Limitsand Continuity
Ex 9.1
In problems 1-6, complete the table using calculate and use the result to estimate the limit.
Question 1.
Solution:
Question 2.
Solution:
∴ Limit is 0.25
Question 3.
Solution:
∴ Limit is 0.288
Question 4.
Solution:
∴ Limit is -0.25
Question 5.
Solution:
∴ Limit is 1
Question 6.
Solution:
∴ Limit is 0
In exercise problems 7-15, use the graph to find the limits (if it exists). If the limit does not exist, explain
why?
Question 7.
limx→3 (4 – x)
Solution:
Limit exist and is equal to 1
Question 8.
limx→1 (x2 + 2)
Solution:
Limit exist and is equal to = 3
Question 9.
Solution:
Question 10.
Solution:
Question 11.
Solution:
Limit does not exist
Question 12.
Solution:
When x → 5, (x – 5) = -(x – 5)
−(x−5)
∴ lim x→5
−
(x−5)
= -1
When x → 5+, (x – 5) = (x – 5)
Question 13.
limx→1 sin(πx)
Solution:
Question 14.
limx→0 (sec x)
Solution:
Question 15.
limx→
πtan x
2
Solution:
Limit does not exist
Sketch the graph of f, then identify the values of x0 for which lim x→x 0
f(x) exists.
Question 16.
Solution:
Question 17.
Solution:
Limit exists except at x0 = π
Question 18.
Sketch the graph of a function f that satisfies the given values:
Solution:
Question 19.
Write a brief description of the meaning of the notation lim x→8 f(x) = 25
Solution:
Question 20.
If f(2) = 4, can you conclude anything about the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2?
Solution:
No, f(x) = 4, It is the value of the function at x = 2
This limit doesn’t exists at x = 2
Since f(2) = 4
It need not imply that lim f (x) = lim
x→2
− f (x)
x→2
+
∴ we cannot conclude at x = 2
Question 21.
If the limit of f(x) as z approaches 2 is 4, can you conclude anything about f(2)?
Explain reasoning.
Solution:
limx→2
f(x) 4 , lim x→2
f(x) = lim
− f(x) = 4
x→2
+
When x approaches 2 from the left or from the right f(x) approaches 4.
Given that lim x→2
−f(x) = lim f(x) = 4
x→2
+
The existence or non existence at x =2 has no leaving on the existence of the limit of f(x) as x approaches to
2.
∴ We cannot conclude the value of f(2)
Question 22.
if it exists by finding f(3–) and f(3+).
2
Evaluate: lim x→3
x −9
x−3
Solution:
Question 23.
Verify the existence of
Solution:
Limit does not exist
Additional Questions
Question 1.
Suppose . What are possible values of a and b?
Solution:
Question 2.
Solution:
We have,
Question 3.
Solution:
We have,
Question 4.
Solution:
Question 5.
Let a1, a2 …………… an be fixed real numbers such that f(x) = (x – a1) , (x – a2), ………. (x – an) what
limx→a f(x) For a ≠ a1, a2, ………… an compute lim f(x)
x→a
Solution:
We have,
Ex 9.2
Evaluate the following limits:
Question 1.
Solution:
Question 2.
m and n are integers.
Solution:
Question 3.
Solution:
Question 4.
Solution:
Question 5.
Solution:
Question 6.
Solution:
Question 7.
Solution:
Question 8.
Solution:
Question 9.
Solution:
Question 10.
Solution:
= 1
4
−
1
= −1
Question 11.
Solution:
Question 12.
Solution:
Question 13.
Solution:
∴ Limit does not exist
Question 14.
Solution:
Question 15.
Solution:
Ex 9.3
Question 1.
2
(a) Find the left right limits of f(x) = x −4
(x 2 +4x+4)(x+3)
at x = -2
(b) f(x) = tan x at x = π
Solution:
2
(a) f(x) = 2
x −4
at x → -2
(x +4x+4)(x+3)
Evaluate the following limits
Question 2.
Solution:
Question 3.
Solution:
Question 4.
Solution:
Question 5.
Solution:
f(x) → ∞ as x → ∞
Question 6.
Solution:
Question 7.
Solution:
Question 8.
Solution:
Question 9.
An important problem in fishery science is to estimate the number of fish presently spawning in streams
and use this information to predict the number of mature fish or “recruits” that will return to the rivers
during the reproductive period. If S is the number of spawners and R the number of recruits, “Beverton-
Holt spawner recruit function” is R(S) = S
(αS+β)
where α and β are positive constants. Show that this
function predicts approximately constant recruitment when the number of spawners is sufficiently large.
Solution:
Question 10.
A tank contains 5000 litres of pure water. Brine (very salty water) that contains 30 grams of salt per
litre of water is pumped into the tank at a rate of 25 litres per minute. The concentration of salt water
after t minutes (in grams per litre) is C(t) = 30t
200+t
What happens to the concentration as t → ∞?
Solution:
Additional Problems
Question 1.
Evaluate
Solution:
f(x)
The given expression is of the form ∞ – ∞. So we first write it in the rational form g(x)
. So that it
reduces to either 0
0
form or ∞
∞
form.
Question 2.
Evaluate:
Solution:
f(x)
Here the expression assumes the form ∞ – ∞ as x → ∞. So, we first reduce it to the rational form g(x)
Question 3.
Evaluate
Solution:
We have
Question 4.
Evaluate:
Solution:
We have,
Question 5.
Evaluate:
Solution:
Question 6.
Evaluate:
Solution:
Ex 9.4
Evaluate the following limits
Question 1.
Solution:
Question 2.
Solution:
Question 3.
Solution:
Question 4.
Solution:
Question 5.
Solution:
Question 6.
Solution:
Question 7.
Solution:
Question 8.
Solution:
Question 9.
Solution:
Question 10.
Solution:
Question 11.
Solution:
Question 12.
Solution:
Question 13.
Solution:
Question 14.
Solution:
Question 15.
Solution:
Question 16.
Solution:
Question 17.
Solution:
Question 18.
Solution:
Question 19.
Solution:
Question 20.
Solution:
Question 21.
Solution:
Question 22.
Solution:
Question 23.
Solution:
Question 24.
Solution:
Question 25.
Solution:
Question 26.
Solution:
Question 27.
Solution:
Question 28.
Solution:
Ex 9.5
Question 1.
Prove that f(x) = 2x2 + 3x – 5 is continuous at all points in R.
Solution:
Polynomial functions are continuous at every points of R.
Question 2.
Examine the continuity of the following:
(i) x + sin x
Solution:
f(x) = x + sin x
The Domain of the function (-∞, ∞)
∴ f(x) is continuous in (-∞, ∞)(i.e.,) for all x ∈ R
(ii) x2 cos x
Solution:
f(x) = x2 cos x
The Domain of the function (-∞, ∞)
f(x) is continuous in R
(iii) ex tan x
Solution:
The Domain of the function in R – {(2n + 1) π/2}
∴ The functions is continuous for all x ∈ R – (2n + 1) π
2
,n∈Z
(iv) e2x + x2
2
f(x) = e2x + x2 = 1 + 2x + + …………. + x2
(2x)
2!
Solution:
∴ The functions is continuous for all x ∈ R
(v) x.ln x
Solution:
Thus f(x) is continuous for (0, ∞)
(vi) sin x
x
2
Solution:
Thus f(x) is continuous for all x ∈ R – {0}
2
(vii)
x −16
x+4
Solution:
2 (x−4)(x+4)
f(x) = x −16
=
x+4 x+4
The function f(x) is continuous for all x ∈ R – {-4}
(viii) |x + 2| + |x – 1|
Solution:
f(x) is continuous for x ∈ R
|x−2|
(ix) |x+1|
Solution:
The function is continuous for all x ∈ R – {-1}
(x) cot x + tan x
Solution:
The function is continuous for all x ∈ R – nπ
2
, n ∈ z.
Question 3.
Find the points of discontinuity of the function f, where,
(i)
Solution:
f(3) = 12 + 5 = 17
∴ f(x) is discontinuous at x = 3
(ii)
Solution:
f(x) = 4
∴ f(x) is continuous for all x ∈ R
(iii)
Solution:
f(x) = 8 – 3 = 5
∴ f(x) is continuous for all x ∈ R
(iv)
Solution:
∴ f(x) is continuous for all x ∈ [0, π/2]
Question 4.
At the given points x0 discover whether the given function is continuous or discontinuous
citing the reasons for your answer.
(i)
Solution:
Given f(x0) = 1
∴ f(x) is continuous at x0 = 1
(ii)
Solution:
∴ f(x) is not continuous at x0 = 3
Question 5.
Show that the function is continuous on (-∞, ∞)
Solution:
Given that f(1) = 3
∴ f(x) is continuous for all x ∈ R
Question 6.
For what value of α is this function f(x) = continuous at x = 1?
Solution:
∵ f(x) is continuous at x = 1, α = 4
Question 7.
Let Graph the function. Show that f(x) continuous on (-∞, ∞)
Solution:
∴ f(x) is continuous in (-∞, ∞)
Question 8.
If f and g are continuous function with f(3) = 5 and find g(3).
Solution:
Since f and g are continuous
2f(3) – g(3) = 4
2(5) – g(3) = 4
10 – 4 = g(3)
g(3) = 6
Question 9.
Find the points at which f is discontinuous. At which of these points f is continuous from the
right, from the left, or neither? Sketch the graph of f.
(i)
∴ f(x) is not continuous at x = 1
Solution:
f(x) is not continuous at x = 1
(ii)
Solution:
∴ f(x) is not continuous at x = 0
Question 10.
A function f is defined as follows:
Is the function continuous?
Solution:
From (i), (ii) and (iii)
f(x) is continuous at x = 0, 1, 3
Question 11.
Which of the following functions f has removable discontinuity at x = x0? If the discontinuity
is removable, find a function g that agrees with f for x ≠ x0 and is continuous on R.
2
(i) f(x) = x −2x−8
x+2
, x0 = -2
Solution:
(ii) f(x) = x +64
x+4
, x0 = -4
Solution:
3−√ x
(iii) f(x) = 9−x
, x0 = 9
Solution:
Question 12.
Find the constant b that makes g continuous on (-∞, ∞)
Solution:
Since g(x) is continuous,
Consider the function f(x) = x sin π
x
. What value must we give f(0) in order to make the
function continuous everywhere?
Solution:
so to make the function f(x) is continuous at f(0) = 0
Question 14.
2
The function f(x) = x −1
3
x −1
is not defined at x = 1. What value must we give f(1) in order to
make f(x) continuous at x = 1?
Solution:
Question 15.
State how continuity is destroyed at x = x0 for each of the following graphs.
Solution:
Ex 9.6
Choose the correct or the most suitable answer from the given four alternatives
Question 1.
(a) 1
(b) 0
(c) ∞
(d) -∞
Solution:
(b) 0
Question 2.
(a) 2
(b) 1
(c) -2
(d) 0
Solution:
(c) -2
Question 3.
(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 2
(d) does not exist
Solution:
(d) does not exist
Question 4.
(a) 1
(b) -1
(c) 0
(d) 2
Solution:
(a) 1
Question 5.
(a) e4
(b) e2
(c) e3
(d) 1
Solution:
(a) e4
Question 6.
(a) 1
(b) 0
(c) -1
(d) 1
Solution:
(d) 1
Question 7.
(a) log ab
(b) log ( a
b
)
(c) log ( b
a
)
(d) a
Solution:
(b) log ( a
b
)
Question 8.
(a) 2 log 2
(b) 2 (log 2)2
(c) log 2
(d) 3 log 2
Solution:
(b) 2 (log 2))2
Question 9.
1
⌊ ⌋
If f(x) = x(−1) x
, x ≤ θ, then the value of is equal to …………….
(a) -1
(b) 0
(c) 2
(d) 4
Solution:
(b) 0
Question 10.
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) does not exist
(d) 0
Solution:
(c) does not exist
Limit does not exist
Question 11.
Let the function f be defined f(x) = then ……………
Solution:
Limit does not exist
Question 12.
If f: R → R is defined by f(x) = ⌊x − 3⌋ + |x − 4| for x ∈ R, then
is equal to …………..
(a) -2
(b) -1
(c) 0
(d) 1
Solution:
(c) 0
Question 13.
(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 0
Solution:
(d) 0
Question 14.
If then the value of p is ………….
(a) 6
(b) 9
(c) 12
(d) 4
Solution:
(c) 12
Question 15.
(a) √2
(b) 1
√2
(c) 1
(d) 2
Solution:
(a) √2
Question 16.
(a)1
(b) 0
(c) 1
(d) ∞
Solution:
(a)1
Question 17.
(a) 1
(b) e
(c)1
(d) 0
Solution:
(a) 1
Question 18.
(a) 1
(b) e
(c)1
(d) 0
Solution:
(a) 1
Question 19.
The value of is ……………
(a) 1
(b) -1
(c) 0
(d) ∞
Solution:
(d) ∞
Hint:
So limit does not exist
Question 20.
The value of where k is an integer is …………..
(a) -1
(b) 1
(c) 0
(d) 2
Solution:
(b) 1
Question 21.
|2x−3|
At x = the function f(x) = is ………….
3
2 2x−3
(a) Continuous
(b) discontinuous
(c) Differentiate
(d) non-zero
Solution:
(b) discontinuous
Question 22.
Let f: R → R be defined by f(x) = then f is ……………
(a) Discontinuous at x = 1
(b) Continuous at x = 1
(c) Continuous everywhere
(d) Discontinuous everywhere
Solution:
(b) Continuous at x = 1
Question 23.
The function f(x) = is not defined for x = -1. The value of f(-1) so that the
function extended by this value is continuous is …………..
(a)2
(b) − 2
(c) 1
(d) 0
Solution:
(b) − 2
Hint: For the function to be continuous at x = 1
Question 24.
Let f be a continuous function on [2, 5]. If f takes only rational values for all x and f(3) = 12, then
f(4.5) is equal to ……………
f(3)+f(4.5)
(a) 7.5
(b) 12
(c) 17.5
f(4.5)−f(3)
(d) 1.5
Solution:
(b) 12
Question 25.
x−|x|
Let a function f be defined by f(x) = x
for x ≠ 0 and f(0) = 2. Then f is …………..
(a) Continuous nowhere
(b) Continuous everywhere
(c) Continuous for all x except x = 1
(d) Continuous for all x except x = 0
Solution:
(d) Continuous for all x except x = 0
Hint:
∴ f(x) is not continuous at x = 0
⇒ f(x) is continuous for all except x = 0
