Limits and Continuity
Limits and Continuity
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 is the limit of the function as 𝑥 approaches the value 𝑐 from the left
𝑥→𝑐 −
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 is the limit of the function as 𝑥 approaches the value 𝑐 from the right
𝑥→𝑐 +
For a Limit (Two-sided or Double sided) to exist, the limit from the Left and the Limit
from the Right must exist, and be equal. That is:
Properties of Limits:
IF lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑀
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
1. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘 for any constant 𝑘
𝑥→𝑘
2. lim 𝑥 = 𝑐 lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
3. lim[𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) + lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐿 + 𝑀
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
4. lim[𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] = lim 𝑓(𝑥) − lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐿 − 𝑀
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
𝑛 𝑛
8. lim √𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑛√lim 𝑔(𝑥) = √𝑀
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
(the limit value must be positive for 𝑛 even.)
Section 2-2 Infinite Limits and Limits at Infinity
Goal:
To locate infinite limits of rational functions and find limits of functions as the
independent variable approaches infinity.
Infinite Limits:
Infinite Limits occur in Rational Functions at a point 𝑥 = 𝑐 where the denominator
is 0, but the numerator is not 0.
This also means the line 𝑥 = 𝑐 is a vertical asymptote to the function.
If both the Numerator and the denominator are 0, there may or may not be a
vertical asymptote and a limit may or may not exist.
Example:
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 2
Consider the function: 𝑓(𝑥) = which is undefined the points 𝑥 = ±1
𝑥2 − 1
(−1)2 +(−1) − 2 −3
1. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = = which is UNDEFINED. Therefore,
𝑥→−1 (−1)2 −1 0
the limit DOES NOT EXIST, implies that the limits from either side
approach infinity and there is a vertical asymptote defined by the
equation 𝑥 = −1 at the point.
(1)2 +(1) − 2 0
2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ( 1) 2 − 1
= which is INDETERMINATE means that the
𝑥→1 0
limit may exist and there is no vertical asymptote at the point.
3. The limit may be determined by simplifying the function so that
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 2 (𝑥+2)(𝑥−1) (𝑥+2) 3
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = = lim = lim =
𝑥→1 𝑥2 −1 𝑥→1 (𝑥+1)(𝑥−1) 𝑥→1 (𝑥+1) 2
𝑘 𝑘
1. lim =0 2. lim =0
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥𝑝 𝑥→∞ 𝑥 𝑝
2. lim 𝑘𝑥 𝑝 = ±∞ 4. lim 𝑘𝑥 𝑝 = ±∞
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥→∞
2. If 𝒏 = 𝒅
𝒌𝒏 𝒌𝒏
then lim ℎ(𝑥) = lim ℎ(𝑥) = ; Horizontal Asymptote: 𝒚=
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→−∞ 𝒄𝒅 𝒄𝒅
3. If 𝒏 > 𝒅
then lim ℎ(𝑥) = ± lim ℎ(𝑥) ± ∞; There is no Horizontal Asymptote.
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→−∞
Section 2-3 Continuity
Goal: To determine if functions are continuous at specific points and intervals.
Definition: Continuity
A function 𝑓 is continuous at the point 𝑥 = 𝑐 if:
1. lim 𝑓(𝑥) Exists, 𝑓(𝑐) is defined, and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
Continuity Properties:
1. A constant function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘 where 𝑘 is a constant, is continuous for all 𝑥 .
2. For 𝑛 a positive integer, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑛 is continuous for all 𝑥 .
3. A polynomial function is continuous for all 𝑥 .
4. A rational function is continuous for all 𝑥 except those values that make a
denominator 0.
𝑛
5. For n an odd positive integer greater than 1, √𝑓 (𝑥) is continuous wherever
𝑓(𝑥) is continuous.
𝑛
6. For n an even positive integer, √𝑓 (𝑥) is continuous wherever 𝑓(𝑥) is
continuous and nonnegative.
1. Find all partition numbers. These are all the values that make the
function discontinuous or 0.
2. Plot the numbers found in step 1 on a real–number line, dividing the
number line into intervals.
3. Select a test value in each open interval and evaluate 𝑓(𝑥) at each
test value to determine whether 𝑓(𝑥) is positive or negative.
4. Construct a sign chart, using the real–number line in step 2.