15

Limits and Continuity

15.1 INTRODUCTION:
The discovery of calculus was done independently and almost during the same time by Sir Isaac
Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz. Calculus is developed on the basis of a more fundamental
concept called the Limit.

15.2 CONSTANTS AND VARIABLES:

A quantity which remains the same throughout any mathematical discussion is called a constant.
A quantity which takes different values in any mathematical discussion is called a variable. For
instance, if we increase the production by using more raw materials, the cost of the machine doesn’t
change, but the costs of raw materials, Labour sales change. So cost of the machine which remains the
same value throughout is constant and cost of raw materials and labour which assumes any numerical
value out of given set of values are variables.
Constants are represented by a, b, c, d, e and variables are represented by u, v, w, x, y, z.

15.3 FUNCTION:
Let A and B be 2 non empty sets. A rule f which associates each element x of A to an unique element
y of B is called a function. It is denoted by f : A → B. If x ∈ A is related to y ∈ B, then we write y = f (x).

Algebraic function:
A function y = f(x) is said to be an algebraic function if f(x) is a polynomial function (eg: x2 + 3x − 1)
F 3x + 8 I
or rational function G
2

H 4 x − 1 JK
3 or irrational function (e.g.: (1 − x)2/3).

Note: The functions other than algebraic functions are called transcendental functions. They include,
trigonometric functions, logarithmic function, inverse trigonometric functions, exponential func-
tions, hyperbolic functions etc.
344 Basic Mathematics

Exponential function:
The function which associates every real number x to the real number ex is called exponential function.
Where e is the sum of the infinite series
1 1 1 1
1+ + + + + ...
1! 2 ! 3! 4 !
Its value is 2.7182818284.... e is an irrational number.

Logarithmic function:
The function which associates every positive real number x to the real number loge x is called the
logarithmic function.

15.4 LIMITS:
Consider the function

x2 − 1
y=
x −1

12 − 1 0
when x = 1, y = = which is not defined.
1−1 0
Instead of giving x = 1, Let us give, x a value which is slightly less than 1 or slightly greater than 1.
Then
when x = 0.9, y = 1.9
x = 0.99, y = 1.99
x = 0.999, y = 1.999

when x = 1.0001, y = 2.0001

x = 1.001, y = 2.001
x = 1.01, y = 2.01
x = 1.1, y = 2.1
From the above set of values, we can observe that the value of y is slightly less than 2 or slightly
more than 2 when the value of x is slightly less than 1 or slightly more than 1. But when x = 1, y has
no value. In otherwords, when x is very nearly equal to 1, y is very nearly equal to 2. In symbols this
x2 − 1
is expressed as lim =2
x →1 x −1

i.e. lim y = 2
x →1

Read it as the limit of y as x tends to 1 is 2.

The statement simply imply when x ≈ 1 y ≈ 2 even though it doesn’t exist when x = 1.
 Limits and Continuity 345

Definition of Limit:
A function f(x) is said to tend to a limit l as x tends to a if the numerical difference between f(x) and
l can be made as small as we please by taking the numerical difference between x and a as very small.
In other words f(x) is very nearly equal to l when x is very nearly equal to a.
af
It is denoted by lim f x = l or
x→a

af
lt f x = l.
x →a

Left Hand and Right Hand Limits:

When x → a, through the values which are smaller than ‘a’ then we write x → a − 0 this
af a f
lim f x or lim f a − h is called Left Hand Limit [LHL] of a function f (x).
x →a− 0 h→ 0

For example: if x → 3 by taking the values 2.9, 2.99, 2.999, 2.9999... then x → 3 − 0 or Simply
x → 3−
When x → a, through the values which are greater than ‘a’ then we write x → a + 0 this lim f x
x → a +0
af
a f
or lim f a + h is called Right Hand Limit [RHL] of a function f(x).
h→0

For example: if x → 3 by taking the values 3.1, 3.01, 3.001... then x → 3 + 0 or Simply x → 3+

15.5 STANDARD LIMITS:

x n − an
1. Prove that lim = na n −1 , where n is any rational number.
x →a x−a
Proof. Case (i): Let n be a positive integer. We know

a fd
x n − a n = x − a x n −1 + x n −2 ⋅ a + x n −3 ⋅ a 2 + ... + a n −1 i
lim
x n − an
= lim
a fd
x − a x n −1 + x n − 2 ⋅ a + x n − 3 ⋅ a 2 + ... + a n −1 i
x→a x − a x→ a x−a

= lim x n −1 + x n − 2 ⋅ a + x n − 3 ⋅ a 2 + ... + a n −1 (n terms)

x→ a

= a n −1 + a n − 2 ⋅ a + a n −3 ⋅ a 2 + ... + a n −1

= a n −1 + a n −1 + a n −1 + ... (n terms)

x n − an
lim = na n −1
x →a x − a

Case (ii): Let n be a negative integer, say n = −m, where m is a +ve integer.
346 Basic Mathematics

Consider

x n − an x − m − a −m
lim = lim
x →a x − a x →a x−a

1 1
m − m 1
= lim x a As a − m =
x→ a x−a am

am − xm
m m
= lim x a
x→ a x−a

am − xm
= lim
x→a a
x m ⋅ am x − a f
= lim −
LM x − a OP ⋅
m m
1 LMmUsing case (i) as O
x→a
N x−a Q x m
⋅ am N is + ve integerQP
x n − an 1
lim = − ma m −1 m m
x →a x − a a ⋅a

ma m −1
=−
a2m

= − ma m −1− 2 m

= − ma − m −1
∵ n = −m

x n − an
lim = na n −1
x →a x − a

Case (iii) Let be a fraction, positive or negative.

p
Take n = where p is an integer and q ≠ 0.
q
Now

x n − an xp q − ap q
lim = lim
x →a x − a x→a x−a
Taking x = yq and a = bq
⇒ x1/q = y and a1/q = b
 Limits and Continuity 347

So that

x → a ⇒ yq → bq

y → b.

xp q − ap q yp − bp
lim = lim q
x →a x−a y→b y − b q

Dividing both numerator and denominator by y − b

yp − bp
lim q
y−b
=
pb p −1 LM∵ lim
x n − an
= na n −1
OP
x →a y − b q qb q −1
y−b
N x =a x→a Q
p P−1− q +1
⋅b
q

p p− q
⋅b
q
1
But q
b=a

x p q − ap q p 1 q
lim
x →a x−a
= ⋅ a
q
d i p− q

p
x p q − a p q p q −1
lim = a
x →a x−a q

x n − an
∴ lim = na n −1 for all rational values of n.
x →a x − a

Some Standard Limits:

Here we state some standard limits (without proof) and use them while solving problems.

F 1 I n
a f 1
1. (a) lim 1 +
n→∞ H n K =e (b) lim 1 + n
n→ 0
n =e

F k I n
= ek
2.
n→∞ H
lim 1 +
n K
ex − 1
3. lim =1
x→0 x
348 Basic Mathematics

ax −1
4. lim = log e a where a > 0.
x →0 x

Algebra of Limits:
If f(x) and g(x) are 2 functions of x and k is any scalar
Then

af af
1. lim f x ± g x = lim f x ± lim g x
x→a x→ a
af x→ a
af
2. lim k ⋅ f a x f = k ⋅ lim f a x f
x→a x→a

3. lim f a x f ⋅ g a x f = lim f a x f ⋅ lim g a x f

x →a x→a x →a

f a gf lim f a x f
4. lim = x→ a
provided lim g a x f ≠ 0 .
x→a g a x f lim g a x f x→a
x→a

Indeterminate Forms:

0 ∞ 0 ∞
In mathematics the forms like , , 0 , 1 ... are called indeterminate forms.
0 ∞

x2 − 1 0 12 − 1 0
Ex: 1. If y = then the value of y = when x = 1 ∵ y = =
x −1 0 1−1 0

a f
2. If y = 1 + n
1
n then value of y = 1 + 0 a f 1
0 y = 1∞ when n = 0.

Evaluation of Limits:

af
To evaluate lim f x , first find f(a).
x →a

(i) If f (a) ≠ an indeterminate form then f (a) itself is the limit.

(ii) If f (a) = an indeterminate form then suitable method / formula is applied to reduce f (x) so that
it will not take an indeterminate form when x is replaced by a.

WORKED EXAMPLES:

4 x 2 + 3x + 1
1. Evaluate: lim
x→0 3x 2 − 4 x − 1
Solution: By Putting x = 0. We get

lim
af af
4 x 2 + 3x + 1 4 0 + 3 0 + 1 1
= = = −1 ≠ an intermediate.
x →0 af af
3 x 2 − 4 x − 1 3 0 − 4 0 − 1 −1
 Limits and Continuity 349

4 x 2 + 3x + 1
Hence lim = −1
x →0 3x 2 − 4 x − 1

x 2 − 5x + 4
2. Evaluate: lim
x →1 x 2 − 4x + 3

af
12 − 5 1 + 4 0
= = an indeterminate
Solution: By putting x = 1 we get
af
12 − 4 1 + 3 0
Hence consider

x 2 − 5x + 4
lim by factorising both numerator and denominator we get
x →1 x 2 − 4x + 3

lim
x 2 − 4 x − 1x + 4
= lim
a f a f
x x − 4 −1 x − 4
x →1 2
a f a f
x − 3 x − 1x + 3 x→1 x x − 3 − 1 x − 3

= lim
a x − 1fa x − 4f = lim x − 4
x →1 a x − 1fa x − 3f x−3x →1

Now substituting x = 1 or applying lim we get

x→1

1 − 4 −3 3
= = .
1 − 3 −2 2

x 2 − 5x + 4 3
∴ lim = .
x →1 x2 − 4x + 3 2

3+ x − 3− x
3. Evaluate: lim
x →0 x
Solution: By putting x = 0 we get

3+0 − 3−0 3− 3 0
= = = an indeterminate
x 0 0
Consider
3+ x − 3− x
lim By rationalising the numerator,
x →0 x

3+ x − 3− x 3+ x + 3− x
lim ×
x →0 x 3+ x + 3− x

lim
d 3+ x i −d
2
3− xi 2

x →0 x d 3+ x + 3− xi
350 Basic Mathematics

3+ x −3+ x
= lim
x→ 0 x d 3+ x + 3− x i
2x
= lim
x→0 x d 3+ x + 3− x i
2
= lim
x→ 0 3+ x + 3− x
Now applying lim ,
x→0

2 2
=
3+ 0 + 3− 0 3+ 3

2 1
= =
2 3 3

3+ x − 3− x 1
∴ lim = ,
x→0 x 3

x 5 − 243
4. Evaluate: lim
x →3 x − 3

x 5 − 243
= lim
x 5 − 35 LMFormula: lim x − a
n n
= na n −1
OP
Solution: lim
x →3 x − 3 x →3 x − 3 N x→a x−a Q
= 5 ⋅ 35−1 = 5 ⋅ 34 = 5 81 = 405a f
x 5 − 243
∴ lim = 405
x →3 x − 3

3
x −3 5
5. Evaluate: lim
x →5 x− 5
Consider

x 1 3 − 51 3
lim
x →5 x 1 2 − 51 2

Dividing both numerator and denominator by x − 5.

x 1 3 − 51 3 x 1 3 − 51 3
lim
lim x−5 = x→ 5 1 x2 − 51 2 [using algebra of limits]
x →5 x 1 2 − 51 2 x −5
lim
x−5 x→5 x−5
 Limits and Continuity 351

Now applying the formula,

x n − an
lim = na n −1 for numerator and denominator separately we get
x →a x−a

1 −2
1 3 −1 1 3
5 5
3 = 3
1 1
1 2 −1 1 − 2
5 5
2 2

2 1
2 −3+2
= 5
3
−4 + 3 1
2 2 − 2
5 6 = 5 6 = 6
3 3 3⋅ 5

3
x −3 5 2
∴ lim = 6 .
x →5 x − 5 3⋅ 5

x 5 + 32
6. Evaluate: lim
x →−2 x8 − 28

lim
x 5 + 32
= lim
x 5 − −2 a f 5

x →−2 x 8 − 2 8 x →−2 x 8 − −2 a f 8

Dividing both Numerator and Denominator by a f = −32

∵ −2
5

x − (−2) we get a−2f = +2

8 8

a f
x 5 − −2
5
a f
x 5 − −2 5

lim
a f
x − −2
=
lim
x →−2 a f
x − −2
x − a−2f x − a−2f
x →−2 8 8 8 8

x − a−2f
lim
x →−2 x − a−2f

5 a −2f 5 a −2f
5 −1 4
= =
8 a −2f 8 −1
8 a −2f 7

= ⋅ a −2f = ⋅ a −2f
5 4−7 5 −3
8 8
5 1 5
⋅ =
8 −8 a f
−64
352 Basic Mathematics

n2 + n + 1
7. Evaluate: lim .
n→∞ 3n 2 + 2n − 1

n2 + n + 1 ∞
Solution: lim 2
= = an indeterminate .
n→∞ 3n + 2 n − 1 ∞
Consider

F 1+ 1I
n2 1 +
lim
n2 + n + 1
= lim
H n nK 2

n→∞ 3n 2 + 2 n − 1 n→∞
n2
F3 + 2 − 1 I
H n nK 2

1 1
1+ + 2
= lim n n
n→∞ 2 1
3+ − 2
n n

Now applying the lim we get

n→∞

1+ 0 + 0 1
=
3+ 0+ 0 3

n2 + n + 1 1
∴ lim = .
n→∞ 3n 2 + 2n − 1 3

n 12 + 2 2 + 32 + ... n 2
8. Evaluate: lim .
n→∞ 13 + 2 3 + 33 + ... n 3

n
LM n an + 1fa2n + 1f OP
lim N 6 Q a fa
n n + 1 2n + 1 f
n an + 1f ∵12 + 2 2 + 32 + ...n 2 =
n→∞ 2 2
6
4

lim
a fa
n 2 n + 1 2n + 1
× 2
4 f 3 3 3 a f
n2 n + 1
2

n →∞ 6 n n +1 2 a f and 1 + 2 + ...n =
4

F 1I F 1 I
lim
H
n2 ⋅ n 1 +
nK H
n 2+
n
⋅
K 4
n →∞ 6 F 1 I 2

H
n2 ⋅ n2 1 +
n K
 Limits and Continuity 353

F1 + 1 I F 2 + 1 I
lim
H nK H nK ⋅ 4
n→∞ 6 F 1 I 2

H 1+
n K
Applying the lim
n→∞

a1 + 0fa2 + 0f × 4
=
2 4 4
× =
6 a f1+ 0
2
6 1 3

n 12 + 2 2 + ... n 2 4
∴ lim 3 3 3
= .
n→∞ 1 + 2 + ... n 3

n +1
9. Evaluate: nlim
→∞
4n 2 − 3

F 1I
lim
n +1
= lim
H nK
n 1+

4n2 − 3 n F4 − I
n→∞ n→∞ 3
2
H nK 2

1 F I
= lim
n
n 1+
H K
n→∞ 3
n 4− 2
n
Applying the limit, we get
1+ 0 1 1
= = .
4−0 4 2

n +1 1
∴ lim =
n →∞
4n − 3 2 2

F n + 1I 4n
10. Evaluate: lim
n →∞ H nK
F n + 1 I = lim F1 + 1 I
4n 4n
lim
n →∞ H n nK H nK n →∞

LF 1 I OP = e .
= lim M 1 +
n 4
4 F 1 I n

n→∞MNH n K PQ ∵ lim 1 +
n →∞ H n K =e
354 Basic Mathematics

F nI 6n
11. Evaluate: lim
n →∞ H n + 1K
Dividing both numerator and denominator by n

F n I 6n
F I 6n

= lim GG n JJ = lim GG
1 J
n 1J
n→∞
GH n n+ 1 JK n→∞
GH n + n JK
F I 6n

lim GG
1 J 16 n
GH 1 + 1n JJK
=
n→∞ F1 + 1 I 6n

H nK
16 n 1
= lim = = = e −6 .
n→∞ LMF1 + 1 I OP n 6 e6

NH n K Q
1 1 1 1
12. Evaluate: lim + 2 + 3 + ... + n .
n→∞ 6 6 6 6

1
1 1 1 1 1 2 1
Solution: + 2 + 3 + ... + n is a G.P. with a = , r = 6 =
6 6 6 6 6 1 6
6

Sn =
d
a 1− rn i [formula]
1− r

1 1 1 1
lim + 2 + 3 + ... + n .
n→∞ 6 6 6 6

LM F I OP 1 L F 1I O
1− F I
n n
1 1
M P
n
1
= lim
6
1−
6 N H K Q = lim N
6
1−
H 6 K Q = 6KH
n→∞ 1 n→∞ 5 5
1−
6 6
Applying the lim, we get
1− 0 1 1
= = .
5 5 5
 Limits and Continuity 355

1 1 1
13. Evaluate: lim 1 − + − + ... n terms.
n→∞ 2 4 8
1 1 1
Solution: 1 − + − ...n terms is a G.P.
2 4 8

−1
1
with a = 1, r = 2 = −
1 2

Sn =
d
a 1 − rn i Formula
1− r
1 1 1
∴ lim 1 − + − + ... n terms.
n→∞ 2 4 8

F F 1I I
1− F− I
n n
GH H 2 K JK
1 1− −
H
1
2K
lim = lim
1− F− I
n→∞ 1 1
n→∞
1+
H 2K 2

1− 0 2
Applying the lim = .
n→∞ 3 3
2

ax − bx
14. Evaluate: lim
x →0 x

ax − bx +1 −1
lim Adding and Subtracting 1
x →0 x

= lim
ax −1 − 1 bx − 1 d i
x→ 0 x

ax −1 bx − 1
lim −
x →0 x x

ax −1 bx −1
lim − lim
x →0 x x→0 x
= log e a − log e b

F aI
= log e
H bK
356 Basic Mathematics

3x − 1
15. Evaluate lim
x →0 x +1 −1
Consider

3x − 1
Rationalising the denominator,
x +1 −1

3x − 1 x +1 +1
×
x +1 −1 x +1 +1

=
d3 − 1id
x
x +1 +1 i
x +1−1

d3 − 1id
x
x +1 +1 i
x

∴ lim
3x − 1
= lim
d
3x − 1 x + 1 + 1 id i
x →0 x + 1 − 1 x →0 x

Applying the lim

x→0

3x − 1
log e 3 d 0 +1 +1 i ∵ lim
x →0 x
= log e 3

log e 3 2 af
= 2 log e 3

15.6 CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS:

A function y = f (x) is said to be continuous at x = a if lim− f x = f a = lim+ f x

x→a
af af x→ a
af
i.e., Left Hand Limit = f (a) = Right Hand Limit
or a f af a
lim f a − h = f a = lim f a + h
h→ 0 h→ 0
f
In other words, y = f(x) is continuous at x = a if lim f x = f a
x→a
af af
Geometrically y = f (x) is continuous at x = a means that there is no break in the graph of y = f (x)
at x = a.
Note: A function which is not continuous at x = a is said to be discontinuous at x = a.
 Limits and Continuity 357

WORKED EXAMPLES:

Rx + 3 when x ≤ 2
a f |S 5 when x = 2 is continuous at x = 2.
1. Prove that the function f x =
T|3x − 1 when x ≥ 2
Proof. For a function y = f (x) to be continuous at x = a we have LHL = f (a) = RHL.
Here a = 2.

x →2
af
LHL = lim− f x = lim x + 3 = 2 + 3 = 5
x→2

f(a) = f(2) = 5 (Given)

af
RHL = lim+ f x = lim 3 x − 1 = 3 2 − 1 = 5
x →2 x→ 2
af
∴ af
LHL = f a = RHL
Hence f(x) is continuous at x = 2.

af R|x +2 3 when
when x > 1
2. Verify whether the function f x = S|2 x − 1 when xx <= 11 is continuous at x = 1
T
Solution: For a function y = f (x) to be continuous at x = a we have LHL = f (a) = RHL.
Here a = 1
af
LHL = lim− f x = lim 2 x − 1 = 2 1 − 1 = 1
x →1 x →1
af
f (a) = f (1) = 2 (Given)

x →1
af
RHL = lim+ f x = lim x + 3 = 1 + 3 = 4
x →1

∴ af
LHL ≠ f a ≠ RHL
So f (x) is discontinuous at x = 1
3. Prove that the function defined by

R| x − 64 when x ≠ 64
3

f a x f = S x − 16
2
|T26 when x = 4
is not continuous at x = 4.

Proof. For a function f (x) to be continuous at x = a we have LHL = f (a) = RHL.

Here a = 4

x 3 − 64
LHL = RHL = lim x ≠ 4 ⇒ x < 4 or x > 4
x→4 x 2 − 16
358 Basic Mathematics

x 3 − 43
3.4 3−1 3 × 4 2 3 × 4
= lim x2 − 4 2 = = = =6
x→4 x − 4 2.4 2 −1 2×4 2
x−4
Given f(a) = f(4) = 26
∴ LHL = RHL ≠ f(a).
∴ The function f(x) is not continuous at x = 4.

R|
f a x f = Sa1 + 2 x f
1
x for x ≠ 0 is continuous at x = 0.
4. Prove that
|Te
2
for x = 0
Proof. For a function to be continuous at x = a we have LHL = f(a) = RHL.
Here a = 0

LHL = RHL = lim 1 + 2 x

x →0
a f 1
x

a
lim 1 + 2 x
x →0
f 2
2x

L O
= lim Ma1 + 2 x f P
1 2

x→0 N Q 2x

LM∵ lim a1 + nf 1
=e
OP
=e 2
N x→ 0
n
Q
af af
f a = f 0 = e 2 given a f
∴ LHL = RHL = f 0 af
Hence f (x) is continuous at x = 0.
5. If f (x) = + 3x − 1, then prove that f (x) is continuous at x = 1.
x2
Proof. For a function f (x) to be continuous at x = a we have LHL = f (a) = RHL.
Here a = 1.
af
LHL = lim− f x = lim f 1 − h
x →1 h →0
a f
= lim a1 − hf + 3 a1 − hf − 1 af
2
∵ f x = x 2 + 3x − 1
h →0

= lim 1 + h 2 − 2 h + 3 − 3h − 1
h →0

= lim h 2 − 5h + 3
h →0
 Limits and Continuity 359

Applying the lim we get

h→0

LHL = 0 − 5(0) + 3 = 3.
af
RHL: lim+ f x = lim f 1 + h
x →1 h→ 0
a f
d i a f
= lim 1 + h 2 + 3 1 + h − 1
h→ 0

= lim 1 + h 2 + 2 h + 3 + 3h − 1
h→ 0

= h 2 + 5h + 3
Applying the lim we get
h→0

RHL = 3.

a f af af
f a = f 1 = 13 + 3 1 − 1 = 1 + 3 − 1 = 3 .

∴ LHL = f a af = RHL.
Hence the function y = f(x) is continuous at x = 1.

R| x 2
− 5x + 6
6. Find K if the function f axf = S x−2
if x ≠ 2 is continuous at x = 2.
|T K if x = 2

Given f (x) is continuous at x = 2.

LHL = f (a) = RHL.

x 2 − 5x + 6
i.e. lim =K
x →2 x−2

lim
ax − 3fa x − 2f = K
x →2 a x − 2f
lim x − 3 = K
x →2

2−3= K
⇒ K = −1

af a
7. Define f (0) so that f x = 1 + 3 x f 1
x x ≠ 0 is continuous at x = 0.
Given: f (x) is continuous at x = 0.
af af
lim f x = f 0
x →0

lim 1 + 3 x
x →0
a f 1
x af
= f 0
360 Basic Mathematics

a
lim 1 + 3x
x →0
f 3
3x = f 0af
LMa
lim 1 + 3 x f OPQ = f a0f
1 3

x→0 N 3x

⇒ e3 = f a0 f
n→ 0
a f
∵ lim 1 + n
1
n =e

R| 1+ x − x
if x ≠ 0
8. Find K if f a xf = S x is continuous at x = 0.
|T K +3 if x = 0

Given f (x) is continuous at x = 0

∴ lim f x = f 0
x →0
af af
1+ x −1
lim = K+3
x →0 x

1+ x −1 1+ x +1
lim × = K +3
x →0 x 1+ x +1

lim
d 1+ x i −1 = K + 3 2 2

x →0 x d 1 + x + 1i

1+ x −1
lim = K +3
x →0 x d 1+ x +1 i
x
lim = K +3
x →0 x d 1 + x + 1i
Applying the lim we get
x→0

1
= K+3
1+ 0 +1

1
= K +3
1+1
1
−3= K
2
 Limits and Continuity 361

1− 6
⇒ =K
2
−5
⇒ K=
2

af {
2 x + a if x ≤ 2
9. Find a if f a = x − 1 if x > 2 is continuous at x = 2.

Given: f(x) is continuous at x = 2.

LHL = RHL = f(a)
af af
lim f x = f 2 = lim+ f x
x →2 − x →2
af
lim 2 x + a = lim x − 1
x →2 x→2

af
2 2 + a = 2 −1

4+ a =1

a =1− 4

a = −3

REMEMBER:

x n − an
• lim = na n −1
x →a x−a

ex − 1
• lim =1
x→0 x

ax − 1
• lim = log e a
x →0 x

F 1 I n
• lim 1 +
n→∞ H n K =e

n→ 0
a f
• lim 1 + n
1
n =e

af af
• A function y = f (x) is said to be continuous at x = a if lim− f x = f a = lim+ f x
x →a x→a
af
i.e., LHL = f (a) = RHL.
• Limit of a function exists at x = a if
362 Basic Mathematics

af
lim f x = lim+ f x
x →a− x→a
af
∴ f(x) is continuous at x = a iff
af af
lim f x = f a
x →a

EXERCISE

Evaluate: x 5 + 32
13. lim
1. xlim
→2
a fa
2 x + 1 3x + 2 f x→ −2 x+2

1 1
x 3 + 4 x 2 − 3x + 3 3 −
2. lim x 64
14. lim
x →1 7x 2 − x − 1 x→4 x−4

3x 2 + 8 x − 9 x − 16
3. lim 15. lim
x →0 4 x2 − 9x − 3 x → 25 x − 17

x 3 + 3x 2 + 2 x − 1 x 4 − 81
4. lim 16. lim
x →1 x 3 + 3x 2 + 6 x →3 x −3

x 2 − 5x + 6 x3 2 − 1
5. lim 17. lim
x →3 3x 2 + 3x − 7 x →1 x −1

3+ x − 3 x 3 − 125
6. lim 18. lim
x →0 x x →5 x2 − 6x + 5

a− x − a+x 6 z 2 − 5z − 6
7. lim lim
x →0 x 19. z→
3 8 z 2 − 14 z + 3
2

x −3
8. lim
x →3 x−2 − 4−x 20. lim
a n + 2f d n 2
i
+ 4n + 3
2
n →−1 n −1
3− 5+ x
9. lim 2 y 3 − 3y 2 − 3 y + 2
x →4 x−4
21. ylim
→−1 3 y 3 + 2 y 2 − 11y − 10
x 3 − 27
10. lim 1 a
x →3 3x − 4 − 2 x − 1 22. lim − 2
x →a x − a x − ax
2
x −4
11. lim 1 1
x →2 3x − 2 − x + 2 3 −
lim x 27
23. x →3 1 1
3x − 4 − 4 − x 4 −
12. lim x 81
x →2 x−2
 Limits and Continuity 363

x 3 − 27
24. lim
x →3 x x −3 3

25. lim
a x − 3f
− 32
5

x →5 x−5

ax − bx
26. lim
x →0 x

e x − e−x
27. lim
x →0 x

2x −1
28. lim
x→0 x

2x −1
29. lim
x →0 x +1 −1

3n 2 − 6n + 8
30. lim
n→∞ 4n 2 − 8

31. lim
a1 + 2 + 3 + ...+nf
n→∞ 3n 2

12 + 2 2 + 32 + ...+ n 2
32. lim
n→∞ 3n 3 − 8n + 1

2
33. lim n n − 4 − n
n→∞

1 1 1
34. lim + + ... + n
n→∞ 3 32 3

13 + 2 3 + ... + n 3
35. nlim
→∞ a
n+4
4
f
3 n +1 + 1
36. lim
n→∞ 3n + 2 + 2

af {
3x + 2 if x < 2
af
37. If f x = 7 x − 6 if x > 2 , then find lim f x .
x →2

x
38. Prove that lim does not exist
x →0 x
364 Basic Mathematics

39. Evaluate (a) nlim

→∞
1+ 2 na f 3n
(b) nlim
→0
a1 + 3x f 4x

40. Examine the Continuity of the following functions:

(a) f(x) = x2 + x + 1 at x = 1

af R|4 x1+ 1 ifif xx =< 00 at x = 0

(b) f x = S|2 + 3x if x > 0
T
R| x − 9
2

(c) f a x f = S x − 4 x + 3 for x ≠ 3 at x = 3.
2
|T 3 for x = 3
R| x for x ≠ 0
(d) f a xf = S 1 + x − 1 at x = 0
|T 3 for x = 0
R| log a1 + bxf when x ≠ 0
(e) f a xf = S
|T xb when x = 0 at x = 0
41. Prove that the function f(x) = |x| is continuous at x = 0.

Rx
42. Prove that f x = a f |S x for x ≠ 0
is discontinuous at x = 0.
T|0 for x = 0

af R|a f for x ≠ 0
1

43. Find K if the function f x =

1 + 4x S| x
is continuous at x = 0.
e2 K T for x = 0

R| a + x − a − x for x ≠ 0
44. Find K if the function f axf = S
| x
is continuous at x = 0.
|| 1
for x = 0
T K

R| 1 − 1
4

45. Find a if f a xf = S
| x
1
−
81
1
for x ≠ 3
is continuous at x = 3.
|| x3
27
T K for x = 3
 Limits and Continuity 365

ANSWERS

1 1
1. 40 2. 1 3. 3 4. 5. 0 6. 2 3
2

a 1
7. − 8. 1 9. − 10. 54 5 11. 8 12. 2
2 6
−3 1 3 75
13. 80 14. 15. 16. 108 17. 18.
256 2 2 4
5 −3 1 9
19. 20. −1 21. 22. 23. 24. 6 3
2 2 a 4
a 3
25. 80 26. log 27. 2 28. log 2 29. log 4 30.
b 4
1 1 1 1 4
31. 32. 33. −2 34. 35. 36.
6 9 2 4 11
37. 8 39. (a) e6 (b) e12
40. (a) Continuous (b) discontinuous (c) Continuous (d) discontinuous (e) Continuous.
4
43. e2 44. a 45.
9