DEKA 1222

CALCULUS

CHAPTER 1:
LIMITS & CONTINUITY
PN. IRMA WANI BINTI JAMALUDIN 1
irma@utem.edu.my
 CHAPTER OVERVIEW:
 1.1 Limits

 1.2 Cases of Non-Existent Limits

 1.3 Limits At Infinity

 1.4 Computational Methods of Limit

 1.5 Continuity

2
Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this chapter, student should be able to:

 explain the meaning of lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿 .

𝑥→𝑎

 explain the case of non-existence of limits.

 explain the limit at infinity, lim 𝑓(𝑥) and lim 𝑓(𝑥) .

𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→−∞

 find the limits by using the fundamental theorem.

 determine the continuity of a function.

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1.1 LIMITS
 Limits are used to ‘explain changes that arise for a
particular function
when the value of an independent variable approaches a certain values.’

 As for example, consider the following function :

sin 𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 = , 𝑥 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 where 𝑥 in radians.
𝑥

 We need to know what will happen to the value of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 moves along

the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 approaching 𝑥 = 0.

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 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙
Table 1 : Value of when 𝒙 approaches 𝟎 from the right side.
𝒙

 Refering to the Table 1, we notice that when 𝑥 approaches zero from

right side , 𝑓(𝑥) is 0.9999999, which is almost unity and this unity
sin 𝑥
represents the limit for .
𝑥

sin 𝑥
 Thus, this limit can be written as lim+ =1
𝑥→0 𝑥
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 sin 𝑥
lim+ =1
𝑥→0 𝑥

 The term "𝒍𝒊𝒎“ in eq before means that the value of the limit is
being calculated.

 The symbol 𝑥 → 0 means 𝑥 is assumed to approach 0.

 The symbol “+” sign indicates that 𝑥 approaches 0 from the

𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 side.

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 In a similar manner, we can find out what will happen to
sin 𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 = when 𝑥 approaches zero from left side.
𝑥

sin 𝑥
Table 2: Values of when 𝑥 approaches 0 from left side.
𝑥

     ∙

𝑥 -1 -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 -0.0001 0

𝑓(𝑥) 0.8414709 0.9983342 0.9999833 0.9999998 0.9999999 undefined

 Thus, we can conclude that 𝑓(𝑥) tends to 1 when 𝑥 approaches 0 from

left side and is written as

sin 𝑥
lim =1
𝑥→0− 𝑥
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 sin 𝑥
Graph of 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥

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Definition 1 :
Right Limit
 If the value of 𝑓(𝑥) tends to a number 𝐿1 as 𝒙 approaches 𝒂 from

the right side, then we write

lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿1
𝑥→𝑎
and we say

“limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the right

is equal to 𝐿1 . "

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Definition 2 :
Left Limit
 If the value of 𝑓(𝑥) tends to a number 𝐿2 as 𝒙 approaches 𝒂 from
the left side, then we write

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿2
𝑥→𝑎−
and we say

“limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the left

is equal to 𝐿2 . "
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Definition 3 :
Limit of a Function
 If the limits from the left and the right sides of 𝑓 𝑥 have the same values
that is,

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→𝑎+ 𝑥→𝑎

then, we can conclude that lim 𝑓 𝑥 exist and it is written

𝑥→𝑎

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = L
𝑥→𝑎

and we say “limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 is equal to L”

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 However, if the limit from the left and from the right side does not the
same,

lim 𝑓 𝑥 ≠ lim− 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→𝑎+ 𝑥→𝑎

then, we can conclude lim 𝑓 𝑥 does not exist.

𝑥→𝑎

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Example 1

Sketch the graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 − 1)2 , and evaluate the limit of this

function when 𝑥 → 3.

Solution:

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From the graph, as 𝑥 approaches 3 from the left, the function 𝑓(𝑥)

tends to 4. The same thing occurs as 𝑥 approaches 3 from the right

side.

Thus,
lim+ (𝑥 − 1)2 = lim− (𝑥 − 1)2 = 4
𝑥→3 𝑥→3

Therefore, lim (𝑥 − 1)2 = 4

𝑥→3

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Exercise 1
1) Sketch the graph of

𝑥 + 1, 𝑥<1
3
𝑓 𝑥 = , 𝑥=1
2
2 − 𝑥, 𝑥>1

and evaluate the limit of this function when 𝑥 → 1, if it exists.

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2) Sketch the graph of

3, 𝑥<2
𝑓 𝑥 = 1, 𝑥=2
−2, 𝑥>2

From this function, find

(a) lim+ 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→2

(b) lim− 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→2

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3) The following graph depicts the relation 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 . Find
y

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
1

1 2

(a) lim− 𝑓 𝑥 (b) lim+ 𝑓 𝑥

𝑥→2 𝑥→2

(c) lim 𝑓 𝑥 (d) 𝑓(2)

𝑥→2

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1.2 CASES OF NON-
EXISTENCE OF LIMITS
 In other cases, the limits of function as 𝑥 → 𝑎 + , 𝑥→
𝑎− , 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 → 𝑎 cannot be determined.

 In that situation is said “ the limit does not exist”.

 For example, in the cases of

𝟏 𝟏 𝝅
as 𝒙 → 𝟎, as 𝒙 → 𝟎, 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝒙 as 𝒙 →
𝒙 𝒙𝟐 𝟐
where we cannot find the limit.
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Example 2
2 2
Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = , 𝑥 ≠ 0. Hence, evaluate lim .
𝑥2 𝑥→0 𝑥 2

Solution:

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 From the function given, bear in mind that this function is not defined at
𝑥 = 0.

 As 𝑥 → 0 from the left side or the right side, the value of 𝑓(𝑥) increases
indefinitely.

2
 Hence, 𝑓(𝑥) does not approach a finite value. In this case lim−
𝑥→0 𝑥 2
2
and lim+ 2 does not exist because 𝑓 𝑥 increase
𝑥→0 𝑥
indefinitely/endlessly.

 Thus, we write these result as

2 2
lim− = +∞ and lim+ = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥 2 𝑥→0 𝑥2

 As both limits are indefinite, we write

2 20
lim = +∞
𝑥→0 𝑥 2
Exercise 2
2
1) Sketch the graph 𝑦 = − ,𝑥 ≠ 0. Hence,
𝑥2
2
evaluate lim − .
𝑥→0 𝑥2

2 2
2) Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = . Hence, evaluate lim .
𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥

3) Find the limit of each of the following expressions.

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
(a) lim (b) lim (c) lim
𝑥→3− 𝑥−3 𝑥→3+ 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3

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1.3 LIMITS AT INFINITY
 In previous section, we focused only on the behaviour of a
function as its independent variable approaches a fixed point on
the x-axis.

 However, we may also study the behaviour of a function as the

independent variable “moves far away” from the origin along the
𝑥 −axis.

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 So, if 𝑥 is allowed to increase indefinitely, we may write it as “𝑥 →
+ ∞” and we say as “ 𝒙 approaches positive infinity”.

 Whereas, if 𝑥 is allowed to decrease indefinitely, we may write as

“𝑥 → −∞" and we say as
“ 𝒙 approaches negative infinity”.

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Example 3
2 2 2
1) Sketch the graph 𝑦 = . Hence, evaluate lim and lim .
𝑥2 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 2 𝑥→−∞ 𝑥 2
Solution:

Note that from the graph as 𝑥 approaches +∞, the value of 𝑓 𝑥 tends to

2
0. In this case, we write as lim = 0.
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥 2

Similarly, as 𝑥 approaches −∞, the value of 𝑓(𝑥) also tends to zero. In this

2
case we write as lim = 0.
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥 2

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2) By referring to graph below, find ;
y
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
3
2
1
x

(a) lim 𝑓 𝑥 (b) lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→−∞

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1.4 COMPUTATIONAL
METHOD OF LIMIT
 In previous section, discussion was focused on the interpretation
of limits using graph.
 It is observed that the limit of 𝑓 𝑥 , as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 , is
independent of 𝑓 value at 𝑥 = 𝑎.
 However, it is not necessary always so because the limit can assume
accurately a value of 𝑓 𝑎 .
 In this case, the limit can calculated by direct substitution.
 In other words the limit is

lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑥→𝑎

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Theorem 1 :
Basic Properties of Limits
 Suppose 𝑎, 𝑘 and 𝑛 are real numbers. The limit of each of these

expression is as follows.

i. lim 𝑘 = 𝑘
𝑥→𝑎

ii. lim 𝑥 = 𝑎
𝑥→𝑎

iii. lim 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛
𝑥→𝑎
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Example 4
1) Evaluate the limits of the following expression

a) lim 3 (c) lim 3

𝑥→5 𝑥→+∞

b) lim 3 (d) lim 3

𝑥→−5 𝑥→−∞

2) Evaluate the limits of the following expressions.

a) lim 𝑥 (c) lim 𝑥

𝑥→−3 𝑥→∞

b) lim 𝑦 (d) lim 𝑡

𝑦→0 𝑡→−∞
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3) Evaluate the limits of the following expressions.

a) lim 𝑥 2
𝑥→3

b) lim 1 𝑥 3
𝑥→− 2

c) lim 𝑥 4
𝑥→+∞

d) lim 𝑥 5
𝑥→−∞

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Theorem 2:
Properties of Limit
Let 𝑓 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) be two functions. If the limits of 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) exist at a
particular point, then

i. lim 𝑘𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑘 lim 𝑓 𝑥 , 𝑘 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

ii. lim 𝑓 𝑥 ± 𝑔 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 ± lim 𝑔(𝑥)
iii. lim 𝑓 𝑥 ∙ 𝑔 𝑥 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 ∙ lim 𝑔 𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 lim 𝑓(𝑥)
iv. lim 𝑔 = , 𝑖𝑓 lim 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑥 lim 𝑔 𝑥

v. lim 𝑓 𝑥 𝑛 = [lim 𝑓(𝑥)] 𝑛

𝑛
vi. lim 𝑛 𝑓(𝑥) = lim 𝑓 𝑥 , provided lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 0

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Example 5
1. Evaluate the limits of the following expressions

a) lim 4𝑥
𝑥→0
b) lim (5𝑥 − 7)
𝑥→−2
c) lim 5𝑥 2 − 4
𝑥→−2
d) lim 4𝑥 + 1 + 4
𝑥→2
e) lim 𝑥 sin 𝑥
𝑥→0
f) lim (5𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2)
𝑥→3

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2) Evaluate the limits of the following expressions.

𝑡−1
a) lim
𝑡→3 𝑡+3
𝑡−1
b) lim
𝑡→1 𝑡+3
𝑥3+ 8
c) lim
𝑥→2 𝑥+2
2+𝑦− 3
d) lim
𝑦→1 𝑦

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#Notes
 For rational function where both the numerator and denominator
equal to zero as 𝑥 → 𝑎, this means that the numerator and
denominator has a common factor, 𝒙 − 𝒂 .

 This common factor must be cancelled off before the limits are
evaluated.

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Example 6
Evaluate the limits of the following expressions.

𝑥 2 +6𝑥+9
a) lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥+3

8−2𝑥
b) lim
𝑥→4 𝑥 2 −𝑥−12

𝑥 3 +8
c) lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥+2

4+ℎ−2
d) lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
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Example 7
sin 𝑥
By using the result lim = 1, evaluate the following limits.
𝑥→0 𝑥

sin 3𝑥
a) lim
𝑥→0 2𝑥
sin 𝑥 2
b) lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 2
𝑥
c) lim
𝑥→0 sin 𝑥
sin 𝑥
d) lim+
𝑥→0 5 𝑥

35
# Notes

 If 𝑓(𝑥) is a rational function, to calculate lim 𝑓(𝑥) or lim 𝑓(𝑥) , we

𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→−∞
carry out the following steps:

Step 1: Divide the numerator and denominator of 𝑓(𝑥) with 𝑥 𝑛 ,

where 𝑛 is the highest power of 𝑥 in the denominator’s term.

Step 2: Then, use the limits theorem.

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Example 8
Evaluate the limits of each of the following expressions.

3𝑥−5
a) lim
𝑥→+∞ 6𝑥+8
𝑥−4𝑥 2
b) lim
𝑥→−∞ 5−6𝑥 3
3 3𝑥−5
c) lim
𝑥→+∞ 6𝑥+8

3𝑥 4 +𝑥
d) lim
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥 2 −8

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1.5 CONTINUITY
At glance,
If a function is continuous at every value in an interval, then we say that the
function is continuous in the interval.

38
 In this section, we will discuss another concept, that is continuity.

𝑦 𝑦

𝑦
𝑦
= 𝑓(𝑥)
= 𝑓(𝑥)

0 𝑥
𝑥 𝑎
0 𝑎

𝑓 𝑥 is defined for every value of 𝑥.

39
• However, contrast to these graphs below.

Graph A

• The function 𝑓(𝑥) is not defined at 𝑥 = 𝑎 (refer Graph A )

40
• lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist (refer Graph B & C )
𝑥→𝑎

41
Definition :
Continuity
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous at a point 𝑥 = 𝑎 if the

following conditions are satisfied.

i. the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined at 𝑥 = 𝑎, that is 𝑓 𝑎 exist.

ii. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exist.

𝑥→𝑎

iii. lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑎 .
𝑥→𝑎
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#Notes
 If one or more of the condition is not satisfied, then the function
𝑓(𝑥) is said to be discontinuous at 𝑥 = a, and 𝑥 = 𝑎 is known as a
point of discontinuity.

 If 𝑓 𝑥 is continuous for all points in the open interval 𝑎, 𝑏 , then

𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous in the interval of 𝒂, 𝒃 .

 If 𝑓 𝑥 is continuous in the interval (−∞, +∞) then 𝑓(𝑥) is said to

be continuous.

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Example 9
Sketch the graph of the following expression. Hence, find the points
of discontinuity if they exist.

a) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2

b) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥

1
c) 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥

44
Exercise
1. Sketch the graph of the following functions and find the points of
discontinuity.

−𝑥, 𝑥 < 0
a) 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥2, 𝑥 > 0

1, 𝑥 ≠ 2
b) 𝑔 𝑥 =
2, 𝑥 = 2

45
2) Determine the value of 𝑧 so that

𝑥2 − 𝑧2, 𝑥<4
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑧𝑥 + 20, 𝑥≥4

is continuous for any value of 𝑥.

𝑥 2 − 1, 𝑥 ≤ 1
3) Given 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑘 𝑥+1 , 𝑥 >1

Find the value of 𝑘 so that the function 𝑓 𝑥 is continuous.

46
 Able to explain the meaning of lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿 .
𝑥→𝑎

 Able to explain the case of non-existence of

limits.

 Explain the limit at infinity, lim 𝑓(𝑥) and

𝑥→+∞
lim 𝑓(𝑥) .
𝑥→−∞

 Able to find the limits by using the fundamental

theorem.

 Able to determine the continuity of a function.

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48

THANK YOU