SHS

Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 – Module 1
Limits
Basic Calculus – Grade 11
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 1: Limits

First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

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Marina A. Obguia
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EPS, Mathematics

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 Lesson 1: Limit of a Function

Learning Competencies:
Illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and the graph of the function
(STEM_BC11D-IIIa-1)
Distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐). (STEM_BC11D-IIIa-2)
𝑥→𝑐
Illustrate the Limit Laws (STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-3)
Apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions (polynomial, rational, and radical)
(STEM_BC11LC-IIIa-4)

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

• To evaluate the limit of a function with the use of table of values and illustrate using a
graph.
• To Distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) if it is equal or unequal.
𝑥→𝑐
• To illustrate limit laws.
• To evaluate Limits of Polynomial, Rational and Radical Functions

What is it
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
• To evaluate the limit of a function with the use of table of values
Consider a function f of a single variable x. Consider a constant c which the variable x will approach (c may
or may not be in the domain of f). The limit, to be denoted by L, is the unique real value that f(x) will
approach as x approaches c. In symbols, we write this process as lim f ( x) = L
x →c
This is read, ‘‘The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L.

One sided limit is the value (𝐿) as the 𝒙 value gets closer and closer to a certain value 𝒄 from one side
only (either from the left or from the right side). In symbols,

𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄− 𝒙→𝒄+

Always remember that if the limit value from the left side is not equal to the limit value from the right,
then the limit Does Not Exist or DNE.

Illustrating limit of a function using table and graph

Example 1: Investigate through table of values lim ( x 2 + 1)

x → −1

Since 𝑐 = −1 then substitute values of x approaching from the left and the right side of -1. (kindly check
the table of values below)
Solution:
a. Make a table of values by substituting variable x with the values approaching to -1 from
left and right. Since x is approaching to 1, note that we will not be substituting directly 1
to x. (see table below)
Values of x from left of -1 Values of x from right of -1
lim− ( x 2 + 1) lim+ ( x 2 + 1)
x → −1 x → −1
𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
-1.5 3.25 -0.5 1.25
-1.2 2.44 -0.8 1.64
-1.1 2.21 -0.99 1.9801
-1.0001 2.000200 -0.9999 1.999800
b. Now, it shows that values of x from left of -1 lim− ( x + 1) approaches 2 and the values
2
x → −1

of x from right of -1 lim ( x + 1) approaches 2. Therefore: lim ( x 2 + 1) = 2 .

2
x → −1+ x → −1

c. Next, plot the points from the table of values on the

coordinate plane and examine the limit of the function
as it approaches from left and right as illustrated.

3
Example 2. Investigate through table of values and graph lim 𝑓(𝑥) if
𝑥→4
𝑥+1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 4
𝑓(𝑥) = {
(𝑥 − 4)2 + 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 4
Solution:
a. Make a table of values by substituting variable x. Based on the function given, we will be
utilizing the left side of 4 for the function 𝑥 + 1 and utilize the right side of 4 for the
function (𝑥 − 4)2 + 3. Remember not to substitute 4 since it only approaches to 5
meaning, values closer to 4 from left and right. (see table below)
Values of x from left of 4 Values of x from right of 4
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 4)2 + 3
Since x<4 Since x ≥ 4
𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
3.7 4.7 4.3 3.09
3.85 4.85 4.1 3.01
3.995 4.995 4.001 3.000001
3.99999 4.9999 4.00001 3.0000000001
b. Observe that the values that f(x) approaches are not equal. From left approaches 5 while
from right side approaches 3. In such case, we say limit of the given function does not
exist. Therefore: lim 𝑓(𝑥) DNE.
𝑥→4
c. Next, plot the points from the table of values on the
coordinate plane and examine the limit of the function
as it approaches from left and right as illustrated.

d.

What’s More

Directions: Illustrate the limit of a function by completing the table of values with the given x
values and a graph. (Use Calculator)
10
1. lim =
x →3 x−2
𝑥 2.1 2.5 2.9 2.999 2.99999 𝑥 4 3.9 3.5 3.1 3.001 3.000001
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥)

1
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ −1
2. . lim 𝑓(𝑥) if 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥 =
𝑥→0
𝑥 2 − 2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > −1

𝑥 -2 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 -0.1 -0.0001 𝑥 2 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.0001
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥)

Lesson 2: 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) and 𝒇(𝒄)

𝒙→𝒄

What is it
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
• To Distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) if it is equal or unequal.
𝑥→𝑐

The lim 𝑓(𝑥) can be examined by making table of values which approaches from the left and the
𝑥→𝑐
right side of the value of c. While 𝑓(𝑐) can be solved by substituting directly the value of c to the function.
lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) can be equal or unequal depending on the given function. Investigate the given example
𝑥→𝑐
below.

4
Example: Graph
A. Examine lim (1 + 3𝑥)
𝑥→2
Values from left of 2 Values from right of 2
𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
1 4 3 10
1.7 6.1 2.5 8.5
1.9 6.7 2.1 7.3
1.997 6.991 2.005 7.0015
1.9999 6.9997 2.0000001 7.0000003

lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑐)

𝑥→𝑐
lim (1 + 3𝑥) = 7 𝑓(2) = 7
𝑥→2

Since the value of lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) are both 7, Therefore: lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) is equal
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

𝑥+1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 4
B. Let us consider lim 𝑓(𝑥) if 𝑓(𝑥) { 2 Graph
𝑥→4 (𝑥 − 4) + 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 4

Values from left of 4 Values from right of 4

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
3.7 4.7 4.3 3.09
3.85 4.85 4.1 3.01
3.995 4.995 4.001 3.000001
3.99999 4.999999 4.00001 3.000000001

lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑐)

𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑓(𝑥) DNE 𝑓(4) = 2
𝑥→4

Since lim 𝑓(𝑥) approaches are not equal, from left is 5 while from right is 3, then it means DNE.
𝑥→𝑐
Furthermore, when the value of c is substituted, we get 𝑓(4) = 2. In this case, lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) are not
𝑥→𝑐
the same.
𝑥+1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 4
Therefore: lim 𝑓(𝑥) if 𝑓(𝑥) { is unequal.
𝑥→4 (𝑥 − 4)2 + 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 4

What’s More
Directions: Distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) by filling out the table of values given
𝑥→𝑐
below then write whether it is equal or unequal.
𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 −𝑥−1
1. lim (2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 1) 2. lim
𝑥→0.5 𝑥→1 𝑥−1

𝑥 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.49999 𝑥 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.99 0.99999
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥 0.7 0.6 0.59 0.5009 0.50001 𝑥 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.01 1.00001
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥)

Lesson 3: Limit Laws

What is it
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
• Illustrate 8 limit laws by solving limit of a function
• Evaluate Limits of Polynomial, Rational and Radical Functions

Limit Laws
1. The limit of a constant is itself. If k is any constant, then. lim k = k .
x →c

Example: lim − 3.14 = −3.14

x→c

5
2. The limit of x as x approaches c is equal to c. lim x = c.
x →c

Example: lim x = 0.005 .

x →0.005

3. The Constant Multiple Theorem: The limit of a multiple of a function is simply that multiple of the
limit of the function. lim k  f ( x) = k  lim f ( x) = k  L
x→c x→c

Example: if lim f ( x) = 4 , then

x →c

lim 8  f ( x) = 8  lim f ( x) = 8  4 = 32
x →c x →c

4. The Addition Theorem: The limit of a sum of functions is the sum of the limits of the individual
functions. Subtraction is also included in this law, that is, the limit of a difference of functions is the
difference of their limits.
lim ( f ( x)  g ( x) ) = lim f ( x)  lim g ( x) = L  M
x →c x →c x →c

Example: if lim f ( x) = 4 and lim g ( x) = −5 then,

x →c x →c

lim ( f ( x) + g ( x) ) = lim f ( x) + lim g ( x) = 4 + (−5) = −1

x →c x →c x →c

lim ( f ( x) − g ( x) ) = lim f ( x) − lim g ( x) = 4 − (−5) = 9

x →c x →c x →c

5. The Multiplication Theorem: The limit of a product of functions is equal to the product of their limits.
lim ( f ( x)  g ( x) ) = lim f ( x)  lim g ( x) = L  M
x →c x →c x →c

Example: if lim f ( x) = 4 and lim g ( x) = −5 then,

x →c x →c

lim ( f ( x)  g ( x) ) = lim f ( x)  lim g ( x) = 4  (−5) = −20

x →c x →c x →c

6. The Division Theorem: The limit of a quotient of functions is equal to the quotient of the limits of the
individual functions. Provided the denominator limit is not equal to 0.
f ( x) lim f ( x) L
lim = x →c
= ,M  0
x →c g ( x ) lim g ( x) M
x →c

Example: if lim f ( x) = 4 and lim g ( x) = −5 then,

x →c x →c

f ( x) lim f ( x) 4 4
lim = x →c = =−
x →c g ( x) lim g ( x) − 5 5
x →c

7. The Power Theorem: This theorem states that the limit of an integer power p of a function is just that
power of the limit of the function.
lim ( f ( x) ) = (lim f ( x)) p = Lp
p
x →c x →c
Example: if lim f ( x) = 4
x →c

lim ( f ( x) ) = (lim f ( x))3 = 43 = 64

3
x →c x →c

8. The Radical/Root Theorem: If n is a positive integer, the limit of the nth root of a function is just the
nth root of the limit of the function provided the nth root of the limit is a real number.
lim n f ( x) = n lim f ( x) = n L
x →c x →c

Example: if lim f ( x) = 4
x →c

lim f ( x) = lim f ( x) = 4 = 2
x →c x →c

Evaluate Limits of Polynomial, Rational and Radical Functions using Limit Laws.
Example 1 : Determine lim (2𝑥 + 1)
𝑥→1
Solution: lim (2𝑥 + 1) = lim 2𝑥 + lim 1 (Addition)
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
= (2 ) lim 𝑥 + 1 (Constant Multiple)
𝑥→1
= 2(1) + 1 (lim 𝑥 = 𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐
=3

6
 2x + 5
Example 2 : Find the lim
x →2 1 − 3x
Solution:
lim √2𝑥 + lim 5
√2𝑥 + 5 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
lim = (𝐴𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟)
𝑥→2 1 − 3𝑥 lim 1 − lim 3𝑥
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
[lim √2 ∙ lim √𝑥] + lim 5
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
= (𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
lim 1 − [lim 3 ∙ lim 𝑥]
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
√9 𝟑
= =−
−5 𝟓

What’s More
Directions: Assume the following:
lim f ( x) = 1 lim g ( x) = −1 lim h( x) = 2
x →c x →c x →c

Compute the following using the 8 limit laws:

1. lim(𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)) 𝑔(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑐 5. lim
𝑥→𝑐 ℎ(𝑥)
2. lim(𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥) − ℎ(𝑥)) 2
𝑥→𝑐 6. lim (𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) ∙ (ℎ(𝑥)) )
𝑥→𝑐
3. lim(3 ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) + 5 ∙ ℎ(𝑥)) 1
𝑥→𝑐
5
7. lim 𝑓(𝑥)−ℎ(𝑥)
4. lim(ℎ(𝑥)) 𝑥→𝑐
𝑥→𝑐

Assessment
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer on your
answer sheet. Show your solutions on a new sheet of paper if needed.
1.) The lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) can be equal or unequal depending on the given function.
𝑥→𝑐
A. true B. false C. DNE D. always zero
2.) The limit of a function “does not exist”. What does it mean?
A. the limit is zero B. the limit is all positive numbers
C. lim 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑐) is equal D. the limit has different value as it approaches from
𝑥→𝑐
opposite direction left and right.
3.) Determine the lim (2𝑥 + 1).
𝑥→1
A. 1 B.2 C. 3 D. 𝐷𝑁𝐸
4.) Find lim (𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 3)
𝑥→4
A. 19 B. 32 C. 29 D. DNE
(𝑥−3)(𝑥 2 −2)
5.) Evaluate lim
𝑥→1 𝑥 2 +1
A. 3 B. 2 C. -1 D. 1
6.) If the left side limit of a function is not equal to the right-side limit, then the limit exists.
A. no B. yes C. not sure D. no answer
7.) Evaluate lim 7
5
x→
4
𝟓
A. 7 B. 4 C. 𝟒 D. 0
8.) Determine the lim x
x →

A. x B. πx C. π D. 0
x −2 2
9.) What is the lim
x→
1 5 + 4x
2
−𝟏 −𝟑
A. 4 B. 𝟒
C. 𝟒
D. -1
10.) Evaluate lim x 2 x 3 + 2
x →4

A. 16√66 B. 4 C. 16√60 D. 4√66