Calculus 1 - Limits - Worksheet 4 - Evaluating Limits by Factoring - Part 2
Calculus 1 - Limits - Worksheet 4 - Evaluating Limits by Factoring - Part 2
Worksheet 4
Evaluating Limits by Factoring,
Part 2
1
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Calculus 1 - Limits - Worksheet 4 – Evaluating Limits by Factoring, Part 2
(4 + 𝑥)2 − 16
lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
5𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2
lim
𝑥→0 3𝑥 4 − 16𝑥 2
(2 + 𝑥)3 − 8
lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
2
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4. Evaluate this limit.
4𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3
lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 16
lim
𝑥→4 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3
lim
𝑥→−3 −3𝑥 − 9
3
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7. Evaluate this limit.
−𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 6
lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8
4
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10. Evaluate this limit.
9𝑥 + 27
lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
lim
𝑥→−3 −4𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 − 12
𝑥 3 − 9𝑥
lim
𝑥→3 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 9
5
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13. Evaluate this limit.
5 − √𝑥
lim
𝑥→25 25 − 𝑥
2𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 12
lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 15
6
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16. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4
lim
𝑥→−4 𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 20
2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 30
lim
𝑥→5 3𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 15
16𝑥 3 + 80𝑥 2
lim
𝑥→0 40𝑥 3 − 80𝑥 2
7
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19. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥 3 + 64
lim
𝑥→−4 𝑥 + 4
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 9
lim
𝑥→−1 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 4
8
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Answers - Calculus 1 - Limits - Worksheet 4 – Evaluating Limits by Factoring, Part 2
(4 + 𝑥)2 − 16
lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 0 into the
limit for 𝑥.
(4 + 𝑥)2 − 16 (4 + 0)2 − 16 16 − 16 0
lim = = =
𝑥→0 𝑥 0 0 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, multiply the
numerator and simplify the limit.
(4 + 𝑥)2 − 16 16 + 8𝑥 + 𝑥 2 − 16
lim = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥
8𝑥 + 𝑥 2
= lim = lim (8 + 𝑥)
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0
lim (8 + 𝑥) = 8 + 0 = 8
𝑥→0
(4+𝑥)2 −16
Answer: lim =8
𝑥→0 𝑥
9
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2. Evaluate this limit.
5𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2
lim
𝑥→0 3𝑥 4 − 16𝑥 2
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 0 into the
limit for 𝑥.
5𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2 5(0)3 + 8(0)2 0
lim 4 = =
𝑥→0 3𝑥 − 16𝑥 2 3(0)4 − 16(0)2 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
5𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2 𝑥 2 (5𝑥 + 8) 5𝑥 + 8
lim 4 = lim = lim
𝑥→0 3𝑥 − 16𝑥 2 𝑥→0 𝑥 2 (3𝑥 2 − 16) 𝑥→0 (3𝑥 2 − 16)
5𝑥 + 8 5(0) + 8 8 1
lim 2
= 2
= =−
𝑥→0 (3𝑥 − 16) (3(0) − 16) −16 2
5𝑥 3 +8𝑥 2 1
Answer: lim =−
𝑥→0 3𝑥 4 −16𝑥 2 2
10
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3. Evaluate this limit.
(2 + 𝑥)3 − 8
lim
𝑥→0 𝑥
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 0 into the
limit for 𝑥.
(2 + 𝑥)3 − 8 (2 + 0)3 − 8 8 − 8 0
lim = = =
𝑥→0 𝑥 0 0 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, multiply the
numerator and simplify the limit.
(2 + 𝑥)3 − 8 𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 8 − 8
lim = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 𝑥
𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥
lim = lim(𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 12)
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0
(2+𝑥)3 −8
Answer: lim = 12
𝑥→0 𝑥
11
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4. Evaluate this limit.
4𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3
lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 1 into the
limit for 𝑥.
4𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 4(1)3 − 2(1)2 + 1 − 3 0
lim = =
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 1−1 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
4𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 (4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1)
lim = lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1
= lim (4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3)
𝑥→1
4𝑥 3 −2𝑥 2 +𝑥−3
Answer: lim =9
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
12
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5. Evaluate this limit.
2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 16
lim
𝑥→4 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 4 into the
limit for 𝑥.
2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 16 2(𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8)
lim = lim 2
𝑥→4 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12 𝑥→4 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 12
2(𝑥 − 2) 2(4 − 2) 4
= lim = =
𝑥→4 𝑥 + 3 4+3 7
2𝑥 2 −12𝑥+16 4
Answer: lim =
𝑥→4 𝑥 2 −𝑥−12 7
13
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6. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3
lim
𝑥→−3 −3𝑥 − 9
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −3 into
the limit for 𝑥.
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 (−3)2 + 2(−3) − 3 0
lim = =
𝑥→−3 −3𝑥 − 9 −3(−3) − 9 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1) 𝑥−1
lim = lim = lim
𝑥→−3 −3𝑥 − 9 𝑥→−3 −3(𝑥 + 3) 𝑥→−3 −3
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−3 4
Answer: lim =3
𝑥→−3 −3𝑥−9
14
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7. Evaluate this limit.
−𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 6
lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −2 into
the limit for 𝑥.
−𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 6 −(−2)2 + (−2) + 6 0
lim = =
𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 (−2)2 − 2(−2) − 8 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
−𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 6 −(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6)
lim = lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8
−(𝑥 − 3) −(−2 − 3) 5 5
lim = = =−
𝑥→−2 𝑥 − 4 −2 − 4 −6 6
−𝑥 2 +𝑥+6 5
Answer: lim =−
𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−8 6
15
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8. Evaluate this limit.
16 − 𝑥
lim
𝑥→16 4 − √𝑥
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 16 into
the limit for 𝑥.
16 − 𝑥 16 − 16 16 − 16 0
lim = = =
𝑥→16 4 − √𝑥 4 − √16 4−4 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, rationalize the
denominator and simplify the limit.
16 − 𝑥 (16 − 𝑥) (4 + √𝑥)
lim = lim ∙
𝑥→16 4 − √𝑥 𝑥→16 (4 − √𝑥) (4 + √𝑥)
16−𝑥
Answer: lim =8
𝑥→16 4−√𝑥
16
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9. Evaluate this limit.
8𝑥 + 32
lim
𝑥→−4 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −4 into
the limit for 𝑥.
8𝑥 + 32 8(−4) + 32 0
lim = =
𝑥→−4 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4 (−4)2 + 5(−4) + 4 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
8𝑥 + 32 8(𝑥 + 4) 8
lim = lim = lim
𝑥→−4 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4 𝑥→−4 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 4) 𝑥→−4 𝑥 + 1
8𝑥+32 8
Answer: lim =−
𝑥→−4 𝑥 2 +5𝑥+4 3
17
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10. Evaluate this limit.
9𝑥 + 27
lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −3 into
the limit for 𝑥.
9𝑥 + 27 9(−3) + 27 0
lim = =
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 (−3)2 + 5(−3) + 6 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
9𝑥 + 27 9(𝑥 + 3) 9
lim = lim = lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 𝑥→−3 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 2) 𝑥→−3 𝑥 + 2
9𝑥+27
Answer: lim = −9
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 +5𝑥+6
18
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11. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
lim
𝑥→−3 −4𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 − 12
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −3 into
the limit for 𝑥.
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 (−3)2 + (−3) − 6 0
lim = =
𝑥→−3 −4𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 − 12 −4(−3)2 − 16(−3) − 12 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 2)
lim = lim
𝑥→−3 −4𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 − 12 𝑥→−3 −4(𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3)
(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 2) 𝑥−2
= lim = lim
𝑥→−3 −4(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 3) 𝑥→−3 −4(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥−2 −3 − 2 5
= lim = =−
𝑥→−3 −4(𝑥 + 1) −4(−3 + 1) 8
𝑥 2 +𝑥−6 5
Answer: lim = −8
𝑥→−3 −4𝑥 2 −16𝑥−12
19
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12. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥 3 − 9𝑥
lim
𝑥→3 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 9
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 3 into the
limit for 𝑥.
𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 33 − 9(3) 0
lim 2 = =
𝑥→3 3𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 9 3(3)2 − 6(3) − 9 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 𝑥(𝑥 2 − 9)
lim = lim
𝑥→3 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 9 𝑥→3 3(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3)
𝑥(𝑥 + 3) 3(3 + 3) 18 3
lim = = =
𝑥→3 3(𝑥 + 1) 3(3 + 1) 12 2
𝑥 3 −9𝑥 3
Answer: lim 3𝑥 2 −6𝑥−9 = 2
𝑥→3
20
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13. Evaluate this limit.
5 − √𝑥
lim
𝑥→25 25 − 𝑥
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 25 into
the limit for 𝑥.
5 − √𝑥 5 − √25 5−5 0
lim = = =
𝑥→25 25 − 𝑥 25 − 25 25 − 25 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, rationalize the
numerator and simplify the limit.
5 − √𝑥 5 − √𝑥 5 + √ 𝑥
lim = lim ∙
𝑥→25 25 − 𝑥 𝑥→25 25 − 𝑥 5 + √𝑥
25 − 𝑥 1
= lim = lim
𝑥→25 (25 − 𝑥)(5 + √𝑥) 𝑥→25 5 + √𝑥
5−√𝑥 1
Answer: lim = 10
𝑥→25 25−𝑥
21
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14. Evaluate this limit.
2𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 12
lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −2 into
the limit for 𝑥.
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
2𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 12 2(𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6)
lim = lim
𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2 𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2
2(𝑥 + 3) 2(−2 + 3) 2
lim = = = −2
𝑥→−2 𝑥 + 1 −2 + 1 −1
2𝑥 2 +10𝑥+12
Answer: lim 𝑥 2 +3𝑥+2
= −2
𝑥→−2
22
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15. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 15
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −3 into
the limit for 𝑥.
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 (−3)2 + (−3) − 6 0
lim 2 = =
𝑥→−3 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 15 (−3)2 + 8(−3) + 15 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 2) 𝑥−2
lim 2 = lim = lim
𝑥→−3 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 15 𝑥→−3 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 5) 𝑥→−3 𝑥 + 5
𝑥 − 2 −3 − 2 5
lim = =−
𝑥→−3 𝑥 + 5 −3 + 5 2
𝑥 2 +𝑥−6 5
Answer: lim =−
𝑥→−3 𝑥 2 +8𝑥+15 2
23
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16. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4
lim
𝑥→−4 𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 20
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −4 into
the limit for 𝑥.
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4 (−4)2 + 5(−4) + 4 0
lim 2 = =
𝑥→−4 𝑥 + 9𝑥 + 20 (−4)2 + 9(−4) + 20 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4 (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 1) 𝑥+1
lim 2 = lim = lim
𝑥→−4 𝑥 + 9𝑥 + 20 𝑥→−4 (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 4) 𝑥→−4 𝑥 + 5
𝑥 2 +5𝑥+4
Answer: lim = −3
𝑥→−4 𝑥 2 +9𝑥+20
24
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17. Evaluate this limit.
2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 30
lim
𝑥→5 3𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 15
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 5 into the
limit for 𝑥.
2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 30 2(5)2 − 4(5) − 30 0
lim = =
𝑥→5 3𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 15 3(5)2 − 18(5) + 15 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 30 2(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15)
lim = lim
𝑥→5 3𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 15 𝑥→5 3(𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 5)
2𝑥 2 −4𝑥−30 4
Answer: lim 3𝑥 2 −18𝑥+15 = 3
𝑥→5
25
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18. Evaluate this limit.
16𝑥 3 + 80𝑥 2
lim
𝑥→0 40𝑥 3 − 80𝑥 2
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute 0 into the
limit for 𝑥.
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
2(𝑥 + 5) 2(0 + 5) 10
lim = = = −1
𝑥→0 5(𝑥 − 2) 5(0 − 2) −10
16𝑥 3 +80𝑥 2
Answer: lim = −1
𝑥→0 40𝑥 3 −80𝑥 2
26
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19. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥 3 + 64
lim
𝑥→−4 𝑥 + 4
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −4 into
the limit for 𝑥.
𝑥 3 + 64 (−4)3 + 64 0
lim = =
𝑥→−4 𝑥 + 4 −4 + 4 0
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
𝑥 3 + 64 (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 16)
lim = lim = lim (𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 16)
𝑥→−4 𝑥 + 4 𝑥→−4 𝑥+4 𝑥→−4
𝑥 3 +64
Answer: lim = 48
𝑥→−4 𝑥+4
27
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20. Evaluate this limit.
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 9
lim
𝑥→−1 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 4
Solution:
First, attempt to evaluate the limit using direct substitution. Substitute −1 into
the limit for 𝑥.
The value of the limit is indeterminate using substitution. Now, factor and simplify
the limit.
𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 9 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 2 − 9)
lim = lim
𝑥→−1 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 4 𝑥→−1 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 2 − 4)
𝑥2 − 9
= lim 2
𝑥→−1 𝑥 − 4
𝑥 2 − 9 (−1)2 − 9 1 − 9 −8 8
lim = = = =
𝑥→−1 𝑥 2 − 4 (−1)2 − 4 1 − 4 −3 3
𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 −9𝑥−9 8
Answer: lim =
𝑥→−1 𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 −4𝑥−4 3
28
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