INTRODUCTION TO THE LIMIT

Learning Objectives
1. illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and
the graph of the function
2. distinguish between lim 𝑓(𝑥)and f(a)
𝑥→𝑎
3. determine if a two-sided limit does not exist using the left-
and right-hand limits
 Functions

Vertical Line Test

 Limit of a Function
the limit of a function f(x) as x approaches a,
is the number L to which f(x) can be made as close as we wish
by making x close enough to a

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐋
𝒙→𝒂
Evaluate lim f(x), where
x→1

1. f x = x 2
f x = x 2 for all real numbers x
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝐟(𝐱) = 𝟏
𝐱→𝟏

x 2 , if x ≠ 1
2. f x = ቊ
−8, if x = 1
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝐟(𝐱) = 𝟏
𝐱→𝟏
 1, if x ≥ 0
f x =ቊ
0, if x < 0
Determine if lim f(x) exists.
x→0

there is no single number to which the values of f(x) approach

as x gets closer and closer to 0
the required limit does not exist
 One-sided Limits
limit of f(x) as x approaches a from the right
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐋
𝒙→𝒂+

limit of f(x) as x approaches a from the left

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐋
𝒙→𝒂−
 1, if x ≥ 0
f x =ቊ
0, if x < 0
Determine if lim f(x) exists.
x→0

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟏
𝒙→𝟎+

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟎
𝒙→𝟎−
 1
f x =
𝑥
Determine if lim f(x) exists.
x→0

each one-sided limit does not exist

the required limit does not exist
 Infinite Limits
f (x) increases without bound as x approaches a
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = +∞
𝒙→𝒂

f(x) decreases without bound as x approaches a

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = −∞
𝒙→𝒂
 1
f x =
𝑥
Determine if lim f(x) exists.
x→0

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = +∞
𝒙→𝟎+

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = −∞
𝒙→𝟎−
 Limits at Infinity
limit of f(x) is L as x increases without bound
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐋
𝒙→+∞

limit of f(x) is L as x decreases without bound

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝐋
𝒙→−∞
 1
f x =
𝑥
Determine if lim f(x) exists.
x→0

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟎
𝒙→∞+

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟎
𝒙→∞−
Exercises
Find the following limits of 𝑓 if they exist
1. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0
2. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−3
3. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−2+
4. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−∞
5. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→+∞