CALCULUS AB UNIT 1 CALCULUS AB

Limits and Continuity

BIG PICTURE IDEAS
#1. Limits are used to define the _________________________ of a function.

#2. The limit is the value a function ____________ as x ____________ some real number.

#3. If the _____ exists at a, then the _____- and _____-hand limits exist at a and are equal.

#4. When the limit of a function exists at ___ and is equal to c, there’s a _________ asymptote at c.

#5. When the _____ of a function at x = a is the same as the function’s value at _____, the function
is __________ at a.

Topic 1.1 - Introducing Calculus: Can Change Occur at an Instant?

1. Use the graph below to find the 2. Use the table below to 3. A rocket is launched from a
rate of change at x = 7. find average rate of tower. The height of the rocket y,
change at x = 3. in feet, is related to the time after
launch x, in seconds, by
x 0 2 4 6 y = − 16x 2 + 145x + 122. Find the
best approximation for the
f(x) -7 6 4 -1 instantaneous rate of change
(velocity) of the rocket at 5
seconds.

Topic 1.2 - Topic 1.3 - Estimating Limit Values from Graphs

Defining Limits and 5. The general limit exists at x = c if 6. True or False? The
Using Limit Notation lim ( | x | + 3) exists. Justify
x→−3
a. __________________________, and
your answer.
4. True or False?
The limit exists at b. ___________________________, and
x = a and is a real
number L if the c. ________________________________.
value of the function
f (x) gets closer and 1
7. Use the graph to justify that lim does
closer to L as we x→2 x−2
move closer and not exist.
closer to a, without
arriving at exactly a.

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 CALCULUS AB UNIT 1 CALCULUS AB

Limits and Continuity

Topic 1.4 - Estimating Limit Values from Tables
8. Use the table to find lim f (x). 9. Use the table to find lim + f (x).
x→5 x→−4

x 4.9998 4.9999 5 5.0001 5.0002 x -4.1 -4.01 -4.001 -3.999 -3.99 -3.9

f(x) 5.9998 5.9999 6.0001 6.0002 f(x) -8.1 -8.01 -8.001 7.999 7.99 7.9

Topic 1.5 - Determining Limits Using Algebraic Properties of Limits

10. The limit of a product is the __________ of the 12. For the function f (x), determine lim− f (x),
x→4
limits, and the limit of a quotient is the __________
lim f (x), and lim f (x).
of the limits. x→4+ x→4

{−10 + x 2
x−6 for x≤4
11. Use properties of limits to evaluate each limit. f (x) =
for x >4
lim (x 2 + 3x + 2)(x − 1)
x→−1

1 2
lim x − x
x→4 2

lim 3x 2 − 6x + 4
x→2

lim tan(3x)
x→π

13. Given the graphs of f (x) and g(x)

to the right, find the value of
lim[ f (x)g(x)].
x→2

Topic 1.6 - Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation

14. Rewrite the function then evaluate the limit. In your answer, remember to only drop the limit
notation once you evaluate the limit.
x 2 − 7x + 12
lim
x→3 x2 − 9
x−9
lim
x→9 x−3

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 CALCULUS AB UNIT 1 CALCULUS AB

Limits and Continuity

15. Use algebraic manipulation to evaluate each trig limit. In your answer, remember to only drop
the limit notation once you evaluate the limit.

7 cos x sin x
lim lim
x→0 x csc x x→0 x

Topic 1.7 - Selecting Procedures for Determining Limits

16. Choose substitution, factoring, or conjugate method, then evaluate the limit.

lim x 2 + 2x + 6
x→−2

x 2 − 16
lim
x→4 x − 4

4+h−2
lim
h→0 h

Topic 1.8 - Determining Limits Using the Squeeze Theorem

17. The sine function oscillates back and forth between ____ and ____.
18. The cosine function oscillates back and forth between ____ and ____.
19. Given g(x) = − x 2 − 4x and h(x) = x 2 + 4x + 8, there is a function f (x) that satisfies g(x) ≤ f (x) ≤ h(x)
for −5 < x < 0. What is lim f (x)?
x→−2

Topic 1.9 - Connecting Multiple Representations of Limits

20. Express the statement “The limit as x
approaches 4 of x 2 is 16” as an equation, and
demonstrate it using a table and a graph.

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Limits and Continuity

21. If lim g(x) = 3, which of the following could represent III.

x→−3
the function g?
x 2 + 9x + 18

{3
x ≠−3
I. g(x) = x+3
a. I only x =−3

b. II only II. x -3.1 -3.01 -3.001 -3 -2.999 -2.99 -2.9

c. III only f(x) 10 20 30 3 -30 -20 -10

d. I and III only

Topic 1.10 - Exploring Types of Discontinuities

22. Find and classify each discontinuity in the graph,
justify the discontinuity with limit notation.

•
23. Point discontinuities are also called _______________ discontinuities.

24. True or False? A discontinuity always exists at a cusp in the graph.

25. Give one example each of a function with a jump, removable, and infinite discontinuity at x = 4.
a. Jump: b. Removable: c. Infinite:

Topic 1.11 - Defining Continuity at a Point

26. A function f is continuous at x = c if: 27. What is the implication of the second condition?

i. _____________________ and
ii. _____________________ and
iii. _____________________

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 CALCULUS AB UNIT 1 CALCULUS AB

Limits and Continuity

Topic 1.12 - Confirming Continuity Over Topic 1.13 - Removing Discontinuities
an Interval 32. Redefine the function as a continuous
piecewise function.
28. List six function types that are
continuous everywhere in their domains. x 2 + 11x + 28
f (x) =
x+4

29. Which of the trig functions have their

domains interrupted by vertical asymptotes?

30. The domain of ln x is _______________.

31. The graph of the function f is shown. On

which of the following intervals is f 33. Find the value of k that makes the
continuous? function continuous.

{5 − x
a. (−9, − 5) k x +1 0≤x≤3
f (x) =
3<x≤5
b. (−5,4)

c. (−5,1)

d. (4,9)

Topic 1.14 - Connecting Infinite Limits and Vertical Asymptotes

34. Where does the function have 35. If lim− f (x) = ∞ and lim+ f (x) = − ∞, does the general
x→c x→c
a vertical asymptote?
limit exist at x = c? Is there a vertical asymptote? Justify
1 your answer.
f (x) =
x−3

Topic 1.15 - Connecting Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes

36. Does the function f (x) = x 2 have a horizontal asymptote? Why or why not?

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Limits and Continuity

37. Describe the horizontal asymptote in each case. N is the 38. Find any horizontal
degree of the numerator; D is the degree of the asymptote that exists for each
denominator. function.
N<D x 3 − 2x 2
f (x) =
x +3

N>D x +3
g(x) =
x 3 − 2x 2

x3 + 3
N=D h(x) = 3
x − 2x 2

39. Rank the functions by degree from highest to lowest.

x2 ex 5 log x

Topic 1.16 - Working With the Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT)

40. True or False? The IVT states that, assuming f (x) is continuous on [a, b], if we can show that
the function’s value is negative at one end of the interval and positive at the other end, then that
fact alone proves that the graph of the function must cross the x-axis at some point inside the
interval.

41. Use the IVT to show that the function has at least one root in the interval [−2,5].

f (x) = x 3 − 4x 2 + 7x + 1

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Limits and Continuity

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