Limit of a Function and

Limit Theorems

Mathematics 21

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman)

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 1 / 30
For today

1 Limit of a Function: An intuitive approach

2 Evaluating Limits

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 2 / 30
Introduction

Given a function f ( x ) and a ∈ R,

what is the value of f at x near a,
but not equal to a?

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 4 / 30
Illustration 1

Consider f ( x ) = 3x − 1.

What can we say about values of f ( x ) for values of x near 1 but not equal to 1?

x f (x) x f (x)
0 −1 2 5
0.5 0.5 1.5 3.5
0.9 1.7 1.1 2.3
0.99 1.97 1.001 2.003
0.99999 1.99997 1.00001 2.00003

Based on the table, as x gets closer and closer to 1, f ( x ) gets closer and closer
to 2.

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 5 / 30
Illustration 1

x f (x)
0 −1 4

0.5 0.5 3
0.9 1.7
2
0.99 1.97
1
0.99999 1.99997

−1 1 2 3
−1

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 6 / 30
Illustration 1

x f (x)
2 5 4

1.5 3.5 3
1.1 2.3
2
1.001 2.003
1
1.00001 2.00003

−1 1 2 3
−1

As x gets closer and closer to 1, f ( x ) gets closer and closer to 2.

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 7 / 30
Illustration 2

3x2 − 4x + 1
Consider: g( x ) =
x−1 4
(3x − 1)( x − 1)
= 3
x−1
= 3x − 1, x 6= 1 2

−1 1 2 3
−1

As x gets closer and closer to 1, g( x ) gets closer and closer to 2.

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 8 / 30
Illustration 3


3x − 1, x 6= 1
Consider: h( x ) = 4
 0, x=1
3

−1 1 2 3
−1

As x gets closer and closer to 1, h( x ) gets closer and closer to 2.

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 9 / 30
Limit

Intuitive Notion of a Limit

a∈ R, L ∈ R
f ( x ): function defined on some open interval containing a, except possibly at a

The limit of f ( x ) as x approaches a is L

if the values of f ( x ) get closer and closer to L as x assumes values getting closer
and closer to a but not reaching a.

Notation:
lim f ( x ) = L
x→a

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 10 / 30
Examples

f ( x ) = 3x − 1

4
lim (3x − 1) = 2
x →1

3
Note: In this case, lim f ( x ) = f (1).
x →1
2

−1 1 2 3
−1

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 11 / 30
Examples

3x2 − 4x + 1
g( x ) =
x−1

3x2 − 4x + 1
4 lim =2
x →1 x−1
3
Note: Though g(1) is undefined,
2 lim g( x ) exists.
x →1
1

−1 1 2 3
−1

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 12 / 30
Examples


3x − 1, x 6= 1
h( x ) =
 0, x=1

lim h( x ) = 2
4 x →1

3 Note: h(1) 6= lim h( x ).

x →1
2

−1 1 2 3
−1

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 13 / 30
Some Remarks

Remark
In finding lim f ( x ):
x→a
We only need to consider values of x very close to a but not exactly at a.

Thus, lim f ( x ) is NOT NECESSARILY the same as f ( a).

x→a

We let x approach a from BOTH SIDES of a.

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 14 / 30
Some Remarks

If f ( x ) does not approach any

3
particular real number as x
approaches a, then we say 2

lim f ( x ) does not exist (dne). 1

x→a

−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3
e.g.
 lim H ( x ) = 0? No.
1, x ≥ 0
 x →0
H (x) = lim H ( x ) = 1? No.
x →0

0, x < 0
lim H ( x ) dne
x →0
(Heaviside Function)

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 15 / 30
Limit Theorems

Theorem
If lim f ( x ) exists, then it is unique.
x→a
If c ∈ R, then xlim
→a
c = c.
lim x = a
x→a

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 17 / 30
Limit Theorems

Theorem
Suppose lim f ( x ) = L1 and lim g( x ) = L2 . Let c ∈
x→a x→a
R, n ∈ N.
lim [ f ( x ) ± g( x )] = lim f ( x ) ± lim g( x ) = L1 ± L2
x→a x→a x→a
  
lim [ f ( x ) g( x )] = lim f ( x ) lim g( x ) = L1 L2
x→a x→a x→a
lim [c f ( x )] = c lim f ( x ) = cL1
x→a x→a

f (x) lim f ( x )
L
lim = x→a = 1 , provided L2 6= 0
x→a g( x ) lim g( x ) L2
x→a
 n
lim ( f ( x ))n = lim f ( x ) = ( L1 ) n
x→a x→a

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 18 / 30
Evaluate: lim (2x2 + 3x − 4)
x →−1

lim (2x2 + 3x − 4) = lim 2x2 + lim 3x − lim 4

x →−1 x →−1 x →−1 x →−1
   
2
= 2 lim x + 3 lim x − lim 4
x →−1 x →−1 x →−1
 2  
=2 lim x +3 lim x − lim 4
x →−1 x →−1 x →−1
2
= 2(−1) + 3(−1) − 4
= −5

In general:

Remark
If f is a polynomial function, then lim f ( x ) = f ( a).
x→a

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 19 / 30
 4x3 + 3x2 − x + 1
Evaluate: lim
x →−2 x2 + 2

lim (4x3 + 3x2 − x + 1)

4x3 + 3x2 − x + 1 x →−2
lim =
x →−2 x2 + 2 lim ( x2 + 2)
x →−2
4(−8) + 3(4) − (−2) + 1
=
4+2
17
=−
6

Remark
If f is a rational function and f ( a) is defined, then lim f ( x ) = f ( a).
x→a

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 20 / 30
Theorem
Suppose lim f ( x ) exists and n ∈
x→a
N. Then,
q q
n
lim f (x) = n lim f ( x ),
x→a x→a

provided lim f ( x ) > 0 when n is even.

x→a

√ q √ √
lim 3x − 1 = lim (3x − 1) = 8=2 2
x →3 x →3
r r
3 x+4 3 −1 + 4
lim = = −1
x →−1 x−2 −1 − 2
√
4
lim 3 − 2x dne
x →7/2

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 21 / 30
 √ !3
2x2 − 5x + 1
Evaluate: lim
x →3 x3 − x + 4
√ !3 √ !3
2x2 − 5x + 1 2x2 − 5x + 1
lim = lim
x →3 x3 − x + 4 x →3 x3 − x + 4
q 3
lim 2x2 − lim (5x + 1)


=  x →3 x →3 
lim ( x3 − x + 4)
x →3
3
18 − 4

=
28
1
=
8

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 22 / 30
 3x2 − 4x + 1
Consider: g( x ) = . From earlier, lim g( x ) = 2.
x−1 x →1

Can we arrive at this conclusion computationally?

 
Note that lim 3x2 − 4x + 1 = 0 and lim ( x − 1) = 0.
x →1 x →1

3x2 − 4x + 1 (3x − 1)( x − 1)

But when x 6= 1, = = 3x − 1.
x−1 x−1

Since we are just taking the limit as x → 1,

3x2 − 4x + 1
lim = lim (3x − 1) = 2.
x →1 x−1 x →1

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 23 / 30
Definition
If lim f ( x ) = 0 and lim g( x ) = 0 then
x→a x→a

f (x)
lim
x→a g( x )

0
is called an indeterminate form of type .
0

Remarks:
f ( a)
1 If f ( a) = 0 and g( a) = 0, then is undefined!
g( a)
2 The limit above MAY or MAY NOT exist.
3 Some techniques used in evaluating such limits are:
Factoring
Rationalization

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 24 / 30
Examples

x2 + 2x + 1
 
0
Evaluate: lim
x →−1 x+1 0

x2 + 2x + 1 ( x + 1)2
lim = lim
x →−1 x+1 x →−1 x + 1

= lim ( x + 1)
x →−1

= (−1 + 1)

= 0

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 25 / 30
Examples

x3 + 8
 
0
Evaluate: lim 2
x →−2 x − 4 0

x3 + 8 ( x + 2)( x2 − 2x + 4)
lim = lim
x →−2 x2 − 4 x →−2 ( x + 2)( x − 2)
x2 − 2x + 4
= lim
x →−2 x−2
4+4+4
=
−2 − 2
= −3

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 26 / 30
Examples

x2 − 16
 
0
Evaluate: lim √
x →4 2 − x 0
√
x2 − 16 x2 − 16 2 + x
lim √ = lim √ · √
x →4 2 − x x →4 2 − x 2 + x
√
( x2 − 16)(2 + x )
= lim
x →4 4−x
√
( x − 4)( x + 4)(2 + x )
= lim
x →4 4−x
√
= lim [−( x + 4)(2 + x )]
x →4

= (−8)(4)

= −32

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 27 / 30
Examples

√
3
x−2
 
0
Evaluate: lim 2
x →8 x − 7x − 8 0
√ √ √3 2 √
3 3
x−2 x−2 x +2 3 x+4
lim = lim ·√ √
x →8 x2 − 7x − 8 x →8 x2 − 7x − 8 3 2
x +2 3 x+4
x−8
= lim √ √
x →8 ( x − 8)( x + 1)( 3 x2 + 2 3 x + 4)
1
= lim √ √
x →8 ( x + 1)( 3 x2 + 2 3 x + 4)
1
=
9(4 + 4 + 4)
1
=
108

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 28 / 30
Exercise 1

Evaluate:
3x − 12
lim √ .
x →4 3 − 2x + 1

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 29 / 30
Exercise 2

Find lim f ( x ) given:

x →−1

x3 − 3x − 2
f (x) = .
x3 − x2 − x + 1

Institute of Mathematics (UP Diliman) Limit of a Function and Limit Theorems Mathematics 21 30 / 30