Lesson 2.

Limits of
Transcendental
Functions

Capstone
Basic Calculus
Project
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
One of the important
applications of
Mathematics is
population
projection. There are
several formula that
we can use to
estimate the future
population.
2
We can estimate the
population using the
function , where is
the initial
population, is the
time, and is the
relative growth rate.
3
This exponential function is an example of a
transcendental function.

In this lesson, we will learn how to

determine the limits of transcendental
functions.

4
Learning Competency
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the
following:

Compute the limits of exponential,

logarithmic, and trigonometric functions
using tables of values and graphs of the
functions (STEM_BC11LC-IIIb-1).

5
 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the
following:

● Compute the limits of some transcendental

functions (exponential, logarithmic, and
trigonometric) using tables of values and
graphs of the functions.

● Verify if the limits of transcendental functions

as approaches is the same as .

6
 Transcendental Functions

Transcendental functions are functions that cannot be

expressed as a sum, difference, product, or quotient
of algebraic expressions.

The term “transcendental” means that the function is

not algebraic.

7
 Limit of an Exponential Function

An exponential function is a function written in the

form , where is a real number, , and .

The function is an example of an exponential

function.

8
 Limit of an Exponential Function

Let us look at the steps in determining the limit of a

as approaches a real number using a table of values.

Consider the function and observe the values as

approaches .

9
 Limit of an Exponential Function

Step 1: Construct two tables with arbitrary values

that are very close to the value from the left and
right sides.

Table of values for .

10
 Limit of an Exponential Function

Step 1: Construct two tables with arbitrary values

that are very close to the value from the left and
right sides.

Table of values for .

11
 Limit of an Exponential Function

Step 2: Complete the table by solving the value of for

each -value.

Table of values for .

12
 Limit of an Exponential Function

Step 2: Complete the table by solving the value of for

each -value.

Table of values for .

13
 Limit of an Exponential Function

Step 3: Estimate the values that are being

approached by as approaches from the left and
right sides.

Based on the tables of values, we estimate that .

14
 Limit of an Exponential Function

We can also determine the limit of the function using

its graph. To find the limit, we follow these steps:

1. Observe the behavior of the graph as approaches

from the left and right sides.
2. Estimate the value that the function approaches as
approaches .

15
 Limit of an Exponential Function

Let us look at the graph

of to find the limit as
approaches 2.

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 Limit of an Exponential Function

Based on the graph, as

approaches 2, the value
of the function
approaches 9.

Hence, we estimate
that .

17
Is equal to if is an
exponential function? Why
or why not?

18
 Limit of an Exponential Function

Property of Limit for Exponential Function

The limit of an exponential function is the exponential
function of the limit of the function.

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 Limit of an Exponential Function

Theorem 2.3.1
The limit of an exponential function , where is a
polynomial in , as approaches is equal to .

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 Limit of an Exponential Function

Note that an exponential function is defined for any

real number .

Thus, .

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 Limit of an Exponential Function

This theorem holds true as well for the exponential

function of base (Euler number).

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 Let’s Practice!

Evaluate .

23
 Let’s Practice!

Evaluate .

24
Try It!

Evaluate .

25
 Let’s Practice!

What is the value of ?

26
 Let’s Practice!

What is the value of ?

27
Try It!

What is the value of ?

28
 Let’s Practice!

What is the value of ?

29
 Let’s Practice!

What is the value of ?

30
Try It!

What is the value of ?

31
 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

A logarithmic function is a function of the form

, where is a real number, , and .

It is also the inverse of an exponential function.

32
 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Consider the function . Let us evaluate tables of

values and its graph.

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 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Step 1: Construct two tables with arbitrary values

that are very close to the value from the left and
right sides.

Table of values for .

34
 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Step 1: Construct two tables with arbitrary values

that are very close to the value from the left and
right sides.

Table of values for .

35
 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Step 2: Complete the table by solving the value of for

each -value.

Table of values for .

36
 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Step 2: Complete the table by solving the value of for

each -value.

Table of values for .

37
 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Step 3: Estimate the values that are being

approached by as approaches from the left and
right sides.

Based on the tables of values, we estimate that

.

38
 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Let us look at the graph of

to find its limit as
approaches 4.

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 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

The graph shows that as

becomes closer to from
the left and right sides,
the value of the function
approaches 2.

Thus, we estimate that

.

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 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Property of Limit for Logarithmic Function

Let be a polynomial and and be real numbers,
where and .

If , then

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 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

If for near and , then

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 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Theorem 2.3.2
The limit of a logarithmic function , where is a
polynomial in , , as approaches is equal to .

provided , and , .

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 Limit of a Logarithmic Function

Theorem 2.3.2
This theorem holds as well for the logarithmic
function of base , which is called the natural
logarithmic function.

provided

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 Let’s Practice!

Evaluate .

45
 Let’s Practice!

Evaluate .

46
Try It!

Evaluate .

47
 Let’s Practice!

What is the value of ?

48
 Let’s Practice!

What is the value of ?

49
Try It!

What is the value of ?

50
 Let’s Practice!

Evaluate .

51
 Let’s Practice!

Evaluate .

𝐥𝐢𝐦 [ 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟐 𝒙 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒙 +𝟓 ) − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 ( 𝒙 −𝟐 ) ]=𝟐

( 𝟐

𝒙→𝟓

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Try It!

What is the value of

?

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

A trigonometric function (also called a circular

function) is a function that represents the ratio of the
- and - coordinates in a unit circle.

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

It could be written in any of the following forms:

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Consider the function . Let us evaluate using a table

of values and its graph.

56
 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Step 1: Construct two tables with arbitrary values

that are very close to the value from the left and
right sides.

Table of values for .

57
 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Step 1: Construct two tables with arbitrary values

that are very close to the value from the left and
right sides.

Table of values for .

58
 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Step 2: Complete the table by solving the value of for

each -value.

Table of values for .

59
 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Step 2: Complete the table by solving the value of for

each -value.

Table of values for .

60
 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Step 3: Estimate the values that are being

approached by as approaches from the left and
right sides.

Based on the tables of values, we estimate that

.

61
 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Let us look at the graph of

to find its limit as
approaches 0.

Based on the graph, we

estimate that

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Sine Function
Let be a real number and be an integer.

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Cosine Function
Let be a real number and be an integer.

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Tangent Function
Let be a real number and be an integer.

, for
, for
, for

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Cosecant Function
Let be a real number and be an integer.

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Cosecant Function
Let be a real number and be an integer.

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Secant Function
Let be a real number and be an integer.

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 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Secant Function
Let be a real number and be an integer.

69
 Limit of a Trigonometric Function

Cotangent Function
Let be a real number and be an integer.

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 Let’s Practice!

Evaluate .

71
 Let’s Practice!

Evaluate .

72
Try It!

Evaluate .

73
 Let’s Practice!

Find the value of .

74
 Let’s Practice!

Find the value of .

does not exist.

75
Try It!

Find the value of .

76
Why do the limits of
tangent, cotangent, secant,
and cosecant not always
exist?

77
 Check Your
Understanding
Use the graph below to determine the limit of
the functions and respectively.
1.
2.

78
 Check Your
Understanding
Use the graph below to determine the limit of
the functions and respectively.
3.
4.

79
 Check Your
Understanding
Evaluate the following limits.

1.
2.
3.
4.

80
 Let’s Sum It Up!

● The limit of an exponential function , is a

polynomial in , as approaches is equal to .
This is also true to a natural exponential
function .

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● The limit of a logarithmic function

, is a polynomial in , as approaches is equal
to , provided . This is also true to natural
logarithmic function .

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● The limit of any trigonometric function as

approaches is equal to , provided that is in
the domain of .

83
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use these formulas

Limit of an
to find the limit of
Exponential
exponential functions
Function
where is a
polynomial and is a
real number such
that and .

84
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use these formulas

Limit of a If , then
to find the limit of
Logarithmic
logarithmic functions
Function
where is a
polynomial and is a
real number such
that and .

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 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use these formulas

Limit of a If for near and , then
to find the limit of
Logarithmic
logarithmic functions
Function
where is a
polynomial and is a
real number such
that and .

86
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use these formulas

Limit of a
to find the limit of
Trigonometric
trigonometric
Function
function where is an
integer.

87
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use these formulas

Limit of a , for
, for to find the limit of
Trigonometri
, for trigonometric
c Function
function where is an
integer.

88
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use these formulas

Limit of a , for
, for to find the limit of
Trigonometri
, for trigonometric
c Function
, for function where is an
, for integer.

89
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use these formulas

Limit of a , for
, for to find the limit of
Trigonometri
, for trigonometric
c Function
, for function where is an
, for integer.

90
 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use these formulas

Limit of a , for
, for to find the limit of
Trigonometri
, for trigonometric
c Function
function where is an
integer.

91
Challenge Yourself

If , where is a polynomial in , is
for any ? Why or why not?

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Photo Credits

● Slide 2-3: London Underground Train Station, by Free-Photos is licensed under

Pixabay License via Pixabay.

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Bibliography

Larson, Ron H., and Bruce H. Edwards. Essential Calculus: Early Transcendental Functions.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008.

Leithold, Louis. The Calculus 7. New York: HarperCollins College Publ., 1997.

Pierce, Rod. “e-Euler’s Number.” Math is Fun. Accessed from

https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/e-eulers-number.html, January 24, 2020.

Smith, Robert T., and Roland B. Milton. Calculus. New York: McGraw Hill, 2012.

Tan, Soo T. Applied Calculus for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences: A Brief Approach.
Australia: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2012.

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