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WEEK # 02
2.2) THE LIMIT OF A FUNCTION
2.3) THE LIMIT LAWS

2.2) THE LIMIT OF A FUNCTION

Definition of a Limit:
Definition of a Limit :
Suppose f  x  is defined when x is near the number a.
This means f is defined on some open interval that contains a, except possibly at ‘a’ itself 
We write lim f ( x)  L
xa

and we speak "The limit of f ( x), as x approaches a , equals L ".

Alternatively we can say :
Value of f ( x) approach ' L ' as x approaches ' a '
That is f ( x)  L as x  a
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EXAMPLES:

lim  2 x2   2  3  18
2
1)
x 3

2) lim(5x  1)  5  4   1  21
x 4

3 3 3
3) lim  
x 4 x3 43 7
 
4) lim  cos   3sin    cos  3sin  0  3(1)  3

 2 2
2

5) lim(7 cos 2  5sin 4  13tan 2  23)

 0

    
 7 limcos 2  5 limsin 4  13 lim tan 2  23
 0  0  0

 7(1)  5(0)  13(0)  23
 30

2x 3
6 ) lim [   5 c o s ( x  1)]
x 1 s in c (x  4)2
x 3
 2 lim  lim  lim 5 c o s ( x  1)
x 1 s in c x 1 ( x  4 )2 x 1

2 1
 lim ( x )  3 lim  5 lim c o s ( x  1)
s in c x 1 x 1 ( x  4 )2 x 1

2 1
 (1 )  3  5 c o s (1  1 )
s in c (1  4 ) 2
2 1 3 48
 (1 )  3  5 co s(0 )  2 csc c   5 (1 )  2 c s c c 
s in c 9 9 9
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TRY

x 2  100 x 2  49 x2  5
1) lim 2) lim 3) lim
x 10 x  10 x 7 x7 x 5 x  5

x 2  16 x2  2 x  16
4) lim 5) lim 4 6) lim 2
x2 x2 x  2 x  16 x 16 x  256

MORE EXAMPLES (WHERE DIRECT USE OF VALUES NOT ALLOWED)

5( y  3) 5( y  3) 5 5
1) lim  lim  lim 
y 3 y 2  4 y  3 x 3 ( y  1)( y  3) x 3 ( y  1) 2

t2  3 
t 3 t 3  
2) lim
t  3 t 
 lim
3 t  3 t 3
 lim t  3  2 3
t  3
 
3) lim
y a
 lim
y a 

lim
1

1
y  a 
y 2  a y  a y  a y  a  
y  a y  a 2 a  
2( x  1) 2 ( x  4) ( x  1) 2 ( x  4) ( x  4)
4) lim  l im 2  2 lim  6
x 1 x2  2 x  1 x 1 ( x  1) 2 x 1 1
(t 2  2t  8) (t  4)(t  2) (t  4) 2  4
5) lim 2  lim  lim   6
t  2 t  5t  6 t  2 (t  3)(t  2) t  2 (t  3) 23
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MORE EXAMPLES (WHERE SOLUTION WILL BE DONE WITH RATIONALISING)

x4 2
1) lim
x 0 x
x4 2 x4 2
 lim .
x 0 x x4 2
( x  4)2  (2)2 x44
 lim  lim
x 0 x.( x  4  2) x0 x.( x  4  2)
x 1
 lim  lim
x 0 x.( x  4  2) x 0 ( x  4  2)

1 1
 
( 0  4  2) 4

EXAMPLES

x2  9  3
1) lim
x0 x2
Rationalising we will get
x2  9  3 x 2  9  3
 lim .
x0 x2 x2  9  3
( x2  9)2  (3)2 ( x2  9  9)
 lim  lim
x0 x ( x  9  3)
2 2 x0 x2 ( x2  9  3)
( x2 ) 1 1 1
lim  lim  lim 
x0 x2 ( x2  9  3) x0 ( x2  9  3) x0 ( 02  9  3) 6

TRY THE SIMILAR

x  49 7 x 1 1
1) lim 2) lim
x0 x x0 x
x  25 5 x  9 3
3) lim 4) lim
x0 x x0 x
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4u 1  3
2) lim
u2 u 2
Rationalising we will get
4u 1  3 4u 1  3
 lim .
u2 u 2 4u 1  3
( 4u 1)2  (3)2 (4u 1)  9
 lim  lim
u2 (u  2) 4u 1  3 u2 (u  2) 4u 1  3

4(u  2) 4 4 2
 lim  lim  
u2 (u  2) 4u 1  3 u2 4u 1  3 6 3

 1 1
3) lim  
t 0  t 1 t t
1  1 1 1 1 1 t 
 lim     lim  
t 0 t  1 t 1 t 0 t 1 t
 
Rationalising we will get
1 1 1 t 1 1 t  1  (1)2  ( 1 t )2 
lim  .  lim  
t 0 t
 1 t 1 1 t  t0 t  1 t (1 1 t ) 
1  (1)  (1 t)  1 t   1 
lim    lim    lim  
t 0 t  1 t (1 1 t )  t 0 t  1 t (1 1 t )  t 0  1 t (1 1 t ) 

 1  1
 
 1  0(1 1  0)  2
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TRY SOME EXTRA

x2  9  5 x2  9  5
1) lim 2) lim
x 4 x4 x4 x4

 4 x  3 x  3
3) lim  2
4) lim
x 16 16 x  x x
  x 0

3 x  3 1 x  1
5) lim 6) lim
x0 x x 0 x
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ONE SIDED LIMITS

The Heaviside Function H is defined as :

0 if t  0
H (t)   
1 if t  0
1) We clearly notice that H(t) approaches 0 as t approaches 0 from left.
2) We clearly notice that H(t) approaches 1 as t approaches 0 from right.

Symbolically we will write:

lim H (t)  0 & lim H(t)  1

t 0 t 0

(Left Handed (Right Handed

Limit ) Limit)
Here
a) t  0 means Values of ‘t’ are less than 0

b) t  0 means Values of ‘t’ are greater than 0.

NOTE

1) If lim f ( x )  l
xa

We will say Left-Hand limit of f(x) as x approaches ‘a’ is equal to L.

2) If lim f ( x)  l
xa

We will say Right-Hand limit of f(x) as x approaches ‘a’ is equal to L

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NOTE : Some times for the existence of a limit, we will need to find Left as well as
right Handed limits. Then we will say that the limit exists iff
L.H.L = R.H.L = L
i.e both Left and Right Handed limits exist & Equal

lim f (x)  L iff lim f (x)  L lim f (x)

xa xa xa

 x 4 if x  4
Evaluate lim f (x) if f (x)   
x4
82x if x  4
Solution : As we know in such above cases Limit will exist
iff L.H.L = R.H.L

i.e lim f (x)  lim f (x)

x4 x4

Case1
L.H.L  lim f (x)  lim(8

 2x)  8  2(4)  0
x4 x4

Case 2
R.H.L  lim f ( x)  lim x  4  4  4  0
x4 x4

From Case 1 & Case 2 L.H.L =R.H.L i.e

lim f (x)  lim f (x)0

x4 x4

Therefore Right & Left Handed limits exist and are equal so lim f ( x)  0
x4
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EXAMPLE

2ax 2 if x 1
Let f (x)   2 
x a if x  1
For what value(s) of ‘a’ does the limit lim f ( x ) exists ?
x  1

Solution : As it is given that the limit exists so

lim f ( x)  lim f ( x)  lim f ( x)

x1 x1 x1

………………………………………………….(1)
 L.H .L  R.H .L

 L.H .L  lim f ( x)  lim  2ax  2    2a  2  .........................(2)

x 1 x1

 R.H .L  lim f ( x)  lim  x 2  a   1  a  ............................(3)

x 1 x 1

Using (2) and (3) in (1) we will get :

2a+2=1-a
1
 a
3
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Question : For what value( s ) of k does the lim f ( x ) exist if

x 1

 k 2  cos( x  1) if x  1 
f ( x)   .
 2 k  sin  
2 x if x  1 
Sol. As we know lim f ( x) will exist for :
x 1

lim f ( x)  lim f ( x)  lim f ( x)............(1)

x 1 x 1 x 1

Now lim f ( x)  lim  k 2  cos( x  1)   k 2  1

x 1 x 1

and lim f ( x)  lim  2k  sin  2 x    2k  0  2k

x 1 x 1

From (1)  k 2  1  2k
 k 2  2k  1  0  k  1
Thus lim f ( x) will exist if k  1
x 1

EXAMPLE :

Evaluate lim x
x0

Solution:
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Evaluate lim x
x0

Solutio n : As we know from the property of absolute value ,

 x if x  0 
x  
  x if x  0 
Case 1) For x  x , we ha ve only po ssibility when x  0,

R.H .L  lim f ( x )  lim x  li m x  0

x0 x0 x0

Case 2 ) For x   x , we have o nly possibi lity wh en x  0,

L.H .L  lim f ( x )  lim x  lim x  0

x0 x0 x0

From case 1 and case 2 , R .H .L  L.H .L  0

So lim x  0 ( Means exists & is equal to zero )
x0

x
Evaluate lim .
x0 x

Solution :
x  x 
. .L  lim f (x)  lim
LH  lim   1...............................................(1)
x0 x0 x x0  x 
x x
. .L  lim f (x)  lim
RH  lim    1..................................................(2)
x0 x0 x x0  x 

From (1) and (2)  lim f (x)  lim f (x)

x0 x0

x
Hence lim doesn't exist
x0 x
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Try the following:

x x2 x3
1) lim 2) lim 3) lim
x 0 x x 2 x2 x 3 x3
2x  6 x 5 2x  4
4) lim 5) lim 6) lim
x 3 x 3 x 5 x 5 x 2 x2

INFINITE LIMITS (+  or -  ):
Sometimes we take limit as infinite (  ) or the answer becomes infinite either
+ve or –ve. These such cases in either way are called infinite limits e.g.:
1
1) lim  
x 0 x 2

7x  2
2) lim
x  x  7

3x  2
3) lim
x 
x2  5x  4
These all are the examples of infinite Limits.

How to avoid your answer to get infinite (  or -  )

1 1
Remember:   and 0
0 
1 1
So if limit is  or  we will try to use it in denominator so that  0 or 0
 

If in case Answer for a question becomes infinite we will say LIMIT DOES NOT
EXIST.
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x 3
EXAMPLE.1 lim
x x  4

Solution : Dividing Numerator and Denominator by ‘x’ we will get :

( x  3) x 3 3
 1
 lim x  lim x x  lim x
x  ( x  4) x  x 4 x  4
 1
x x x x

1 0  1 
  1  B e c a u s e  0
1 0  

 x2  1 
EXAMPLE.2 lim  2 
x  x  2 x  5
 
Solution : Dividing Numerator and Denominator by ‘ x 2 ’ we will get :

 x2 1   x2 1 
 x 2   x2  x2 
 lim 2   lim  
x x  2x  5 x x2 2x 5
     
 x 2
  x2 x2 x2 

 1 
 1  
x 2  1 0 
 lim   1  0  0   1
x  2 5
1   2 
 x x 
 (100x 1)( x 1) 
EXAMPLE.3 lim  
x
 ( x)(2x 1) 
Solution : Dividing Numerator and Denominator by ‘ x 2 ’ we will get :
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 (100 x  1)( x  1)    100 x  1  x  1  

   
x  x  

= lim x 2
 lim   
 ( x)(2 x  1)  x
x 
    x  2 x  1  
 x2    x 
 x  


  100 x 1  x 1     100 1  1  
  x  x  x  x     1  x 1  x  
= lim       lim    
x 
  x  2 x  1   x 
 1  2  1  
  x   
 x x     
 1 x  

  100  
  1  0  1  0    (100)(1) 
      50
 1  0    (1)(2) 
 2
   
1  

A FEW MORE EXAMPLES OF ONE SIDED LIMIT

Q. Find the Limit if it exists for lim

x3
 2x  x  3 
Solution: Given

R.H.L  lim(2x)  lim x  3 . .L  lim(2

LH 
x)  lim x 3

x3 x3 x3 x3

 2(3)  0  2(3)  0
 6  6

Clearly R.H.L = L.H.L = 6

So we can say lim  2 x  x  3  exists and is equal to 6
x 3
 Page 15

 x  2 2 if x  1
TRY Q. If f ( x)   
 x 2
 1 if x  1 

1) Find lim f (x) & lim f (x)

x1 x1

2) Does lim f (x) exits .

x1

Find the infinite Limits:

x2 2 x
1) lim 2) lim
x3  x  1
x 1 2
x 3

x2  2x  8
3) lim In( x  9)
2
4) lim 2
x 3 x2 x  5 x  6

x 4  3x 2  x
Q. lim 3
x  x  x  2

Solution :
x4  3x2  x
Given lim 3
x  x  x  2

Dividing Numerartor & Deno min ator By highest power of x in denom in ator
we will get :
 x 4  3x 2  x   x4 x2 x 
   3 3 3  3 
 x3   lim x x x 
 lim
x   x  x  2   x3 x 2 
3
x 
 3   3 3 3
 x  x x x 
 1 1 
x3  2 
x x 
 lim      Does not exist
x   1 2 
1  2  3 
 x x 
 Page 16

TWO ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES OF LIMITS

Theorem 1) If f ( x)  g ( x) when x is near ‘a ’ (except possibly at a) and the limit
of f and g both exist as x approaches a, then :
lim f (x)  lim g(x)
xa xa

**Theorem 2) *** The Squeeze Theorem ***

If f ( x)  g ( x)  h( x) when x is near a (except at a possibly )

and lim f ( x)  lim h( x)  L

x a x a

Then by SQUEEZE THEOREM lim g ( x )  L

x a

EXAMPLES BY SQUEEZE THEOREM

Example : When x is near 0, it is given that f ( x )  h ( x )  g ( x ),

where f ( x)  3 x 3  2 x 2  1 and g ( x )  1  5 x 2 .
Find lim h( x). Justify your answer .
x 0

Solution : lim f ( x)  lim  3 x 3  2 x 2  1  0  0  1  1

x 0 x 0

lim g ( x)  lim 1  5 x 2   1  0  1
x 0 x 0

Therefore by squeeze theorem

lim h( x)  lim f ( x)  lim g ( x)  1
x 0 x 0 x 0
 Page 17

EXAMPLE :
1
Evaluate or Show that lim x 2 sin 0 .
x0 x
Solution :
First we note that we can not use
1 1 1
lim x 2 sin  lim x 2 lim sin ( As lim sin does not exists )
x0 x x0 x0 x x0 x
Instead we will a pply Squeeze the o rem :
We know from knowledge of sine  fu n ction that :
1
 1  sin  1
x
As x 2  0 so we multiply both sides by x 2 ,
1
 x 2  x 2 .sin
 x2
x
Taking LIMIT both sides :
1
lim(  x 2 )  lim x 2 .sin
 lim x 2
x0 x0 x x0

As lim  x 2  0  lim x 2
x0 x0

1
So by Sequeeze Theore m : lim x 2 .sin 0
x0 x
Hence Proved

1
TRY : Evaluate or Show that lim x 4 cos 0
x 0 x
 Page 18

TRY SIMIALR WITH SQUEEZE THEOREM

1) If 3x  5  f ( x)  x 2  2 x  1 for x  0, find lim f ( x).

x2

2) If 2 x 3  2 x  1  h( x)  x 4  x 2  3 for x  0, find lim h( x).

x 1

7
3) Prove that lim x 6 cos 0
x 0 x

4) Prove that lim 3x esin  x  0

x 0

TRY FEW MORE

x3  8 2 x2  8
1)lim 2) lim
x2 x2  2x x 2 x 2  2 x

1  1 1 6  x7
3) lim   
x3 x  3 x
4) lim 6 5
x x  x  2 x  24
 3
x2  x  3  7 x  5 x2
5) lim 6) lim
x 2 x2 ( x  2)2
x 2

x 

7) lim x  x2  x  1
8) lim x2 cos 2 (SqueezeTheorem)
x0 x
 x 1 if x  1
 
9) Find lim f ( x), If f ( x)   ex1 
x 1
 if x  1
 cos( x 1) 
10) Find thevalues of c and d suchthat the function
cx2  2x if x  2 
 
f ( x)  3 if x  2 exists at x  2.
 x3  dx if x > 2 
 
 Page 19

And….FEW MORE UNSOLVED EXAMPLES

x2 1 x3  9 x
1) lim 2) lim
x 1
x  1  x2  1 x 3 x3
 x3  x 2  7x  9
3) lim sin   4) lim
 x 1 
x 1 x  x  3

(15 x  1)( x  1) tan x

5) lim 6) lim
x  x (2 x  1) x0 2x
3 x 2  27 x
7) lim 8) lim
x 3 3 x x 1 x  2 x  1
2

2 x2 2 6 x  6
9) lim 10) lim
x2 x2 x3 x3
3x  6  6 3x  2
11) lim 12) lim
x  2 2 x x 
x2  5x  4
x2  3 x4
13) lim 14) lim
x   2 x  1 x  4 x4
1 1

5 x
15) lim 7  x 7 16) lim
x0 x x  25 25  x
6 x 2
17) lim
x2 3  x 1
 Page 20

2.3 THE LIMIT LAWS

1)The limit of a sum is the sum of the limits.

lim f (x)  g(x) lim f (x)  limg(x)

xa xa xa

2) The limit of a difference is the difference of the limits.

lim f (x)  g(x) lim f (x) limg(x)

xa xa xa

3) The limit of a constant time a function is the constant time the limit of the
function.

lim c. f (x) c.lim f (x)

xa xa

4) The limit of a product is the product of the limits.

lim f (x). g(x)  lim f (x). lim g(x)

xa xa xa

5) The limit of a quotient is the quotient of the limits provided limits of

denominator is not zero.

 f (x)  lim f (x)

lim  xa
provided lim g(x)  0
xa g(x)  lim g ( x)
  xa xa

n
lim f (x)  lim f (x) where n is positive.
n
6) xa xa 

7) limc  c where c is cons tan t.

xa
 Page 21

8) lim x  a
xa

9) lim xn  an
xa

10) lim n x  n a where n is even & a is positive

xa

n f (x)  n lim f (x)

11) lim
xa xa
where n is positive

GREATEST INTEGER FUNCTION  X 

Definition: The greatest integer function of a real number is represented by f(x)=

X 
For all real numbers X, the largest integer less than or equal to x.
In other words, the greatest integer function rounds down a real number to the
nearest integer.
i.e X   X
For example:
 Page 22

7.5  7.5 , 9.7   9 ,  1.1  2

10  10 ,  3.7   4 , 0.4  0
0.4  0 ,  1.5  2 ,  3.7   4

Also
if 1.1  x  2.3   x  2
if 3.9  x  4.9   x  4
if  1.1  x  0.3   x   1
if  4.7  x  3.9   x   4

Note: Your instructor owns the copyright to recorded and streamed lessons, which are provided to
you for your personal study only. Recordings and streams may not be reproduced or distributed
further without permission from the copyright owner.

Reference:
Stewart, J. (2016). Single Variable Calculus: Early Transcendentals (8th ed.). Australia:
Cengage Learning, ISBN: 0176824480.