BICOL COLLEGE

Senior High School Department

Cor. J. P Rizal & R. F. Tabuena St.
Sagpon, Daraga, Albay, Philippines 4501

Basic Calculus
Quarter 1 – Module 1:

b
A=∫ [ f ( x )−g ( x ) ] dx
a

Compiled and Prepared by:

AIRA FRANZ M. MALLORCA

 Unit Limits
1

I. INTRODUCTION

Calculus is built upon two great ideas, the derivative, which examines slopes of a curve
and rates of change, and the integral, which deals with sums, areas, and volumes. Both of these
ideas are the basis for much of mathematics and for many accomplishments towards the new
millennium.
The word calculus is a Latin word for stone or pebble. In ancient times, pebbles were used
in counting. Thus, calculus roughly means a method of calculation. This field of learning has
become so important that a sound knowledge of calculus is essential to study and appreciate many
other disciplines such as biology, business, chemistry, economics, engineering, and physics.

II. LEARNING COMPETENCIES

Content Standards: The learners demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of limit of
a function.

Performance Standards: The learner shall be able to formulate and solve accurately real-life
problems involving continuity of functions.

Most Essential Learning competencies: The learners …

1. illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and the graph of the function

2. distinguish between lim f (a) and f(c)

x →a

3. illustrate the limit laws

4. apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions (polynomial, rational,
and radical)
5. develop the skills in evaluating the one sided limits, infinite limits, and limits at infinity.
6. compute the limits of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions using tables
of values and graphs of the functions.
t
sin t 1−cos t e −1
7. illustrate limits involving the expressions , , and using tables of values
t t t
 Lesson 1 Limit of a Function

Post up

In the study of calculus, the first important concept or idea that must be introduced is the
concept of limit. The limit of a function is the cornerstone of both differential and integral
calculus. We will investigate the manner in which some functions vary, and whether or not they
approach specific values under certain conditions.

Definition of a Limit

Limit is the analysis of how function values or outputs change, when input change. If x takes
values closer and closer to a on both sides of a, then the corresponding values of f(x) get closer and closer
(and perhaps equal) to L.
This is written as:
lim f ( x )=L
x →a

A limit is something that can or cannot be reached but can possibly be calculated. The
notion of limit is experienced in real-life and in our daily concerns, such as monitoring our speed
limit or being health conscious by limiting the salt and sugar consumption. To better understand
the concept of limit, here are some examples.

Example 1: Evaluate lim ( x +2)

x →1

Solution: We will observe the behavior of the linear function f ( x )=x +2 as the value of x
gets closer and closer to 1 from both sides. When we say both sides, it means values less than 1
and values greater than 1. The table below, shows the corresponding values of f ( x )=x +2.

These are the values of x closer to 1 but less than These are the values of x closer to 1 but greater than 1
1

x -1 0 0.9 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.1 2 3

f(x) 1 2 2.9 2.99 2.999 3 3.001 3.01 3.1 4 5

We observe that as the values of x gets closer and closer to 1 from both sides, the values of f(x) gets nearer and nearer to 3.

In this case, we say that the limit of f(x) as x approaches to 1 is 3. Symbolically, we write
 lim ( x+2 )=1+2=3
x →1

When we write x → 1 (x approaches 1), we do not assume that x = 1. But, that x gets closer and
closer to 1 from either side. Thus,

x → 1- (x approaches to 1 from values less than 1)

x → 1+ (x approaches to 1 from values greater than 1)
Now, evaluating the limit from both sides, we get
lim ¿ lim ¿
−¿ +¿
x→ 1 ( x+ 2) =3 ¿ x→ 1 ( x+2) =3 ¿

lim ( x+2 )=3

x →1

The graph below represents the limit of the given function.

1 2 3 4 5

(1 , 3) x approaches 1 from values greater than 1

x approaches 1 from values less than 1

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5

Figure 1.1. Limit of f(x) = x + 2 as x approaches 1

2
Example 2: Evaluate lim (x )
x →0

Solution: We will observe the behavior of the quadratic function f ( x )=x 2 as the value of x
gets closer and closer to 0 from both sides. When we say both sides, it means values less than 0
and values greater than 0. The table below, shows the corresponding values of f ( x )=x 2.

These are the values of x closer to 0 but less than 0 These are the values of x closer to 0 but greater than 0

x -2 -1 -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 0 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 2

0.000 1 4
f(x) 4 1 0.01 0.0001 0.000001 0 0.000001 0.01
1

We observe that as the values of x gets closer and closer to 0 from both sides, the values of f(x) gets nearer and nearer to 0.
In this case, we say that the limit of f(x) as x approaches to 0 is 0. Symbolically, we write
2 2
lim ( x )=(0) =0
x →0

When we write x → 0 (x approaches 0), we do not assume that x = 0. But, that x gets closer and
closer to 0 from either side. Thus,

x → 0- (x approaches to 0 from values less than 0)

x → 0+ (x approaches to 0 from values greater than 0)

Now, evaluating the limit from both sides, we get

lim ¿ lim ¿
−¿ +¿
x→ 0 ( x )=0 ¿ x→ 0 ( x )=0 ¿
2 2

lim ( x 2) =0
x →0

The graph below represents the limit of the given function.

1 2 3 4 5

(0, 0)
x approaches 0 from values less than 0 x approaches 0 from values greater than 0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5

Figure 1.1. Limit of f(x) = x2 as x approaches 0

3 2
Example 3: Evaluate lim ( x −2 x +1)
x →2

Solution: We will observe the behavior of the cube function f ( x )=x 3−2 x 2 +1 as the value
of x gets closer and closer to 2 from both sides. When we say both sides, it means values less
than 2 and values greater than 2. The table below, shows the corresponding values of
3 2
f ( x )=x −2 x +1.

These are the values of x closer to 2 but less than 2 These are the values of x closer to 2 but greater than 2
 x 0 1 1.9 1.99 1.999 2 2.001 2.01 2.1 3 4
f(x) 1 0 0.639 0.960 0.9960 1 1.0040 1.040 1.441 10 33

We observe that as the values of x gets closer and closer to 2 from both sides, the values of f(x) gets nearer and nearer to 2.

In this case, we say that the limit of f(x) as x approaches to 2 is 1. Symbolically, we write

lim ( x 3−2 x 2 +1 ) =( 2 ) −2 ( 2 ) + 1=1

3 2

x →2

When we write x → 2 (x approaches 2), we do not assume that x = 2. But, that x gets closer and
closer to 2 from either side. Thus,

x → 2- (x approaches to 2 from values less than 2)

x → 2+ (x approaches to 2 from values greater than 2)

Now, evaluating the limit from both sides, we get

lim ¿ lim ¿
−¿ +¿
x→ 2 ( x −2 x +1)=1 ¿ x→ 2 ( x −2 x +1)=1 ¿
3 2 3 2

lim ( x 3−2 x 2 +1 ) =1
x →2

The graph below represents the limit of the given function.

(2, 1) x approaches 2 from values greater than 2

x approaches 2 from values less than 2

Figure 1.1. Limit of f ( x )=x 3−2 x 2 +1 as x approaches 2

 Exercise 1. LIMIT OF A FUNCTION

Student: _____________________________________________ Score:

Instructor: _____________________________________________ Section: ___________

Direction. Evaluate the limit of the following functions using the table of values.

1. lim (3 x−5)
x→ 4

x 2 3 3.5 3.9 3.99 3.999 4 4.001 4.01 4.1 4.5 5 6

f(x)

4 2
2. lim ( x −5 x −2 x +7)
x →5

x 3 4 4.5 4.9 4.99 4.999 5 5.001 5.01 5.1 5.5 6 7

f(x)

3. lim ( x −3 x+ 11 )
2

x→−3

x -5 -4 -3.5 -3.1 -3.01 -3.001 -3 -2.999 -2.99 -2.9 -2.5 -2 -1

f(x)

4. lim ( x −9 )
2

x →3

x 1 2 2.5 2.9 2.99 2.999 3 3.001 3.01 3.1 3.5 4 5

f(x)
 5. lim ( x + x −6 x−2 )
3 2

x→−6

x -8 -7 -6.5 -6.1 -6.01 -6.001 -6 -5.999 -5.99 -5.9 -5.5 -5 -4

f(x)