MATH 111 Calculus 1 Tutorial 1

Problem 1
Explain what it means to say that
lim f (x) = 3 and lim f (x) = 7
x→ 1− x→ 1+

In this situation is it possible that lim f (x) exists? Explain.

x→ 1
Solution:
They are one-sided limits. As lim− f (x) ̸= lim+ f (x), lim f (x) does exist.
x→ 1 x→ 1 x→ 1

Problem 2
Explain the meaning of each of the following.
(a) lim f (x) = ∞ (b) lim+ f (x) = −∞
x→ −3 x→ 4

Solution:
(a) lim f (x) = ∞ is an Infinite Limit.
x→ −3
The value of f (x) can be made arbitrarily large, by taking x sufficiently close to −3, but
not equal −3.
(b) lim+ f (x) = −∞ is one-side infinity limit.
x→ 4
The values of f (x) can be made arbitrarily large negative, by taking x sufficiently close
to 4, considering x > 4

Problem 3
For the function g whose graph is shown, find a number a that satisfies the given descrip-
tion.
(a) lim g(x) does not exist but g(a) is defined.
x→ a
(b) lim g(x) exists but g(a) is not defined.
x→ a
(c) lim− g(x) and lim+ g(x) both exist but lim g(x) does not exist.
x→ a x→ a x→ a
(d) lim+ g(x) = g(a) but lim− g(x) ̸= g(a).
x→ a x→ a

Solution:
We can see from the figure that:
(a) a = 4
(b) a = 5
(c) a = 2, a = 4
(d) a = 4
Problem 4
A patient receives a 150-mg injection of a drug every 4 hours. The graph shows the
amount f (t) of the drug in the bloodstream after t hours. Find

lim f (t) and lim f (t)

t→ 12− t→ 12+

and explain the significance of these one-sided limits.

Solution:
lim − f (t) = 150 lim f (t) = 300
t→ 12 t→ 12+
Closer to 12 hour (from the left) the amount of drug falls to 150 mg and after 12 hours
exactly it becomes 300 mg after the injection. Then, starts decreasing.

Problem 5
Sketch the graph of an example of a function f that satisfies all of the given conditions.

lim f (x) = 3, lim f (x) = 2,

x→ −3− x→ −3+

lim f (x) = −1, lim f (x) = 2, f (−3) = 2, f (3) = 0

x→ 3− x→ 3+

Solution:

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 Problem 6
Determine the infinite limit:
x+1 x2
(a) lim+ (b) lim
x→ 5 x−5 x→ 2 (x − 2)2

Solution:
(x+1)−→6
(a) lim+ x+1
x−5
= lim+ (x−5)−→0+
= +∞
x→ 5 x→ 5
If x → 5, but x > 5, then x − 5 is a small positive number and x + 1 is close to 6. So the
x+1
quotient x−5 is arbitrary large positive number.
x 2 x2 −→4
(b) lim (x−2) 2 = lim (x−2)2 −→0+ = +∞
x→ 2 x→ 2
If x → 2, but x ̸= 2, then (x − 2)2 is a small positive number and x2 is close to 4. So the
x2
quotient (x−2)2 can be arbitrarily large.

Problem 7
Find the vertical asymptotes of the function
x2 + 1
y=
3x − 2x2

Solution:
3x − 2x2 = 0
x(3 − 2x) = 0
x1 = 0 x2 = 32
2
x +1 (x2 +1)−→1
lim− 3x−2x 2 = lim− (3x−2x2 )−→0−
= −∞
x→ 0 x→ 0
x2 +1 (x2 +1)−→1
lim+ 3x−2x2
= lim+ (3x−2x2 )−→0+
= +∞
x→ 0 x→ 0
According to the Definition 6, x = 0 is a vertical asymptote.
x2 +1 (x2 +1)−→ 13
lim3 3x−2x 2 = lim3 (3x−2x2 )−→04 − = −∞
x→ ( 2 )− x→ ( 2 )−
x2 +1 (x2 +1)−→ 13
lim3 3x−2x2
= lim3 4
(3x−2x2 )−→0+
= +∞
x→ ( 2 )+ x→ ( 2 )+
3
According to the Definition 6, x = 2
is a vertical asymptote

Problem 8
1
Consider the function f (x) = tan .
x
1 1 1
(a) Show that f (x) = 0 for x = , , , .....
π 2π 3π
4 4 4
(b) Show that f (x) = 1 for x = , , , .....
π 5π 9π
1
(c) What can you conclude about lim+ tan ?
x→ 0 x
Solution:
(a) f (x) = tan x1 when x = π1 , f ( π1 ) = tan 1
1 = tan π = 0
π
f (x) = tan x1 when x= 1
2π
, 1
f ( 2π ) = tan 1
1 = tan 2π = 0
2π
1 1 1 1
f (x) = tan x
when x= 3π
, f ( 3π ) = tan 1 = tan 3π = 0
3π

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 1 1
For any non-zero integer n, f ( nπ ) = tan 1 = tan nπ = 0.
nπ
(b) f (x) = tan x1 when x = π4 , f ( π4 ) = tan 1
4 = tan π4 = 1
π
f (x) = tan x1 when x= 4
5π
, 4
f ( 5π ) = tan 1
4 = tan 5π
4
=1
5π
1 4 4 1
f (x) = tan x when x = 9π , f ( 9π ) = tan 4 = tan 9π
4
=1
9π
1 1
For any non-zero integer n, f ( nπ ) = tan 1 = tan nπ = 0.
nπ
(c) π1 , 2π
1 1
, 3π ,.... it is getting closer
to zero from the right, and the values of f (x) are equal
to zero.
4 4
, , 4 ,.... it is also getting closer to zero from the right, and the values of f (x) are
π 5π 9π
equal to one.
Thus,
1
lim+ tan
x→ 0 x

does not exist.

Problem 9
The graphs of f and g are given. Use them to evaluate each limit, if it exists. If the limit
does not exist, explain why.

(a) lim [f (x) + g(x)] (b) lim [f (x) − g(x)] (c) lim [f (x)g(x)]
x→ 2 x→ 0 x→ −1

f (x)
(d) lim (e) lim [x2 f (x)] (f )f (−1) + lim g(x)
x→ 3 g(x) x→ 2 x→ −1

Solution:
From the figure: lim f (x) = −1 lim g(x) = 2
x→ 2 x→ 2
lim f (x) = 1 lim g(x) = 0
x→ 3 x→ 3
lim f (x) = 2 lim g(x) does not exist as lim− g(x) ̸= lim+ g(x)
x→ 0 x→ 0 x→ 0 x→ 0
lim f (x) = 1 lim g(x) = 2
x→ −1 x→ −1
(a) lim [f (x) + g(x)] = lim f (x) + lim g(x) = −1 + 2 = 1
x→ 2 x→ 2 x→ 2
(b) Comparing one-sided limits:
lim− [f (x) − g(x)] = lim− f (x) − lim− g(x) = 2 − 3 = −1
x→ 0 x→ 0 x→ 0
lim+ [f (x) − g(x)] = lim+ f (x) − lim+ g(x) = 2 − 1 = 1
x→ 0 x→ 0 x→ 0
As lim− [f (x) − g(x)] ̸= lim+ [f (x) − g(x)], lim [f (x) − g(x)] does not exist.
x→ 0 x→ 0 x→ 0

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(c) lim [f (x)g(x)] = lim f (x) lim g(x) = 1 · 2 = 2
x→ −1 x→ −1 x→ −1
f (x) f (x)−→1
(d) lim = lim g(x)−→0 = ∞ (we can not use the Limit Law)
x→ 3 g(x) x→ 3
(e) lim [x f (x)] = lim x2 · lim f (x) = 22 · (−1)
2
= −4
x→ 2 x→ 2 x→ 2
(f) f (−1) + lim g(x) = 3 + 2 = 5
x→ −1

Problem 10
Evaluate the limit and justify each step by indicating the appropriate Limit Law(s).
 5 3
2t − t4
lim
t→ −1 5t2 + 4
Solution:  3  3
 5 4 3   5 4 3 lim (2t5 − t4 ) 2( lim t)5 − ( lim t)4 )
t→ −1
lim 2t5t2−t = lim 2t −t
2 +4 =  =  t→ −1 t→ −1
 =
+4 5t 2 2
t→ −1 t→ −1 lim (5t + 4) 5( lim t) + lim 4)
t→ −1 t→ −1 t→ −1
5 4 3 3  3
2 ∗ (−1) − (−1) −2−1 −3
 
1
2
= = =−
5 ∗ (−1) + 4 5+4 9 27
Problem 11
Evaluate the limit, if it exists.
x2 + 5x + 4 (h − 3)2 − 9
(a) lim (b) lim
x→ 2 x−2 h→ 0 h

Solution:
x2 + 5x + 4 (x2 + 5x + 4) −→ 18
(a) lim+ = lim+ = +∞
x→ 2 x−2 x→ 2 (x − 2) −→ 0+
x2 + 5x + 4 (x2 + 5x + 4) −→ 18
lim− = lim− = −∞
x→ 2 x−2 x→ 2 (x − 2) −→ 0−
2
Nothing can be said about the behaviour of x +5x+4
x−2
when x is close to 2.
2 2
(h − 3) − 9 h − 6h + 9 − 9 h(h − 6)
(b) lim = lim = lim = lim (h − 6) = −6
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h h→ 0 h h→ 0

Problem 12
If 4x − 9 ≤ f (x) ≤ x2 − 4x + 7 for x ≥ 0, find lim f (x).
x→ 4
Solution:
lim (4x − 9) = lim 4x − lim 9 = 4 ∗ 4 − 9 = 7
x→ 4 x→ 4 x→ 4
lim (x2 − 4x + 7) = 42 − 4 ∗ 4 + 7 = 7
x→ 4
According to the Squeeze Theorem:
lim (4x − 9) = lim (x2 − 4x + 7) = 7, so: lim f (x) = 7.
x→ 4 x→ 4 x→ 4

Problem 13
Prove that lim x4 cos x2 = 0.
x→ 0
Solution:
We use knowledge of the cosine function. Because the cosine of any number lies between
2
-1 and 1 we can write −1 ≤ cos ≤ 1, x ̸= 0. We know that x4 ≥ 0 for all x, so,
x

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 2
multiplying each side of the inequalities by x2 , we get −x4 ≤ x4 ∗ cos ≤ x4 .
x
2
According to the Squeeze Theorem: lim x4 = 0 and lim (−x4 ) = 0, so lim x4 cos = 0.
x→ 0 x→ 0 x→ 0 x
Problem 14
Let
(
x2 + 1 if x < 1
f (x) = 2
(x − 2) if x ≥ 1
(a) Find lim− f (x) and lim+ f (x).
x→ 1 x→ 1
(b) Does lim f (x) exist?
x→ 1
(c) Sketch the graph of f .
Solution:
(a) lim− f (x) = lim− (x2 + 1) = 12 + 1 = 2
x→ 1 x→ 1
lim+ f (x) = lim− (x − 2)2 = (1 − 2)2 = 1
x→ 1 x→ 1
(b) Since lim− f (x) ̸= lim+ f (x), lim f (x) does not exist.
x→ 1 x→ 1 x→ 1
(c)

Problem 15

f (x)
If lim = 5, find the following limits.
x→ 0 x2

f (x)
(a) lim f (x) (b) lim
x→ 0 x→ 0 x

Solution:
f (x) f (x) −→ L ̸= 0
(a) If lim f (x) = L ̸= 0, then lim = lim = ∞, which is a contra-
x→ 0 x→ 0 x2 x→ 0 x2 −→ 0
diction. Therefore, the only possible option is lim f (x) = 0.
x→ 0

f (x)
lim
(b) We have that 5 = lim f (x)
2 = x→ 0 x .
x→ 0 x lim x
x→ 0
f (x)
Similarly to (a), we obtain that lim = 0.
x→ 0 x

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 Problem 16
Prove the statement using ε, δ precise definition of a limit.
1
lim ( x − 1) = 1
x→ 4 2

Solution:
Let ε be a given positive number. We should find a number δ such that
1
if 0 < |x − 4| < δ then |( x − 1) − 1| < ε
2
1
if 0 < |x − 4| < δ then | x − 2| < ε
2
if 0 < |x − 4| < δ then |x − 4| < 2ε
1 1
Proof: Given ε > 0, choose δ = 2ε. If 0 < |x − 4| < δ, then |( x − 1) − 1| = | x − 2| =
2 2
1 1 1
|x − 4| < ∗ δ = ∗ 2ε = ε.
2 2 2
1
Thus, if 0 < |x − 4| < δ, then |( x − 1) − 1| < ε.
2
Therefore, lim ( 21 x − 1) = 1.
x→ 4

Problem 17
Prove the statement using ε, δ precise definition of a limit.

x2 − 2x − 8
lim =6
x→ 4 x−4
Solution:

x2 − 2x − 8 (x−4)(x+2)
= x−4
=x+2
x−4
lim (x + 2) = 6
x→ 4
Let ε be a given positive number. We should find a number δ such that
if 0 < |x − 4| < δ then |(x + 2) − 6| < ε
if 0 < |x − 4| < δ then |x − 4| < ε
Proof: Given ε > 0, choose δ = ε. If 0 < |x − 4| < δ, then |(x + 2) − 6| = |x − 4| < δ = ε.
Thus, if 0 < |x − 4| < δ, then |(x + 2) − 4| < ε.
x2 − 2x − 8
Therefore, lim = 6.
x→ 4 x−4
Problem 18
Prove the statement using ε, δ precise definition of a limit.
√
lim + 8 6 + x = 0
x→ −6

Solution:
Let ε be a given positive number.
√ We should find a number δ such that
8
if −6 < x < −6 + δ then√ | 6 + x − 0| < ε
8
if 0 < x + 6 < δ then |√ 6 + x| < ε
if 0 < x + 6 < δ then 8 6 + x < ε
if 0 < x + 6 < δ then x + 6 < ε8 √ √
Proof: Given ε > 0, choose δ = ε8 . If 0 < x + 6 < δ, then | 8 6 + x − 0| = 8 6 + x <

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√
8
√8
δ = ε8 = ε. √
< δ, then | 8 6 + x − 0| < ε
Thus, if 0 < x + 6 √
Therefore, lim + 8 6 + x = 0.
x→ −6

Problem 19

Prove, using Definition 6, that

1
lim = ∞.
x→−3 (x + 3)4

Solution:
Let M be a given positive number. We should find a number δ such that
1
if 0 < |x + 3| < δ then > M.
(x + 3)4 r
1 1 p 4 1 1
4
> M ⇔ (x + 3)4 < ⇔ 4 (x + 3)4 < ⇔ |x + 3| < √ 4
(x + 3) M M M
1 1 1
Proof: Given M > 0, choose δ = √ . If 0 < |x + 3| < δ = √ , then > M.
4
M 4
M (x + 3)4
1
This shows that −→ ∞ as x −→ −3.
(x + 3)4

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