x)

2. If c < 0,
f (x)
2.1 and lim g (x) = 0+ , then lim = −∞.
x→a x→a g (x)
f (x)
2.2 and lim g (x) = 0− , then lim = +∞.
x→a x→a g (x)

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Infinite Limits

Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Infinite Limits April 29, 2023

Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Infinite Limits

Theorem

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞,
x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞,
x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞,
x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = +∞.
x→a x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = +∞.
x→a x→a x→a
4. If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = −∞,
x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = +∞.
x→a x→a x→a
4. If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = −∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = +∞ and
x→a x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = +∞.
x→a x→a x→a
4. If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = −∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = +∞ and
x→a x→a x→a
lim [g (x) − f (x)] = −∞
x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = +∞.
x→a x→a x→a
4. If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = −∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = +∞ and
x→a x→a x→a
lim [g (x) − f (x)] = −∞
x→a
5. Let c ∈ R\{0}.

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = +∞.
x→a x→a x→a
4. If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = −∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = +∞ and
x→a x→a x→a
lim [g (x) − f (x)] = −∞
x→a
5. Let c ∈ R\{0}. Suppose lim f (x) = c and lim g (x) = ±∞. Then
x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = +∞.
x→a x→a x→a
4. If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = −∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = +∞ and
x→a x→a x→a
lim [g (x) − f (x)] = −∞
x→a
5. Let c ∈ R\{0}. Suppose lim f (x) = c and lim g (x) = ±∞. Then
x→a x→a
5.1 lim [f (x)g (x)] = ±∞ if c > 0.
x→a

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Infinite Limits

Theorem
1. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = ±∞.
x→a x→a x→a
2. If lim f (x) exists and lim g (x) = ±∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = ∓∞.
x→a x→a x→a
3. If lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞, then lim [f (x) + g (x)] = +∞.
x→a x→a x→a
4. If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = −∞, then lim [f (x) − g (x)] = +∞ and
x→a x→a x→a
lim [g (x) − f (x)] = −∞
x→a
5. Let c ∈ R\{0}. Suppose lim f (x) = c and lim g (x) = ±∞. Then
x→a x→a
5.1 lim [f (x)g (x)] = ±∞ if c > 0.
x→a
5.2 lim [f (x)g (x)] = ∓∞ if c < 0.
x→a

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Infinite Limits
lim f (x) lim g (x) lim [f (x) + g (x) lim [f (x)g (x)
x→a x→a x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Vertical Asymptote
The graph of x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph of y = f (x) if at least
one of the following is true:

I lim f (x) = −∞ I lim f (x) = −∞

x→a− x→a+
I lim f (x) = +∞ I lim f (x) = +∞
x→a− x→a+

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Infinite Limits
Example: Consider the graph of f below to evaluate the following limits.
6

−6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6
−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6

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Infinite Limits

Indeterminate Form of type ∞ − ∞

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Infinite Limits

Indeterminate Form of type ∞ − ∞

Suppose lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞.
x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Indeterminate Form of type ∞ − ∞

Suppose lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞. Then lim [f (x) − g (x)] is called an
x→a x→a x→a
indeterminate form of type ∞ − ∞.

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Infinite Limits

Indeterminate Form of type ∞ − ∞

Suppose lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞. Then lim [f (x) − g (x)] is called an
x→a x→a x→a
indeterminate form of type ∞ − ∞.

Indeterminate Form of type 0 · ∞

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Infinite Limits

Indeterminate Form of type ∞ − ∞

Suppose lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞. Then lim [f (x) − g (x)] is called an
x→a x→a x→a
indeterminate form of type ∞ − ∞.

Indeterminate Form of type 0 · ∞

Suppose lim f (x) = 0 and lim g (x) = ±∞.
x→a x→a

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Infinite Limits

Indeterminate Form of type ∞ − ∞

Suppose lim f (x) = +∞ and lim g (x) = +∞. Then lim [f (x) − g (x)] is called an
x→a x→a x→a
indeterminate form of type ∞ − ∞.

Indeterminate Form of type 0 · ∞

Suppose lim f (x) = 0 and lim g (x) = ±∞. Then lim [f (x)g (x)] is called an
x→a x→a x→a
indeterminate form of type 0 · ∞.

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Limits at Infinity

1
Consider f (x) = 2 . Using table of values and graph, observe the behaviour of f (x)
x
as x approaches positive in nity.

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Limits at Infinity

1
Consider f (x) = 2 . Using table of values and graph, observe the behaviour of f (x)
x
as x approaches positive in nity.
Solution:

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Limits at Infinity

1
Consider f (x) = 2 . Using table of values and graph, observe the behaviour of f (x)
x
as x approaches positive in nity.
Solution: Using table of values,

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Limits at Infinity

1
Consider f (x) = 2 . Using table of values and graph, observe the behaviour of f (x)
x
as x approaches positive in nity.
Solution: Using table of values,
x
f (x)

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Limits at Infinity
1
Now, consider the graph of f (x) = 2 below and observe the behaviour of f (x) as x
x
approaches
becomes to positive
closer and in nity. to 0.
closer

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Limits at Infinity
1
Now, consider the graph of f (x) = 2 below and observe the behaviour of f (x) as x
x
approaches
becomes to positive
closer and in nity. to 0.
closer
10

−6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6
−1
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Limits at Infinity

Limits at Infinity

Let f be a function defined at every number in some interval (a, ∞). We say
that the limit of f (x) as x approaches positive infinity is L, denoted

lim f (x) = L
x→+∞

if the values of f (x) get closer and closer to L as the values of x increase without
bound.

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Limits at Infinity

Limits at Infinity

Similarly, let f be a function defined at every number in some interval (−∞, a).
We say that the limit of f (x) as x approaches negative infinity is L, denoted

lim f (x) = L
x→−∞

if the values of f (x) get closer and closer to L as the values of x decrease without
bound.

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Limits at Infinity

Remark: We have similar notions for the following symbols.

I lim f (x) = +∞ or − ∞
x→+∞
I lim f (x) = +∞ or − ∞
x→−∞

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Limits at Infinity

Theorem

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Limits at Infinity

TheoremLet n be a positive integer.

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Limits at Infinity

TheoremLet n be a positive integer.

1. lim x n = ∞ if n is even.
x→±∞

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Limits at Infinity

TheoremLet n be a positive integer.

1. lim x n = ∞ if n is even.
x→±∞
2. lim x n = ±∞ if n is odd.
x→±∞

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Limits at Infinity

TheoremLet n be a positive integer.

1. lim x n = ∞ if n is even.
x→±∞
2. lim x n = ±∞ if n is odd.
x→±∞
1
3. lim =0
x→±∞ x n

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Limits at Infinity

TheoremLet n be a positive integer.

1. lim x n = ∞ if n is even.
x→±∞
2. lim x n = ±∞ if n is odd.
x→±∞
1
3. lim =0
x→±∞ x n
4. Let c ∈ R. Suppose lim f (x) = c and lim g (x) = ±∞.
x→±∞ x→±∞

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Limits at Infinity

TheoremLet n be a positive integer.

1. lim x n = ∞ if n is even.
x→±∞
2. lim x n = ±∞ if n is odd.
x→±∞
1
3. lim=0
x→±∞ x n
4. Let c ∈ R. Suppose lim f (x) = c and lim g (x) = ±∞. Then
x→±∞ x→±∞

f (x)
lim =0
x→±∞ g (x)

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Limits at Infinity

Remark:

To find lim f (x) if f is a polynomial function, it suffices to consider the behaviour

x→±∞
of the leading term of f (x) as x → ∞ (or as x → −∞)

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Limits at Infinity

∞
Indeterminate Form of Type
∞

Suppose lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = ∞.

x→a x→a

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Limits at Infinity

∞
Indeterminate Form of Type
∞

f (x)
Suppose lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = ∞. Then lim is called an
x→a x→a x→a g (x)
∞
indeterminate form of type
∞

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Limits at Infinity

∞
Indeterminate Form of Type
∞

f (x)
Suppose lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g (x) = ∞. Then lim is called an
x→a x→a x→a g (x)
∞
indeterminate form of type
∞

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

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Limits at Infinity

Horizontal Asysmptote

The line y = L is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of y = f (x) if

lim f (x) = L or lim f (x) = L.

x→∞ x→−∞

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Infinite Limits
Example: Evaluate the following limits.

May 13, 2023 First Unit Test

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References

1. Math 53 Module, Institute of Mathematics ,University of the Philippines

2. The Calculus 7th edition Leithold, LouisAddison and Wesley Publishing Co.,
Inc., 1996
3. CHED Basic Calculus

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The End
Thanks for your attention! =)

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