SENIOR

Basic Calculus HIGH

SCHOOL

Limits of Polynomial, Module

Rational, & Radical Functions 3
Quarter 3
Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 – Module 3: Limits of Polynomial, Rational, and Radical Functions
First Edition, 2020

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 SENIOR
Basic Calculus HIGH
SCHOOL

Module

3
Quarter 3
Limits of Polynomial,
Rational, & Radical
Functions
Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Basic Calculus (Senior High School) Module on Limits of Polynomial,
Rational, & Radical Functions!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators from
Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its Officer-In-Charge Schools Division
Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin in partnership with the Local
Government of Pasig through its mayor, Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto.
The writers utilized the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum using the Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) while overcoming their personal, social, and
economic constraints in schooling.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You
also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their
own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they
do the tasks included in the module.
For the learner:

Welcome to the Basic Calculus Module on Limits of Polynomial, Rational, & Radical
Functions !

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills
at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning material while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectation - These are what you will be able to know after completing the
lessons in the module

Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.

Recap - This section will measure what learnings and skills that you
understand from the previous lesson.

Lesson- This section will discuss the topic for this module.

Activities - This is a set of activities you will perform.

Wrap Up- This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the
lessons.

Valuing-this part will check the integration of values in the learning

competency.

Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire
module. Ito po ang parts ng module
 EXPECTATION

Lesson: Limits of Polynomial, Rational, & Radical Functions

Learning Objective:

At the end of the learning episode, you are expected to:

1. apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions:
polynomial, rational, and radical.

PRETEST

Give the correct answer.

1−5𝑥
1. Which of the following is the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = 1−3𝑥 2+4𝑥 4 as 𝑥 approaches 1?
a. -2 B. 0 C. -6 D. Does not exist
2. Evaluate lim √𝑥 + 4 .
𝑥→0
a. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
3. What is the limit of 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 1 as x approaches to −1 ?
3 2

a. −6 B. −5 C. −4 D. 1
√2𝑥+5
4. Evaluate lim .
𝑥→2 1−3𝑥
3 1 1
a. − 5 B. 0 C. 2 D. 6
5. What is the limit of 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 1 as x approaches to 0 ?
4

a. −6 B. −5 C. −4 D. −1

RECAP

We presented limit theorems in our previous lesson.

In the following statements, 𝒄 is a constant, and 𝒇 and 𝒈 are functions which

may or may not have 𝒄 in their domains.
 1. The limit of a constant is itself. If k is any constant, then,
lim 𝑘 = 𝑘 .
𝑥→𝑐
2. The limit of 𝑥 as 𝑥 approaches to 𝑐 is equal to c.
lim 𝑥 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
3. The Constant Multiple Theorem
lim 𝑘 ∙ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘 ∙ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘 ∙ 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
4. The addition Theorem

lim(𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ± lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐿 ± 𝑀

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

5. The Multiplication Theorem

lim(𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)) = lim 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐿 ∙ 𝑀
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
6. The Division Theorem
𝑓(𝑥) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐿
lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥→𝑐 = , 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑀 ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑐 lim 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑀
𝑥→𝑐
7. The Power Theorem
𝑦
lim(𝑓(𝑥))𝑦 = (lim 𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝐿𝑦
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
8. The Radical/Root Theorem
𝑚 𝑚
lim √𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑚√lim 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝐿
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

LESSON

In this lesson, we will illustrate how to use these limit theorems to

evaluate the limits of polynomial, rational and radical functions.

We start with evaluating the limits of polynomial functions.

Example1. Determine lim(5𝑥 + 1)

𝑥→1

Solution: Applying the given theorems,

lim(5𝑥 + 1) = lim 5𝑥 + lim 1 Addition
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
= 5 lim 𝑥 + 1 Constant Multiple
𝑥→1

= 5(1) + 1 lim 𝑥 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐

=6
Therefore,
lim(5𝑥 + 1) = 6
𝑥→1
Example 2. Determine lim (4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 1)
𝑥→−1
Solution: Applying the given theorems,
lim (4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 1) = lim 4𝑥 3 − lim 3𝑥 2 + lim 1 Addition
𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1
= 4lim 𝑥 3 − 3lim 𝑥 2 + 1 Constant Multiple
𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1

= 4(−1)3 − 3(−1)2 + 1 Power

= −6
Therefore,
lim (4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 1) = −6
𝑥→−1

We will now apply the limit theorems in evaluating rational functions.

𝑥
Example 3. Evaluate lim 𝑥−3
𝑥→2

𝑥 lim 𝑥 2
Solution: lim 𝑥−3 = 𝑥→2
= = −2 Division
𝑥→2 lim 𝑥−3 −1
𝑥→2
Therefore,
𝑥
lim = −2
𝑥→2 𝑥−3

3𝑥−1
Example 4. Evaluate lim
𝑥→−1 9𝑥 2 +5𝑥−2

3𝑥−1 lim (3𝑥−1)

Solution: lim = 𝑥→−1
𝑥→−1 9𝑥 2 +5𝑥−2 lim (9𝑥 2 +5𝑥−2)
𝑥→−1
lim (3𝑥)− lim 1
= 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1
Addition
lim (9𝑥 2 )+ lim (5𝑥)− lim 2
𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1

𝟑 lim 𝑥− lim 1
= 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1
Constant Multiple
9 lim 𝑥 2 + 5 lim 𝑥− lim 2
𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1

𝟑 lim 𝑥− lim 1
= 𝑥→−1
2
𝑥→−1
Power
9( lim 𝑥) + 5 lim 𝑥− lim 2
𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1

3(−1)−1 −4
= = = −2
9(−1)2 +5(−1)−2 2
Therefore,
3𝑥−1
lim = −2
𝑥→−1 9𝑥 2 +5𝑥−2
We will now evaluate limits of radical functions using limit theorems.

Example 5. Evaluate lim √𝑥 + 16

𝑥→0

Solution: lim √𝑥 + 16 = √lim(𝑥 + 16) Radical/Root Rule

𝑥→0 𝑥→0

= √ lim 𝑥 + lim16
𝑥→0 𝑥→0

= √0 + 16 = √16 = 4
Therefore,
lim √𝑥 + 16 = 4
𝑥→0

Example 6. Evaluate lim1 √9 + 4𝑥 2

𝑥→−
2

Solution: lim1 √9 + 4𝑥 2 = √ lim1 (9 + 4𝑥 2 ) Radical/Root Rule

𝑥→− 𝑥→−
2 2

= √ lim1 9 + lim14𝑥 2
𝑥→− 𝑥→−
2 2

= √ lim1 9 + 4 lim1 𝑥 2
𝑥→− 𝑥→−
2 2
2
= √ lim1 9 + 4 ( lim1 𝑥)
𝑥→− 𝑥→−
2 2

1
= √9 + 4(− 2)2

1
= √9 + 4(4) = √9 + 1

= √10
Therefore,
lim1 √9 + 4𝑥 2 = √10
𝑥→−
2

ACTIVITIES

Evaluate the following limits. Show your complete solutions and write it on
your notebook.

1 3
1. lim √𝑥 + 16 2. lim 3. lim √𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 6
𝑥→−7 𝑥→−2 𝑥 2 +5 𝑥→−2
 3𝑥−2
4. lim 5. lim (8𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 9)
𝑥→3 1−4𝑥 𝑥→−1

WRAP–UP

In evaluating the limits of polynomial, rational and radical functions,

you just simply apply the different limit theorems.

Can you state the different limit theorems?

VALUING

In mathematics, the limit of a function is a fundamental concept in calculus

and analysis concerning the behavior of that function near a particular input.
As a person, we should know our own limits. Knowing our limits will help us
know when to take a break.
Do you know your limits? How will you use it to your own advantage?

POSTTEST

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer by writing it on your

notebook.

4𝑥
1. Which of the following is the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−5 as x approaches 2?
a. 2/5 B. 0 C. -8/3 D. Does not exist
3
2. Evaluate lim √𝑥 + 8 .
𝑥→0
a. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
3. What is the limit of 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 𝑥 + 5 as x approaches to −1 ?
3 2

a. −6 B. −5 C. −4 D. 1
√2𝑥−3
4. Evaluate lim .
𝑥→2 1−5𝑥
1 3 1 1
a. − 9 B. − 5 C. 2 D. 6
5. What is the limit of 𝑔(𝑥) = 7𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 5𝑥 − 10𝑥 − 1 as 𝑥 approaches to
4 3 2

0?
a. −6 B. −5 C. −4 D. −1
 KEY TO CORRECTION

D 5. -7 5.
A 4. -7/11 4.
B 3. -2 3.
A 2. 1/9 2.
A 1. 3 1.

PRETEST ACTIVITIES

REFERENCES

BOOK

Cuaresma, Genaro A. et al. 2004. Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1: A

Worktext for Math 26. Los Baños, Laguna: Institute of Mathematical
Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines.
Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources. 2016. Precalculus
Learner's Material.

Leithold, Louis. 1989. College Algebra and Trigonometry. Addison Wesley

Longman Inc., reprinted by Pearson Education Asia Pte. Ltd., 2002.