LAS 2-1 SUBJECT: PRE-CALCULUS

Limits
from Tables and RONALD I. ALBUERA
Graphs
by Subject Teacher
Nald Albuera
 Most Essential Learning Competencies:
▪ illustrate the limit of a function using a
table of values and the graph of the
CODES: function, and
STEM_BC11LCIIIa-1,
STEM_BC11LCIIIa-2 & ▪ distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and
STEM_BC11LCIIIa-3 𝑥→𝑐
Topic: PARABOLA
f(c).
 You are expected to:
▪ illustrate the limit of a function
using a table of values and the
OBJECTIVES
graph of the function, and
▪ distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) & f(c).
Topic: PARABOLA 𝑥→𝑐
 LIMITS
Topic: PARABOLA
 Archimedes of Syracuse
first developed the idea of limits to measure
History of curved figures and the volume of a sphere in the
Topic: PARABOLA
Mathematics third century B. C. By carving these figures into
small pieces that can be approximated, then
increasing the number of pieces, the limit of the
sum of pieces can give the desired quantity.
DEFINITON The Limit of a Function
The limit of a function f(x) is the value it
approaches as the value of x approaches
a certain value. “ As x approaches c, the
limit of f(x) approaches L” in symbol
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄
Or this is read, “The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L.”
Example 1

Find 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐
Notes:
▪ The arrow pointing at 2 indicates that x is
approaching 2 from the left side and from the
right side of 2.
▪ This means that x can take on values less than
2 and values greater than 2.
▪ It cannot take 2 as a value because it is just
approaching 2.
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐

How to find the limit of the given function?

Step 1: Construct tables of values
▪ approaching 2 from its left or through values less
than but close to 2, and
▪ approaching 2 from its right or through values
greater than but close to 2.
Step 2: Find the limit of the given function.
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐

Step 1: Construct tables of values

▪ approaching 2 from its left or through values less
than but close to 2.

x 1 1.4 1.7 1.9 1.95 1.997 1.9999 1.9999999

y or f(x) 4 5.2 6.1 6.7 6.85 6.991 6.9997 6.9999997
 SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐

▪ approaching 2 from its left or through values less

than but close to 2
x 1 1.4 1.7 1.9 1.95 1.997 1.9999 1.9999999
y or f(x) 4 5.2 6.1 6.7 6.85 6.991 6.9997 6.9999997

𝐥𝐢𝐦−(𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙) = 𝟕
𝒙→2
means that as the values of x get closer and closer to 2
from the left, the values of f(x) get closer and closer to 7
 SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐

Step 1: Construct tables of values

▪ approaching 2 from its right or through values
greater than but close to 2.

x 2.0000001 2.0005 2.009 2.03 2.1 2.2 2.5 3

y or f(x) 7.0000003 7.0015 7.027 7.09 7.3 7.6 8.5 10
 SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐

▪ approaching 2 from its right or through values

greater than but close to 2
x 2.0000001 2.0005 2.009 2.03 2.1 2.2 2.5 3
y or f(x) 7.0000003 7.0015 7.027 7.09 7.3 7.6 8.5 10

𝐥𝐢𝐦+(𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙) = 𝟕
𝒙→2
means that as the values of x get closer and closer to 2
from the right, the values of f(x) get closer and closer to 7
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐

Step 2: Find the limit of the given function

Since 𝐥𝐢𝐦−(𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙) = 𝟕, and 𝐥𝐢𝐦+(𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙) = 𝟕
𝒙→2 𝒙→2

Therefore, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙) = 𝟕

𝒙→𝟐
Note: This means that the limit of (1+3x) is 7 as x approaches
2 from either side.
 SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙 .
𝒙→𝟐

By graphing:

(2,7)
Therefore,
𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝟏 + 𝟑𝒙) = 𝟕
𝒙→𝟐
Example 2

Find 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 + 𝟏 . 𝟐
𝒙→−𝟏
 𝟐
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 + 𝟏 .
𝒙→−𝟏
Step 1: Construct tables of values
▪ approaching -1 from its left or through values less
than but close to -1.
x -1.5 -1.2 -1.01 -1.0001
y or f(x) 3.25 2.44 2.0201 2.00020001

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 − 𝒙 𝟐 +𝟏 =𝟐
𝒙→−1
 𝟐
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 + 𝟏 .
𝒙→−𝟏
Step 1: Construct tables of values
▪ approaching -1 from its right or through values
greater than but close to -1.
x -0.5 -0.8 -0.99 -0.9999

y or f(x) 1.25 1.64 1.9801 1.99980001

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 + 𝒙 𝟐 +𝟏 =𝟐
𝒙→−1
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 .
𝒙→−𝟏

Step 2: Find the limit of the given function

Since 𝐥𝐢𝐦 − 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 = 𝟐, and 𝐥𝐢𝐦 + 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 = 𝟐
𝒙→−1 𝒙→−1

𝟐
Therefore, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟐
𝒙→−𝟏
Note: This means that the limit of 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 is 2 as x
approaches -1 from either side.
 SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 .
𝒙→−𝟏

By graphing:

Therefore,
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙𝟐 +𝟏 =𝟐
𝒙→−𝟏
Example 3

𝟐
𝒙 −𝟓𝒙+𝟒
Find 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒙−𝟏
.
𝒙→𝟏
 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 .
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙−𝟏
Step 1: Construct tables of values
▪ approaching 1 from its right or through values
greater than but close to 1.
x 1.5 1.17 1.003 1.0001
y or f(x) -2.5 -2.83 -2.997 -2.9999

𝒙 𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ = −𝟑
𝒙→1 𝒙−𝟏
 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 .
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙−𝟏
Step 1: Construct tables of values
▪ approaching 1 from its left or through values less
than but close to 1.
x 0.5 0.88 0.996 0.9999
y or f(x) -3.5 -3.12 -3.004 -3.0001

𝒙 𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝐥𝐢𝐦− = −𝟑
𝒙→1 𝒙−𝟏
 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 .
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙−𝟏
Step 2: Find the limit of the given function
𝒙𝟐 −𝟓𝒙+𝟒 𝒙𝟐 −𝟓𝒙+𝟒
Since 𝐥𝐢𝐦− = −𝟑, and 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ = −𝟑
𝒙→1 𝒙−𝟏 𝒙→1 𝒙−𝟏

𝟐
𝒙 −𝟓𝒙+𝟒
Therefore, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 =−𝟑
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙−𝟏
𝒙𝟐 −𝟓𝒙+𝟒
Note: This means that the limit of is -3 as x
𝒙−𝟏
approaches 1 from either side.
 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
SOLUTION 𝐥𝐢𝐦 .
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙−𝟏
By graphing:

Therefore,
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = −𝟑.
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙−𝟏
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

a. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→−𝟑

Solution:
𝐥𝐢𝐦−𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟑 0
and
𝐥𝐢𝐦+𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟑 0
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

a. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→−𝟑

Answer:

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟑 0
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

b. Determine 𝒙→−𝟐
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙

Solution:
𝐥𝐢𝐦−𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟐 1
and
𝐥𝐢𝐦+𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟐 1
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

b. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→−𝟐

Answer:

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟐 1
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

c. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→−𝟏

Solution:
𝐥𝐢𝐦−𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟏 0
and
𝐥𝐢𝐦+𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟏 1
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

c. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→−𝟏

Answer:
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→−𝟏
DNE
Or does not exist

Why? Since
𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟎, and 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟏, therefore 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑫𝑵𝑬
𝒙→−1 𝒙→−1 𝒙→−𝟏
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

d. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→𝟎

Solution:
𝐥𝐢𝐦−𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟎 1
and
𝐥𝐢𝐦+𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟎 1
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

d. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→𝟎

Answer:

𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟎 1
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

e. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒙→𝟏
𝒇 𝒙

Solution:
𝐥𝐢𝐦−𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟏 1
and
𝐥𝐢𝐦+𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟏 2
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

e. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→𝟏

Answer:
𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟏
DNE
Or does not exist

Why? Since
𝐥𝐢𝐦− 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟏, and 𝐥𝐢𝐦+ 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐, therefore 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇 𝒙 = 𝑫𝑵𝑬
𝒙→1 𝒙→1 𝒙→𝟏
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

f. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒙→𝟐
𝒇 𝒙

Solution:
𝐥𝐢𝐦−𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟐 1
and
𝐥𝐢𝐦+𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟐 1
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

f. Determine 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇 𝒙
𝒙→𝟐

Answer:

𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙→𝟐 1
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

g. Determine 𝒇 𝟐

Answer:

𝒇 𝟐 = 1
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

h. Determine 𝒇 𝟏

Answer:

𝒇 𝟏 = -2
 Example 4 Consider the function f(x) whose graph is given below

i. Determine 𝒇 −𝟏

Answer:

𝒇 −𝟏 = 1