EVALUATING LIMITS FROM A GRAPH

submitted by: Marjun M. Lagbang

a. Find each of the following or explain why it does not exist.

i. lim f ( x ) =¿ 4 ¿
x→ ∞
As x approaches infinity the y-value approaches to 4.

ii. x→−3 lim ¿

+¿
f ( x ) =¿0 ¿¿

As x approaches -3 from the right the y-value approaches to 0.

iii. lim f ( x )=¿ 2 ¿

x→ 4

In order to evaluate the limit, we need to look at which value of y will the function approach to if
we look at the limit of the function from the left and from the right as it approaches to x. These
two sides of the limit must be equal for it to exist.

Step 1. x→ 4 lim ¿
−¿
f ( x ) =¿2 ¿¿

Step 2. x→ 4 lim ¿
+¿
f ( x ) =¿2 ¿¿
lim ¿
Step 3. Since, x→ 4 −¿
f ( x ) =¿ lim ¿¿¿ , therefore, the limit exist and it is equal to 2.
+¿
x →4 f (x )¿

iv. lim f ( x )=¿ ∞ (DNE)¿

x →0
lim f ( x )=∞
x →0
or
lim f ( x )=DNE
x →0

Step 1. x→ 0 lim ¿
−¿
f ( x ) =¿+∞ ¿ ¿

Step 2. x→ 0 flim ¿
+¿
( x ) =¿+∞ ¿¿
lim ¿ lim ¿
Step 3. Since, x→ 0 −¿
f ( x ) =¿ lim ¿ ¿¿ Although the x→ 0 −¿
f ( x ) =¿ lim ¿¿ ¿ , still the limit does not
+¿ +¿
x→ 0 f ( x )=∞ .¿ x→0 f ( x ) ¿

exist since infinity is a very large number and it keeps on increasing. It is undefined; therefore,
the limit does not exist.

lim f ( x ) =¿ ¿ -1
v. x→−∞

As x approaches to negative infinity the y value approaches -1.

vi. lim ¿ −∞(DNE)

−¿
x→ 2 f ( x ) =¿¿ ¿
 As x approaches to 2 from the left the y value approaches negative infinity. Since, negative
infinity is undefined, thus, the limit does not exist.

lim f ( x )=¿ DNE ¿

vii. x→−3

Step 1. x→−3 lim ¿

−¿
f ( x )=¿−2 ¿¿

Step 2. x→−3 lim ¿

+¿
f ( x ) =¿0 ¿¿
lim ¿
Step 3. Since, x→−3 −¿
f ( x )≠ lim ¿¿ , then, the limit does not exist.
+¿
x→−3 f (x ) ¿

viii. f ( 4 )=1
At x = 4, y =1.

ix. If f ( x )=3 , then x = 2

b. Write the equations of the horizontal asymptote.

Horizontal asymptote is a horizontal line at the x-y plane at which the graph keeps approaching
to but does not touch it.

y = -1
y=4

c. Write the equations of the vertical asymptote.

Vertical asymptote is a vertical line at the x-y plane at which the graph keeps approaching to but
does not touch it.

x=0
x=2

d. List the x-values where f is discontinuous, which part of the definition of continuity is not
satisfied.

A continuous function is a function that does not have discontinuity. A function can be proven
continuous if it satisfies the 3-step continuity test.

3 CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUITY

Cond 1. f(a) is defined.
Cond 2. lim f ( x ) must exist
x →a

Cond 3. lim f ( x )=f (a)

x →a
The function is discontinuous at x = -3, 0, 2 and 4.

1. at x = -3,
Cond 1. f (−3 )=−2
lim f ( x )=¿ DNE ¿
Cond 2. x→−3
lim ¿
−¿
x→−3 f ( x )=¿−2 ¿¿
lim ¿
+¿
x→−3 f ( x ) =¿0 ¿¿
lim ¿
+¿
x→−3 f ( x ) ≠ lim ¿¿ , then, the limit does not exist.
−¿
x →−3 f ( x ) ¿

Therefore, at x = -3, the function is discontinuous.

2. at x = 0,
Cond 1. f ( 0 )=undefined
Cond 2.lim f ( x )=¿ ∞ (DNE)¿
x →0
lim ¿
−¿
x→ 0 f ( x ) =¿ ∞ ¿¿
lim ¿
+¿
x→ 0 f ( x ) =¿ ∞ ¿¿
lim ¿
−¿
x→−3 f ( x )=¿ lim ¿¿¿ , then, the limit does not exist.
+¿
x→−3 f (x ) =∞ ¿

The function at x = 0 is undefined and the limit does not exist. Therefore, at x = 0, the
function is discontinuous.

3. at x = 2,
Cond 1. f ( 2 )=3
Cond 2.lim f ( x )=¿ DNE ¿
x →2
lim ¿
−¿
x→ 2 f ( x ) =¿−∞ ¿¿
lim ¿
+¿
x→ 2 f ( x ) =¿ 3¿ ¿
lim ¿
+¿
x→−3 f ( x ) ≠ lim ¿¿ , then, the limit does not exist.
−¿
x →−3 f ( x ) ¿

Therefore, at x = 2, the function is discontinuous.

4. at x = 4,
Cond 1. f ( 4 )=1
Cond 2.lim f ( x )=¿ 2(exist )¿
x→ 4
lim ¿
−¿
x→ 4 f ( x ) =¿2 ¿¿
 lim ¿
+¿
x→ 4 f ( x ) =¿2 ¿¿
lim ¿
−¿
x→ 4 f ( x ) =¿ lim ¿¿¿ , then, the limit exist and it is equal to 2.
+¿
x →4 f (x )¿

Cond 3. lim f ( x ) ≠ f (4 )
x→ 4

Even though the function is defined at x = 4 and the limit exist as the x approaches 4.
However, it fails to satisfy the third condition. Therefore, at x = 4, the function is
discontinuous.

e. What is the interval of continuity for f?

The function is continuous at these intervals,

(−∞ ,−3 ] , (−3 , 0 ) , ( 0 ,2 ) , [ 2 , 4 ) ,( 4 , ∞ )