The Squeeze

Theorem
 Suppose that two police officers are escorting a drunk prisoner between
them, and both officers go to a cell, then (regardless of the path taken, and the
fact that the prisoner may be wobbling about between the officers) the
prisoner must also end up in the cell.
Consider the limit
sin 𝑡
lim
𝑡→0 𝑡

sin 𝑡
Notice that the function 𝑓 𝑡 = does not exist when 𝑡 = 0 but does exist for all
𝑡
other values of 𝑡. Because 𝑓(0) does not exist, the graph has a hole in 𝑦 −axis.
2

1
sin 𝑡
𝑓 𝑡 =
𝑡

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5

-1

-2
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Senior High School Department
 sin 𝑡 sin 𝑡
𝑡 𝑡
𝑡 𝑡
Observe that the function values −1.0 0.84147 1.0 0.84147
are approaching to 1 both from the −0.9 0.87036 0.9 0.87036
left and from the right. So based on −0.8 0.89670 0.8 0.89670
the graph, we can say −0.7 0.92031 0.7 0.92031
−0.6 0.94107 0.6 0.94107
sin 𝑡
lim =1 −0.5 0.95885 0.5 0.95885
𝑡→0 𝑡
−0.4 0.97355 0.4 0.97355
−0.3 0.98507 0.3 0.98507
To examine further its limit, let us
−0.2 0.99335 0.2 0.99335
construct a table of values
−0.1 0.99833 0.1 0.99833
−0.01 0.99998 0.01 0.99998

From the Left From the Right

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Senior High School Department
 Theorem 8. The Squeeze Theorem
Suppose that the functions 𝑓, 𝑔, and ℎ are defined on some interval
containing 𝑎 except possibly at 𝑎 itself, and that 𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 𝑔 𝑥 ≤ ℎ(𝑥) for all
𝑥 on the said interval. Also suppose that lim 𝑓(𝑥) and lim ℎ(𝑥) both exist
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
and are equal to 𝐿. Then lim 𝑔(𝑥) exists and is equal to 𝐿.
𝑥→𝑎

Let us provide some examples in order to interpret the squeeze theorem geometrically.

Example. Let the functions 𝑓, 𝑔, and ℎ be defined by

(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7)
2 𝑔 𝑥 = 2
𝑓 𝑥 = −4 𝑥 − 2 +3 ℎ 𝑥 =4 𝑥−2 +3
𝑥−2

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 The graph of 𝑔 is a parabola with vertex
at (2, 3) deleted. Function 𝑔 is not defined
when 𝑥 = 2. 5

The graphs of 𝑓 and ℎ are parabolas

having their vertex at 2, 3 . Furthermore, 4

Notice that for all 𝑥 except at 𝑥 = 2,

𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 𝑔 𝑥 ≤ ℎ(𝑥) 3

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim −4 𝑥 − 2 2 +3 =3

𝑥→2 𝑥→2 2

lim ℎ(𝑥) = lim 4 𝑥 − 2 2 +3 =3

𝑥→2 𝑥→2 1

Therefore, by squeeze theorem,

lim 𝑔 𝑥 = 3 1 2 3
𝑥→2

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 Example. Let the functions 𝑓, 𝑔, and ℎ be
defined by

𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 2 2
1
1
𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 ∙ cos 2
ℎ 𝑥 = 𝑥2 𝑥

Here, 𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 𝑔 𝑥 ≤ ℎ 𝑥 . Thus,
lim 𝑓 𝑥 ≤ lim 𝑔 𝑥 ≤ lim ℎ 𝑥
-1 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
1

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim −𝑥 2 = 0

𝑥→0 𝑥→0
-1 lim ℎ(𝑥) = lim 𝑥 2 = 0
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

By squeeze theorem,

lim 𝑔(𝑥) = lim 𝑥 2 ∙ cos 1 = 0

𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥2
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Theorem 9.

sin 𝜃
lim =1
𝜃→0 𝜃

Proof. Consider a unit circle,

(0, 1)

1 𝜃

𝜃
(1,0)
Arc Length = 𝑟 ∙ 𝜃 = 1 ∙ 𝜃 = 𝜃

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Theorem 9.
From the figure, observe
sin 𝜃
lim =1
𝜃→0 𝜃 sin 𝜃 < 𝜃 < tan 𝜃
But 𝜃 changes, in fact 𝜃 → 0. Hence,
Proof. Consider a unit circle,
sin 𝜃 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ tan 𝜃
(0, 1) sin 𝜃
In our theorem, we need the form
𝜃
So, by taking the reciprocal of inequality,

1 1 1
≥ ≥
1 sin 𝜃 𝜃 tan 𝜃
sin 𝜃 𝜃 tan 𝜃

𝜃
(1,0)

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Theorem 9.
From the figure, observe
sin 𝜃
lim =1
𝜃→0 𝜃 sin 𝜃 < 𝜃 < tan 𝜃
But 𝜃 changes, in fact 𝜃 → 0. Hence,
Proof. Consider a unit circle,
sin 𝜃 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ tan 𝜃
(0, 1) sin 𝜃
In our theorem, we need the form
𝜃
So, by taking the reciprocal of inequality,

1 1
≥ ≥ cot 𝜃
1 sin 𝜃 𝜃
sin 𝜃 𝜃 tan 𝜃

𝜃
(1,0)

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Theorem 9.
From the figure, observe
sin 𝜃
lim =1
𝜃→0 𝜃 sin 𝜃 < 𝜃 < tan 𝜃
But 𝜃 changes, in fact 𝜃 → 0. Hence,
Proof. Consider a unit circle,
sin 𝜃 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ tan 𝜃
(0, 1) sin 𝜃
In our theorem, we need the form
𝜃
So, by taking the reciprocal of inequality,

1 1 cos 𝜃
≥ ≥
1 sin 𝜃 𝜃 sin 𝜃
sin 𝜃 𝜃 tan 𝜃
Multiplying sin 𝜃 to everybody,
𝜃
(1,0)

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Senior High School Department
Theorem 9.
From the figure, observe
sin 𝜃
lim =1
𝜃→0 𝜃 sin 𝜃 < 𝜃 < tan 𝜃
But 𝜃 changes, in fact 𝜃 → 0. Hence,
Proof. Consider a unit circle,
sin 𝜃 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ tan 𝜃
(0, 1) sin 𝜃
In our theorem, we need the form
𝜃
So, by taking the reciprocal of inequality,

1 1 cos 𝜃
sin 𝜃 ≥ ≥
1 sin 𝜃 𝜃 sin 𝜃
sin 𝜃 𝜃 tan 𝜃
Multiplying sin 𝜃 to everybody,
𝜃 sin 𝜃
1 ≥ ≥ cos 𝜃
(1,0) 𝜃

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Senior High School Department
Theorem 9.
From the figure, observe
sin 𝜃
lim =1
𝜃→0 𝜃 sin 𝜃 < 𝜃 < tan 𝜃
But 𝜃 changes, in fact 𝜃 → 0. Hence,
Proof. Consider a unit circle,
sin 𝜃 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ tan 𝜃
(0, 1) sin 𝜃
In our theorem, we need the form
𝜃
So, by taking the reciprocal of inequality,

1 1 cos 𝜃
sin 𝜃 ≥ ≥
1 sin 𝜃 𝜃 sin 𝜃
sin 𝜃 𝜃 tan 𝜃
Multiplying sin 𝜃 to everybody,
𝜃 sin 𝜃
lim 1 ≥ lim ≥ lim cos 𝜃
(1,0) 𝜃→0 𝜃→0 𝜃 𝜃→0

1 ≥ 1 ≥ 1
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sin 𝜃
By Squeeze Theorem, lim =1
Senior High School Department 𝜃→0 𝜃 ∎
 3 Example. Evaluate
sin 3𝑥
lim
𝑥→0 sin 5𝑥
2
Solution. We will transform the given function in such a way that Theorem 9 can
be applied.
sin 3𝑥 sin 3𝑥 3 sin 3𝑥
1 sin 3𝑥 𝑥 sin 3𝑥 𝑥 ∙ 3
𝑥 𝑥 3 3𝑥
∙ = ∙ = = =
0,
3 sin 5𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 sin 5𝑥 sin 5𝑥 sin 5𝑥 5 sin 5𝑥
5 ∙ 5
𝑥 𝑥 5 5𝑥
-1 1 sin 3𝑥 sin 3𝑥
lim 3 lim 3 ∙ lim 3∙1 3
sin 3𝑥 3𝑥 3𝑥
lim =
𝑥→0 = 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 = =
𝑥→0 sin 5𝑥 sin 5𝑥 sin 5𝑥 5∙1 5
lim 5 lim 5 ∙ lim
sin 3𝑥 𝑥→0 5𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 5𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 =
sin 5𝑥

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Theorem 10.

The sine function is continuous at 0. (i). 𝑓 0 = sin 0 = 0

𝑥
(ii). lim sin 𝑥 = lim sin 𝑥 ∙
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥
Proof. Applying the three conditions for continuity of a function,
sin 𝑥
Let 𝑓 𝑥 = sin 𝑥 = lim ∙𝑥
𝑥→0 𝑥

1 sin 𝑥
= lim ∙ lim 𝑥
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0
𝑓 𝑥 = sin 𝑥
= 1∙0
=0
0
(iii). 𝑓 0 = lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0

Since three conditions are

-1
satisfied, we can conclude that the
sine function is continuous at 0.
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(i). 𝑓 0 = cos 0 = 1 Theorem 11.
We will use the fact that the The cosine function is continuous at 0.
sine function is continuous at 0
(Theorem 10).
Proof. We check the three conditions for continuity of a function,
Since cos 2 𝑥 + sin2 𝑥=1 Let 𝑓 𝑥 = cos 𝑥
cos 𝑥 = 1 − sin2 𝑥
1
Replacing cos 𝑥 = 1 − sin2 𝑥 ,
𝑓 𝑥 = cos 𝑥
(ii). lim cos 𝑥 = lim 1 − sin2 𝑥
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
0
= lim (1 − sin2 𝑥)
𝑥→0
-1
= 1−0
=1
(iii). 𝑓 0 = lim cos 𝑥
𝑥→0 Since three conditions are satisfied, we can conclude that the
cosine function is continuous at 0.
∎
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 Theorem 12.
1 − cos 𝑡
lim =0
𝑡→0 𝑡
Proof. We can rewrite

1 − cos 𝑡 1 − cos 𝑡 (1 + cos 𝑡) 1 − cos 2 𝑡

= ∙ = Thus,
𝑡 𝑡 (1 + cos 𝑡) 𝑡(1 + cos 𝑡)
T10
2 2
1 − cos 𝑡 sin 𝑡 sin 𝑡 sin 𝑡 0
lim = lim = lim ∙ lim =1∙ =1∙0 =0
𝑡→0 𝑡(1 + cos 𝑡) 𝑡→0 𝑡(1 + cos 𝑡) 𝑡→0 𝑡 𝑡→0 1 + cos 𝑡 1+1
T9 T11 ∎

1 − cos 𝑥
1 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥

-1

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