Limits and Some Transcendental Functions

and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

Content Standards

The learners demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of limit and continuity of a function.

Performance Standards

The learner shall be able to formulate and solve accurately real-life problems involving continuity of
functions.

Most Essential Learning Competencies

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Compute the limits of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions using tables of values and
graphs of the functions;
sin 𝑡 1−cos 𝑡 𝑒 𝑡 −1
2. Evaluate the limits of expressions involving , , and and using tables of values; and
𝑡 𝑡 𝑡
0
3. Evaluate the limits of expressions resulting in the indeterminate form" 0 ".

Lesson Presentation
Terminologies

✓ Exponential functions - is a function of the form where b is a positive real number not equal to 1,
and the argument x occurs as an exponent.
✓ Logarithmic functions - are the inverses of exponential functions, and any exponential function
can be expressed in logarithmic form.
✓ Trigonometric functions - A function of an angle expressed as the ratio of two of the sides of a
right triangle that contains that angle; the sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, or cosecant.

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

✓ Transcendental Functions - is an analytic function that does not satisfy a polynomial equation, in
contrast to an algebraic function.

Real-world situations can be expressed in terms of functional relationships. These functional relationships are
called mathematical models. In applications of calculus, it is quite important that one can generate these
mathematical models. They sometimes use functions that you encountered in precalculus, like the
exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Hence, we start this lesson by recalling these functions
and their corresponding graphs.

Evaluating Limits of Exponential Functions

First, we consider the natural exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 , where e is called the Euler number and has a
value 2.718281....

Example 1: Evaluate the 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒆𝒙

𝒙→𝟎

Solution: We will construct the table of values for 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 . We start by approaching the number 0 from
the left or through the values less than but close to 0.
x f(x)
-1 0.36787944117
-0.5 0.6
Intuitively, from the table above, lim 𝑒 𝑥 = 1 Now we consider
0653065971 𝑥→0−
-0.1 0.90483741803 approaching 0 from its right or through values greater than but close to 0.
-0.01 0.99004983374
-0.001 0.99900049983
-0.0001 0.999900049983
-0.00001 0.99999000005

x f(x)
1 2.71828182846
0.5 1.6487212707
0.1 1.10517091808
0.01 1.01005016708

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

0.001 1.00100050017
0.0001 1.000100005 From the table, as the values of x get closer and closer to 0, the values
0.00001 1.00001000005
of 𝑓(𝑥) get closer and closer to 1. So, lim 𝑒 𝑥 = 1. Combining the two
𝑥→0+

one-sided limits allows us to conclude that lim 𝑒 𝑥 = 1.

𝑥→0

We can use the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 , to determine its limit as x approaches 0. The figure below is the graph of
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥

Looking at Figure 1.1, as the values of x approach 0,

either from the right or the left, the values of 𝑓(𝑥)
will get closer and closer to 1. We also have the
following

a. lim 𝑒 𝑥 =e = 2.718 …
𝑥→1

𝑏. lim 𝑒 𝑥 = 𝑒 𝑥 = 7.389. . .
𝑥→2

c. lim 𝑒 𝑥 =𝑒 −1 = 0.367…
𝑥→−1

Evaluating Limits of Logarithmic Functions

Now, consider the natural logarithmic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑛 𝑥. Recall that ln 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑥. Moreover, it is the
inverse of the natural exponential function𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 .

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

Example 2: Evaluate lim 𝑙𝑛 𝑥

𝑥→1

Solution. We will construct the table of values for 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑛 𝑥. We first approach the number 1 from the left
or through values less than but close to 1.
x f(x)
1 -2.30258509299
Intuitively, lim 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 = 0.
0.5 -0.69314718056 𝑥→1
0.9 -0.10536051565
0.99 -0.01005033585 Now we consider approaching 1 from its right or through values
0.999 -0.00100050033
greater than but close to 1.
0.9999 -0.000100005
0.99999 -0.00001000005

x f(x) Intuitively, lim 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 = 0. As the values of x get closer and closer to 1,

𝑥→1
2 0.69314718056 the values of 𝑓(𝑥) getcloser and closer to 0. In symbols,
1.5 0.4054651081
1.1 0.0953101798 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒍𝒏 𝒙 = 𝟎
𝒙→𝟏
1.01 0.00995033085
1.001 0.00099950033 We now consider the common logarithmic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑥.
1.0001 0.000099995
1.00001 0.00000999995 Recall that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥.

Example 3: Evaluate lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥

𝑥→1

Solution: We will construct the table of values for 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥. We first approach the number 1 from the
left or through the values less than but close to 1.
X f(x)
1 -1
0.5 -0.30102999566
0.9 -0.04575749056 Now we consider approaching 1 from its right or through values
0.99 -0.0043648054
greater than but close to 1.
0.999 -0.00043451177
0.9999 -0.00004343161
0.99999 -0.00000434296

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

As the values of x get closer and closer to 1, the values of

X f(x) f(x) get closer and closer to 0. In symbols,
2 0.30102999566
lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 = 0
1.5 0.17609125905 𝑥→1

1.1 0.04139268515
1.01 0.00432137378
Consider now the graphs of both the natural and common
1.001 0.00043407747
1.0001 0.00004342727 logarithmic functions. We can use the following graphs to
1.00001 0.00000434292
determine their limits as x approaches 1.

The figure helps verify our observations thatlim 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 =

𝑥→1

0andlim 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 = 0
𝑥→1

Also, based on the figure, we have

a. lim 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→𝑒

b. lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→10

c. lim 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 = ln 3 = 1.09 …
𝑥→3

d. lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔3 = 0.47 …

𝑥→3

e. lim 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 = −∞
𝑥→0+

f. lim 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥 = −∞
𝑥→0+

Evaluating Limits Trigonometric Functions

Example 4: Evaluate lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥.

𝑥→0

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

Solution: We will construct the table of values for 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥. We

x f(x) first approach 0 from the left or through the values less than but close
-1 -0.8414709848
to 0.
-0.5 -0.4794255386
-0.1 -0.09983341664
-0.01 - 0.00999983333
-0.001 -0.00099999983
-0.0001 -0.00009999999 Now we consider approaching 0 from its right or through values greater
-0.00001 -0.00000999999 than but close to 0.

x f(x)
1 0.8414709848
0.5 0.4794255386 As the values of x get closer and closer to 1, the values of f(x) get closer
0.1 0.09983341664 and closer to 0. In symbols,
0.01 0.00999983333
0.001 0.00099999983
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 = 𝟎
0.0001 0.00009999999 𝒙→𝟎
0.00001 0.00000999999 We can also findlim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 by using the graph of the sine function.
𝑥→0
Consider the graph of f(x) = sin x:

The graph validates our observation in Example 4 that lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 0 . Also, using the graph, we have the
𝑥→0

following:

1. lim𝜋 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 1 3. lim𝜋 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = −1

𝑥→ 𝑥−→
2 2

2.lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 0 4. lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 0

𝑥→𝜋 𝑥→−𝜋

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

Evaluating Limits Trigonometric Functions

Three Special Functions

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
We start by evaluating the function 𝑓 (𝑡) = 𝑡

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
Example 1: Evaluate lim .
𝑡→0 𝑡

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
Solution: We will construct the table of values for 𝑓 (𝑡) = . We first approach the number 0 from the left
𝑡

or through values less than but close to 0.

t f(t)
-1 0.84147099848
-0.5 0.9588510772
-0.1 0.9983341665 Now we consider approaching 0 from the right or through values greater than
-0.01 0.9999833334 but close to 0.
-0.001 0.9999998333
-0.0001 0.99999999983

t f(t)
1 0.84147099848
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
0.5 0.9588510772 Since lim and lim are both equal to 1, we conclude that
𝑡→0− 𝑡 𝑡→0+ 𝑡
0.1 0.9983341665
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
0.01 0.9999833334 lim = 1.
𝑡→0 𝑡
0.001 0.9999998333
0.0001 0.99999999983

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
The graph of 𝑓 (𝑡) = below confirms that the𝑦 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠approach 1 as 𝑡 approaches 0.
𝑡

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
Now, consider the function𝑔(𝑡) = .
𝑡

1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
Example 2: Evaluate lim .
𝑡→0 𝑡

Solution.

1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
We will construct the table of values for 𝑔(𝑡) .
𝑡

We first approach the number 1 from the left or through the

values less than but close to 0.
t f(t)
-1 -0.4596976941
-0.5 -0.2448348762
-0.1 -0.04995834722
-0.01 -0.0049999583 Now we consider approaching 0 from the right or through values
-0.001 -0.0004999999 greater than but close to 0.
-0.0001 -0.000005

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2
t f(t)
1 0.4596976941
0.5 0.2448348762 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
0.1 0.04995834722 Since lim and lim are both equal to 1, we conclude
𝑡→0− 𝑡 𝑡→0+ 𝑡
0.01 0.0049999583 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡
0.001 0.0004999999 that lim = 0.
𝑡→0 𝑡
0.0001 0.000005

1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
Below is the graph of 𝑔(𝑡) = . We see that the 𝑦 − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 approach 1 as 𝑡 tends to0.
𝑡

𝑒 1 −1
We now consider the special function ℎ(𝑡) =
𝑡

𝑒 1 −1
Example 3: Evaluate lim
𝑡→0 𝑡

t h(t)
-1 0.6321205588
-0.5 0.7869386806
-0.1 0.9516258196
-0.01 0.9950166251
-0.001 0.9995001666

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

-0.0001 0.9999500016 𝑒 1 −1
Solution: We will construct the table of values forℎ(𝑡) = .
𝑡

We first approach the number 0 from the left or through the values less than but close to 0.

Now we consider approaching 0 from the right or through values greater than but close to 0.

t h(t)
1 1.718281828
𝑒 1 −1 𝑒 1 −1
0.5 1.297442541 Since lim and lim are both equal to 1, we conclude
𝑡→0− 𝑡 𝑡→0+ 𝑡
0.1 1.051709181
𝑒 1 −1
0.01 1.005016708 that lim = 0.
𝑡→0 𝑡
0.001 1.000500167
0.0001 1.000050002
𝑒 1 −1
The graph ofℎ(𝑡) = below confirms that lim ℎ(𝑡) = 1.
𝑡 𝑡→0

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2
"𝟎"
Indeterminate Form 𝟎

There are functions whose limits cannot be determined immediately using the Limit Theorems we have so far.
In these cases, the functions must be manipulated so that the limit, if it exists, can be calculated. We call such
limit expressions indeterminate forms.

𝑥 2 +2𝑥+1
Example 2: Evaluate lim
𝑡→−1 𝑥+1

Solution: The limit of both the numerator and the denominator as x approaches 1 is 0. Thus, this limit as
"𝟎"
currently written is an indeterminate form of type . However, observe that (𝑥 + 1) is a factor common to
𝟎

the numerator and the denominator, and

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 (𝑥 + 1)2
= = 𝑥 + 1, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 ≠ −1
𝑥+1 𝑥+1

Therefore,

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1
lim = lim (𝑥 + 1) = 0
𝑡→−1 𝑥+1 𝑡→−1

Conclusion/ Summary

✓ The natural exponential function𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 , where e is called the Euler number, and has value
2.718281....
✓ The natural logarithmic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑛 𝑥. Recall that 𝑙𝑛 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑥. Moreover, it is the inverse of
the natural exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 .
sin 𝑡 1−cos 𝑡 𝑒 𝑡 −1
✓ We will determine the limits of three special functions; namely𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑡
,𝑔(𝑡) = 𝑡
.ℎ(𝑡) = 𝑡
.

These functions will be vital to the computation of the derivatives of the sine, cosine, and natural
exponential functions.
𝑓(𝑥) "0"
✓ If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 0andlim 𝑔(𝑥) = 0, then lim 𝑔(𝑥), is called an indeterminate form of type 0
.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

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Limits and Some Transcendental Functions
and Some Indeterminate Forms Week 2

Reference Link

✓ L. Leithold, College Algebra and Trigonometry, Addison Wesley Longman Inc., 1989, reprinted-Pearson
Education Asia Pte. Ltd, 2002.
✓ H. Anton, I. Bivens, S. Davis, Calculus: Early Transcendental, John Wiley and Sons, 7th Edition, 2002.
✓ S. Tan, Applied Calculus for the Managerial, Life and Social Sciences, Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning,
9th Edition, 2014

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