REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DIVISION OF CABADBARAN CITY

NORTHERN MINDANAO COLLEGES, INC.

Atega Street, Barangay 11 Poblacion, Cabadbaran City
8605 Agusan del Norte, Region XIII
NON-SECTARIAN
1946

BASIC CALCULUS 11
MODULE 1
CHAPTER 1: LIMITS AND CONTINUITY
LEARNING COMPETENCIES: At the end of the lesson, the learner shall be able to:
1. Illustrate the limit of a function using a table of values and the graph of the function;
2. Distinguish between lim f (x ) and f(a)
x→ a
3. Illustrate the limit theorems; and
4. Apply the limit theorems in evaluating the limit of algebraic functions (polynomials, rational and
radical).
Lesson 1: LIMIT of a FUNCTION
INTRODUCTION
Limits are the backbone of calculus, and calculus is called the Mathematics of CHANGE. The study of
limits is necessary in studying change in great detail. The evaluation of a particular limit is what underlies the
formulation of the derivative and the integral of a function.
For starters, imagine that you are going to watch a basketball game. When you choose seats, you
would want to be as close to the action as possible. You would want to be as close to the players as possible
and have the best view of the game, as if you were in the basketball court yourself. Take note that you can not
actually be in the court and join the players, but you will be close enough to describe clearly what is happening
in the game.
This is how it is with limits of functions. We will consider functions of a single variable and study the
behavior of the function as its variable approaches a particular value (a constant). The variable can only take
values very, very close to the constant, but it cannot equal the constant itself. However, the limit will be able to
describe clearly what is happening to the function near that constant.
DISCUSSION
Consider a function f of a single variable x . Consider a constant c which the variable x will approach (c
may or may not be in the domain of f ). The limit, to be denoted by L, is the unique real value that f (x) will
approach as x approaches to c . In symbol, we write this process as
lim f (x )=L
x→ a
This reads as, “The limit of f (x) as x approaches c is L.”
To illustrate, let us consider
lim (1+3 x)
x →2

Here, f ( x )=1+3 x and the constant c , which x will 1.997 6.991

approach, is 2. To evaluate the given limit, we will 1.9999 6.9997
make use of the table to help us keep track of the Now we consider approaching 2 from its right
effect that the approach of x toward 2 will have of through values greater than but close to 2.
f (x). Of course, on the number line, x may
approach 2 in two ways: through values on its left x f(x)
3 10
and through values on its right. We first consider
2.5 8.5
approaching 2 from its left or through values less
2.2 7.6
than 2. Remember that the values to be chosen 2.1 7.3
should be close to 2. 2.03 7.09
x f(x) 2.009 7.027
1 4 2.0005 7.0015
1.4 5.2 Observe that as the values of x get closer and
1.7 6.1
closer to 2, the values of f (x) get closer and closer
1.9 6.7
1.95 6.85 to 7. This behavior can be shown no matter what
set of values, or what direction is taken in
approaching 2. In symbols, lim (1+3 x )=7
x →2
EXAMPLE 1: Investigate
lim (x 2 +1)
x→−1

By constructing table of values. Here, c=−1 and f (x)= x2 +1

We start again by approaching -1 from left.

x f(x) Now approach -1 from the right.
-1.5 3.25
-1.2 2.44
-1.01 2.0201
-1.0001 2.00020001
 x f(x)
-0.5 1.25
-0.8 1.64
-0.99 1.9801
-0.9999 1.99980001
The table show that as x approaches -1 from either left or right, f (x) approaches 2. In symbols,

lim (x 2 +1)=2
x→−1

EXAMPLE 2: Investigate
x 2−5 x+ 4
lim
x →1 x−1

x2 −5 x + 4
By constructing table of values. Here, c=1 and f(x) = . Take note that 1 is not in the domain of f, but
x−1
this is not a problem. In evaluating a limit, remember that we only need to go very close to 1; we will not go to 1
itself.

We now approach 1 from left.

x f(x)
1.5 -2.5
1.17 -2.83
1.003 -2.997
1.0001 -2.9999

Approach 1 from the right.

 x f(x)
0.5 -3.5
0.88 -3.12
0.996 -3.004
0.9999 -3.0001
The tables show that as x approaches 1 from either left or right, f(x) approaches -3. In symbols,

x 2−5 x+ 4
lim = -3
x →1 x−1

EXAMPLE 3: Investigate

1
lim
x →1 x−1

1
By constructing table of values. Here, c=1 and f (x)=
x−1

We now approach 1 from the left.

x f(x)
0.5 -2
0.9 -10
0.99 -100
0.999 -1000
0.9999 -10000

Approach 1 from the right.

 x f(x)
1.5 2
1.1 10
1.01 100
1.001 1000
1.0001 10000
As you can observe, as x approaches to 1 from the left, the values are decreasing and becomes more negative
and it seems there is no specific negative number that f(x) will get close to as x approaches 1 through such
values. The same thing happens as x approaches to 1 from the right, the values of f(x) gets larger and larger.
1
Therefore, we conclude that the limit of as x approaches to 1 does not exist. In symbol,
x−1
 1
lim does not exist
x →1 x−1

Lesson 2: LIMIT THEOREMS

*Theorem 1 *Theorem 1 Examples

1.1 lim x =a  lim x =3
x→ a x →3

1.2 lim c=c , where c is constant  lim 9=9 , where 9 is constant

x→ a x →2

*Theorem 2 *Theorem 2
Suppose lim
x→ a
f ( x )=L and lim g ( x )=M .
x→ a
Then we have the following theorems.
 lim (5−3 x )=¿ lim 5−¿ lim 3 x ¿ Theorem 2.1
2.1 lim [ f ( x ) ± g ( x ) ] =L ± M x →2 x →2 x →2
x→ a ¿ 5−3 lim x Theorem 1.2 and 2.3
x →2
¿ 5−3(2) Theorem 2.1
¿−1

2.2 lim [ f ( x ) ∙ g ( x ) ]=L ∙ M  lim 3 x ∙2 ¿ lim 3 x ∙ lim 2 Theorem 2.2

x→ a x →1 x →1 x →1
¿ 3 lim x ∙2 Theorem 2.3 and 1.2
→1
¿ 3(1)∙ 2 Theorem 2.2
¿6

2.3 lim k ∙ f ( x ) =kL, k is constant  lim 5 x=5 lim x Theorem 1.1 and 1.2
x→ a x →3 x →3
¿ 5(3) Theorem 2.3

¿ 15
f (x) L lim 2+¿ lim 3 x
2.4 lim = , provided that M ≠ 0 2+3 x x →1
x→ a g(x ) M  lim = x→ 1
¿ Theorem 2.4
2
x →1 x lim x ∙ lim x
x →1 x→ 1
2+ 3(1)
¿ Theorem 1.1,1.2,2.1,2.2
(1)(1)
*Theorem 3 *Theorem 1 Examples
Let lim f (x )=L∧n is a positive integer,  lim x 3 =33
x→ a x →3

then lim ¿ ¿
x→ a
¿ 27

Lesson : ONE-SIDED LIMIT

(RIGHT-HAND LIMIT) (LEFT-HAND LIMIT)
Let f be a function defined on some Let f be a function defined on some
open interval (a , d ). Then, the limit of open interval (c , a). Then, the limit of
function f as x approaches a from the right function f as x approaches a from the right
is L , written as is L , written as
lim ¿ lim ¿
+¿
x→ a f ( x ) =L¿ −¿
x→ a f ( x ) = L¿
If the values of f gets closer and closer to If the values of f gets closer and closer to
one and only number L as x approaches a one and only number L as x approaches a
through values close to, but greater than a . through values close to, but greater than a .
NOTE: If right-hand and left hand limits both exist and are equal to a same value L, then two-sided limit, i.e.
lim f ( x )=L ,also exists and is equal to L. On the other hand, the two-sided limit does not exist if (i) at least one
x→ a
of the one-sided limits does not exist or (ii) both of them exist but are not equal.

*Theorem 4
lim f ( x )=L exist if and only if lim ¿ and lim ¿
+¿ −¿
x→ a x→ a f ( x ) =L¿ x→ a f ( x ) = L¿
or
lim ¿
EXAMPLE
x→ a f ( x ) =¿ 1:
+¿
lim (ONE-SIDED
−¿
¿¿¿
x→ a f (x )¿
and TWO-SIDED LIMITS)

2, x >1
Consider the function f defined by f x = 1,
( )
{
x=1 and evaluate each of the following limits, if it exists:
−x , x <1 }
(a) lim ¿ (b) lim ¿ (c) lim f (x)
+¿ −¿
x→ 1 f ( x ) ¿ x→ 1 f ( x ) ¿ x →1

SOLUTION:
(a) To evaluate lim ¿, we consider the function values when x >1. That is, we take f ( x )=2.
+¿
x→ 1 f ( x ) ¿
lim ¿
Thus, +¿
x→ 1 f ( x ) = lim ¿¿
+¿
x →1 2=2¿

(b) We now take the values of the function when x <1 that is we focus on f ( x )=−x to evaluate
lim ¿ . Hence, lim ¿
−¿
−¿
x→ 1 f ( x ) ¿ x→ 1 f ( x ) = lim
−¿
¿¿
x →1 −x=−1¿

lim ¿
(c) Therefore, lim
x →1
f ( x ) does not exist since +¿
x→ a f ( x ) ≠ lim ¿¿
−¿
x→ a f (x )¿

EXAMPLE 2:

4−x 2 , x ≠−3 then evaluate each of the following limits if exists:

Let the f be a function defined by f ( x )= { 1 x=−3 }
(a) lim ¿ (b) lim ¿ lim f ( x )
(c) x→−3
+¿ −¿
x→−3 f ( x ) ¿ x→−3 f ( x ) ¿

SOLUTION:
Note that x ≠−3means x can be greater than or less than −3.

(a) When evaluating the right hand limit, we get close to -3 through values of x greater than -3 and use
lim ¿
the functional definition f ( x )=4−x 2 . So +¿
x→−3 f ( x )= lim ¿¿ .
+¿ 2
x→−3 (4−x )=−5 ¿

(b) Similarly, when evaluating the left-hand limit, we use the definition f ( x )=4−x 2 . Thus,
lim ¿
−¿
x→−3 f ( x ) = lim ¿¿ .
−¿ 2
x →−3 (4 −x ) =−5¿

lim ¿ lim f ( x )=−5 .

(c) Since +¿
x→−3 f ( x )= lim ¿¿ hence x→−3
−¿
x→−3 f ( x )=−5 ,¿

REFERENCES:
A. Domingo, Basic Calculus for Senior High School, C & E Publishing Inc., 2016
J.M. Balmaceda, Ph.D., Teaching Guide for Senior High School Basic Calculus, Commission on Higher
Education, 2016

Prepared By: LOVELY MAIDEN ASUNCION-CAMPOS

 Math Teacher

Checked By: ABEGAIL R. BAROQUILLO, MA

Basic Education Principal

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DIVISION OF CABADBARAN CITY

NORTHERN MINDANAO COLLEGES, INC.

Atega Street, Barangay 11 Poblacion, Cabadbaran City
8605 Agusan del Norte, Region XIII
NON-SECTARIAN
1946

BASIC CALCULUS 11
WORKSHEETS #1
Name: _________________________________________ Section: __________________
Name of Teacher: ________________________________ Date: ____________________

ACTIVITY 1 (Limit of Function)

x 2−1 , x ≠ 0 ∧determine lim f ( x ).
{
Let f ( x )=
1, x=0 } x→ 0
Complete the table below. (Use calculators if available)

Left-hand side Right-hand side

x f(x) x f(x)
-0.5 0.5
-0.1 0.1
-0.01 0.01
-0.001 0.001
-0.0001 0.0001

ACTIVITY 2 (Limit Theorems)

Following the different limit theorems, Evaluate each of the following limits, if it exists:

1. lim
x →1
x

2. lim
x →3
−2

lim (5−3 x )
3. x→−4

x 2−2
4. lim
x →2 5+ 4 x
 lim ¿
5. x→−2

ACTIVITY 3 (One-sided Limit)

1. Consider the function defined by f ( x )=5 x 3−x 2 +1. Determine the following:

(a) lim ¿ (b) lim ¿ (c) lim f (x)

+¿ −¿
x→ 1 f ( x ) ¿ x→ 1 f ( x ) ¿ x →1

x 2 +2 x−1 , x<2
2. Let g ( x )= {
x+ 2, }
x≥2
. Find the following

(a) lim ¿ (b) lim ¿ (c) lim f (x)

+¿ −¿
x→ 2 f ( x ) ¿ x→ 2 f ( x ) ¿ x →2

Prepared By: LOVELY MAIDEN ASUNCION-CAMPOS

Math Teacher