Properties of Limits

Note that the limit f(x) when x approaches c is independent the value of f at x = c.
However, it might happen that the limit is f(c). It is,
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐

Let b and c be real numbers, let n be a positive integer, and let f and g be functions with
the limits
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 𝑎𝑛𝑑 lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝐾
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

1. Scalar multiple : lim[𝑏𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑏𝐿

𝑥→𝑐
2. Sum or difference : lim [𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝐿 ± 𝐾
𝑥→𝑐
3. Product : lim [𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝐿𝐾
𝑥→𝑐
𝑓(𝑥) 𝐿
4. Quotient : lim = ,K ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑐 𝑔(𝑥) 𝐾
5. Power : lim [𝑓(𝑥)]n = Ln
𝑥→𝑐

 The Limit of a Polynomial

Limits of Polynomial and rational Functions
If p is a polynomial function and c is a real number, then
lim 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑝(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐

If r is a rational function given by r(x) = p(x)q(x) and c is a real number such that q(c) ≠ 0, then
𝑝(𝑐)
lim 𝑟(𝑥) = 𝑟(𝑐) =
𝑥→𝑐 𝑞(𝑐)
Example
lim(𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 2) = lim 𝑥 2 + lim(4𝑥) + lim 2
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
2
= ( lim 𝑥) + 4 lim 𝑥 + 2
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
2
= (2) + 4(2) + 2
=4+8+2
= 14
Therefore, lim (𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 2) = 14
𝑥→2
  The Limit of a rational Function
The Limit of a Function Involving a radical
Let n be a positive integer. The limit below is valid for all c when n is odd, and is valid for c > 0
when n is even.
𝑛 𝑛
lim √𝑥 = √𝑐
𝑥→𝑐

Example
𝑥+10 lim (𝑥+10)
lim = 𝑥→6
𝑥→6 𝑥+4 lim (𝑥+4)
𝑥→6

lim (𝑥)+ lim (10)

= 𝑥→6 𝑥→6
lim (𝑥)+ lim (4)
𝑥→6 𝑥→6

6+10 16 8
= = 10 = 5
6+4

 The Limit of a Composite Function

The Limit of a Composite Function
If f and g are functions such that lim g(x) = L and lim f(x) = f(L), then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝐿

lim f(g(x)) = f (lim g(x)) = f(L).

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Example

lim √𝑥 2 + 9 = lim(𝑥 2 + 9)
𝑥→4 𝑥→4
2
=4 +9
= 16 + 9
= 25

And lim √𝑥 = √25 = 5

𝑥→25

You can conclude that lim √𝑥 2 + 9 = √25 = 5

𝑥→4

 Limits of Trigonometric Functions

Let c be a real number in the domain of the given trigonometric function.
1. lim sin 𝑥 = sin 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
 2. lim cos 𝑥 = cos 𝑥
𝑥→𝑐
3. lim tan 𝑥 = tan 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
4. lim cot 𝑥 = cot 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
5. lim sec 𝑥 = sec 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
6. lim csc 𝑥 = csc 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐

Example
1
1. lim cos x = cos (30) = 2 √3
𝑥→30
1
2. lim sin x = sin (45) = 2 √2
𝑥→45

The Squeeze Theorem

If h(x) ≤ f(x) ≤ g(x) for all x in an open interval containing c, except possibly at c itself, and if
lim h(x) = L = lim g(x)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

Then lim f(x) exists and is equal to L.

𝑥→𝑐

Two Special Trigonometric Limits

sin 𝑥
1. lim =1
𝑥→0 𝑥
1−cos 𝑥
2. lim =0
𝑥→0 𝑥