2 LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

2.1 Rates of Change and Limits

In this section, we introduce average rates of change. These lead to the main idea of the section, the idea of
limit.

Definition 2.1. The average rate of change of y = f (x) with respect to x over the interval [x1 , x2 ] is
∆y f (x2 ) − f (x1 ) f (x1 + h) − f (x1 )
= = , h,0
∆x x2 − x1 h

1
Example 2.1. Find the averge rate of change of f (x) = over the interval [3, 5].
x−2
Solution: The average rate of change is

1
∆y f (x2 ) − f (x1 ) f (5) − f (3) 3 − 1 −1
msec = = = = =
∆x x2 − x1 5−3 2 3

Example 2.2. Find the averge rate of change of f (x) = x3 + 1 over the interval [2, 3].
Solution: The average rate of change is

∆y f (x2 ) − f (x1 ) f (3) − f (2) 28 − 9

msec = = = = = 19
∆x x2 − x1 3−2 1

In calculus and its application, we are often interested in the values f (x) of a function f when x is very closed
to a number a, but not necessarily equal to a. As a matter of fact, in many instances the number a is not in
the domain f ; that is f (a) is undefined. Roughly speaking, we ask the following question: Ax x gets closer
and closer to a ( but x , a), does f (x) get closer and closer to some number L? if the answer is yes, we say
that the limit of f (x), as x approaches a equal L and we write

lim f (x) = L
x→a

62
 2.1 Rates of Change and Limits 63

Theorem 2.1. (Limit Laws) If L, M, c and k are real numbers and lim f (x) = L and lim g(x) = M, then
x→c x→c
a) lim( f (x) + g(x)) = L + M (Sum Rule)
x→c

b) lim( f (x) − g(x)) = L − M (Difference Rule)

x→c

c) lim( f (x) · g(x)) = L · M (Product Rule)

x→c

d) lim(k · g(x)) = k · M (Constant Multiple Rule)

x→c

f (x) L (Quotient Rule)

e) lim =
x→c g(x) M
r r
f) lim( f (x)) s = L s (Power Rule).
x→c

r
(provided that L s is areal number and if s even , we assume that L > 0.

Example 2.3. Using the Limit Laws to find the following limits

√
a) lim(x3 + 4x2 − 3) x4 + x2 − 1 c) lim 4x2 − 3
x→c b) lim x→−2
x→c x2 + 5
Solution:
a) lim(x3 + 4x2 − 3) = lim x3 + lim 4x2 − lim 3
x→c x→c x→c x→c
3 2
= c + 4c − 3.

x4 + x2 − 1 lim (x4 + x2 − 1)
x→c
b) lim =
x→c x2 + 5 lim(x2 + 5)
x→c
lim x4 + lim x2 − lim 1
x→c x→c x→c
=
lim x2 + lim 5
x→c x→c
4 2
c +c −1
=
c2 + 5
√ q
c) lim 4x2 − 3 = lim 4x2 − 3
x→−2 x→−2
q
= lim 4x2 − lim 3
x→−2
x→−2
p √
2
= 4(−2) − 3 = 13
64 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

Theorem 2.2. (Limits of polynomials can be found by substitution)

If P(x) = an xn + an−1 xn−1 + ... + a0 , then lim P(x) = an cn + an−1 cn−1 + ... + c0
x→c

Corollary 2.3. (Limits of rational)

P(x) P(c)
If P(x) and Q(x) are polynomials and Q(c) , 0, then lim = .
x→c Q(x) Q(c)

Theorem 2.4. (The Squeezing Theorem)

Suppose that g(x) ≤ f (x) ≤ h(x) for all x in some open interval containing c, except possibly at x = c itself.
Suppose also that lim g(x) = lim h(x) = L. Then lim f (x) = L.
x→c x→c x→c

Example 2.4. Suppose that the inequalities

1 x2 1 − cos x 1
− < <
2 24 x2 2
hold for values for x close to zero. Find
1 − cos x
lim
x→0 x2
Solution:

1 x2
!
1 1 1
Since lim − = and lim =
x→0 2 24 2 x→0 2 2
the Sandwich Theorem implies that
1 − cos x 1
lim =
x→0 x2 2

Example 2.5. Given that |g(x) + 4| < 2(3 − x)4 , for all x. Use the Squeezing Theorem to find lim g(x).
x→3

Solution: By the definition of absolute value, we have

|g(x) + 4| < 2(3 − x)4

−2(3 − x)4 < g(x) + 4 < 2(3 − x)4
   
lim −2(3 − x)4 < lim(g(x) + 4) < lim 2(3 − x)4
x→3 x→3 x→3
0 < lim(g(x) + 4) < 0.
x→3

Hence, lim(g(x) + 4) = 0. Therefore, lim g(x) = −4.

x→3 x→3
 2.1 Rates of Change and Limits 65

Corollary 2.5. If f (x) ≤ g(x) for all x in some open interval containing c, except possibly at x = c itself, and
the limits of f and g both exist as x approaches c. Then

lim f (x) ≤ lim g(x).

x→c x→c

Theorem 2.6. A function f (x) has a limits as x approaches c if and only if it has left-hand and right-hand
limits there and these one-sided limits are equal: lim f (x) = L ⇔
x→c

lim f (x) = L and lim f (x) = L.

x→c− x→c+

√
x+1−2
Example 2.6. Find the following Limits: lim
x→3 x−3
0
Solution: By direct substitution, we get the indeterminate from . In this case, we change the form of the
0
fraction by rationalizing the numerator:
√ √  √ 
x + 1 − 2  x + 1 − 2   x + 1 + 2 
=    √ 
x−3 x−3 x+1+2
(x + 1) − 4
= √
(x − 3)( x + 1 + 2)
(x 
 − 3) 1
= √ = √
(x 
 
− 3) x + 1 + 2 x+1+2
√
x+1−2 1 1
Therefore, we have lim = lim √ =
x→3 x−3 x→3 x+1+2 4
√ √
x+1− 1−x
Example 2.7. Find the following Limits: lim
x→0 x
0
Solution: By direct substitution, we get the indeterminate form . In this case, we change the form of the
0
fraction by rationalizing the numerator:
√ √ √ √  √ √ 
x + 1 − 1 − x  x + 1 − 1 − x   x + 1 + 1 − x 
=    √ √ 
x x x+1+ 1−x
x + 1
− 1
+ x
= √ √ 
x x+1+ 1−x
2
x
= √ √ 

x x + 1 + 1 − x
2
= √ √ .
x+1+ 1−x
66 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

2 2 √
Therefore, we have lim  √ √  = lim √ = 2
x→0 x+1+ 1−x x→0 2

Theorem 2.7.
sin θ
lim =1 (θ in radians)
θ→0 θ

sin θ
Example 2.8. Using the lim = 1 to show that
θ→0 θ
cos x − 1 sin 3x 3
a) lim =0 b) lim =
x→0 x x→0 5x 5
Solution:
cos x − 1 cos x − 1 cos x + 1
a) lim = lim
x→0 x x→0 x cos x + 1
cos2 x − 1
=
x (cos x + 1)
− sin x sin x
=
x cos x + 1
= (1)(0) = 0

sin 3x 3 sin 3x
b) lim = lim
x→0 5x x→0 5 3x
3 sin y 3
= lim =
y→0 5 y 5

x2 − 3x + sin x
Example 2.9. Find the following Limits: lim
x→0 2x
Solution:
x2 − 3x + sin x x 3 sin x
lim = lim − +
x→0 2x x→0 2 2 2x
3 1
=0− + = −1
2 2

Example 2.10. Evaluate the limit.

sin x1/3 cos(x + π/2)
(a) lim (b) lim
x→0 x1/3 x→0 x
 2.1 Rates of Change and Limits 67

√
1 − cos x sin 2x − 2 x sin x + 4x2
(c) lim (d) lim+
x→0 x2 x→0 x

tan x − 1
(e) limπ
x→ 4 x − π/4
(f) lim f (x),
x→0
 sin x
if x < 0



 x


where f (x) =  1 − cos x


 if x > 0

 x

Solution: (a) By Substitution Rule with y = x1/3 , we have

sin x1/3 sin y

lim 1/3
= lim =1
x→0 x y→0 y

(b) By using the trigonometric identities we have

cos(x + π/2) cos x cos(π/4) − sin x sin(π/4) − sin x
lim = lim = lim = −1
x→0 x x→0 x x→0 x
(c) By multiplying numerator and denominator by 1 + cos x
" #
1 − cos x 1 − cos x 1 + cos x
lim =lim
x→0 x2 x→0 x2 1 + cos x
" 2 #
sin x 1
=lim
x→0 x2 1 + cos x
sin x sin x 1 1 1
=lim lim lim = 1.1. =
x→0 x x→0 x x→0 1 + cos x 2 2
(d)
√
sin 2x − 2 x sin x + 4x2
!
sin 2x √ sin x
lim = lim+ −2 x + 4x
x→0+ x x→0 x x
2 sin 2x √ sin x
= lim+ − 2 lim+ x lim+ + 4 lim+ x = 2(1) − 2(0)(1) + 4(0) = 2
x→0 2x x→0 x→0 x x→0

(e) Let f (x) = tan x, so that f ′ (x) = sec2 x. Then

tan x − 1 f (x) − f (π/4)
lim = lim = f ′ (π/4) = sec2 (π/4) = 2.
x→π/4 x − π/4 x→π/4 x − π/4
sin x 1 − cos x
(f) Since lim− f (x) = lim− = 1 and lim+ f (x) = lim+ = 0. Thus the limit dose not exist.
x→0 x→0 x x→0 x→0 x
68 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY


Exercises

For Exercises 1-19, Evaluate the limit.

x2 − 3x + 2 |x|3 − x2
1. lim 2. lim
x→2 x2 − 5x + 6 x→0 x3 + x2

!
1 6 x2/3 − 1/9
3. lim− − 4. lim
x→3 x − 3 x2 − 9 x→1/27 x1/3 − 1/3

√ √ √
x2 − 9 1 + x2 − 1 − x2
5. lim+ 6. lim+
x→3 x−3 x→0 x3

cos x sec x − 1
7. lim 8. lim
x→(π/4)− sin x − 1 x→0 x

2x2 − sin x 1
9. lim 10. lim x cos
x→∞ 4 − 3x2 x→0 x

tan2 x |x − 2|
11. lim 12. lim
x→π 1 + sec x x→2 x−2

(2 + x)3 − 8 x−1
13. lim 14. lim √
x→0 x x→1 x+3−2

x3 + x2 − 5x + 3 1
x+2 − 1
2
15. lim 16. lim
x→1 x3 − 3x + 2 x→0 x

π−x cos( πx )
17. lim 18. lim
x→π sin x x→2 x − 2

19. Find K so that f (−2) = lim f (x).

x→−2
 2
 x −4

 if x , −2
if f (x) = 

 x+2
k + 1 if x = −2

 2.2 Limits at Infinity and Infinite Limits 69

2.2 Limits at Infinity and Infinite Limits

(Limits at Infinity)
1
The basic facts for limits at infinity are lim k = k and lim = 0.
x→±∞ x→±∞ x

y y y
3 3
3 −1
2 2 f (x) =
x−1
1 2 1

x 1 x
−2 −1 1 2 3 −2 −1 1 2 3
−1 x −1
−2 −1 1 213
1 −1 f (x) =
−2 f (x) = (x − 1)2 −2
x−1
−2
(a) (b) (c)
y
2
−1
1 f (x) =
(x − 1)2
x
−2 −1 1 2 3
−1

−2

−3

(d)
Figure 2.2.1

Example 2.11. Use Figure 2.2.1 to determine the limit of each function as x → 1 from the left and from the
right.
Solution:
1 1
(a) lim− = −∞ and lim+ =∞
x→1 x − 1 x→1 x − 1
1 1
(b) lim− =∞ and lim =∞
x→1 (x − 1)2 x→1+ (x − 1)2

−1 −1
(c) lim− =∞ and lim = −∞
x→1 x − 1 x→1+ x − 1
−1 1
(d) lim− = −∞ and lim = −∞
x→1 (x − 1)2 x→1+ (x − 1)2
70 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

Example 2.12. Using the Limit at Infinity find the following limits
!
1 1
(a) lim 5 + = lim 5 + lim = 5 + 0 = 5
x→∞ x x→∞ x→∞ x

 √ 
 π 3  √ 1 1 √ 1 1 √
(b) lim  2  = lim π 3 · · = lim π 3 · lim · lim = π 3 · 0 · 0 =0
x→−∞ x x→−∞ x x x→−∞ x→−∞ x x→−∞ x

Definition 2.2. (Horizontal Asymptote) A line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of a function
y = f (x) if either lim f (x) = b or lim f (x) = b.
x→∞ x→−∞

Example 2.13. Using the Limit at Infinity find the horizontal asymptote of the following
3x3 + 3x − 6 x2 + x − 1
!
2
a) lim b) lim c) lim +5
x→∞ 2x3 + 8 x→−∞ x2 + 5 x→∞ x

Solution:
3x3 + 3x − 6 3 + x22 − 6
x3 3
a) lim = lim = .
x→∞ 2x3 + 8 x→∞ 2 + x83 2

3x3 + 3x − 6 3 + x22 − 6
x3 3
Also lim = lim = .
x→−∞ 2x3 + 8 x→−∞ 2 + x83 2

3 3x3 + 3x − 6
Hence the line y= is a horizontal of f (x) = .
2 2x3 + 8
1 1
x2 + x − 1 1 + x − x2
b) lim 2
= lim = 1.
x→−∞ x +5 x→−∞ 1 + x52
1 1
x2 + x − 1 1 + x − x2
Also lim 2
= lim = 1.
x→∞ x +5 x→∞ 1 + x52
x2 + x − 1
Hence the line y = 1 is a horizontal of f (x) = .
x2 + 5
! !
2 2
c) lim +5 =5 Also lim +5 =5
x→∞ x x→−∞ x
2
Hence the line y = 5 is a horizontal of f (x) = + 5.
x

Example 2.14. Find the horizontal asymptote of the

√
x2 + 2
f (x) =
3x
 2.2 Limits at Infinity and Infinite Limits 71

Solution:
q q
√ 2 √ 2
x2 + 2 |x| 1 + x2 1 x2 + 2 |x| 1 + x2 −1
lim = lim = , also lim = lim =
x→∞ 3x x→∞ 3x 3 x→−∞ 3x x→−∞ 3x 3
√
±1 x2 + 2
Hence the lines y= are a horizontal of f (x) = .
3 3x

Example 2.15. Find the limit of the following

√ 2
sin 2x x + sin x + 2 x x 3 + x−1
a) lim b) lim c) lim
x→∞ x x→∞ x + sin x x→∞ 2
x 3 + cos2 x
Solution:
sin 2x 1 1
a) Since 0 ≤ ≤ and lim = 0, by Sandwich Theorem we have
x x x→∞ x
!
sin 2x
lim = 0.
x→∞ x
! √ 1 + sinx x + √2x
sin x x + sin x + 2 x
b) Since lim = 0, we have lim = lim = 1.
x→∞ x x→∞ x + sin x x→∞ 1 + sinx x
2 −5
 cos x  x 3 + x−1 1+x2
c) Since lim = 0, we have lim 2
= lim cos2 x
=1
x→∞ x x→∞ x 3 + cos2 x x→∞ 1+ 2
x3

Definition 2.3. (Vertical Asymptote) A line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph of a function y = f (x)
if either lim+ f (x) = ±∞ or lim− f (x) = ±∞.
x→a x→a

Example 2.16. Find the vertical asymptote of the following curves

x+2 10 x−2
(a) y = (b) y = (c) y =
x+3 x2 − 9 x2 − 4
Solution:
(a) We are interested in the behavior as x → −3, where the nominator is zero.
x+2 x+2
Since lim = +∞ and lim = −∞ the line x = −3
x+3
x→−3+ x→−3− x + 3

is a vertical asymptote both from the right and from the left.

(b) We are interested in the behavior as x → ±3, where the nominator is zero.
72 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

10 10
Since lim + = −∞ and lim − 2 = +∞
x→−3 x2 −9 x→−3 x − 9
10 10
Also lim+ 2 = +∞ and lim− 2 = −∞
x→3 x − 9 x→3 x − 9
the lines x = ±3 are a vertical asymptote both from the right and from the left.

(c) We are interested in the behavior as x → ±2, where the nominator is zero.
x−2 1 x−2 1
Since lim = lim + = −∞ and lim = lim − = +∞
x→−2+ x2 − 4 x→−2 x + 2 x→−2− x2 − 4 x→−2 x + 2
x−2 1 1 x−2 1 1
Also lim+ 2 = lim+ = and lim− 2 = lim− =
x→2 x − 4 x→2 x + 2 4 x→2 x − 4 x→2 x + 2 4
the line x = −2 is a vertical asymptote both from the right and from the left.

Example 2.17. Find the following limits:

πx3 − 4x2 + 15x + 7
! s 
2 2
 π x − 16x + 9 
 
(a) lim cos .
x→∞ 4 − x + x3 (b) lim tan  .
x→∞  16x2 + 32 
√ √ 
(c) lim sin x2 + ax − x2 + bx , where a, and b are real numbers.
x→∞

Solution: Recall that if lim g(x) = L and if the function f is continuous at L, then
x→∞

lim f (g(x)) = f ( lim g(x)) = f (L).

x→∞ x→∞

4 15 7
πx3 − 4x2 + 15x + 7 π− + 2 +
(a) Since lim = lim x x x = π., and the function cos x is continuous every-
x→∞ 4 − x + x3 x→∞ 4 1
− +1
x3 x
where, then
πx3 − 4x2 + 15x + 7 πx3 − 4x2 + 15x + 7
! !
lim cos = cos lim = cos π = −1.
x→∞ 4 − x + x3 x→∞ 4 − x + x3

π2 x2 − 16x + 9 π2 √ π2
(b) Since lim = , and the function tan x is continuous at , then
x→∞ 16x2 + 32 16 16
s  s s
2 2 2 2
 π x − 16x + 9  π x − 16x + 9 π2 π
 
lim tan  2
= tan lim 2
= tan = tan = 1.
16x + 32  16x + 32 16 4
x→∞  
 x→∞

√ √  a−b
(c) Since lim x2 + ax −
x2 + bx = , and the function sin x is continuous everywhere, then
x→∞ 2
√ √   √ √  a−b
!
lim sin x2 + ax − x2 + bx = sin lim x2 + ax − x2 + bx = sin .
x→∞ x→∞ 2
 2.3 Continuity 73


Exercises

For Exercises 1-11. Find the following limits.

! √
1 5x2 − 2
1. lim x 1 − cos 2. lim
x→−∞ x x→−∞ x+3
√
2x2 − 1 x2 − 4
3. lim 4. lim
x→∞ x2 + 1 x→∞ 2x
√
x3 + 2x x2 − 4
5. lim 3 6. lim
x→∞ 3x + 4x2 + 5x x→−∞ x
√ √
3x2 + 4x − 1 3x2 + 4x − 1
7. lim 8. lim
x→∞ 3−x x→−∞ 3−x
s r !
1 + 4x2 π
9. lim 10. lim cos x2 + x−x
x→∞ 25 + 9x2
x→∞ 2

πx2 − 3x
!
11. lim sin
x→∞ 2x2 + 7

For Exercises 12-13. Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the following.
√
x3 − x 7 + 6x2
12. 2 13.
x − 2x 2−x

2.3 Continuity

In arriving at the definition of lim f (x) we emphasized the restriction x , a. A number of examples in
x→a
preceding sections have brought out the fact that lim f (x) may exist even though f is undefined at a. Let os
x→a
now turn our attention to the case on which a is in the domain of f . If f is defined at a and lim f (x) exists,
x→a
then this limit may, or may not, equal f (a). If lim f (x) = f (a) then f is said to be continuous at a according
x→a
to the next definition.
74 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

Definition 2.4. (Continuous at a Point)

Interior point: A function y = f (x) is continuous at an interior point c of its domain if

lim f (x) = f (c)

x→c

Endpoint: A function y = f (x) is continuous at a left endpoint a or is continuous at a right endpoint b of its
domain if

lim f (x) = f (a) or lim− f (x) = f (b), respectively.

x→a+ x→b

Example 2.18. Determine the constant a and b so that the following function is continuous.




 2 if x ≤ −1

f (x) =  ax + b if −1 < x < 3





 −2 if x ≥ 3

Solution: By taking the one-sided limits when x = −1, we see that

lim f (x) = lim − 2 = 2 = f (−1)

x→−1− x→−1

and
lim f (x) = lim + ax + b = −a + b
x→−1+ x→−1

Since these two limits are equal, we conclude that

lim f (x) = f (−1) = 2 = −a + b (1)

x→−1

By taking the one-sided limits when x = 3, we see that

lim f (x) = lim− ax + b = 3a + b

x→3− x→3

and
lim f (x) = lim+ −2 = −2 = f (3)
x→3+ x→3

Since these two limits are equal, we conclude that

lim f (x) = f (3) = −2 = −3a + b (2)

x→3

By solve equation (1) and (2) we conclude that a = −1 and b = 1.

 2.3 Continuity 75

(Continuity Test)
A function f (x) is continuous at x = c if and only if it meets the following three conditions.
(a) f (c) exists (c lies in the domain of f )

(b) lim f (x) exists ( f has a limit as x → c)

x→c

(c) lim f (x) = f (c) (the limit equals the function value)
x→c

4x + 10
Example 2.19. Determine where the function f (x) = 2 is not continuous.
x − 2x − 15
Solution: Rational functions are continuous everywhere except where we have division by zero. So all
that we need to is determine where the denominator is zero. That’s easy enough to determine by setting the
denominator equal to zero and solving.
x2 − 2x − 15 = (x − 5)(x + 3) = 0. So, the function will not be continuous at x = −3 and x = 5.

(Properties of continuous functions)

If the function f and g are continuous at x = c, then following combination are continuous at x = c.

a) f + g f
b) provided g(c) , 0
g

c) f.g d) k.g for any number k

e) f − g

Example 2.20.

y
Given the graph of f (x), as shown Figure 2.3.1, find the fol-
lowing limits and determine where the function is continuous
at x = 1 and x = −0.5.
y = x2
•
lim f (x)
x→1+
• ◦
lim− f (x) ◦ y=3−x
x→1 x
lim + f (x) −1 1
x→−.5

lim f (x) Figure 2.3.1

x→−.5−

Solution:
76 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

lim f (x) = 2
x→1+

lim f (x) = 1
x→1−

Then lim f (x) dose not exist and hence f (x) is not continuous
x→1
function at x = 1.

lim f (x) = 0.25

x→−.5+

lim f (x) = 0.25

x→−.5−

Then lim f (x) = 0.25 but f (−0.5) = 1 and hence f (x) is not continuous function at x = −0.5.
x→−.5

Example 2.21. Discuss the continuity of



 5 − x, if −1 ≤ x ≤ 2
g(x) = 


 x2 − 1, if 2<x≤3
.
Solution: From our work in the previous, we know that the polynomial functions given by 5 − x and x2 − 1
are continuous for all real x. Thus to conclude that g is continuous on the entire interval [−1, 3], we need only
check the behavior of g(x) when x = 2. By taking the one-sided limits when x = 2, we see that

lim g(x) = lim− (5 − x) = 3

x→2− x→2

and
lim g(x) = lim+ (x2 − 1) = 3
x→2+ x→2

Since these two limits are equal, we can apply the above theorem to conclude that

lim g(x) = g(2) = 3

x→2

Thus, g is continuous at x = 2, and consequently it is continuous on the entire interval [−1, 3].

Theorem 2.8. If f is continuous at c and g is continuous at f (c), then the composite g ◦ f is continuous at c.

Theorem 2.9. (The Intermediate Value Theorem)

A function y = f (x) that is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] takes on every value between f (a) and f (b).
In other word, if y0 is any value between f (a) and f (b), then y0 = f (c) for some c in [a, b].
 2.3 Continuity 77

Example 2.22. Use the Intermediate Value Theorem to show that that the polynomial function f (x) = x3 + 2x − 1
has a zero in the interval [0, 1]
Solution: Since f (x) is continuous and

f (0) = 03 + 2(0) − 1 = −1, f (0) < 0

and
f (1) = 13 + 2(1) − 1 = 2, f (1) > 0
We can apply the Intermediate Value Theorem to conclude that there must be some c in (0, 1) such that
f (c) = 0.


Exercises
Determine the values of a and b so that the following function is continuous.
1. 

 x + 1, if 1<x<3
f (x) = 

2

 x + ax + b, if |x − 2| ≥ 1

For Exercises 2-6, Determine the points of discontinuity of the given function.
2. f (x) = |x + 3| 3x2 − x − 2
3. f (x) =
x−1

1 5. f (x) = tan 2x
4. f (x) =
(x − 2)2

6. 

 5 − x, if x≤2
f (x) = 


 2x − 3, if x>2

For Exercises 7-8, Show that the equation has as least one solution in the given interval.
7. x3 − 2x − 3 = 0, [1, 4]. 8. x3 + x2 − 2x = 4, [0, 2].

9. Prove if P(x) is a polynomial of odd degree. Then the equation P(x) = 0 has at least one real solution.
78 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY


Review Exercises
(1) Find the following limits:
√
1 − cos x sin (x2 − 25)
(a) lim . (b) lim .
x→0 x x→5 x−5

sin (x + 3) x − sin 3x + tan 5x

(c) lim . (d) lim .
x→−3 9 − x2 x→0 2x − tan2 x

cos x − cos 5x 1 − sec x

(e) lim . (f) lim .
x→0 x sin 2x x→0 tan2 x
(2) Find the following limits:
! √ 
1 1 x2 x−1
(a) lim √ . (b) lim .
x→1 x − 1 x−1 x→1 x−1
f (x) − 6 x2 + 2x − 3
(3) If lim = 6, then find lim .
x→1 x−1 x→1 f (x) − 6

f (x) + 5
(4) If lim = 4, and f (x) is a polynomial function, then find lim( f (x) − 5)
x→0 x x→0

ax2 − bx − 6
(5) If lim = 8, then find a and b.
x→2 x−2
(6) If  2
 x −4

 if x < k
f (x) = 

 x+2
6x

if x > k.
Find k such that lim f (x) is exist.
x→k
√
y−4 y+3
(7) Find the following limit lim .
y→1 y2 − 1

x2 − 3x − 5
(8) Find a such that f (x) = is continuous for all x.
x2 − ax + 3

(9) Find a and b such that  √

 x x−1


 if x > 1
 x−1


f (x) = 
b if x = 1



2 a x

if x < 1.
is continuous at x = 1.
 2.3 Continuity 79


Review of Multiple Choice Exercises


 √ √
 2x + 5 − x + 7 ,



1. If f (x) =  if x , 2; and if f is continuous at x = 2, then k =

 k, x−2
if x = 2.


a) 0 1 1 d) 1
b) c)
6 3

1
2. The asymptotes of the graph of the curve y = are
1+x
a) x = 0, y = 0 b) x = 0 c) x = −1, y = 0 d) x = 0, y = 1

3. Let g be a continuous function on the closed interval [0, 1]. Let g(0) = 1 and g(1) = 0. Which of the
following is not necessarily true?
a) There exists a number h in [0, 1] such that g(h) ≥ g(x) for all x in [0, 1].
b) For all a and b in [0, 1], if a = b, then g(a) = g(b).
c) There exists a number h in [0, 1] such that g(h) = 1 .
2
d) There exists a number h in [0, 1] such that g(h) = 3 .
2

1 − cos2 (2x)
4. lim =
x→0 x2
a) −2 b) 0 c) 2 d) 4

5. Which of the following functions are continuous for all real numbers x?

I. y = x2/3 II. y = sin x III. y = tan x

a) None b) I only c) I and II d) I and III

6. lim( x csc x) is
x→0
a) −∞ b) 0 c) −1 d) 1

7. lim f (x) = L, where L is a real number, which of the following must be true?
x→a
80 CHAPTER 2. LIMITS AND CONTINUITY

a) f (a) = L exists b) f (x) is continuous at x = a.

c) f (x) is defined at x = a. d) None of the above.

8. Which of the following functions shows that the statement "If a function is continuous at x = 0 then it is
differentiable at x = 0" is false?
a) f (x) = x−4/3 b) f (x) = x−1/3 c) f (x) = x4/3 d) f (x) = x1/3

sin(x − π4 )
9. limπ is
x→ 4 x − π4
π
a) 0 b) 1 c) d) nonexistent
4

10. If lim f (x) = 7, which of the following must be true?

x→3

I. f is continuous at x = 3. II. f is differentiable at x = 3. III. f (3) = 7

a) None b) II only c) I and III only d) I,II, and III.

11. The graph of which of the following equations has y = 1 as an asymptote?

x x2 1
a) y = sin x b) y = c) y = d) y =
x+1 x−1 x+1




 sin x, x < 0;
x2 ,


 0 ≤ x < 1;
12. Let f be the function defined by f (x) =  For what values of x is f not continuous?




 2 − x, 1 ≤ x < 2;
x − 3, x ≥ 2.


a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 0, 1, and 2

!
sin(x + h) − sin x
13. lim is
h→0 h
a) 0 b) 1 c) sin x d) cos x

x2 − 4
14. If the function f is continuous for all real numbers and if f (x) = when x , −2, then f (−2) =
x+2
a) -4 b) −2 c) −1 d) 0

1 − cos θ
15. lim is
θ→0 2 sin2 θ
 2.3 Continuity 81

a) 0 1 1 d) 1
b) c)
8 4

ax + b
16. If the graph of y = has a horizontal asymptote y = 2 and a vertical asymptote x = −3, then a + c =
x+c
a) -5 b) −1 c) 5 d) 1

17. Let f be a continuous function on the closed interval [−3, 6]. If f (−3) = −1 and f (6) = 3, then the
Intermediate Value Theorem guarantees that
a) f (0) = 0.
b) −1 ≤ f (x) ≤ 3 for all x between -3 and 6.
c) f (c) = 1 at least one c between -3 and 6.
d) f (c) = 0 at least one c between -3 and 6.

x2 − a 2
18. If a , 0, then lim 4 is
x→a x − a4
1 1 1 d) 0
a) 2 b) c)
a 2a2 6a2

19. The graph of the function f is shown in the figure 2.3.2. Which of the following statements about f is
true?
a) lim f (x) = lim f (x) b) lim f (x) = 2
x→a x→b x→a

c) lim f (x) = 2 d) lim f (x) = 1

x→b x→b

x
a b

Figure 2.3.2