Basic Calculus

Limits
 Objectives

Illustrate the limit of a function using a table of

values and the graph of the function;
Distinguishes between lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥) and 𝑓 ( 𝑐)
𝑥→ 𝑐
Activity: My Limit
as x approaches 2
x f(x) x f(x)

1.9 3.61 2.1 4.41

1.99 3.9601 2.01 4.0401

1.999 3.996001 2.001 4.004001

1.9999 3.99960001 2.0001 4.00040001

1.99999 3.9999600001 2.00001 4.0000400001

3
as x approaches 2
x f(x) x f(x)

1.9 3.61 2.1 4.41

1.99 3.9601 2.01 4.0401

1.999 3.996001 2.001 4.004001

1.9999 3.99960001 2.0001 4.00040001

1.99999 3.9999600001 2.00001 4.0000400001

The value 4 is the Limit or limiting value of

the function when x approaches to the value
2. 2
lim 𝑥 =4
𝑥 → 2
``The limit of f(x) as x approaches 2 is
Limit
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.

lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 𝐿
𝑥 → 𝑐

``The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is

L"
 “
Ways in Estimating
Limits
Estimating a Limit Numerically
Estimating a Limit Graphically

6
Limit in a table Estimating a Limit Numerically

Example 1: Investigate by constructing tables of values.

Start by approaching 0 from the left. Start by approaching 0 from the right.

x f(x) x f(x)

-0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

-0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
-0.00009 0.00009 0.00009
0.00009
-0.000001 0.000001 0.000001 0.000001

The tables show that as x approaches 0, f(x) approaches 0.

lim |𝑥|=0
𝑥 → 0
Limit in a table Estimating a Limit Numerically

Example 2: Investigate by constructing tables of values.

Start by approaching 2 from the left. Start by approaching 2 from the right.

x f(x) x f(x)

1.9 3.7 2.1 4.3

1.99 3.97 2.01 4.03
1.999 3.997 2.001
4.003
1.9999 3.9997 2.0001 4.0003

The tables show that as x approaches 2, f(x) approaches 4.

lim ( 3 𝑥 − 2 ) = 4
𝑥→2
Limit in a table Estimating a Limit Graphically

Example 2: Investigate by graphing.

The graph show

that as x
approaches 2, f(x)
approaches 4.

lim ( 3 𝑥 − 2 )= 4
𝑥→2
Limit in a table Estimating a Limit Graphically

Example 2: Investigate by graphing.

The graph shows that

as x approaches 2, f(x)
approaches 4.

lim ( 3 𝑥 − 2 )= 4
𝑥→2
Exercise 1 Estimating a Limit Numerically and Graphically

Investigate by constructing table and graphing.

Start by approaching 0 from the left. Start by approaching 0 from the right.

x f(x) x f(x)

-0.1 1.94868 0.1 2.04881

A. Table
-0.01 1.99498 0.01 2.00498
-0.001 1.9995 0.001 2.0005
-0.0001 1.99994 0.0001 2.00004
𝑥
lim =2
𝑥→0 √ 𝑥 +1 −1
B. Graph
Exercise 1 Estimating a Limit Numerically and Graphically

Investigate by constructing table and graphing.

f(x) has a limit as x  0

even though the function
is not defined at x = 0.

The existence or
nonexistence of f(x) at x
= c has no bearing on
the existence of the limit
of f(x) as x approaches c.
Limit that Does
Not Exist (DNE)
 Limits That Fail to Exist

The limit of as does not exist

under
• approaches a different
number from the right side of
c than it approaches from the
left side of c.
 Limits That Fail to Exist

The limit of as does not exist

under
• increases or decreases
without bound as x
approaches c.
 Limits That Fail to Exist
The limit of as does not
exist under
• oscillates (swing)
between two fixed
values as x approaches
c.
Limit in a table Estimating a Limit Graphically

Example 2: Investigate using table of values.

Start by approaching 4 from the left. Start by approaching 4 from the right.

x f(x) x f(x)

3.5 -2 4.3 3.3333

3.8 -5 4.21 4.7619047619
3.99 -100 4.0002 5000
3.999 -1000 4.00009 11111.11

The does not exist.

 The Limit of a
Click to
Function at c Versus
Edit title
the Value of the
Click to change subtitle

Function at c

18
 Limits of a The Value of A
Function at c Function at c
2
lim 𝑥 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =𝑥
2
𝑥→2
x f(x) Let’s try to find the value of
1.9 3.61 the function at x=c
1.999 3.996001 2
1.99999 3.9999600001
(
𝑓 2 =2)
x f(x) 𝑓 ( 2 )=4
2.1 4.41

2.001 4.004001
So, in this example, and f(2) are
equal.
2.00001 4.0000400001

We concluded that
 Limits of a The Value of A
Function at c Function at c
lim |𝑥| 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =|𝑥|
𝑥→0
x f(x) x f(x)

-0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

𝑥=𝑐
-0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
𝑥=0
-0.00009 0.00009 0.00009 0.00009
𝑓 ( 0 ) =|0|
-0.000001 0.000001 0.000001 0.000001
𝑓 ( 0 ) =0
So, in this example, and f(0) are
We concluded that equal.
 Limits of a The Value of A
Function at c Function at c
lim ( 3 𝑥 −2)
𝑥→2
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =3 𝑥 −2
x f(x) x f(x) 𝑥=𝑐
1.9
3.7
2.1 4.3 𝑥=2
1.99
3.97
2.01
4.03 𝑓 ( 2 )=3 ( 2 ) − 2
1.999 2.001
3.997 4.003
1.9999 3.9997 2.0001 4.0003
𝑓 ( 2 )=4
So, in this example, and f(2) are
equal.
We concluded that
 Limits of a The Value of A
Function at c Function at c
𝑥
lim
( 𝑥
𝑥 → 0 √ 𝑥 +1− 1 ) 𝑓 (𝑥 )=
𝑥=𝑐
√ 𝑥 +1− 1
0
x f(x) x f(x)
𝑥=0 𝑓 ( 0 ) = √ 0+1 −1
-0.1 1.94868 0.1 2.04881 0
𝑓 ( 0) =
-0.01 1.99498 0.01 2.00498
√1 −1
-0.001 1.9995 0.001 2.0005 0 0
𝑓 ( 0) = =
-0.0001 1.99994 0.0001 2.00004 1 −1 0

We concluded that So, in this example, and f(0) are

not equal.
Written Work #1
A. Using tables of values, determine the limits of the following.

1. lim (− 𝑥 +1)
𝑥 →2

B. The graph of f(x) is given by:

Determine the following limits.
1. lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
𝑥 →− 2
2. lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
𝑥→0

3. lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
𝑥→3
Suggested videos to watch:
● https://www.khanacademy.org/math/ap-calcu
lus-ab/ab-limits-new/ab-1-2/v/introduction-to-
limits-hd

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poBobcF
n1Co

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_OqrZG
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