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Definition of a Limit of a

Function
Given a function f and numbers a and
L, we say that f(x) approaches L as a
limit as x approaches a if for each
positive number (read epsilon)
there is a positive number (read
delta) such that f(x) is defined and
f(x)-L< , whenever 0<x-a<,
>0 and >0.

In abbreviated notation, for the


definition of limit, we write
f(x) L as x a (This means
x nears but is never equal to
a)
In symbol form, lim f(x) = L
xa

The values of are arbitrarily


chosen and can be as small
as desired, and that the value
of is dependent on the
chosen. It should be pointed
out that the smaller the value
of , the smaller will be the
corresponding value of .

The above definition states


that the function values (f(x)
approach a limit L as x
approaches a number a if the
absolute
value
of
the
difference between f(x) and L
can be made as small as we
please by taking x sufficiently
near a but not equal to a.

Moreover, it is important to realize that the


above definition does not mention about the
value of the function when x=a. That is, it is
not essential that the function is defined for
x=a in order that lim f(x) to exist.
xa
In addition, even if the function is defined for
x=a, it is possible for the
lim f(x) to exist.
xa
even without having the same value for f(a).

Theorems on Limit of a Function

If lim f(x) =A and lim g(x) =B, then


xa
xa
1. lim c = c, where c R
xa
2. lim x = a
xa

3. lim [ f(x) g(x) ] = AB


xa
4. lim f(x) g(x) = A B
xa

5.

f(x)

lim f(x)
xa
lim --- = ----- = -xa
lim g(x)
g(x)
xa
provided B0

A
B

6. lim [f(x)]n = [lim f(x)]n = [A]n


xa
xa
7. lim n f(x) = n lim f(x) = n A
xa
xa

Note: The symbols lim f(x)


xa+
and
lim f(x)
xaare referred to as the One-sided Limit
of the function f(x).
lim f(x) is called the Two-sided Limit of
xa
the function.

Theorem: The two-sided limit of


the function as x approaches say
value a exists if both the onesided limits of the function exist
and are equal. Thus,
lim f(x) = lim f(x) = lim f(x)
xa
xa+
xa-

Examples:
Evaluate the following limits:
1. lim (3x-1)
x-2

x
2. lim = ---x3 3-5x

3. lim (4-x2)/(1+x3)
x1

4. lim
x2

3x2-x-10
---------x2-4

3-x+5
5. lim ----------x4
x-4

x3-7x
6. lim -------x0
x3

cos2x-1
7. lim -------x0 cosx-1

Limit of a Function
Involving Infinity
If we consider the function f(x)=1/x, it is an
observation that as x0 through positive
values, the corresponding values of the
function get bigger and bigger. In case like
this, it indicates the behavior of the
function. We say that f(x) increases
without limit or f(x) as xo+ . In
symbol form
lim f(x)=+
x0+

Likewise, as x0
through
negative values, the value of
the
function
decreases
without limit. Thus, in symbol
from:
lim f(x)=-
x0-

Theorems on Limit of a Function


Involving Infinity

1. lim cx=, (c>0)


x+
2. lim cx=-, (c<0)
x+
3. lim c/x=0
x

4. lim c/x=+ (c>0)


x0+
5. lim c/x=- (c>0)
x0-

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