BASIC CALCULUS

QUARTER I WEEK II
THE LIMIT OF A
FUNCTION
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learner is
expected to;
• Differentiate between the limit of a
function at c and value of the
function at c,
• Evaluate problems involving limits
of function, and
• Value the importance of limits of
function in real-world situation.
THE LIMIT OF A
FUNCTION
 Basic Calculus

Definition
The limit of a function at The value of a function at
lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 𝑓 ( 𝑐 )
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

• The limit describes the value • The value of the function is the
that 𝑓(𝑥) approaches as 𝑥 gets specific output 𝑓(𝑐), provided
arbitrarily close to 𝑐. that the function is defined at 𝑐.

• It considers the behavior of 𝑓(𝑥) • This is the actual evaluation of

as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐 from both the function at 𝑐.
sides, without requiring that 𝑓(𝑐)
is defined or matches this value.
 Basic Calculus

lim 𝑥 + 2 lim 𝑥+ 2 lim 𝑥+ 2

𝑥→0
The limit of a function at 𝑥→0

Left-hand limit
𝑥→0

Right-hand limit
The value of a function at
lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 𝑓 ( 𝑐 )
𝑥→𝑐
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 lim 𝑥 + 2
Left-hand limit Right-hand limit 𝑥→0

𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =𝑥 +2
-2 0 2 4 ¿ (0)+2
-1 1 1 3 ¿ 2
lim 𝑥+ 2= 2
-0.1 1.9 0.1 2.1 𝑥→0

-0.01 1.99 0.01 2.01

-0.001 1.999 0.001 2.001

-0.0001 1.9999 0.0001 2.0001

 Basic Calculus

lim 𝑥 − 4
2
𝑥2− 4 lim ¿
𝑥 →2
lim 𝑥→2
+¿
2
𝑥 −4
¿
𝑥−2
−
𝑥−2
The𝑥limit
− 2of a functionLeft-hand
at 𝑥→2

limit Right-hand limit

The value of a function at
lim 𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 𝑓 ( 𝑐 )
𝑥→𝑐
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 lim 𝑥 − 4
2
𝑥 →2
Left-hand limit Right-hand limit
𝑥 −2
2
𝑥 −4
1
𝑓 (𝑥 )=
5 𝑥−2
2
2 4.9 ( 2) − 4
¿
3 4.5
( 2) − 2

3.5 4.1 ¿𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑

3.99 4.01

3.9999 4.001
 Basic Calculus
Evaluate the function
4
𝑓 (𝑥 )

2
𝑥 −4
𝑓 (𝑥 )= 2
lim 𝑥 − 4
𝑥−2 𝑥 →2

𝑐2
𝑥−
( 𝑥 − 2 ) ( 𝑥+ 2)
𝑓 (𝑥 )=
𝑥 −2
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =( 𝑥 +2)
2
𝑥 −4
𝑙𝑖𝑚 =4
𝑥 →2 𝑥 − 2
 Basic Calculus
Evaluate the function
2
𝑥 −4
𝑓 (𝑥 )=
𝑥−2
( 𝑥 − 2 ) ( 𝑥+ 2)
𝑓 (𝑥 )=
𝑥 −2
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =( 𝑥 +2)

2
𝑥 −4
𝑙𝑖𝑚 =4
𝑥 →2 𝑥 −2
THE LIMIT THEOREMS
1. Uniqueness of Limit
• If lim(x → c) f(x) exists, then it is unique.

• Explanation: A function cannot have two different limits as x → c. If

limits from the left-hand side (lim(x → c⁻) f(x)) and right-hand side
(lim(x → c⁺) f(x)) exist and are equal, the overall limit exists and is
unique.
2. Limit of a Constant Function
• lim(x → c) k = k, where k is a constant.

• Explanation: The limit of a constant function is the constant itself,

regardless of the value of c.
3. Limit of the Identity Function
• lim(x → c) x = c

• Explanation: The limit of x as x approaches c is c.

4. Limit Laws
• If lim(x → c) f(x) = L and lim(x → c) g(x) = M, the following properties
hold:

• - Sum Rule: lim(x → c) [f(x) + g(x)] = L + M

• - Difference Rule: lim(x → c) [f(x) - g(x)] = L - M
• - Product Rule: lim(x → c) [f(x) ⋅ g(x)] = L ⋅ M
• - Quotient Rule: lim(x → c) [f(x) / g(x)] = L / M, if M ≠ 0
• - Scalar Multiplication: lim(x → c) [k ⋅ f(x)] = k ⋅ L
5. Squeeze (Sandwich) Theorem
• If h(x) ≤ f(x) ≤ g(x) for all x near c, except possibly at c, and:
• lim(x → c) h(x) = lim(x → c) g(x) = L,
• then:
• lim(x → c) f(x) = L

• Explanation: If a function is 'squeezed' between two other functions

that have the same limit at a point, the squeezed function must also
have that limit.
6. Limits of Polynomials
• lim(x → c) P(x) = P(c)

• Explanation: For a polynomial P(x), the limit as x → c is simply the

value of the polynomial evaluated at c.
7. Limits of Rational Functions
• lim(x → c) [P(x) / Q(x)] = P(c) / Q(c), if Q(c) ≠ 0

• Explanation: For a rational function, the limit as x → c is the value of

the rational function evaluated at c, provided the denominator does
not become zero.
8. Infinite Limits and Limits at
Infinity
• - As x → ∞:
• lim(x → ∞) [1 / xⁿ] = 0, for n > 0

• - Horizontal Asymptotes:
• If lim(x → ∞) f(x) = L, then y = L is a horizontal asymptote.

• - Vertical Asymptotes:
• If lim(x → c⁺) f(x) = ±∞, then x = c is a vertical asymptote.
9. Continuous Functions and Limits
• If f(x) is continuous at c, then:
• lim(x → c) f(x) = f(c)
EXAMPLE : Evaluate the following limits.
1. lim 2 x  5  lim 2 x  lim 5 2. lim 6 x  12 lim 6 x  lim 12 
x 3 x 3 x 3
x 4 x 4 x 4

2 lim x  lim 5 6 ( 3 )  12
x 4 x 4
18 - 12
2( 4 )  5
6
8  5
13
3. lim 4  x ( 5 x  2 )lim 4  x  lim 5 x  2 
  
x 3 x 3 x 3

 lim 4  lim x lim 5 x  lim 2

lim 4  lim x 5 lim x  lim 2 
x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3

x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3

4  3 5( 3 )  2 
113
13
 2x 8x 1
4. lim
x 5 5 x  4 6. lim
x 1 x 3
lim 2 x 2 lim x
 x 5
 x 5
8x 1
lim 5 x  lim 4  5 lim x  lim 4   lim
x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 1 x  3
25  10
  9 3
25  4 21  
4 2

x 3
3

5. lim 3 x  6   lim 3 x  6  3
x 3


 lim 3 x  lim 6
x 3

x 3
3

3 lim x  lim 6 

3
x 3 x 3

3 3  6  15 
3 3

3375
OR

When evaluating the limit of a function at a

given value, simply replace the variable by
the indicated limit then solve for the value of
the function:

x 3
 2

lim 3 x  4 x  1 3 3   4 3   1
2

27  12  1
38
EXAMPLE: Evaluate the following limits.
x3  8
1. lim
x  2 x  2

Solution:
x 3  8  2   8  8  8 0
3
lim    (indeterminate)
x  2 x  2  22 0 0
Equivalent function:
 lim
x  2 x 2  2 x  4 
x  2 x2

 lim x 2  2 x  4
x  2

 2   2 2  4
2

4  4  4 12
x3  8
 lim 12
x  2 x  2
Note: In evaluating a limit of a quotient which
reduces to 0 , simplify the fraction. Just remove
0
the common factor in the numerator and
denominator which makes the quotient 0 .
0
To do this use factoring or rationalizing the
numerator or denominator, wherever the radical is.
 x2  2
2. lim
x 0 x
Solution:
x2  2 02  2 0
lim   (indeterminate)
x 0 x 0 0

Rationalizing the numerator:

x2  2 x2  2 x2 2
lim  lim
x 0 x 
x  2  2 x 0 x x  2  2 
x 1 1 1 2
lim lim   
x 0 x  x2  2 x  0 
x2  2 2 2 2 2 4

x2  2 2
 lim 
x 0 x 4
 8 x 3  27
3. lim
x
3 4 x2  9
2
Solution: 3
3
8    27
8 x 3  27  2 27  27 0
lim3 2
 2
  (indeterminate)
x 2 4x  9 3 9 9 0
4   9
 2
By Factoring: 2
 3  3
4    6   9
lim
 2

2 x  3 4 x  6 x  9 lim 4 x  6 x  9   2   2 
2

x
3
2
2 x  3 2 x  3  x
3
2
2 x  3   3 
 2   3 
  2 
9 9 9 27 9 3 3 2
    
33 6 2 2 2

8 x 3  27 3 2
 lim 2

x
3 4x  9 2
2
 Basic Calculus

Practice:
Find the limits of the following through the given graph.
= 1

= -1 3

2
= DNE
1

= -
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
= 3
-2

= DNE -3

= -2 -4

= -2

= -2
 Basic Calculus

GENERALIZATION
The limit of a function explains
the behavior of the graph as 𝑥
approaches 𝑐, showing how the
function gets closer and closer to
its limit.
 Basic Calculus

Speed of a Car

Imagine a car approaching a stop sign. As the car gets

closer and closer to the stop sign, its speed decreases.
The limit here is the car's speed as it approaches zero,
even if it doesn’t actually reach zero until it stops.
 Basic Calculus

Filling a Glass of Water

If you're filling a glass with water,
the water level rises as you pour. As
the glass gets closer and closer to
being full, the water level approaches
the top, but it never actually
overflows if you're careful. The limit
is the water level approaching the top
of the glass without spilling.
 Basic Calculus

Temperature
Imagine you’re heating a pot of
water. As the temperature of the
water increases, it gets closer and
closer to boiling point (100°C). The
limit is the temperature as it
approaches 100°C, even though it
may take time to reach it exactly.
THE END
 Basic Calculus

References: