Section 1.

6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Limits Involving Infinity

xa

means that the values of f (x) can be made arbitrary large (as large as we like) by taking x
sufficiently close to a (on either side of a) but not equal to a.
Similarly,
lim f (x) =

xa

means that the values of f (x) can be made as large negative as we like by taking x sufficiently
close to a (on either side of a) but not equal to a.

Similar definitions can be given for the one-sided infinite limits

xa+

lim f (x) =

lim f (x) =

xa+

xa

lim f (x) =

xa

EXAMPLES:

1
1
1
, lim 2 , lim+ 2 D.N.E., moreover
2
x0 x
x0 x
x0 x
1
1
1
lim 2 = lim 2 = lim+ 2 =
x0 x
x0 x
x0 x

1. The limits lim

0.1
0.01
0.001
0.0001
0.00001

f (x)
100
10000
1000000
100000000
10000000000

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

1
1
and lim+
D.N.E., moreover
x5 5 x
x5 5 x

WORK:
1

=
lim
=
1
1
+NOT SMALL
x5 5 x
=
=
= +BIG
5 4.99
0.01
+SMALL

2. The limits lim

and

lim+

x5

Therefore lim

=
5x

x5

WORK:

=
1
1
+NOT SMALL
=
=
= BIG
5 5.01
0.01
SMALL

1
D.N.E. and neither nor (see the Figure below (left)).
5x

2x + 1
2x + 1
and lim +
D.N.E., moreover
x7
x7
x+7
x+7

WORK:
2x + 1

lim
= 2(7.01) + 1
=
13
NOT
SMALL
x7
x+7

=
= +BIG
7.01 + 7
0.01
SMALL

3. The limits lim

and

lim +

x7

WORK:

2x + 1

= 2(6.99) + 1
=
13
NOT
SMALL
x+7

=
= BIG
6.99 + 7
0.01
+SMALL

2x + 1
D.N.E. and neither nor (see the Figure above (right)).
x7 x + 7

Therefore lim

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

REMARK: Recall that even if the denominator of a function f goes to 0, it does not necessary
mean that the limit of f is or . In fact,
 
x2 x 2
x2 x 2
0
lim
= lim+
=
x2
x2
x2
0
x2
x2 x 2
x2
x2

= lim

(x 2)(x + 1)
x2
x2

= lim

= lim (x + 1) = 3
x2

DEFINITION: The line x = a is called a vertical asymptote of the curve y = f (x) if at least
one of the following statements is true:
xa

lim f (x) =

xa

lim f (x) =

xa

xa

lim f (x) =

xa+

lim f (x) =

xa+

EXAMPLES:
1. Find all vertical asymptotes of f (x) =

x2

8
.
4

lim f (x) =

lim f (x) =

Solution: There are potential vertical asymptotes where x2 4 = 0, that is where x = 2. In

WORK:
8

=
lim 2
=
8
8
8
NOT
SMALL
x2 x 4

=
=
=
BIG
(2.01)2 4
4.04 4
0.04
+SMALL
and

WORK:
8

=
lim+ 2
=
8
8
8
NOT SMALL
x2 x 4

=
=
=
BIG
(2.01)2 4
4.04 4
0.04
+SMALL
This shows that the lines x = 2 are the vertical asymptotes of f.

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2. Find all vertical asymptotes of f (x) =

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

x2 1
.
x+1

Solution: There is a potential vertical asymptote where x + 1 = 0, that is where x = 1.

and therefore lim

3. Find all vertical asymptotes of f (x) =

x2 3x + 2
.
x2 4x + 3

Solution: There are potential vertical asymptotes where x2 4x + 3 = 0, that is where x = 1, 3.

x3

x1

x2 3x + 2
1
= . Hence x = 1 is not a vertical asymptote. On the other
2
x 4x + 3
2

x2 3x + 2
(x 1)(x 2)
= lim+
2
x 4x + 3 x3 (x 1)(x 3)

WORK:
x2

= 3.01 2
= lim+
=
1.01
+NOT
SMALL
x3 x 3
=
=
= +BIG
3.01 3
0.01
+SMALL

This shows that the line x = 3 is the only vertical asymptote of f (see the Figure above (right)).

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

4. Find all vertical asymptotes of f (x) = cot 2x.

cos 2x
sin 2x
there are potential vertical asymptotes where sin 2x = 0. In fact, since sin 2x 0+ as x 0+
and sin 2x 0 as x 0 , whereas cos 2x is positive (and not near 0) when x is near 0, we
have
lim+ cot 2x = and lim cot 2x =
cot 2x =

x0

x0

This shows that the line x = 0 is a vertical asymptote. Similar

II. Limits at Infinity

means that the values of f (x) can be made as close to L as we like by taking x sufficiently
large.

Similarly, the notation

means that the values of f (x) can be made arbitrary close to L by taking x sufficiently large
negative.

DEFINITION: The line y = L is called a horizontal asymptote of the curve y = f (x) if

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Find the horizontal asymptote of f (x) =

x2 1
.
x2 + 1

Solution: We have
x2 1 h i A
=
lim
= lim
x x2 + 1
x

x2
x2 1
2
A
x2
= lim xx2
x2 +1
x
x2
x2

1
x2 A
= lim
1
x
x2

1
1+

1
x2 C
1 =
x2

10
=1
1+0

x2 1
It follows that y = 1 is the horizontal asymptote of f (x) = 2
. The graph below confirms
x +1
that:

EXAMPLE: Find all horizontal asymptotes of f (x) =

x
.
x2 + 1

Solution: We have
hi
x
A
lim
=
= lim
x
x

x2 + 1

x
A
x2

= lim
2
x +1
x

x2

qx

x2 +1
x2

= lim q
x

and
hi
x
A
=
lim
= lim
2
x
x

x +1

x
A
x2

= lim
2
+1
x
x

x2

qx

x2 +1
x2

= lim q

x2
x2

= lim q

1
x2

x2
x2

1
1+

It follows that y = 1 are the horizontal asymptotes of f (x) =

confirms that:

1
=1
1+0

1+

= lim q
A

1
x2

1
x2
C

1
x2

1
= 1
1+0

x
. The graph below
+1

x2

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLES:
2x3 x + 5 h i A
=
= lim
1. lim 3
x
x x + x2 1

2x3
2x3 x+5
xx3 + x53 A
A
x3
x3
=
lim
= lim
2
3
x3 +x2 1
x x + x 1
x
3
3
3
3
x
x
x
x

20+0
=2
1+00

3x + 3x2 7 h i A
2. lim
=
= lim
x x + 1 5x2
x

3x
3x+3x2 7
2
A
x2
= lim xx
x+15x2
x
x2
x2

+
+

3x2
3
x72 A
x2
x
lim
2 =
1
x 1
5x
x
x2
x2

3
0+30
=
0+05
5

hi
4x1/3 x1/2 1 A
43x 2x1
A

= lim
=
lim
=
3. lim
x
x 2x1/3 9x1/2 + 1
x 2 3 x 9 2 x + 1

2 x12 + x53
1 + x1 x13

1/2
1
4x1/3
xx1/2 x1/2
A
x1/2
lim 1/3 9x1/2
= lim
1
x 2x
x
x1/2 + x1/2
x1/2

4
x1/6
2
x 1/6
x

= lim

1
9+

1
x1/2 C
1 =
x1/2

4x1/31/2 1
2x1/31/2 9 +

4x1/6 1
2x1/6 9 +

010
1
1
=
=
09+0
9
9

7x2 + 10x + 20 h i A
4. lim
=
= lim
x x3 10x2 1
x

= lim

1
x1/2 A
lim
1 = x
x1/2

4x1/3 x1/2 1
x1/2
2x1/3 9x1/2 +1
x1/2

7x2 +10x+20
7x2
+ 10x
A
x3
x3
x3
= lim x3 10x
2
x3 10x2 1
x
x3
x3
x3

20
x3
1
x3

+ x102 + x203 C 0 + 0 + 0
=
=0
100
x13
1 10
x
7
x

or
7x2 + 10x + 20 h i A
lim
=
= lim
x x3 10x2 1
x

7x2
7x2 +10x+20
+ 10x
A
x2
x2
x2
=
lim
3
2
x3 10x2 1
x
10x
x
x2
x2
x2

+ x202 C
7 + 10
7+0+0 C
7
C
x
= lim
= lim
=0
= lim
x x 10 0
x x 10
x x 10 12
x
A

5.

11x5 + 1
x 4 x4
lim

20
x2
1
x2

1
x1/2
1
x1/2

+ 3 x72
+ x12 5

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

11x5 +1
11x5
+ x14
11x5 + 1 h i A
A
x4
x4
5. lim
=
= lim 4x4 = lim 4
4
x 4 x4
x
x

xx4
x4
x4


11x + x14 C
A
= (D.N.E)
=
= lim
4
x
1

1
4
x
or
11x5
11x5 +1
+ x15
11x5 + 1 h i A
A
x5
x5
lim
=
lim
=
=
lim
4
4
x 4 x4
x 4 x
x 4x

x5
x5
x5
 
11 + x15 C 11
A
= lim 4
= + = (D.N.E)
x 5 1
0
x
x

hi
x2 + 2x + 5
A
=
6. lim
= lim
4
x
x

2 + x + 7x
x2
x2

= lim q
x

2
x4

2x
x2

x
x4

5
x2
7x4
x4

x2 +2x+5

A
x4

= lim
4
2+x+7x
x

x4

1+
= lim q
A

2
x4

2
x

1
x3

5
x2

x2 +2x+5
x2

2+x+7x4
x4

1
C 1+0+0
=
=
0+0+7
7
+7

v
s
s
u

2x5 1 A u
2x5 1 h i A
2x5 1 C
=
= t lim
7. lim
= lim
lim
=
x
x
x 3x5 + 2
x

3x5 + 2
3x5 + 2
s
s
r
r
1
2x5

2 x15 C
20
2
A
x5
x5 A
=
=
=
lim 3x5
lim
=
2
x
x 3 + 5
3+0
3
+ x25
x
x5

2x5 1
x5
3x5 +2
x5

REMARK: For more examples of this type, see Appendix I.

 h i
A
x+3
C
8. lim sin
=
= sin lim
= sin lim
x
x 6x2 5
x



 


1
+ x32 C
0
0+0
A
x
= sin
= sin 0 = 0
= sin
= sin lim
5
x 6 2
60
6
x
9.

lim (

x2

x+3
6x2 5

+ 4 x) = [ ] = lim

x+3
x2
6x2 5
x2

x2 + 4 x A
( x2 + 4 x)( x2 + 4 + x)

= lim
x
1
1 ( x2 + 4 + x)

x2 + 4 x2 A
4
( x2 + 4)2 x2 A
C
= lim
= lim
=0
= lim
2
2
2
x
x
x +4+x
x + 4 + x x x + 4 + x
A

10.

= sin

x
+ x32
x2
lim 6x
2
x
x52
x2

lim ( x2 + 4 x)

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

10.

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

lim ( x2 + 4 x) = [ + ] = (D.N.E)

REMARK: For more examples of this type, see Appendix II.

12.

13.

14.

15.

lim (x

x)

lim (x3 x8 )

lim (x3 + x8 )

lim sin x

lim

1 + sin 5x

1+x

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

(x x)(x + x) A
x2 ( x)2
x x A

11. lim (x x) = [ ] = lim

or
lim (x

12.
13.

14.

15.

A

C
A
x) = [ ] = lim ( x x 1 x) = lim [ x( x 1)] = [ ] =
x
x
(D.N.E)
A

lim (x3 x8 ) = [ ] = lim x3 (1 x5 ) = [ ()] = (D.N.E)

lim (x3 + x8 ) = [ + ] = (D.N.E)

lim sin x D.N.E

lim

1 + sin 5x

=0
1+x

Solution: We first note that

Dividing all three parts of this inequality by 1 + x, we get

1+x
1+x
Since
lim

it follows that

2
=0
1+x

1 + sin 5x

=0
x
1+x
lim

by the Squeeze Theorem.

10

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Appendix I

3
x+5
.
1. Find lim
x
x+7
Solution: We have

3
x + 5 hi A
lim
=
= lim
x
x

x+7

3
x+5

x+7

q
3

= lim q
x

1
2

x=x =x

x+5
x3/2 A
x+7
x

= lim

x3/2

x
x

3 1

2 3

3
x+5

3 3/2
x

x+7
x
x


 3  31
3
A
3/2
= x
= x2
= lim

x3/2 A

= lim

7
x

1
x1/2

q
1+

3
0+0
0

=
= =0
1
1+0

5
x3/2 C
7
x

6
3x2 + 4
.
2. Find lim
x 9 1 2x3
Solution: We have

6
3x2 + 4 h i A
lim
=
= lim
x 9 1 2x3
x

2 +4
3x

9 3
x

9
3
12x

9 3
x

q
6

= lim q
x

n
9

x3 = x = x = x

3x2 +4
x2
A
12x3
x3

1
3

3
9

q
6

= lim q
x

11

3x2
x2
1
x3

= x

1
2 6

2 +4
3x

6 2
x

9
3
12x
x

9 3
x

6
A
= x2 = lim

6
6
6
3 + x42 C
3+0
3

=
= lim q
9
9
x 9 1
02
2
2
x3

4
x2 A

2x3
x3

2 16

Section 1.6 Limits Involving Infinity

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Appendix II

1. Find lim [x( x2 + 4 x)].

Solution: Since

lim ( x2 + 4 x) = 0
x

by Example 9 from page 8, it follows that lim [x( x2 + 4 x)] is 0 type of an indeterminate
x
form. We have

x( x2 + 4 x)( x2 + 4 + x)
x( x2 + 4 x) A
A
2

= lim
lim [x( x + 4 x)] = [ 0] = lim
x
x
x
1
1 ( x2 + 4 + x)

x[x2 + 4 x2 ]
x[( x2 + 4)2 x2 ] A
A

= lim
= lim
x
x
x2 + 4 + x
x2 + 4 + x
4x
hi
4
4x
A
A
A
= lim 2
= lim
=
= lim 2 x
x x +4 + x
x
x x +4+x

x2 + 4 + x
x
x
x
A

= lim

+1
4

= lim q

x2 +4
x
x2

1+

= lim q
x

4
x2

+1

x2 +4
x2

+1

= lim q
x

x2
x2

4
x2

+1

4
=2
1+0+1

2. Find lim [x( x2 + 4 + x)].

Solution: We have
lim [x(

x2

x( x2 + 4 + x)( x2 + 4 x)
x( x2 + 4 + x) A

= lim
+ 4 + x)] = [ 0] = lim
x
x
1
1 ( x2 + 4 x)

x[x2 + 4 x2 ]
x[( x2 + 4)2 x2 ] A
A

= lim
= lim
x
x
x2 + 4 x
x2 + 4 x
4x
hi
4
4x
A
A
A
= lim 2
= lim
=
= lim 2 x
x x +4
x
x x +4x

x2 + 4 x
x
x
A

= lim

4
x2 +4

x2

= lim

= lim

1+

12

=
4
x2

x2 +4
x2

4
= 2
1+01

= lim
1

x
x

x2
x2

4
x2