BEM 111 – ENGINEERING CALCULUS 1 | 1st Sem.

SY 2020-2021

BEM 111 – ENGINEERING CALCULUS 1

Lecture No. 2

LIMITS

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The idea of a variable approaching a limit occurs in elementary geometry in establishing a formula
for the area of circle. The area of a regular inscribed polygon with any number of sides n is considered,
and n is then assumed to increase indefinitely. The variable area then approaches a limit, and this limit is
defined as the area of the circle. In this case, the variable A (the area) increases constantly, and the
difference 𝒂 − 𝑨, where a is the area of the circle, diminishes and ultimately becomes less than any
preassigned number, however small.

The relation illustrated above is made precise by the definition:

“Let f(x) be a function of x and let a be constant. If there is a number L such that, in order to make
the value of f(x) as close to L as may be desired, It is sufficient to choose x close enough to a, but different
from a. Then we say that "the limit of f(x), as x approaches a, is L"”

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒂

2.2 THEOREMS ON LIMITS (ALGREBRAIC FUNCTIONS)

In calculating the limiting value of a function, the following theorems may be applied. Proofs are
not necessary for this course.

Theorem 1. If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑐 for any x where c is a constant, then for any number a,

lim 𝑐 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑎

Theorem 2. If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥, then
lim 𝑥 = 𝑎
𝑥→𝑎

Theorem 3. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿1 , and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐿2 , then

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
lim (𝑓 (𝑥 ) + 𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝐿1 + 𝐿2
𝑥→𝑎

Theorem 4. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿1 , and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐿2 , then

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
lim (𝑓 (𝑥 ) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝐿1 ∙ 𝐿2
𝑥→𝑎

Theorem 5. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿1 , and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐿2 ≠ 0 , then

𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
𝑓 (𝑥 ) 𝐿1
lim ( )=
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) 𝐿2

Theorem 6. If n is a positive integer and L > 0, and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, then

𝑥→𝑎
𝑛 𝑛
lim √𝑓(𝑥) = √𝐿
𝑥→𝑎

1 | E n g r . J U N I E V I N R A M I L L A N O | INSTRUCTOR 1
 BEM 111 – ENGINEERING CALCULUS 1 | 1st Sem. SY 2020-2021

Example 2.1
Evaluate: lim (𝑥 2 + 1)
𝑥→3

Solution

lim (𝑥 2 + 1) = lim 𝑥 2 + lim 1

𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3

= (lim 𝑥) (lim 𝑥) + 1
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
= (3)(3) + 1
= 𝟏𝟎 ∴ 𝑨𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓

Example 2.2
3𝑥−9
Evaluate: lim
𝑥→3 𝑥−3

Solution 3𝑥−9 3(𝑥−3)

lim = =𝟑 ∴ 𝑨𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 (𝑥−3)

Example 2.3
3𝑥 2 +𝑥+1
Evaluate: lim
𝑥→2 𝑥+3

Solution
lim(3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1)
3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1 𝑥→2
lim =
𝑥→2 𝑥+3 lim (𝑥 + 3)
𝑥→2
2
(3(2) + 2 + 1) 15
= = =𝟑 ∴ 𝑨𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓
(2 + 3) 5

Example 2.4
Evaluate: 𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 + 10 Simplifying: 𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 + 10
lim (Using Synthetic Division)
𝑥→2 𝑥2 − 4
Solution 2 √1 0 −9 10
2 4 − 10
𝑥3 − 9𝑥 + 10 𝑥3
− 9𝑥 + 10
lim 2 = lim 1 2 −5 0
𝑥→2 𝑥 −4 𝑥→2 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
Therefore :
(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5) (𝑥 − 2) (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5)
(𝑥 − 2) (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5)
try ∶ (𝑥 − 2) = lim = lim
𝑥→2 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2) 𝑥→2 (𝑥 + 2)

22 + 2(2) − 5 𝟑
= = ∴ 𝑨𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓
(2 + 2) 𝟒

Example 2.5
Evaluate: 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3
lim √
𝑥→1 4𝑥 2 − 4
Solution 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 + 3)
𝑓(𝑥) = = = =
By simplifying first the given function: 2
4𝑥 − 4 2
4(𝑥 − 1) 4(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) 4(𝑥 + 1)

Then apply theorem 6:

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 (𝑥 + 3) (1 + 3)
lim 2 = = =
𝑥→1 4𝑥 − 4 4(𝑥 + 1) 4(1 + 1)
4 1
𝑥 2= =
+2𝑥−3 (𝑥+3) 𝟏 √𝟐
Therefore lim √ 2 8 = 2 lim √ == √ = ∴ 𝑨𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓
𝑥→1 4𝑥 −4 𝑥→1 4(𝑥+1) 𝟐 𝟐

2 | E n g r . J U N I E V I N R A M I L L A N O | INSTRUCTOR 1
 BEM 111 – ENGINEERING CALCULUS 1 | 1st Sem. SY 2020-2021

2.3 LIMITS OF 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶⁄𝜶 AS α APPROACHES TO ZERO

Consider the figure in which RV is a circular arc with radius r and with center at B.

We can say that the,

Area of ∆RBT < Area of the Sector RVB < Area of ∆SVB

The area of the sector RVB is,

𝟏 𝟐
𝑨𝒔 = 𝜶𝒓
𝟐
The area of the sector ∆SVB is,
1 1
𝐴∆𝑆𝑉𝐵 = 𝑏ℎ = (𝐵𝑉)(𝑆𝑉)
2 2
since,
𝑆𝑉 𝑆𝑉
tan 𝛼 = & 𝐵𝑉 = 𝑟 so, tan 𝛼 =
𝐵𝑉 𝑟

Therefore, the Area of ∆RBT,

1 1
𝐴∆𝑆𝑉𝐵 = (𝐵𝑉)(𝑆𝑉) = 𝑟∙ 𝑟 tan 𝛼
2 2

𝟏 𝟐
𝑨∆𝑺𝑽𝑩 = 𝒓 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜶
𝟐

So that the,
Area of ∆RBT < Area of the Sector RVB < Area of ∆SVB

1 1 2 1 2
𝑟 cos 𝛼 ∙ 𝑟 cos 𝛼 < 𝛼𝑟 < 𝑟 tan 𝛼
2 2 2

1 1 2 1 2 sin 𝛼
𝑟 cos 𝛼 ∙ 𝑟 cos 𝛼 < 𝛼𝑟 < 𝑟
2 2 2 cos 𝛼
1 2
Divide by 𝑟 sin 𝛼
2
𝛼 1
We get cos 𝛼 < <
sin 𝛼 cos 𝛼

1 sin 𝛼
Inverting each member > > cos 𝛼
cos 𝛼 𝛼

1
As α approaches zero both cos 𝛼 and approaches to unity (1)
cos 𝛼
Therefore, sin 𝛼 𝛼
or Must also approach to unity (1)
𝛼 sin 𝛼
Now we can say that,
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜶
𝐥𝐢𝐦 =𝟏 where α is measured in radians.
𝜶→𝟎 𝜶

3 | E n g r . J U N I E V I N R A M I L L A N O | INSTRUCTOR 1
 BEM 111 – ENGINEERING CALCULUS 1 | 1st Sem. SY 2020-2021

Example 2.6
Evaluate: sin 3𝜃
lim
𝜃→0 𝜃

Solution sin 3𝜃 3
= ∙
𝜃 3
3 sin 3𝜃
= = 3(1) = 𝟑
3𝜃

Example 2.7
Evaluate: tan 𝛼 sin 𝛼
lim =
𝛼→0 𝛼 𝛼 cos 𝛼
Solution
sin 𝛼 1
= ∙ = 1∙1
𝛼 cos 𝛼
=𝟏

Example 2.8
Evaluate: 1 − cos 4𝑥 1 − cos 2(2𝑥)
lim =
𝑥→0 1 − cos 2𝑥 1 − cos 2𝑥
Solution
sin2 2𝐴
=
sin2 𝐴 sin2 𝐴 = 1 − cos 2𝐴

sin 2𝐴 ∙ sin 2𝐴 2𝐴 ∙ 2𝐴
= ∙( )
sin 𝐴 ∙ sin 𝐴 2𝐴 ∙ 2𝐴

sin 2𝐴 sin 2𝐴 𝐴 𝐴
= ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙4
2𝐴 2𝐴 sin 𝐴 sin 𝐴

= 1∙1∙1∙1∙4= 𝟒

Example 2.9
Evaluate:
sin 𝛼 sin 2𝛼
lim
𝛼→0 1 − cos 𝛼

Solution
sin 𝛼 (2 sin 𝛼 cos 𝛼 )
= 1−cos 𝛼

(2 sin2 𝛼 )(cos 𝛼 )
2(1 − cos 2 𝛼)(cos
= 𝛼) 2(1 + cos 𝛼)(1 − cos 𝛼)(cos 𝛼)
= =
1 − cos 𝛼
1 − cos 𝛼 1 − cos 𝛼

= 2(1 + cos 𝛼)(cos 𝛼) = 2(1 + cos 0)( cos 0)

= 2(1 + 1)(1) = 𝟒

4 | E n g r . J U N I E V I N R A M I L L A N O | INSTRUCTOR 1
 BEM 111 – ENGINEERING CALCULUS 1 | 1st Sem. SY 2020-2021

2.4 CONTINOUS AND DISCONTINUOS FUNCTIONS IN RELATION TO LIMITS

It was shown that for instance, lim (𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 ) = 12, we observe that the answer is the value of the
𝑥→2
function when x approaches 2 as the limit is equal to the value of the function for 𝑥 = 2. The function is
said to be continuous for 𝑥 = 2. By definition, a function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous for 𝑥 = 𝑎 if the
limiting value of the function when x approaches a as a limit is the value assigned to the function for 𝑥 =
𝑎. In symbols, if
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎) then 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous for 𝑥 = 𝑎.
𝑥→𝑎
On the other hand, if the function is said to be discontinuous for 𝑥 = 𝑎 if the condition above is
not satisfied. Let’s try to understand these two following cases:

CASE 1. As an example, illustrating a simple case of a function continuous for a particular value of the
variable, consider the function
𝑥2 − 4
𝑓 (𝑥 ) =
𝑥−2
For 𝑥 = 1, 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (1) = 3. Moreover, if x approaches 1 as a limit, the function f(x) approaches
3 as a limit. Hence, the function is continuous for 𝑥 = 1.

CASE 2. The definition of a continuous function assumes that the function is already defined for 𝑥 = 𝑎. If
this is not the case, however, it is sometimes possible to assign such a value to the function for 𝑥 = 𝑎 that
𝑥 2 −4
the condition of continuity shall be satisfied. Thus, 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥−2 is not defined for 𝑥 = 2 (since then there
would be division by zero). But for every value of x,
𝑥 2 − 4 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2)
= = 𝑥+2
𝑥−2 𝑥−2
and lim (𝑥 + 2) = 4
𝑥→2
𝑥 2 −4
therefore, lim ( 𝑥−2 ) = 4.
𝑥→2
Although the function is not defined for 𝑥 = 2, if we arbitrarily assign to it the value 4 for 𝑥 = 2,
it becomes continuous for this value.

2.5 LIMITS AT INFINITY

If the numerical value of a variable v ultimately becomes and remains greater than any preassigned
positive number however large, we say v becomes infinite. If v takes only positive values, it becomes
positively infinite; if negative values only, it becomes negatively infinite. Here, v does not approach a
limit. The notation lim 𝑣 = ∞, or 𝑣 → ∞ must be read “v becomes infinite” not “v approaches infinity”.
One should understand that infinity is not a limit, for infinity is not a number at all.

1 1
We may now write for example, lim (𝑥) = ∞ meaning that 𝑥 becomes infinite when x
𝑥→0
approaches to zero.

Now, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = ∞ that is, if 𝑓(𝑥) becomes infinite as x approaches a as a limit, the 𝑓(𝑥) is
𝑥→𝑎
discontinuous for 𝑥 = 𝑎.
A function may have a limiting value when the independent variable becomes infinite. For
example,
1
lim ( ) = 0.
𝑥→∞ 𝑥
Certain special limits occur frequently. These are given below, where the constant c is not zero.

𝐶
SPECIAL CASE 1. lim (𝑥) = ∞
𝑥→0
SPECIAL CASE 2. lim (𝑐𝑣 ) = ∞
𝑥→∞
𝑥
SPECIAL CASE 3. lim ( ) = ∞
𝑥→∞ 𝑐
𝐶
SPECIAL CASE 4. lim ( ) = 0
𝑥→∞ 𝑥

5 | E n g r . J U N I E V I N R A M I L L A N O | INSTRUCTOR 1
 BEM 111 – ENGINEERING CALCULUS 1 | 1st Sem. SY 2020-2021

Example 2.10
Evaluate:
𝑥2 − 1
lim ( )
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2 + 1
Solution 1 1
𝑥 2 − 1 (𝑥 2 ) 1− 2
𝑥 = 1−0=𝟏
= 2 ∙ =
𝑥 +1 (1) 1
1+ 2 1+0
𝑥 2 𝑥
Hint: Divide both numerator and denominator by the highest power of the variable occurring in either.

Example 2.11
Evaluate:
2𝑥 3
lim ( )
𝑥→∞ 7𝑥 3 − 4𝑥
Solution 1
2𝑥 3 ( 3) 2
= ∙ 𝑥 =
7𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 ( 1 ) 7 − 4
𝑥3 𝑥2 4
≈0
2 𝟐 ∞2
= =
7−0 𝟕

Example 2.12
Evaluate:
√3𝑥 3 + 4
lim
𝑥→∞ 3𝑥 + 10
Solution
√1 √(3𝑥 3 + 4) ( 12 )
√3𝑥 3 + 4 𝑥 2 𝑥
= ∙ =
3𝑥 + 10 1
√ 12 (3𝑥 + 10) ( )
𝑥
𝑥

√(3𝑥 + 42 ) √(3𝑥 + 0)
𝑥 √𝟑
= = =
10 (3 + 0) 𝟑
(3 + 𝑥 )

SEAT WO RK #2

Evaluate the following:

𝑥 2 ℎ+3𝑥ℎ2 +ℎ3
1. lim
ℎ→0 2𝑥ℎ+5ℎ2
𝑥 2 ℎ 3 +2𝑥ℎ2 +3ℎ
2. lim
ℎ→∞ 4−3𝑥ℎ−2𝑥 3 ℎ3
(2𝑧+3𝑘)3 −4𝑘 2𝑧
3. lim
𝑘→0 2𝑧(2𝑧−𝑘)2
6𝑥 3 −5𝑥 2 +3
4. lim
𝑥→0 2𝑥 3 +4𝑥−7
sin3 𝛼
5. lim sin 𝛼−tan 𝛼
𝛼→0

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