Thomas, 13e

Before you begin this unit, watch this video to find out why we learn calculus!
MAC 2311: Calculus
Section 2.2/2.4: The Limit of a Function (Graphically, Numerically)

x2 4
Section Introduction & Example 1: f ( x ) =
x2

a. What is the domain of f ( x ) ?

b. What is f ( 2 ) = ?

c. As x approaches 2 from both directions,

what happens to the function values?

i.e., x 2, f ( x ) ?

i. Graphing approach

ii. Numeric (tables) approach

Limit Definition (Informal):

Suppose f ( x ) is defined on an open interval containing a, (except maybe at a itself). If f ( x ) gets
close to a finite, real number L as x gets close to a (from both directions), then we write:

lim f ( x ) = L and we say: The limit of f ( x ) as x approaches a exists and is L.

x a

Note: *Whether or not a is in the domain itself is irrelevant to the existence of the limit as x a.

Three methods for evaluating limits: 1. Graphically

2. Numerically
3. Algebraically

Unit 1 p. 2
 Thomas, 13e
x 4 2
; x2
Example 2: Sketch the graph of f ( x ) = x 2
0 ; x=2
a. Find f ( 2 ) .

b. Find lim f ( x )
x 2

Example 3: Find the following values and limits graphically.

a. Given y = f ( x ) , find the following:

f (1) f ( 2)
Y
4
f ( 3) f ( 1) 3
2
1
lim f ( x ) X
x2
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-1

lim f ( x )
-2
x 3 -3
-4

lim f ( x )
x 1

lim f ( x )
x4

b. Given y = f ( x ) , find the following:

5

4
f ( 1)
3

lim f ( x ) 1
x 1
X
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-1
lim f ( x )
x 0 -2

Unit 1 p. 3
 Thomas, 13e
One Sided Limits

A. Left Hand Limit

Suppose f ( x ) is defined on an open interval to the left of a, (except maybe at a itself). If

f ( x ) gets close to a finite, real number L as x gets close to a (from the left),
then we write:
lim f ( x ) = L
x a

and say: The limit of f ( x ) as x approaches a from the left is L.

B. Right Hand Limit

Suppose f ( x ) is defined on an open interval to the right of a, (except maybe at a itself). If

f ( x ) gets close to a finite, real number L as x gets close to a (from the right),
then we write: lim f ( x ) = L
x a +

and say: The limit of f ( x ) as x approaches a from the right is L.

Theorem: One-Sided vs. Two-Sided Limits

This theorem connects one-sided and two-sided limits.

lim f ( x ) = L and lim+ f ( x ) =

L lim f ( x ) = L
x a x a x a

Use this notation to help explain why a limit DNE.

Unit 1 p. 4
 Thomas, 13e
Example 4: Find the following values and limits graphically.

Given y = f ( x ) , find the following:

a. f ( 2)
Y
4
b. lim f ( x ) 3
x 2
2
1
X
c. lim+ f ( x )
x2 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-1
-2
d. lim f ( x ) -3
x2
-4

e. f (1)

f. lim f ( x )
x 1

g. lim f ( x )
x 1+

h. lim f ( x )
x 1

i. lim f ( x )
x 0+

j. lim f ( x )
x 0

x ; x0
Example 5: Sketch f ( x ) = . Use the graph to find lim f ( x ) , if it exists.

x 2
+ 1; x > 0 x 0

Unit 1 p. 5
 Thomas, 13e
Example 6: Use a graphic and a numeric approach to make a conjecture about the following limits.

6a. lim x 3
x2

x 3
6b. lim
x9 x 9

Unit 1 p. 6
 Thomas, 13e

6c. lim sin
x 0
x

4 Ways Limits Can Fail to Exist:

1. f ( x ) is not defined on an the open interval surrounding a. (The existence of f(a) is irrelevant)

2. LHL RHL (first, give values of both limits)

3. As x a, f ( x ) or x a, f ( x ) ( f ( x ) does not approach a finite, real number L).

4. As x a, f ( x ) oscillates between two fixed values.

Unit 1 p. 7