P1 Limits and Their Properties

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1.3 Evaluating Limits Analytically

Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Objectives
◼ Evaluate a limit using properties of limits.

◼ Develop and use a strategy for finding limits.

◼ Evaluate a limit using the dividing out technique.

◼ Evaluate a limit using the rationalizing technique.

◼ Evaluate a limit using the Squeeze Theorem.

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Properties of Limits

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Properties of Limits
The limit of f(x) as x approaches c does not depend on the
value of f at x = c. It may happen, however, that the limit is
precisely f(c). In such cases, we can evaluate the limit by
direct substitution. That is,

Such well-behaved functions are continuous at c.

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Example 1 – Evaluating Basic Limits

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Properties of Limits

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Example 2 – The Limit of a Polynomial
Find the limit:

Solution:

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Example 2 – Solution cont’d

This limit is reinforced by the graph of f (x) = 4x2 + 3 shown

in Figure 1.17.

Figure 1.17
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Properties of Limits
The limit (as x approaches 2) of the polynomial function
p(x) = 4x2 + 3 is simply the value of p at x = 2.

This direct substitution property is valid for all polynomial

and rational functions with nonzero denominators.

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Properties of Limits

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Example 3 – The Limit of a Rational Function

Find the limit:

Solution:
Because the denominator is not 0 when x = 1, you can
apply Theorem 1.3 to obtain

Figure 1.18
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Properties of Limits
Polynomial functions and rational functions are two of the
three basic types of algebraic functions.

The next theorem deals with the limit of the third type of
algebraic function—one that involves a radical.

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Properties of Limits
The next theorem greatly expands your ability to evaluate
limits because it shows how to analyze the limit of a
composite function.

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Example 4 – The Limit of a Composite Function

Find the limit.

Solution:
a. Because

you can conclude that

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Example 4 – Solution cont’d

b. Because

you can conclude that

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Properties of Limits
You have seen that the limits of many algebraic functions
can be evaluated by direct substitution. The six basic
trigonometric functions also exhibit this desirable quality, as
shown in the below theorem.

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Example 5 – Limits of Trigonometric Functions

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A Strategy for Finding Limits

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A Strategy for Finding Limits
You studied several types of functions whose limits can be
evaluated by direct substitution. This knowledge, together
with the next theorem, can be used to develop a strategy for
finding limits.

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Example 6 – Finding the Limit of a Function

Find the limit.

Solution:
Let f(x) = (x3 – 1)/(x – 1)

By factoring and dividing out common factors, you can

rewrite f as

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Example 6 – Solution cont’d

So, for all x-values other than x = 1, the functions f and g

agree, as shown in Figure 1.19.

f and g agree at all but one point.

Figure 1.19
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Example 6 – Solution cont’d

Because exists, you can apply Theorem 1.7 to

conclude that f and g have the same limit at x = 1.

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A Strategy for Finding Limits

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Dividing Out Technique

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Dividing Out Technique
One procedure for finding a limit analytically is the dividing
out technique. This technique involves diving out common
factors.

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Example 7 – Dividing Out Technique
Find the limit:

Solution:
Although you are taking the limit of a rational function, you
cannot apply Theorem 1.3 because the limit of the
denominator is 0.

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Example 7 – Solution cont’d

Because the limit of the numerator is also 0, the numerator

and denominator have a common factor of (x + 3).

So, for all x ≠ –3, you can divide out this factor to obtain

Using Theorem 1.7, it follows that

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Example 7 – Solution cont’d

This result is shown graphically in Figure 1.20. Note that

the graph of the function f coincides with the graph of the
function g(x) = x – 2, except that the graph of f has a hole
at the point (–3, –5).

Figure 1.20
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Dividing Out Technique
In Example 7, direct substitution produced the meaningless
fractional form 0/0. An expression such as 0/0 is called an
indeterminate form because you cannot (from the form
alone) determine the limit.

When you try to evaluate a limit and encounter this form,

remember that you must rewrite the fraction so that the
new denominator does not have 0 as its limit. One way to
do this is to divide out common factors.

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Rationalizing Technique

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Rationalizing Technique
Another way to find a limit analytically is the rationalizing
technique, which involves rationalizing either the numerator
or denominator of a fractional expression. We know that
rationalizing the numerator (denominator) means multiplying
the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the
numerator (denominator).

For instance, to rationalize the numerator of

multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of

which is
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Example 8 – Rationalizing Technique
Find the limit:

Solution:
By direct substitution, you obtain the indeterminate form
0/0.

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Example 8 – Solution cont’d

In this case, you can rewrite the fraction by rationalizing the

numerator.

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Example 8 – Solution cont’d

Now, using Theorem 1.7, you can evaluate the limit

as shown.

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Example 8 – Solution cont’d

A table or a graph can reinforce your conclusion that the

limit is 1/2 . (See Figure 1.21.)

Figure 1.21
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Example 8 – Solution cont’d

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The Squeeze Theorem

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The Squeeze Theorem
The next theorem concerns the limit of a function that is
squeezed between two other functions, each of which has
the same limit at a given x-value, as shown in Figure 1.22

Figure 1.22
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The Squeeze Theorem

The Squeeze Theorem is also called the Sandwich

Theorem or the Pinching Theorem.

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Example 9 – A Limit Involving a Trigonometric Function

Find the limit:

Solution:
Direct substitution yields the indeterminate form 0/0.

To solve this problem, you can write tan x as (sin x)/(cos x)

and obtain

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Example 9 – Solution cont’d

Now, because

you can obtain

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Example 9 – Solution cont’d

(See Figure 1.24.)

Figure 1.24

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