AP Calculus AB

Unit 2 – Limits and Continuity

AP Calculus AB – Worksheet 7 Introduction to Limits

There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.
– Ronald Reagan

Answer the following questions.

1 For the function f ( x ) = 5x2 , as the x-value gets closer and closer to 3, f ( x ) gets closer and closer to what
value?

2 x2 − 4
For the function f ( x ) = , as the x-value gets closer and closer to 2, f ( x ) gets closer and closer to what
x−2
value?

3 For the function f ( x ) = e x + 1 , as the x-value gets closer and closer to 0, f ( x ) gets closer and closer to what
value?

The graph of f ( x ) is given below, use the graph to answer the following questions.
4
a) lim− f ( x ) b) lim+ f ( x ) c) lim f ( x ) d) f ( 4)
x →4 x →4 x →4

e) lim− f ( x ) f) lim+ f ( x ) g) lim f ( x ) h) f (1)

x →1 x →1 x →1

5 Use the graph of f ( x ) to estimate the limits and value of the function, or explain why the limit does not exist.

a) lim f ( x ) b) lim+ f ( x ) c) lim f ( x ) d) f ( 4)

x → 4− x →4 x →4

e) lim f ( x ) f) lim+ f ( x ) g) lim f ( x ) e) f ( 2)

x → 2− x →2 x →2

6 Answer each statement as either True or False.

a) If f (1) = 5 , then lim f ( x ) exists.
x →1

b) If f (1) = 5 and lim f ( x ) exists, then lim f ( x ) = 5 .

x →1 x →1

c) If lim f ( x ) = 5 , then f (1) = 5 .

x →1
7

Use the graph of f ( x ) above to answer each statement as either True or False.

a) lim f ( x ) exists b) lim f ( x ) = 1 c) lim f ( x ) = 0

x →0 x →0 x →0

d) lim f ( x ) = 2 e) lim f ( x ) = −1 f) lim f ( x ) exists for every

x →1 x →1 x →c

point c in ( −3,1) .

g) lim f ( x ) does not exist h) f ( 0) = 0 i) f ( 0) = 1

x →1

j) f (1) = −1 k) f (1) = 2 l) lim f ( x ) exists

x →2

8 x 2 + 7x +12
Simplify
x 2 −16
AP Calculus AB – Worksheet 8 Failing Limits; Properties of Limits

Let b and c be real numbers, let n be a positive integer, and let f and g be functions with the following limits:

lim f ( x ) = L and lim g ( x ) = M .

x →c x →c

- lim k = k
x →c
- lim
x →c
x=c - lim  f ( x )  g ( x ) = lim f ( x )  lim g ( x ) = L  M
x →c x →c x →c

f ( x) lim f ( x ) L
- lim  f ( x )  g ( x ) = lim f ( x )  lim g ( x ) = L  M - lim = x →c
= ; M 0
x →c x →c x →c x →c g ( x) lim g ( x ) M
x →c

lim bf ( x ) = bL - lim n f ( x ) = n L - lim  f ( x ) = Ln

n
-
x →c x →0 x →0

1) Suppose lim f ( x ) = 5 , lim g ( x ) = −2 , and lim h ( x ) = 9 , find

x →c x →c x →c

a) lim  f ( x ) g ( x )  b) lim  f ( x ) − g ( x )

x →c x →c

 g ( x ) + 1
c) lim h ( x ) d) lim  
x →c x →c
 x 

 f ( x) 
e) lim  2h ( x ) − 3g ( x ) f) lim  
x →c x →c
 h ( x ) 

 g ( x) 
h) lim  g ( x )
2
g) lim  
 f ( x ) 
x →c x →c

2) The graphs of f and g are given below. Use the graphs to evaluate each limit.

a) lim  f ( x ) + g ( x ) b) lim f ( g ( x ) )

x →−1 x →3

c) lim  f ( x ) g ( x )  d) lim  2 f ( x ) + 5g ( x )

x →3 x →2

 f ( x) 
e) lim   f) lim  xf ( x )
x →−1
 g ( x )  x →2
3) Suppose that lim f ( x ) = 0 and lim g ( x ) = 5 . Determine the following limits.
x →7 x →7

a) lim ( g ( x ) + 5) b) lim xf ( x )
x →7 x →7

 g ( x) 
c) lim g 2 ( x ) d) lim  
x →7 x →7
 f ( x ) − 1 
AP Calculus AB – Worksheet 9 Evaluating Limits Algebraically

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them. – Albert Einstein

Evaluate the limit.

1 lim ( 3x + 2 )
x →−3

2 lim ( 3x3 − 2 x 2 + 4 )
x →1

3 x −1
lim
x→3 x − 4

4 x
lim cos
x→2 3
5 x
lim sin
x→1 2
6 lim sec 2x
x→0

7 x2 − 9
lim
x →3 x + 3

8 3x 2 − 2 x + 1
lim
x →0 x
9 5 x + 6 x + 10
2
lim
x →1 8x − 1

10 2 + 5 x + sin x
lim
x →0 5cos x
11 5 − x, x  3

For the following piecewise function f ( x ) =  3x , evaluate lim f ( x ) .
 4 + 1, x  3
x →3

 x + 1, x  2

For the following piecewise function: f ( x ) =  x 2 − 1, 2  x  4 , evaluate:

 x + 5, x  4

12) a) lim− f ( x ) b) lim+ f ( x ) c) lim f ( x ) d) f ( 2)

x →2 x →2 x →2

13) a) lim− f ( x ) b) lim+ f ( x ) c) lim f ( x ) d) f ( 4)

x →4 x →4 x →4
AP Calculus AB – Worksheet 10 Algebraic Methods for Finding Limits; Indeterminate Forms
Evaluate each limit

1) lim (12 x3 + x 2 − 1) 2) lim

x +1 x2 + 5x + 4
x →1 3) lim
x →5 x + 2 x→4 x+2

x2 − 2 x
5) lim
4− x 6) lim ( sin 2 x + cos 2 x )
4) lim x→

x →0 x x →4 2 − x 4

2 x2 − x − 3 x + 13 − 4 2x + 1
7) lim 8) lim 9) lim
x →−1 x +1 x →3 x −3 x →−3 x+3

y2 + 9 y + 8 x 2 − 100 (9 + h) − 81
2
10) lim 11) lim 12) lim
x →−8 y 2 − 64 x →10 x − 10 h →0 h

2 x + 1, x 1 14) Suppose lim f ( x ) = −5 and lim g ( x ) = 2 ,

13) lim f ( x ) for f ( x ) =  x →3 x →3
x →1
 x − 3, x 1 evaluate lim 4  f ( x ) − 2 g ( x )
x →3

 x 2 − ax, x2
15) Suppose f ( x ) =  , find the value a that guarantees that lim f ( x ) exists.
3x + 6, x2 x →2

 x 2 − 4 x, x  −1
16) Suppose f ( x ) =  3 , find the value a that guarantees that lim f ( x ) exists.
ax − 2, x  −1 x →−1

f ( x) + 9
17) If lim = 5 , find lim f ( x ) .
x →7 x−7 x →7

f ( x) − 7
18) If lim = 6 , find lim f ( x ) .
x →4 x−4 x →7
AP Calculus AB – Worksheet 11 Limits – The Difference Quotient/The Squeeze Theorem

The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the “buts” you use today. – Les Brown

f ( x + x ) − f ( x )
For #1-4, find lim .
x →0 x
1. f ( x ) = 2 x + 3 2. f ( x ) = x 2 − 4 x

3. f ( x ) =
4 4. f ( x ) = x
x

Use the graph of f ( x ) shown below to answer 5-7. The domain of f ( x ) is ( −,  ) .

5. lim f ( x )
x →2

6. lim f ( x )
x →−3

7. Identify the values of c for which lim f (x ) exists. (Hint: think interval)
x→c

Find the limit, if it exists.

x 2 + 3x + 2 x−5
8. lim 9. lim
x→1 x −1 x→5 x +1

10. lim 2
x−3 11. lim ( sin 2 x )
x→2 x − 25 x→
6

12

13

14 If 2 − x 2  g ( x )  2cos x for all x, find lim g ( x ) .

x →0

15 f ( x) − 5
If lim = 1, find lim f ( x ) .
x →4 x−2 x →4
AP Calculus AB – Worksheet 12 Limits at Infinity and Review

Quiz Review

For questions 1-2, use the graph of the function f shown above.
1 a) lim− f ( x ) b) lim+ f ( x ) c) lim f ( x ) d) f ( 2)
x →2 x →2 x →2

2 a) lim f ( x ) b) lim f ( x ) c) lim f ( x ) d) f ( 4)

x → 4− x → 4+ x →4

3 lim ( x 2 − 3x + 7 ) =
x →4

4
lim x3 + 7 x + 1 =
x →1

5 x2 − 9
lim =
x →−3 x 2 − 2 x − 15

6 2 x6 + 6 x3
lim =
x →0 4 x 5 + 3 x 3

7 x −3
lim =
x →3− x −3

 x sin ( x ) , x  2
8 2

Given f ( x ) =  , find the value of c that lim f ( x ) exists

 x + cx − 18, x  2 x →2
2
Limits at Infinity

Evaluate each limit

1) lim ( −5 x3 − 7 x 2 + 1) 2) lim ( 5 x3 − 7 x 2 + 1) 3) lim  8 + 2 
9 2 + 6 x + 9 x2
x → x →− 4) lim
x →
 x  x → x2

9x + 8 9x + 8 2 x2 − 4 x2 − 4
5) lim 6) lim 7) lim 8) lim
x → 9 x + 7 x →− 9 x + 7
x → x+3 x →− x+3

x3 x3 sin 3x 7 − 6 x + sin 2 x
9) lim 10) lim 11) lim 12) lim
x → e 3 x x →− e3 x x → 15 x x →− 6 x + cos 2 x

13) 14) Determine the horizontal asymptote(s) of each of

the following.

20 x 2 − x
a) y =
1 + 4 x2

f ( x) =
( 3x + 8)( 5 − 4 x )
b)
( 2 x + 1)
2

x
c) g ( x ) =
x −1
2
AP Calculus AB - Worksheet 13 Continuity

Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection. – Kim Collins

3-Part Definition of Continuity

1. Determine the x-values at which the function f below has discontinuities. For each value state which condition is
violated from the 3-part definition of continuity.

I. f ( c ) is defined

II. lim f ( x ) exists.

x →c

III. f ( c ) = lim f ( x )
x →c

Show (THREE STEPS) that each of the following functions is either continuous or discontinuous at the given value of x.
2. f ( x ) = x + 5 at x = 1 3. f ( x ) = x2 + 2 x − 1 at x = 0

x 2 − 16 x 2 − 25
4. f ( x ) = at x = 4 5. f ( x ) = at x = 5
x−4 x+5

1 3x − 1
6. f ( x ) = at x = 3 7. f ( x ) = at x = −3
x 2x + 6

8. Determine the intervals on which the graph of f ( x ) , shown above, is continuous

State the open interval(s) on which each function is continuous.
9. f ( x ) = x2 + 2 1
10. f ( x ) =
x

x2 + 1 x 2 − 3x + 2
11. f ( x ) = 12. f ( x ) =
x −1 x2 + 4 x − 5

 x 2 − 1, −1  x  0

2 x, 0  x 1

f ( x ) = 1, x =1
−2 x + 4, 1 x  2


0, 2 x3

13. Given f ( x ) and the graph of f ( x ) , state why continuity fails at each value of x.

14. State the interval(s) on which f ( x ) is continuous.

AP Calculus AB – Worksheet 14 Continuity - Removable

For questions 1 & 2,

a) Determine the x-coordinate of each discontinuity on the graph of f ( x ) .
b) Identify each discontinuity as either removable or jump.
c) Evaluate the limit at each discontinuity.
d) State the interval(s) on which f ( x ) is continuous.

1. 2.

For questions 3-5, answer the following:

a) Determine the x-coordinates of any discontinuities on the graph of f ( x ) .
b) Identify the discontinuities as either infinite or removable.
c) Evaluate the limit at each removable discontinuity.
d) State the interval(s) on which f ( x ) is continuous.
e) Write an extended function of g ( x ) that is continuous.

x−2 x2 − 4 x 2 + x − 12
3. f ( x ) = 4. f ( x ) = 5. f ( x ) =
x − 5x + 6
2
x+2 x2 + 6x + 8

2 x 2 − 4, x  2
6. Find the value of a that makes f ( x ) =  continuous on the entire interval.
ax + 3, x  2

ax 2 + 2, x  3
7. Find the value of a that makes f ( x ) =  continuous on the entire interval.
4 x − 1, x  3

 ( 2 x + 1)( x − 2 )
 , x2
8. Find the value of k that makes f ( x ) =  x−2 continuous on the entire interval.
 x=2
 k

Evaluate each limit

x 99 ex ln x x 99
9. lim x 10. lim 11. lim 12. lim
x → e x → ln x x → x 99 x →− e x
AP Calculus AB - Worksheet 15 Continuity – Infinite Discontinuities

Each of the following has a removable discontinuity. Find an extended function, g ( x ) , that removes the discontinuity.

x2 − 5x + 6 x2 − 5 x3 + 8
1) f ( x) = 2) f ( x) = 3) f ( x) =
x−3 x− 5 x+2

4) Find each limit

−3x −3x
a) lim− b) lim+
x →−3 x + 3 x →−3 x+3

x 2 − 10 x
5) Find the vertical asymptote on the graph of f ( x ) = . Describe the behavior of f ( x ) to the left and right
x+9
of the vertical asymptote.

For problems 6-7,

a) Determine the x-coordinate of the discontinuities on the graph of f ( x ) . Identify the discontinuities as either
infinite or removable.
b) Use limits to describe the behavior of f ( x ) near any removable discontinuities.
c) State the interval(s) on which f ( x ) is continuous.
d) Identify any vertical asymptotes on the graph of f ( x ) . Use limits to describe the behavior of f ( x ) near the
vertical asymptote.
e) Use limits to identify any horizontal asymptotes on the graph of f ( x ) .
f) Draw an accurate graph of f ( x ) .

x2 − 4 2 x2 − 5x + 3
6) f ( x) = 7) f ( x) =
x + 3x + 2
2
x2 + 6 x − 7

8) Sketch the graph of any function such that:

lim f ( x ) = −
x →−

f (1) = 3
lim f ( x ) = −2
x →1

lim f ( x ) = 5
x →
AP Calculus AB - Worksheet 16 Continuity 4

To live for results would be to sentence myself to continuous frustration. My only sure reward is in my actions and not
from them. – Hugh Prather

For problems 1-4, use the graph to test the function for continuity at the indicated value of x.
1.
1a) Explain why continuity fails at x = −1 .

1b) What kind of discontinuity does f ( x ) have?

1c) On what open interval(s) is f (x ) continuous?

2.
2a) Explain why continuity fails at x=2.

2b) What kind of discontinuity does f (x ) have?

2c) On what open interval(s) is f (x ) continuous?

3.
3a) Explain why continuity fails at x = 3.

3b) What kind of discontinuity does f ( x ) have at x =3 ?

3c) On what open interval(s) is f ( x ) continuous?

4.
4a) Explain why continuity fails at x =1.

4b) What kind of discontinuity does f ( x ) have?

4c) On what open interval(s) is f ( x ) continuous?

Determine whether f (x ) is continuous at the given value of x.
sin  x, x2 −2 x + 3, x 1
5) f ( x) =  2 , x=2 6) f ( x ) =  , x =1
 x + 3x − 9, x2 x 1
2
x ,

Find the constant a, or the constants a and b, such that the function is continuous on the entire number line.
 x3 ,
 x2  4 − x , x  −1
2
7) f ( x ) =  2 8) f ( x ) =  2
ax , x  2
  ax − 1, x  −1

2, x  −1  − x 2 + 3 x, x2
 
9) f ( x ) = ax + b, −1  x  3 10) f ( x ) = a, x=2
−2, x3 7 x + 9,
  x2
AP Calculus AB – Worksheet 17 Intermediate Value Theorem

In 1-3, verify that the Intermediate Value Theorem guarantees that there is a zero in the interval for the given function.
Use a graphing calculator to find the zero.

1 4 f ( x ) = x3 + 3x − 2 ;  −2,1 3) f ( x ) = x 2 − x − cos x ; 0,  

f ( x) = x − x3 + 3 ; 1, 2
2)
1)
16

In 4-6, verify that the Intermediate Value Theorem applies to the indicated interval and find the value of c guaranteed
by the theorem. No calculator is permitted on these problems.

4) f ( x ) = x2 + x − 1 5) f ( x ) = x2 − 6 x + 8 6) f ( x ) = x3 − x 2 + x − 2
f ( c ) = 11 in 0,5 f ( c ) = 5 in 0,3 f ( c ) = 4 in 0,3

7 Given selected values of the continuous function h ( x ) , what is the fewest number of times h ( x ) = 43 in the
interval 0,30 ? Explain your reasoning.

8 t2
Water is pumped into a tank at a rate modeled by W ( t ) = 2000e liters per hour for 0  t  8 , where t is measured
20

in hours. Water is removed from the same tank at a rate modeled by R ( t ) liters per hour, where R is continuous and
decreasing on 0  t  8 . Selected values of R ( t ) are shown in the table below.

For 0  t  8 , is there a time t when the rate at which water is pumped into the tank is the same as the rate at
which water is removed from the tank? Explain your reasoning.

9 For each of the graphs below state how continuity is destroyed at x = c .

10
1
 x , x  −1

Determine whether f ( x ) is continuous at x = −1 for f ( x ) =  x − 1 , −1  x  1

 2
 x, x 1


AP Calculus AB - Worksheet 18 Limits and Their Properties Review

1 1+ sin x 2 cos 2x
lim lim
x→ 1− cos x x→ x2
2

3  6x 3 − 5x  4 x2 + x4
lim  2 lim
x→  x + 4 x 3 
 x→ x 2 + x 6

5 8x 3 − 5x 6 5
lim lim−
x→− x 2 − 3x x→4 x−4

7 4x 3 − 32 8 1
lim lim
x→2 5x 2 − 20 x →− 1 + ex

9 ex 10 sin 3 x
lim lim
x →− 4 x 3 − 3 x →0 7x

11 Sketch a graph of a function such that: 12 Find the value of a that will make g ( x ) continuous.
f ( 3) = 2 lim f ( x ) = −1
x →3 a x + 3,
 x 1
g ( x) = 
lim f ( x ) = −
−
lim f ( x ) = 
+ ( x + a ) − 10,

2
x 1
x →−2 x →−2

lim f ( x ) = 5 lim f ( x ) = −
x →− x →

Use the following graph of f (x ) to answer the next five questions. If the limit does not exist, state why.

13 lim+ f ( x ) 14 lim f ( x ) 15 lim f ( x ) 16 lim f ( x ) 17 lim f ( x )

x →1 x →1− x →1 x →−1 x →2

18 f ( x + h) − f ( x)
Evaluate lim for f ( x ) = 2 x 2 − 7 x
h →0 h

19 2 x − 1, x  1
If f ( x ) =  , determine if f ( x ) continuous at x = 1.
−3x + 1, x  1

20  x2 + 6x + 8
 , x  −2
If f ( x ) =  x + 2 , determine if f ( x ) is continuous at x = −2 .
2, x = −2


21 x 2 − 16
Find an extended function of f ( x ) = that is continuous.
x−4
Answers

Worksheet 8

1)
a) -10 b) 7 c) 3 1
d) −
c
e) 24 5 2 h) 4
f) g) −
9 5

2)
a) 3 b) 2 c) 0
d) 8 1 f) -2
e)
2
3)
a) 10 b) 0 c) 25 d) -5

4) -9
5) 7

Worksheet 9

1) -7 2) 5 3) − 2 1 5) 1 6) 1 7) 0
4) −
2
8) DNE 9) 3 2 11) DNE 12 ) a) 3 13 ) a) 15
10) b) 3 b) 3
5
c) 3 c) DNE
d) undefined d) 3

Worksheet 10

6 20
1) 12 2) 3)
7 3

4) −2 5) 4 6) 1

7) -5 1 9) DNE
8)
8

7 11) 20 12) 18
10)
16

13) DNE 14) -36 15) a = −4

Worksheet 12

Quiz Review
1) 2; 2; 2; 1 2) 2; 4; DNE; 4 3) 11 4) 3
3 6) 2 7) -1 7
5) 8)
4 2

Limits at Infinity
1) − 2)  3) 8 4) 9

5) 1 6) 1 7) 2 8) − 2

9) 0 10) − 11) 0 12) -1

13) I and III 14)

a) y = 5
b) y = −3
c) y = 1; y = −1

Worksheet 18

1. 2 2. 0 3 4. 0 5. DNE 6. − 12
3. 7.
2 5
8.  9. 0 3 11. Answers 12. -4, 3 13. 1 14. -2
10. will vary
7
15. DNE 16. 2 17. 1 18. 4 x − 7

19. 20.
I. f (1) = 1 I. f ( −2 ) = 2
 lim f ( x ) = 1  lim f ( x ) = −2  x2 + 6x + 8
= lim ( x + 4 ) = 2
II.  x →1 
+ II. lim
x →1_ x →−2 x+2 x →−2

lim DNE
x →1 III. f ( −2 ) = lim f ( x ) = 2
x →−2

 f ( x ) is not continuous at x = 1  f ( x ) is continuous at x = −2

21.
f ( x ) is not continuous at x = 4

x 2 − 16 ( x − 4 )( x + 4 ) = lim x + 4
lim = lim ( )
x →4 x−4 x → 4 ( x − 4) x →4

 x 2 − 16
 , x4
g ( x) =  x − 4
8 x=4
 ,