LIMITS OF FUNCTIONS

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, the students are expected to:
 define the limit of a function;
 illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and;
 determine the limit of a function given its graph.

Discussion:
The Limit of a Function: Theorems and Examples
Consider a function f of a single variable x. Consider a constant c which the variable x will approach
(c may or may not be in the domain of f). The limit, to be denoted by L, is the unique real value that f(x)
will approach as x approaches c. In symbols, we write this process as
lim f (x )=L .
x →c

This is read, ‘‘The limit of f(x) as x approaches c is L.”

A. LOOKING AT A TABLE OF VALUES

To illustrate, let us consider EXAMPLE 1. lim (1+3 x)

x →2

Here, f (x)=1+ 3 x and the constant c, which x will approach, is 2. To evaluate the given limit, we will make
use of a table to help us keep track of the effect that the approach of x toward 2 will have on f(x). Of
course, on the number line, x may approach 2 in two ways: through values on its left and through
values on its right.
We first consider approaching 2 from its
left or through values less than 2. Remember that
the values to be chosen should be close to 2.

Now we consider approaching 2 from its

right or through values greater than but close to
2.
 On the first table, as the value of x approaches 2 (where last number is 1.99999), the value of f(x)
approaches 7 (where the last number is 6.9999997).
On the second table, as the value of x approaches 2 (where last number is 2.0000001), the value of
f(x) approaches 7 (where the last number is 7.0000003).

Observe that as the values of x get closer and closer to 2, the values of f(x) get closer and closer to
7. This behavior can be shown no matter what set of values, or what direction, is taken in approaching 2.
In symbols,
lim (1+3 x)=7
x →2

Sample solutions: a. If x = 1.4, then f(x) = 1+3x = 1 + 3(1.4) = 5.2

b. If x = 1.997, then f(x) = 1+3x = 1 + 3(1.997) = 6.991
c. If x = 2.2, then f(x) = 1+3x = 1 + 3(2.2) = 7.6
d. If x = 2.0005, then f(x) = 1+3x = 1 + 3(2.0005) = 7.0015
(***Substitute values of x in f(x))
2
EXAMPLE 2: Investigate lim (x +1) by constructing tables of values. Here, c=1 and f (x)=x2 +1.
x→−1

We start again by approaching 1 from the left. Now approach 1 from the right.

2
The tables show that as x approaches 1, f(x) approaches 2. In symbols, lim ( x +1)=2
x→−1

2 2
x −5 x +4 by constructing tables of values. Here, x −5 x+ 4
EXAMPLE 3: Investigate lim c=1 and f ( x )=
x →1 x−1 x−1
Take note that 1 is not in the domain of f (if 1 is substituted in the denominator, it becomes 0 which
means undefined), but this is not a problem. In evaluating a limit, remember that we only need to go very
close to 1; we will not go to 1 itself.

We now approach 1 from the left. Approach 1 from the right

 2
x −5 x +4
The tables show that as x approaches 1, f(x) approaches 3. In symbols, lim =−3
x →1 x−1

EXAMPLE 4: Investigate through a table of values lim f (x ) if f ( x )=

x→ 4 { x +1 ,∧x < 4
( x−4 )2 +3 ,∧x ≥ 4

This looks a bit different, but the logic and procedure are exactly the same. We still approach the
constant 4 from the left and from the right, but note that we should evaluate the appropriate
corresponding functional
expression.

In this case, when x approaches 4 from On the other hand, when x

the left, the values taken should be substituted in approaches 4 from the right, the values
taken should be substituted in
f (x)=x+1 . Indeed, this is the part of the function 2
which accepts values less than 4. So, f (x)=( x−4 ) + 3. So,

Observe that the values that f(x) approaches are not equal, namely, f(x) approaches 5 from the left while it
approaches 3 from the right. In such a case, we say that the limit of the given function does not exist
(DNE). In symbols, lim f (x )DNE
x→ 4

***Notes to consider:

Remark 1: We do not say that lim f (x ) “equals DNE”, nor do we write

x→ 4
lim csub {x→4} {f left (x right ) =DNE ¿ because “DNE” is not a value. In the previous example, “DNE”
indicated that the function moves in different directions as its variable approaches c from the left and from
1
the right. In other cases, the limit fails to exist because it is undefined, such as for lim which leads to
x →0 x
division of 1 by zero.
Remark 2: Have you noticed a pattern in the way we have been investigating a limit? We have been
specifying whether x will approach a value c from the left, through values less than c, or from the right,
through values greater than c. This direction may be specified in the limit notation lim f (x ) by adding
x →c
certain values.

 If x approaches c from the left, or through values less than c, then we write lim ¿
−¿
x→ c f (x)¿

 If x approaches c from the right, or through values greater than c, then we write lim ¿
+¿
x→ c f (x)¿

lim ¿
Furthermore, we say lim f (x )=L if and only if −¿
x→ c f (x)= lim ¿¿
x →c +¿
x →c f ( x)¿

In other words, for a limit L to exist, the limits from the left and from the right must both exist and
lim ¿
be equal to L. Therefore lim f (x )DNE whenever −¿
x→ c f (x)≠ lim ¿¿
x →c +¿
x→c f( x)¿
 These limits, lim ¿ and lim ¿, are also referred to as one-sided limits, since you only
−¿ +¿
x→ c f (x)¿ x→ c f (x)¿
consider values on one side of c.
B. LOOKING AT THE GRAPH OF y = f(x) (SAME EXAMPLES FROM A)
If one knows the graph of f(x), it will be easier to determine its limits as x approaches given
values of c.

Consider again f (x)=1+ 3 x (EXAMPLE 1).

Its graph is the straight line with slope 3

and intercepts (0,1) and (1/3,0).

You can easily see the points (from the its

tables) (1,4), (1.4,5.2), (1.7,6.1), and so on,
approaching the level where y =7. The same can
be seen from the right.

Hence, the graph clearly confirms that

lim (1+3 x)=7.
x →2

2
EXAMPLE 2. lim (x +1)
x→−1

Take note that

x −5 x+ 4 ( x−4 )(x−1)
2
f ( x )= = =x−4 , provided
x−1 x−1
x ≠ 1. Hence, the graph of f (x)is also the graph of
Observing the graph at x=-1, the graph f ( x )=x −4 , excluding the point where x=1.
approaches y = 2 both from the left and
right. Although f(1) would be undefined given the
2 graph, in a limit of a function, we only want to
Therefore, lim (x +1)=2.
x→−1 get the value that graph approaches . Thus, it
can be possible that f(x) is undefined but the limit
exists. Therefore,
2
EXAMPLE 3. lim
x −5 x +4
x →1 x−1
 2
x −5 x +4
lim =−3
x →1 x−1
EXAMPLE 4. lim f (x ) if
x→ 4
f ( x )=
{( x +1 ,∧x < 4
2
x−4 ) +3 ,∧x ≥ 4

Again, we can see from the graph that f(x) has no limit as x approaches 4. The two separate parts of the
function move toward different y-levels (y =5 from the left, y =3 from the right) in the vicinity of c = 4.

Example 5 Using the given graph of g(x), find the following left- and right-hand limits.

a.

b.

c.

d.

Solution
a. This asks us to look at the graph of g(x) as x approaches 0 from the left. You can see that

the function values are getting closer and closer to -1. So,

b. This asks us to look at the graph of g(x) as x approaches 0 from the right. You can see

that the function values are getting closer and closer to -1. So
c. This asks us to look at the graph of g(x) as x approaches 1 from the left. You can see that

the function values are getting closer and closer to -2. So,

d. This asks us to look at the graph of g(x) as x approaches 1 from the right. You can see
that the function values are getting closer and closer to -2. So,

Notice that in the solutions to parts (c) and (d) above, the function value g(1)=1 does not play a role in
determining the values of the limits. A limit is strictly the behavior of a function “near” a point.
 So, in general, if we have the graph of a function, such as below, determining limits can be done
much faster and easier by inspection.
For instance, it can be seen from the graph of y=f (x ) that:

1. lim f (x)=1
x→−2

2. lim f ( x )=3 . Here, it does not matter that f(0) does not exist (that is, it
x →0
is undefined, or x =0 is not in the domain of f). Always remember that
what matters is the behavior of the function close to c =0 and not
precisely at c =0. In fact, even if f(0) were defined and equal to any
other constant (not equal to 3), like 100 or 5000, this would still have
no bearing on the limit. In cases like this, lim f ( x )=3 regardless of the
x →0
value of f(0), if any.
3. lim f (x )DNE . As can be seen in the figure, the two parts of the graph near c=3 do not move toward a
x →3
common y-level as x approaches c=3

Additional References:
Introduction to Limits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNstP0ESndU
How to Evaluate Limits from a Graph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q2HwTHcxA0

Reference:
 Balmaceda, J. M. et al. (2016). Teaching guide for senior high school: Basic calculus.
Quezon City: CHED
 3rd Trimester SY 2020-
BASIC CALCULUS
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
2021
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-
2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442- Grade Level/Section: GRADE 11 STEM
6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 2- Basic
Subject Teacher:
Calculus

MODULE 2 ASSESSMENT (40 pts)

NAME BLOCK DATE

2
1. Complete the following tables of values to investigate, lim ( x −2 x+ 4). (5 points)
x →1

Answer: __________________________________________

x−1
2. Complete the following tables of values to investigate, lim . (5 points)
x →0 x +1

Answer: __________________________________________

3. Construct a table of values to investigate the following limits: (4 values from the left, 4 values from
the right). (20 points)

10
a. lim =
x →3 x−2

2 x+ 1
b. lim =
x →2 x−3
 3rd Trimester SY 2020-
BASIC CALCULUS
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
2021
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-
2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442- Grade Level/Section: GRADE 11 STEM
6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 2- Basic
Subject Teacher:
Calculus

1
c. lim =
x →1 x +1

d. lim f (x ) =
x →1

{
x +3 ,∧x <1
if f ( x ) = 2 x , x=1
√5 x−1 ,∧x >1

4. Consider the function f(x) whose graph is shown below. (10 points)