Limit & Continuity

Dr. Lalit Pankaj

What is Limit?
The Idea of a Limit
The graph of f(x)=2x+3 is shown to the right.
What happens to f(x) as x gets close to 3?
From the left

From the Right

The Idea of a Limit
Since in our previous example, as x got closer
and closer to 3 from the left and right hand
sides, the y value got closer and closer to 9, we
say that

The limit of f(x)=2x+3 as x approaches 3 is

equal to 9 or…
Definition of a Limit
As x approaches a, the limit of f(x) is L

As x gets close to some number a, y (or f(x)) is

approaching some number L.
Limits give us an idea of what y-values graphs are heading
towards around certain x values.
Limits are essential to calculus and mathematical analysis,
and are used to define continuity, derivatives, and
integrals.
One Sided Limits
The limit as x approaches a from the left

The limit as x approaches a from the right

For a limit to exist both the limit from the left AND the right must be the same
 Find
Step 1: Find the y-value as x approaches 2 from the
left

Step 2: Find the y-value as x approaches 2 from the

right

Step 3: If both y-values are the similar, that y-value

is the limit!
Find Each Limit
 Examples
1) 5)

2) 6)

3) 7)

4) 8)
When a Limit Does Not Exist
1) If a limit approaches different y-values from the left and right then the limit
“does not exist.”
2) Limits that go to infinity also do not exist.
In summary
1) The limit of f(x) as x approaches some number a is written as
2) The answer to a limit problem is…
a) A y-value: If the graph approaches the same y-value from the
left and right
b) DNE: If the graph does not approach the same y-value from the
left and right
c) if both sides head towards negative or positive infinity
from the left and right. Limits that go towards infinity Do Not
Exist.
Evaluating Limits
Analytically
HOW DO WE EVALUATE LIMITS USING ALGEBRA?
Another way to find limits
▪ We don’t always have a nice graph of the function readily available to us.
▪ When this is the case oftentimes it is helpful to take limits without having to
graph them.
Methods to calculate limit
Plan A: Direct Substitution

Plan B: Algebraic Simplification

Plan C: Multiply by Conjugate (Rationalizing)

Plan D: Piecewise Functions

Plan A: Direct Substitution
Just plug in the value for the limit and see if you get a defined value!
Plan B: Algebraic Simplification
If you end up with try to factor and get something to cancel so
you can use direct substitution.
Plan C: Multiply by Conjugate
(Rationalizing the Numerator)
If you end up with and there is nothing to factor, try multiplying
by the conjugate if you have square roots in the numerator.
Plan D: Piecewise Functions
When taking limits of a piecewise function, use direct substitution
on both parts of the graph if you want to take the limit of where the
function switches over.
 Practice:
Evaluate Each Limit

1)
3)

2) 4)
 In Summary
Plan A: Direct Substitution: Plug in the x value (may not work)
Plan B: Algebraic Simplification: Factor and Simplify etc. so that x-
values can be plugged in
Plan C: Multiply by Conjugate (Rationalizing the Numerator):
Multiply by conjugate of numerator and cancel so that x-values can
be plugged in. (Use if you see square roots)
Plan D: Piecewise Functions:
Make sure to use direct substitution from left AND right hand sides
if taking the limit of a place where the function switches over.
Properties of Limits
Properties of Limits
1) Sum Rule: The limit of a sum of two functions equals the sum of their limits

2) Difference Rule: The limit of a Difference of two functions equals the

difference of their limits
Properties of Limits
3) Product: The limit of a product of two functions equals the product of their
limits

4) Quotient: The limit of a quotient of two functions equals the quotient of

their limits

5) Constant Rule: The limit of a constant times a function is the constant times
the limit of the function.
 Examples
Lets say that and

3)
Find…

1) 4)

2) 5)
In Summary
1) Sum:

2) Difference:

3) Product:

4) Quotient:

5) Constant:
Common Limits
Infinite Limits
Find the Vertical Asymptotes for Each
Function
1) 4)

2)

3)
Find the Vertical Asymptotes for Each
Function ANSWERS
1) 4)
x=7

x= -6
2) x=0, x= -5

3) x= ±√2
Limits at Infinity
HOW DO WE EVALUATE LIMITS APPROACHING ∞ ?
Limits at Infinity
The limit of any constant function is a constant

The limit of a linear function is infinity

The limit of a polynomial function depends

on leading term

The limit of a polynomial function

depends on leading term n If
Even=> ∞ If odd=> -∞
Examples
1)

2)

3)
 Remember that Absolute
Value functions are
Absolute Value Limits PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

11)

12)

13)
In Summary
Limits at infinity work like End
behavior/Horizontal Asymptotes
◦ You will either get a number
◦ They will approach ±∞
◦ Or the limit will not exist

Limits at a boundary point for absolute value

functions need to be checked from both sides
like a piecewise function.
Continuous Functions
Can be drawn without picking up your pencil

Most real life scenarios involve continuous functions

Continuity of a function is an important piece of information in a calculus

(differentiation and integration)

A continuous function is a function such that a small variation of the argument

induces a small variation of the value of the function.
◦ This implies there are no abrupt changes in value, known as discontinuities.
To show a Function is Continuous
Continuity at a point
A function is continuous on an
1) is defined interval (a,b) if it is continuous
at every point in (a,b).

2) exists If it is not, the function is

considered discontinuous on
that interval.
3)
To show a Function is Continuous
….at a given point, the following three things must ALL be true.
1) is defined

2) exists

3)
To show a Function is Continuous
….at a given point, the following three things must ALL be true.
1) is defined

2) exists

3)
To show a Function is Continuous
….at a given point, the following three things must ALL be true.
1) is defined

2) exists

3)
 Types of Discontinuities
Removable Discontinuity/Hole: When the limit exists at x=a but f(x)
is undefined at a.

Non Removable Discontinuity

Vertical Asymptote (infinite): When the graph approaches ±∞ at x=a
Jump Discontinuity: When a function approaches two different
numbers at x=a from opposite sides. (Happens in piecewise
functions)
Removable Discontinuity
We can remove this discontinuity by redefining the function

Example:
 Discontinuity

Vertical
No value
asymptote
a) f(a) DNE
hole

b)

jump

c) Limit does not equal value

Limit ≠ value
 Examples:
Identify the x-values (if any) at which f(x)is not continuous. Identify the reason for
the discontinuity and the type of discontinuity. Is the discontinuity removable or
essential?

EX: =

x≠ 4

Hole discontinuous because f(x) has no value

It is removable
Examples: cont.
Identify the x-values (if any) at which f(x)is not continuous. Identify the reason for
the discontinuity and the type of discontinuity. Is the discontinuity removable or
essential?

x≠3

VA discontinuous because no
value
It is essential
 Examples: cont.
Identify the x-values (if any) at which f(x)is not continuous. Identify the reason for
the discontinuity and the type of discontinuity. Is the discontinuity removable or
essential?

Step 1: Value must look at 4 equation

f(1) = 4
Step 2: Limit

It is a jump discontinuity(essential)
because limit does not exist
Determine the continuity at each
point. Give the reason and the
type of discontinuity.

x = -3 Hole discont.
No value
removable

x = -2 VA discont. Because
no value no limit
essential
Hiccup discont.
x=0 Because limit ≠
value
removable

x =1 Continuous limit
= value

VA discont. No
x=2 limit
essential
Jump discont.
Because limit
x=3 DNE
essential
 Continuity on a CLOSED INTERVAL.
Theorem: A function is Continuous on a closed interval if it is continuous at every
point in the open interval and continuous from one side at the end points.

Example :
The graph over the closed interval [- From the right
2,4] is given.

From the
left
Algebraic Method

Look at function with equal

a. Value f(2) = 8
:

b.
Limit:

c.

Limit = value: 8=8

Consequences of Continuity:
A. INTERMEDIATE VALUE THEOREM
f(b)
If f(c) is between f(a) and f(b) there
f(c)
exists a c between a and b
f(a)

c
a b
EX: Verify the I.V.T. for f(c) Then find c.
on

f(1) =1
f(2) = 4
Since 3 is between 1 and 4. There exists a c between 1 and 2 such that f(c) =3 x2=3
x=±1.732
Consequences: cont.

I.V.T - Zero Locator Corollary

Intermediate Value Theorem
EX: Show that the function has a ZERO on the interval [0,1].

f(0) = -1
f(1) = 2
Since 0 is between -1 and 2 there exists a c between 0 and 1 such
that f(c) = c
Consequences of Continuity:

B. EXTREME VALUE THEOREM

On every closed interval there exists an absolute maximum value and

minimum value.