LIMITS

QUIZRR 3

INT RODUCT ION

Concept of limit : Before giving formal definition of limit we consider the following examples :

x2  4
Example : Let f be a function defined by f ( x) 
x2

Thus f(x) is defined for all x except x = 2

22  4 0
At x = 2, f ( x)  
22 0

Thus at x = 2, f(x) is not defined because denominator can never be zero

x2  4  x  2  x  2 
When x  2, x ă 2  0  f ( x)   x2
x2 x2

Now we consider the values of f (x) when x  2, but is very-very close to 2 and x < 2.

x 1.9 1.99 1.999 1.9999 1.99999

f(x) = x + 2 3.9 3.99 3.999 3.9999 3.99999

It is clear from the above table that as x approaches 2 i.e., as x  2 through the values less than
2, the value of f (x) approaches 4 i.e. f (x)  4.
We will express this fact by saying that left hand limit of f (x) as x  2 exists and is equal to
4 and in symbols we shall write
Lt f(x) = 4 or Lt f(x) = 4
x 2 ă 0 x 2 ă
Again we consider the values of f (x) when x  2, but is very-very close to 2 and x > 2.

x 2.1 2.01 2.001 2.0001 2.00001

f(x) = x + 2 4.1 4.01 4.001 4.0001 4.00001

It is clear from the table given above that as x approaches 2 i.e., as x  2 through the values
greater than 2, f (x) approaches 4 i.e., f (x)  4.
We will express this fact by saying that right hand limit of f (x) as x  2 exists and is equal
to 4 and in symbols we will write.
Lt f(x) = 4 or Lt f(x) = 4
x 2 + 0 x 2 +
Thus we see that f (x) is not defined at x = 2 but its left hand and right hand limits as x  2
and are equal.
When Lt f (x) and Lt f (x) are equal to the same number l, we say

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 4 QUIZRR

that Lt f(x) exists and is equal to l.

x 2
Here in the example considered Lt f(x) = Lt f(x) = 4
x 2 ă 0 x 2 + 0
 Lt f(x) exists and is equal to 4.
x 2

Ri g h t h a n d a n d L e f t h a n d l im i t s
If x approaches a from the right, that is, from larger values of x than a, limit of f as defined before
is called the right hand limit of f (x) and is written as

lim f ( x) or f  a  0 
x a  0

The working rule for finding the right hand limit is :

„Put a + h for x in f (x) and make h approach zero‰.

In short, we have f (a + 0) = hlim f  a  h

0

Similarly if x approaches a from the left, that is, from smaller values of x than a, the limit of f
is called the left hand limit and is written as
lim f ( x) or f  a  0 
x a  0

In this case, we have f  a  0   lim  a  h 

h0

If both right hand and left hand limits of f(x), as x  a, exist and are equal in value, their
common value, evidently, will be the limit of f(x), as x  a. If, however, either or both of these
limits do not exist, the limit of f(x) as x  a does not exist. Even if both these limits exist but are
not equal in value then also the limit of f(x) as x  a does not exist.
Definition of limit : We say that limit of f(x) as x tends to a exists and is equal to a real number
l if as x approaches a (through the values less than or greater than a) the values of f (x) approach
a definite unique real number l. In other words if for every  > 0, however small, there exists
 > 0, such that
l ă  < f (x) < l +  i.e. |f (x) ă l| <  for all x for which
a ă  < x < a + i.e. |x ă a| < 

Lt f ( x)
In this case we write xa = l

Lt f ( x)
Thus the statement x  a = l means that the values of f (x) will approach the number l or are
equal to l as the values of x approach the number a from either direction.

ă 
a

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l Meaning of x   : by x  , we mean that x is greater than any positive number

however large and it is not a fixed number.
x   and and x =  will mean the same thing.
l Meaning of x  ă  : by x  ă  we mean that x is smaller than any negative number
however small, x  ă  and x = ă  will mean the same thing.

l Meaning of Lt f ( x)  l : We say that Lt f ( x)  l if as x becomes larger and larger, f (x)

x x

becomes closer and closer to l.

l Meaning of Lt f ( x)   : We say that Lt f ( x)   if as x approaches a through values less

x a x a

than or greater than a, f (x) becomes greater than any positive number however large.

l Meaning of Lt f ( x)    : We say that Lt f ( x)    if as x approaches a through the

x a x a

values less than or greater than a, f (x) becomes smaller than any negative number however
small.
For the existence of the limit of f (x) at x = a , it is necessary and sufficient that
(i) f (a ă 0) = f ( a + 0) and
(ii) they both should be finite

Illustration 1

 5 x  4, 0 x 1
If f  x    3 show that lim f ( x ) exists.
 4 x  3 x , 1 x  2 x 1

Solution : We have,
LHL of f (x) at x = 1
lim f ( x)  lim f 1  h 
= x  1 h 0

= hlim 5 1  h   4  lim 1  5h  1
0 h0
RHL of f (x) at x = 1
lim f ( x)  lim f 1  h 
= x  1 h0

4 1  h   3 1  h   4 1  3 1  1
3 3
= hlim
0

Thus RHL = LHL = 1. So xlim f ( x) exists and is equal to 1.

1

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Illustration 2
Evaluate the right hand limit and left hand limit of the function

x4
 ,x4
f  x   x  4
 x4
 0,

Solution : RHL of f (x) at x = 4

4h4
= lim f ( x)  lim f  4  h   lim 
x  4 h0 h0 4h4

h
= lim 1
h 0 h

LHL of f (x) at x = 4

4h4
= lim f ( x)  lim f  4  h   lim 
x  4 h0 h0 4h4

h h
= lim  lim  1
h0  h h 0  h

This RHL  LHL. So, xlim f ( x) does not exist.

4

Illustration 3

1
e /x  1
Show xlim
0 1
/x
does not exist.
e 1

Solution :

1
/x
e 1
Let f  x   1 . Then,
e /x  1

lim f (x)  lim f (0  h)

LHL = x  0 h 0

 1 1 /h 
1
/h  /e  1
e 1   0 1  1
lim 1
 lim 
= h0 h0  1 1  01
e /h 1  /e
/h
 1
 

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 1 1
/h 1 
as h  0  h  e  1/ e / h  0  ...(i)
 

lim f ( x)  lim f  0  h
RHL = x  0 h 0

 1
/ 
1/  1  1/ e h 
e h 1
lim  lim  
= h  0 e1 / h  1 h  0  1
/h  [Dividing numerator and denominator by e1/h]
1  1 / e 
 

10
= 1 L.H.L.  R.H.L., Hence Limit does not exit
10

Illustration 4

 x
Solve lim sin  , where [.] denotes the greatest integer function.
x0 x

 x
Solution : Here lim sin x  , since we have greatest integral function we must define function.
x0  
Now, RHL (put x = 0 + h)

 sin 0  h 
lim  ,
h 0  0  h 

sin h
we know  1 as h  0 but less than 1 as h > sin h
h

lim 0  0   sin h  
     0 as h  0 
h0   h  
 RHL = 0
again LHL (put x = 0 ă h)
 0h
lim sin ,
h 0  0h

sin h
we know  h   1 as h  0 but greater than ă 1.

lim 1   1   sin h  
      1 as h  0 
h0   h  
 LHL = ă 1
 limit does not exists as RHL = 0 and LHL = ă 1.

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I n d e t e r m in a t e Fo r m s Or M e a n i n g l e s s Fo r m s :
Following seven forms are called indeterminate forms :
0 
1. 2. 3. 0. 4.  ă  5. 1 6. 00 7. 0
0 

0
1. Indeterminate form : When numerator  0 and denominator  0, the form is called
0
0
indeterminate form . Here it should be noted that neither denominator nor numerator
0
should be zero rather they should tend to zero.

x2  1  0 
Example : lim  form 
x  1 x  1 0 


2. Indeterminate form : when numerator   and denominator  , the form is called


indeterminate form .


log ex   
Example : lim  form 
x x   
3. Indeterminate form 0. : when one factor  0 (but not equal to zero) and other factor
 , the form is called Indeterminate form 0.

 
lim   x  tan x
Example : x    2  [0. form]
2

4. Indeterminate form ă : when given expression is the difference of two functions both
of whom tend to , the form is called Indeterminate form  ă 
5. Indeterminate form 1   : when base  1 (but no equal to 1) and power  , the form
is called Indeterminate form 1.

Lt  sin xtan x
Example : x   [1 form]
2

6. Indeterminate form 00 : When base  0 + 0 (but base is not equal to zero) and power
 0 (but power is not equal to zero), the form is called the indeterminate form 00.
tan x
Example : x Lt  sin x [00 form]
0

7. Indeterminate form 0 : When base   and power  0 (but power is not equal to zero),
the form is called the indeterminate form.

Example : Lt  cot xsin x [0 form]

x0

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So m e i m p o r t a n t p r o p e r t i e s o f l i m it s

If xlim f ( x) and lim g ( x) exists, then

a xa

1. lim  f ( x)  g( x)  lim f ( x)  lim g( x)

xa xa xa

2. lim  f ( x)  g( x)  lim f ( x)  lim g ( x)

xa xa xa

3. lim c. f ( x)  c lim f ( x) , where c is a constant

xa xa

   
4. lim  f ( x). g( x)   lim f ( x)  . lim g ( x) 
x a x  a   x  a 

lim f ( x)
 f ( x)  x  a
5. lim   , provided lim g( x)  0, g( x)  0
x  a  g( x)  lim g( x) xa
x a

6. If f (x) < g(x) for all x, then xlim f ( x)  lim g( x)

 a x a

7. If f (x)  g(x) for all x, then xlim f ( x)  lim g( x)

a xa

So m e I m p o r t a n t Ex p a n s i o n s :
1. Binomial Expansion :
(i) If n is a positive integer, then
(1 + x)n = 1 + nC1x + nC2x2 + ...... + nCnxn

n n  n  1 2
= 1 x x  ...  xn (valid for all x)
1! 2!
(ii) If n is a negative integer or fraction, then

n  n  1  2 n  n  1 n  2  3
1  x n  1  nx  x  x  ... to 
2! 3!
where ă 1 < x < 1

xn  a n
2.
xa

 xn 1  axn  2  a 2 x x  3  ...  a n 1 
x2 x3 xn
3. (i) ex  1  x    ...   ... to  , valid for all x
2! 3! n!

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x x2 x3
(ii) e x  1    ...   ... to  valid for all x
1! 2! 3!
4. (i) ax = exlogea

x2
(ii) ax = 1 + x(loga) +  log a 2  ... to 
2!

x2 x3 x4
5. (i) loge (1 + x) = x     ... to ,  1  x  1
2 3 4

x2 x3 x4
(ii) loge (1 ă x) =  x     ... to ,  1  x  1
2 3 4

x3 x5 x7
6. sin  x     ...
3! 5! 7!

x2 x4 x6
7. cos x  1     ...
2! 4! 6!

x3 2 5
8. tan x  x   x  ...
3 15

Sp e c i a l n o t e s o n i n f i n i t y
Ć Infinity is a very big number which is not find on number line. No variable is equal to
infinity. Hence ordinary laws of algebra do not apply on 

eg.  ă   0, 1

(it is so because we do not know how big value is for ).
Ć Whenever the denominator becomes 0, the expression becomes undefined and it is not equal
to 

1
  (undefined)
0
but in case of limits

  finite no.    
lim    0; lim  
     finite no. 

 0    b b
lim    0 & lim   if a  0
  non zero   a a
(here  means approaching)
Do not confuse the above limits with the following limits.
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So m e l im i t s w h i c h a r e o b v i o u s

0 lim  0.x  0

1. lim    0 2.
x  0  x x

3. lim  x0 1 4. lim 1 x  1

x x

5. lim
x
 x2  x2   0 6. lim
x2
x   x2
1

0
(a) (i) is undefined if denominator is equal to zero
0

x x
(ii) Lt does not exist if denominator is equal to zero as is undefined.
x0 0 0

0
(iii) (Indeterminate) when numerator  0 and denominator  0
0

(b) 0. = 0
But (tends to zero) . is indeterminate.
(c) 1 = 1, if base is equal to 1.
But 1 is indeterminate when base  1
(d) 0 = 1, if power is equal to zero
But 0 is indeterminate when power  0

(e) (i) Lt  x0  1 , if power is equal to zero

x0

(ii) Lt  0  x  0, if base is equal to zero

x0+0

(iii) Lt 0x does not exist if base is equal to zero as 0x, when x < 0 is undefined.
x00

(iv) 00 is not defined if base is equal to zero and power is equal to zero.

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Pro p e r t i e s o f i n f i n i t y :
(i)   c = 
(ii)  +  = 
(iii) . = 
(iv)  (ă ) = ă , (ă ). = ă 
(v) = 
(vi) c. = , if c > 0
= 0, if c = 0
= ă  if c < 0
0. = 0
But (tends to zero). is indeterminate
In fact c.  , if c > 0
c. = 0, if c = 0
c.  ă , if c < 0

(vii) c = , if c > 1
= 0, if 0  c < 1
= 1, if c = 1
In fact c  , if c > 1

c  0, if 0 < c < 1
c = 0, if c = 0

c = 1, if c = 1

1 = 1, if base = 1
But (tends to 1) is indeterminate.

M e t h o d t o Ev a l u a t e t h e L i m i t o f a Fu n c t io n :
There are a number of methods to evaluate the limit of a function but for the sake of convenience,
we divide the problems in two types. If f (x) is a function of x then x is the independent variable.
Type I. We will call those problems in which the independent variable tends to  or ă  as
problems of Type I.
Type II. We will call those problems in which independent variable x does not tend to 
or ă  as problems of Type II.
x
 a
Examples : (i) 1   Lt is a problem of type I, as here independent variable x  
x x

a x  bx
(ii) Lt is a problem of type II as here independent variable x does not tend to  or ă .
x0 x
Note : Here  is the independent variable and x is a constant.

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Again for the sake of convenience we divide problems of each type in three categories.
Category A. Problems involving only algebraic functions.
Category B. Problems involving non-zero constant powers of sin, cos, tan, cot, sec or cosec of a
variable angle.
Category C. Problems involving exponential or logarithmic functions.
Examples :

x4  a4
(i) Lt . This problem is of category A of type II.
xa xa

x  sin x
(ii) Lt . This problem is of category B of type II.
x0 x

(iii) Lt  sin xtan x . This problem is of category C of type II.

x0

log  x  1
(iv) Lt . This problem is of category C of type II.
x2 x2

x2  x2  1
(v) Lt . This problem is of category A of type I.
x x4  2

1
(vi) Lt2n sin . This problem is of category B of type I.
x n

2x
 1
(vii) 1  
Lt . This problem is of category C of type I.
x x

T y p e I . Ca t e g o r y (A )
Problems involving algebraic expressions.
Working Rule :

N
1. First of all simplify the given expression in the form of .
D

2. (i) Then divide each terms of the numerator and denominator by xn where x is the
independent variable and n is the highest power of x in the numerator and denominator
taken together.

c c
(ii) Then put  0 , where c is a constant and k > 0. This is because  0 as x  .
k
x xk

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3. Alternatively, take out term containing highest power of x in the numerator and denominator
as common and finally put
xk = 0, if k < 0
= , if k > 0
= 1, if k = 0
Tip : Simply check the powers in numerator & denominator.

axn  bxn  ...

for if
pxd  qxd 1  ...

(i) n > d; result is 

(ii) n < d; result is 0

a
(iii) n = d; limit is  
 p

Illustration 5

x4  2x3  3  12 22 32 n2 
(a) Find Lt (b) Find 
Lt    ...  
x   2x 4  x  2 n    n 3 n3 n3 n 3 

Solution :

2 3
 1
4
x  2x  3 3 x x4  1
Lt Lt
(a) = x 1 2 2
x   2 x4  x  2  
3 4
x x

 2 3 2 
Since as x  ,  0, 4  0 and 4  0 
 x x x 

 12 22 32 n2 
(b) Lt     ...  
n    n3 n3 n3 n3 

12  22  32  ...  n2 n  n  1  2n  1  n  1 2n  1
= Lt = Lt  Lt
3
n n3 n 6n n 6 n2

= Lt

n 2n2  3n  1  = Lt
2
3

1
n n2 2 1
 
n 6 n2 n 6 6 3

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 15

Illustration II

(a) Find x Lt

x  xc  x  (b) Lt
x  
 2
 x  4x 


x 2  4x 


x2  1  3 x2  1
(c) lim
I : x 4 4
x  1  5 x4  1

Solution :

(a) Lt
x
x  xc  x 

Lt
x  xc x  x c  x 
= x
 x c  x 
x x  c  x  c x
Lt  Lt
= x
 xc  x  x x c  x

c c
Lt  Lt
= x xc x x x c
 1
x x x

c c c
Lt  
= x 1 c 1 11 2
x

Lt  x2  4 x  x2  4 x 
(b) 
x 

 x2  4 x  x2  4 x   x2  4 x  x2  4 x 
 
  
Lt
= x  x2  4 x  x2  4 x 
 
 

Lt
 x2  4 x   x2  4 x  Lt
8x
=
x x2  4 x  x2  4 x x x2  4 x  x2  4 x

8
Lt
x x2  4 x  x2  4 x
=
x
LIMITS & CONTINUITY
16 QUIZRR

8
= Lt
x x2  4 x x2  4 x

x2 x2

 
Here x  0  x   x2 for example  4     4 2   16 
 

8 8 8
Lt   4
x 4 4 11 2
1  1
x x
(c) dividing the numerator & denominator by x (which is the greatest power of x possible)

x2  1 3 x2  1

lim x x
x   4 x4  1 5 4
x 1

x x

x2  1 3 x2  1

lim x x
= x   4 x4  1 5 x4  1

x x

1 1

   
/2 /3
x2  1 x2  1

lim x x
1 1
= x
x  x 
4 /4 4 /5
1 1

x x

1 1/ 1/
/3 2 3
 x2  1  1 /  x2  1   1  1 1 
  2  1  2    
 x2   x3 
     x   x x3 
lim lim
1 1 1
= x = x
   1  /4
/4 /
 x4  1 1/
5
 1 1  5
  x4  1  1     
     x4   x x5 
4  x5    
 x   
 
1
as x    0 (for p > 1)
xp

1  0   0
= 1  0  01
 
LIMITS & CONTINUITY
 QUIZRR 17

T y p e I I . Ca t e g o r y A .
When x  a , where a is a fixed real number.
Problems in which algebraic functions occur.
Working Rule :
Limits of functions involving only algebraic functions and when independent variable does not
tend to  or ă  can be evaluated by using the following formula

xn  a n
Lt  na n  1
x  a x a

There are other methods also to evaluate such limits.

There are 3 methods to solve these kind of questions.
(a) Direct substitution

for a limit, xlim f ( x), we can directly substitute x = a in the limit only if the following
a

constraints are not there

Ć lim f ( x) is of type 1 (intermediate form)

xa

Ć lim f ( x) is undefined.
xa

(b) Factorisation
Factorization method can also be used to solve these kind of questions.

P  x
for lim , if P (a) = 0 & xlim Q  a  0
x  a Q  x a

(note Q (a)  0, otherwise the function is undefined) then we can say that (x ă a) is a factor
of both P (x) & Q (x)

P  x  x  a  N  x  lim N  x
 lim  lim
x  a Q  x x  a  x  a  D  x x  a D  x

repeat this procedure of cancellation until you get to a useful result.

(c) Rationalisation

0
If we get form in the problems involving roots then we must rationalise them to get the
0
common factor, which will be cancelled out.

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

18 QUIZRR

Illustration 6
Illustrations based on factorization

 x3  a3  x3  x2  3x  9
(a) lim  2  (b) lim
x  a  x  a x  x 3 x 2  4x  3

x3  2x2  9x  4 x7  2x5  1
(c) lim (d) lim
x 4 x 2  2x  8 x  1 x3  3x2  2
Solution :
 x3  a3 
(a) given lim  
x  a  x2  ax 

we know x3 ă a3 = (x ă a) (x2 + ax + a2)

 x  a   x2  ax  a2 
 lim
xa x x  a

= lim
 x2  ax  a2  =
3a 2
 3a
xa x a

x3  x2  3 x  9
(b) given lim
x3 x2  4 x  3
if we put x = 3 in numerator & denominator we get 0 in both, i.e. (x ă 3) is a factor of both
numerator & denominator.

( x  3) (x2  2 x  3)
 limit becomes, lim
x3 ( x  3)  x  1 
now we can put x = 3
9  6  3 18
=  9
2 2
(c) [When x = 4 numerator and denominator become zero]

x3  2 x2  9 x  4
Lt
x4 x2  2 x  8

x3  4 x2  2 x2  8 x  x  4  x  4   x2  2 x  1
= Lt  Lt
x4 x2  4 x  2 x  8 x4  x  4  x  2

x2  2 x  1 23
= Lt 
x4 x2 6

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 19

x3  2 x2  9 x  4
Second Method : Lt
x4 x2  2 x  8

 x3  43   x2  42   x  4
  ( x  4)  2   ( x  4)   ( x  4)
 x4   x4   x  4 
Lt    
= x4  x2  4 2  x  4
  ( x  4)  2   ( x  4)
 x4   x  4 
 

x3  43  x2  4 2  x  4
2 9 
x4  
Lt  x4  x  4
= x4 x2  42  x  4
2 
x4  x  4

3.42  2.2.41  9 23
= 
1 6
2.4  2

(d) When x = 1 numerator and denominator both become zero and hence (x ă 1) is a factor of both

x7  2 x5  1
Now Lt
x  1 x3  3 x2  2

x7  x6  x6  x5  x5  x4  x4  x3  x3  x2  x2  x  x  1
= Lt
x1 x3  x2  2 x2  2 x  2

x6 ( x  1)  x5 ( x  1)  x4 ( x  1)  x3 ( x  1)  x2 ( x  1)  x ( x  1)  ( x  1)
= Lt
x1 x2 ( x  1)  2 x ( x  1)  2( x  1)

( x6  x5  x4  x3  x2  x  1) 3
= Lt  1
x1 2
x  2x  2 3

x7  2 x5  1
Second Method : Lt
x  1 x3  3 x2  2

 x7  17   x5  15 
  ( x  1)  2   ( x  1)
 x1   x1 
 Lt    
x1 x 1 
3 3 x 1 
2 2
  ( x  1)  3   ( x  1)
 x1   x1 
   

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 20 QUIZRR

 Lt

7(1)6  2 5(1)4   Lt
7  10
x  1 3(1)  3  2(1) 
2 x  1 36

3
 Lt = 1
x  1 3

Qu e s t io n b a s e d o n f o r m u l a

Illustration 7

1 /6
x 4  625 x2
(a) lim lim
(b) x  64 1 / 3
3
x 5 x  125 x 4

1 1
( x  h) / n  x / n 1  x 5 1
(c) lim (d) lim
x 0 h x 0 3x  5x2

Solution :

x4  625
(a) given lim
x  5 x3  125

x4  54
if we write it like lim
x  5 x3  53

x4  54
lim
x5 x5
= x3  53
x5

4.53 20
& now we can use the formula = 
3.52 3

x1 / 6  2
(b) lim
x  64 x1 / 3  4

1 1 1
x 2
6 x 6   64  6  1 1 
Lt  Lt   64  6  2,  64  3  4 
x  64 1 x  64 1 1  
x 4
3 x 3   64  3

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 21

1
1 1
1 1
x   64  6
6 (64) 6 5 2
1  
 Lt  6   64  6 3
x  64 x  64 1 1
1 2
1  64  3
1 3
x 3   64  3
x  64

1
 
1 
1 1 1 1 1
  64  6  26 6  . 
2 2 2 2 4

1 1

(c) Lt
 x  h n  xn
h0 h

1 1
 x  h n  xn
 Lt [ when h  0, x + h  x]
 x  h  x  x  h  x
1 1n
1 n 1 1
=  x  x n
n n
Note : Here h is variable and x is a constant.

Lt
1  x5 1
(d)
x0 3 x  5 x2

 Lt
 1  x   15
5
. x  Lt
1  x   15
5

5.14 5

x  0 1  x   1 x  0 1  x   1 3 3
x  3  5x 3  5x

Lt
1  x5 1
Second Method :
x0 3 x  5 x2

 Lt
1  5 x  10 x2  10 x3  5 x4  x5   1
x0 x  3  5x

=  Lt
5x  10 x2  10 x3  5x4  x5 
x0 x  3  5 x

 Lt
5 x  10 x  10 x2  5 x3  x4 .x  5
x0 x  3  5x 3

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

22 QUIZRR

Illustration 8
Illustrations based on rationalization

1  x2  1  x
x2 a  2x  3x
lim Lt ,a 0
(a) lim (b) x  2 2 (c)
x 0 x x 4 x2 x a 3a  x  2 x

Solution :

(a) [Given function 1  x2  1  x is of the form a  b]

1  x2  1  x
Lt
x0 x

  
1  x2  1  x   1  x2  1  x 
 Lt 
x0 x   
  1  x2  1  x 

1  x2  1  x  x2  x
 Lt  Lt
x 0
x  1  x2  1  x  x0  2
 1 x  1  x  x
   

x  x  1 x1
 Lt  Lt
x0   x0  
x  1  x2  1  x  2
 1  x  1  x
   

1 1
 
1 1 2

x2 0 
Lt  form 
(b) x  2 x2  4  x  2  0 

 x1  21   x1  21 
  ( x  2)   . ( x  2)
 x2   x2 
   Lt  
 Lt
 x2  22  x2  2 2 
x2 1
x 2 1
 x 2 x1  21 
  ( x  2)  ( x  2)  . x2
 x2  x2  x2 x2 
   

 x1  21 
 . x2
 x2 
 Lt   
1.0

0
0
x2  2 2  2.21  1 3
 x 2  x1  21 
 x2 x2 
 

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 23

Second Method
x2 x2
 Lt  Lt
x2 x2  4  x2 x2  x  2  x  2  x2

x2 x2 0
 Lt Lt  0 [I.I.T. 78]
x2 ( x  2)  x21 x2 x2 1 21

(c) Required limit

a  2 x  3a 3 x  3a
. 2 x  a   .3( x  a)
 a  2 x   3a 3 x  3a
 Lt
xa 3a  x  4 a  x  a
. ( x  a)  2   ( x  a
 3a  x   4 a  xa 

1 1 1 1
( a  2 x) 2   3a  2  3 x 2  3a  2 .3
. 2
a  2 x  3a 3 x  3a
 Lt
xa 1 1  1 1 
 3 a  x 4 a 
 2  2 .  2  x  a 2
 2 

 3a  x   4 a  xa 
 
 

T y p e I I . Ca t e g o r y B
Problems in which non-zero constant powers of sin, cos, tan, cot, sec, cosec of variable
angle occur (problems involving trigonometrical expressions).

Working Rule :
1. First of all see whether independent variable tend to zero or not. If the independent variable
x  a, where a  0, then put x = a + h. Then go on simplifying only those factors of the
numerator and denominator which tend to zero till sin or tan occurs as a factor where
  0.

sin  sin 
2. Then write sin   . and tan   . and use the formula
 

sin  tan 
Lt  1, Lt  1 whichever is required.
0  0 

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

24 QUIZRR

Illustration 9

sin a  tan x 
(a) Find Lt (b) Lt
  0 tan b x  0 tan x
Solution :
 sin a 
sin a  a  a
Lt  Lt  
(a)   0 tan b   0  tan b 
 b  b
 

 sin a 
  a 1.a a
a 
 Lt   
  0  tan b  1.b b
 b
 b 

(b) x  x radian
180
x
tan
180 . x
x x 180
tan
tan x 180  Lt 180 
Now x Lt  Lt 
0 x x0 x x0 x 180

Illustration 1 0

x  cos x  cos 2 x  cos x  cos 3 x

(a) Find Lt (b) Lt
x 0 sin x x  0 x (sin 3 x  sin x )

sin  cos x  cos x

tan x  sin x lim
(c) Lt (d)  sin x  cos ec x
x  0 1  cos x x 
2

Solution :

x  cos x  cos 2 x  x  cos x  cos 2 x 

Lt  Lt
(a) = x0 sin x x0 sin x
.x
x
[Here factor (cos x + cos 2x), does not tend to zero, hence it is not necessary to simplify it]
cos x  cos 2 x 1  1
Lt  2
= x0 sin x 1
x

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 25

x  3x 3x  x
2sin sin
cos x  cos 3 x 2 2
Lt  Lt
(b) x  0 x(sin 3 x  sin x) x  0 x.2cos x  3 x sin 3 x  x
2 2

2 sin 2 x sin x sin 2 x

 Lt  Lt
x  0 2 x cos 2 x sin x x  0 x cos 2 x

sin 2 x sin 2 x
.2 x .2
2x 2x 2
 Lt  Lt  2
x  0 x cos 2 x x  0 cos 2 x 1

sin x
 sin x
tan x  sin x cos x
(c) Lt  Lt
x  0 1  cos x x  0 1  cos x

sin x  sin x cos x sin x 1  cos x

 Lt  Lt
x  0 cos x (1  cos x) x  0 cos x (1  cos x)

 Lt tan x  0
x0 [By the definition of limit because the form is not indeterminate]

sin  cos x cos x

lim
(d)  sin x  cosec x
x
2

sin  cos x  cos x sin x

 lim
 sin 2 x  1
x
2

[sin (cos x) sin x] sin (cos x) sin x

lim   lim
= x  cos x = x
 cos x
2 2


as x  cos x  0,
2

sin x
 we can use rule
x

 lim sin x  1
= 
x
2

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

26 QUIZRR

Illustration 1 1

 sin x 
 Using lim  1  Evaluate the following limits :
 x 0 x 

tan x  3 tan x  sin x

lim Lt
 9x 2 2
(a) x   (b)
x 0 x3
3

tan x  tan y a sin x  x sin a

(c) Lt (d) lim
x  y x  y x a ax 2  a 2 x
Solution :


tan x  tan
tan x  3 3
lim  lim
(a)  9 x2  2 
x x 9 x2  2
3 3

sin  A  B
Using tan A ă tan B = we get,
cos A cosB

 
sin  x  
lim  3 
 
x  cos x cos  3 x    3 x   
3 3

1 1
  sin  
  using lim  1  2
cos cos      
3
0   3
3 3

sin x
 sin x
tan x  sin x
(b) Lt  Lt cos x
x0 x3 x0 x3

x
sin x 1  cos x sin x.2sin2
 Lt  Lt 2
x0 x3 cos x x0 x3 cos x

2 2
 x  x
sin  2 sin 
 sin x   2  x  sin x   2 1
2 x
 .    2  x.  x  .
 x   x  2  x   4 1
    2.1.12
 Lt  2   2  4 1
 Lt  
x0 x3 cos x x0 cos x 1 2

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 27

(c) [Here independent variable x is not tending to zero rather x is tending to y, hence put x = y + h]
Let x = y + h, then as x  y, h  0

tan x  tan y tan  y  h   tan y

Now Lt  Lt
x y x y h0 y h y

1  sin  y  h  sin y 
 Lt   
h  0 h  cos  y  h  cos y 

sin  y  h  cos y  cos  y  h sin y

 Lt
h0 h cos  y  h  cos y

sin  y  h  y
 Lt
h  0 h cos  y  h  cos y

sin h 1 1
 Lt . 1  sec2 y
h0 h cos  y  h  cos y 2
cos y

a sin x  x sin a
(d) lim
xa ax2  a2 x

a sin x  x sin x  x sin x  x sin a

 lim
xa ax  x  a 

 lim
 a  x sin x  x  sin x  sin a 
x a ax  x  a 

 lim
 a  x sin x  lim sin x  sin a
x  a ax  x  a  x a a x  a

xa  ( x  a) 
2cos ( )  sin

sin a
 lim 2 2  sin a cos a
   
a2 x a 2a  ( x  a)  a 2 a
 2 

Illustration 1 2

tan 2 x  x Lt f ( x ) sin      x  sin      x  sin 2x

(a) If f ( x )  3 x  sin x , find x  0 (b) Lt .x
x 0 cos 2 x  cos 2x

a  h  sin  a  h   a 2 sin a
2
Lt
1  cos x cos 2 x cos 3 x
(c) Lt (d)
h 0 h x 0 sin 2 x

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

28 QUIZRR

Solution :

tan 2 x  x
(a) Lt f ( x)  Lt [IIT-71]
x0 x  0 3 x  sin x

 tan 2 x   tan 2 x 
  2x  x  2  1 2  1 1
2x  2x 
 Lt   Lt   
x0  sin x  x0 sin x 31 2
3x   x 3
 x  x

sin      x  sin      x  sin 2x

(b) Lt .x
x0 cos2x  cos 2x

sin      x  sin      x  sin 2x

 Lt .x
x0 2sin      x.sin      x

 sin      x sin      x sin 2x 

 .     x  .    x  .2x 
 Lt 
   x     x 2x x
x0  sin      x
.      x.
sin      x
.    x

 2 
    x     x 

sin      x sin      x sin 2x

.      .      .2
 Lt
    x     x 2x
x0 sin      x sin      x
2 .    . .   
    x     x

1.       1.       1.2 4 2
  
2.1      1.     

2   2 2
   2
2

=  cos  + sin  = sin  ă  cos 

Lt
 a  h 2 sin  a  h   a2 sin a
(c) [IIT-79]
h0 h

 Lt
 a2  2ah  h2  sin  a  h  a2 sin a
h0 h

 a2 (sin  a  h   sin a 
 Lt  

2 ah  h2 sin  a  h  
h0 h  h
 

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 29

 2 2a  h h 
 a .2cos 2 sin 2 
 Lt   (2 a  h) sin(a  h) 
h0 h 
 

h
sin
2a  h 2 .h
2 a2 cos
2 h 2
= a2cosa + 2a sin a
 Lt 2  Lt  2a  h  sin  a  h 
h0 h h0

(d) cos x cos 2x cos 3x

1
= (cos 2x cos 3x cos 2x)
2

1
= [(cos 2x + cos 4x) cos 2x]
2

1
= [2 cos2 2x + 2 cos4x cos 2x]
4

1
= [1 + cos 4x + cos 2x + cos 6x]
4

1  cos x cos 2 x cos 3 x

Now Lt
x0 sin2 2 x

1
1 1  cos 2 x  cos 4 x  cos6 x
 Lt 4
x0 sin 2 2 x

1  cos2 x  1  cos4 x  1  cos6 x

 Lt
x0 4sin2 2 x

2sin 2 x  2sin2  2sin2 3 x

 Lt
x0 4 sin 2 2 x

2 2 2
 sin x   sin 2 x   sin 3 x 
2  . x2  2   . 4 x2  2   .9 x
2

 Lt  x   2x   3x  28 7
2
 
x0  sin 2 x  2 16 4
4  .4 x
 2x 

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 30 QUIZRR

T y p e I . Ca t e g o r y B .
Trigonometric Problems in which variable tends to infinity.
There are no formulas as such for this type.

Illustration 1 3

 sin x  1
(a) Lt   (b) Lt 2 x tan  
x   x  x  x

Solution :

sin x
(a) We have Lt
x x

we know ă 1 < sin x < 1, for all values of x  R & and as x  , 1  0

x
 Limit be comes

Lt ( 0)
(a number between (ă1, 1)
x

= 0
Note : You can though remember this limit.

1
(b) Lt 2 x tan  
x  x

1
put x  , so as x   h  0
h

2
Lt tan ( h)
h0 h

 tan h 
= 2 as Lt  1
 h 0 h 

Illustration 1 4

 x  cos x 
Find the Limit, Lt  
x   x  sin x 

Solution :

x  cos x
Given Limit is Lt
x x  sin x

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 31

cos x
1
Lt x
= x sin x
1
x

10  cos x sin x 

Lt  Lt 0 using the same concept as in 
= x 
x 1  0  x  x

= 1.

T y p e I I . Ca t e g o r y C
Problems containing exponential and logarithmic functions :
Working Rule :
Using the following formulae whichever is required

a f (x)  1
(i) Lt  log e a
f ( x) 0 f ( x)

This formula should be used only when base is a constant and power is a variable.
Special Case :

ef ( x)  1
Lt 1
f ( x)  0 f ( x)

(ii) Lt [1  kf ( x )] f (x)
 ek
f ( x) 0

This formula should be used when both base and powers are variables.

(iii)

This formula should be used in case of logarithmic function.

log{1  f ( x )}
(iv) Lt 1
f ( x) 0 f (x)

= Lt eg ( x) [ f ( x) 1]
x a

Here x  a, f ( x)  1 and g( x)  

This formula should be used only when indeterminate form is 1 .

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

32 QUIZRR

Illustration 1 5

 log x  ex  1  x
(a) Lt   (b) Lt
x 1  x  1  x 0 x2

 log( x  h)  log x 
(c) Lt  
h 0  h 
Solution :

 log x 
(a) given limit is Lt 
x  1  x 1 

replacing x by h + 1, {limit also changes}

log (1  h)
= Lt
h 0 1 h 1

log (1  h)
= Lt 1
h0 h

ex  1  x
(b) Lt
x0 x2

 ex  1 
in this question if we try to use the formula  x  , then it will not be solved, why ?
 
Because we will get zero in numerator & denominator, which becomes unsolvable

ex  1 1

x x ( 1)  1 0 form
Lt  Lt 
x0 x x0 x 0

so either we use LÊ hospitals or we go for expansion series.

Here we will go for expansion series

 x x2 x3 
1    ...   1  x
 1 2! 3! 
= Lt  
x0 2
x

 x2 x2   1 x x2 
= Lt    ...  Lt    ... 
x  0  2! 3!  = x  0  2 3! 4! 
  

1
putting x = 0 in the rest =
2

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 33

(c) Given limit is,

a
This is a simple limit, just use log properties i.e. log a ă log b = log
b
 x h 
log  
= Lt  x 
h0 h

1 h 1  h 
log   log  
 x   x 
Lt  Lt
= h0 h h  0 h
x
x

1  (1  h) 
=    Lt log  1
 x  h0 h 

Illustration 1 6

x
( a b) x  a x  b x  1 e tan  e x
(a) Evaluate lim (b) Evaluate lim
x 0 x2 x  0 tan x  x

3x  5x 6 x  2x  3 x  1
(c) lim (d) lim
x 0 x x 0 sin 2 x
Solution :

(ab) x  a x  b x  1  3 x  1 5x  1 
(a) lim 3 x  5x 
x0 x2
(c) lim = lim  
x0 x x  0  x x 

a xb x  a x  bx  1 3
= lim 2 = log 3 ă log 5 = log
x0 x 5

a x (bx  1)  (b x  1)
= lim 
x0 x2

= lim 
( a x  1)  (b x  1)
 lim
ax  1
 lim
bx  1   = log a ï log b
x  0 x x  0 x x  0 x

x ex   e
 tan x  x  1
etan  ex  
(b) lim  lim
x  0 tan x  x x  0  tan x  x

= lim

ex etan x  x  1  = e0 ï 1 [as x  0, tan x ă x  0]
x0  tan x  x
= 1ï 1= 1

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 34 QUIZRR

6 x  2x  3 x  1
(d) lim
x0 sin 2 x

 2 x  1 3 x  1) x2 2x  1
lim lim
3x  1
lim
 x 
2

x x  0 x x  0  sin x 
= lim =
x0 x2 sin 2 x x0

= log e 3 log e 2

T y p e 1 . Ca t e g o r y C
Problems involving exponential & logarithmic functions.
1. If power is variable, express the given expression as power of e. Use the formula, ax = ex log a

2. Use expansion series where required

1 k
3. Use the formula Lt 1  k f (x) f ( x)  e where k is constant
f ( x)  0

Illustration 1 7
Find the limit

 1 1 
x
 a Lt x ex  e x 
(a) Lt  1   (b)  
x   x x 
 

Solution :
We try to convert these questions to type 2 only so that we can use formulas.

x
 a
(a) Given, 1  
Lt
x   x

1
Now here it is a type II question only. Compare it with formula Lt 1  ax x .
x 0

if you put x  1 , limit changes to

h

1
= Lt 1  ah  h
h0

1
= ea {using Lt 1  x  x  e}
x0

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 35

 1 1
 x  
Lt x  x  e x 
(b) x0  
 

1
again putting x = x 
h

Lt
1 h
h0 h

e  e h 
 eh  1 ( e h  1)   eh  1  e h  1 
= Lt    = Lt    Lt  
h  0  h h h  0  h  h  0  h 


in second limit put h = ă h

 eh  1   eh  1 
= 1 ă h Lt   = 1 + 1  Lt 1 
 0   h   h  0 h 

= 2

Illustration 1 8

1 x
 1 
(a) lim 1  2 x  x (b) lim  1  
x 0 x  x2 

2x  1
 x  1 lim x cot 2 x
(c) lim   (d)
x    x  2 x 1

Solution :

1
(a) lim 1  2 x  x
x0

using formula

1
1 
= lim 1  2 x 2 x  x   2 x
x0  

2x
 e
lim
x0 x
= eă2

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

36 QUIZRR

x
 1 
(b) lim  1  
x x2 

1
our formula is lim 1  f ( x)  f ( x)  e where f (x)  0
x0

1
here f ( x)  2 which as x  , f(x)  0, hence we can apply the same formula.
x

x x2
 1   1   1 
 lim  1    lim  1  2  x  2 
x 2 x
x  x   x 

x 1
lim lim
= ex   x2 x x
e
= e0 = 1

2x  1
 x  1
(c) lim  
x    x  2

2 x 1 2 x 1
 x1   3 
= lim  1   1 = lim  1  
x x  2  x x  2

again we can apply the concept as used in previous question

3
lim  2x  1
= e x  x  2 = e6

(d) lim xcot x

x1

= xlim 1  ( x1) cot zx

1

lim x1 x1

lim lim
= ex  1  x  1 cot zx = x  1 tan x or = x1 tan (   zx)
e e

x1
lim
= x  1 tan  (1  x)
e

 1  1  x  tan  
=
lim
x  1  tan z (1  x) as tim  1
e  0  

1
=
e
LIMITS & CONTINUITY
 QUIZRR 37

So m e c o n f u s i n g l im i t s

Illustration 1 9

x
(a) lim (b) xlim  x  3
x 0 x 0

(c) lim sin

x 0
1
x x 0
1
 
(d) lim x sin / x

Solution :
(a) for the limit to exist LHL & RHL should be equal lets take LHL first

x  x gives (  x) for negative nos. & since x is 

lim  
x0 x approaching from negative side, x gives   x 

x
= lim  1 ...(i)
x0 x

Now, RHL

x
lim
x  0 x as x  0 i.e. from positive side x returns  x
x
= lim x  1 ...(ii)
x0

from (i) & (ii) LHL  RHL, hence limit does not exist.

(b) lim  x  3
x0

again we will find LHL & RHL for this question

LHL
lim  x  3
x  0

= hlim 0  h  3
0

lim   h  3
= h  0  

This will be a number between (ă 4, ă 3) and we know that for this the value of greatest
integer function is ă 4.

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38 QUIZRR
ă
 LHL = 4

RHL
lim  x  3
x  0

= hlim 0  h  3
0

lim  h  3
= h0  

this will be a number between (ă 3, ă 2) and hence greatest integer function returns ă 3
 RHL = ă 3
Now, LHL  RHL
Hence limit does not exist.

1
(c) lim sin  
x0  x

1
now as x  0    
 x

1
but for sin   or sin () is not a finite value. In fact it is a oscillatory value between
 x
[ă 1, + 1] because we dont know the value of 
Note : Some of the students get confused in this, in fact some think that sin ()   which
is absolutely wrong as sin x can never return a value other than [ă 1, 1].
Since the limit is not finite, limit does not exists.

1
(d) lim x sin  
x0  x
This is a very important limit. Let us solve it.

1
We already solved the part lim sin   in the above question. It is a value between
x0  x
[ă 1, 1] but x  0, x approaches 0.
Hence limit becomes
=  0 ï (a number between [ă 1, 1]
= 0
Hence limit exists and is equal to 0.
(You can check by equating LHL & RHL)

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 39

Illustration 20
Evaluate the following limits :
1  sin x
x Lt
(a) Lt 1  x  tan 2 
(b) x  / 2   x  cot x

x 1
2 
Solution :
(a) These type of limits are solved by substituting the limit.
See now in the limit,

x x
Lt 1  x tan tan approaches  so somehow we need to remove this. If it can be
x1 2 , 2

x x
converted to cot , then the limit will be solved as cot will approach 0.
2 2

x    
And we know cot = tan   x  or tan 1  x 
2  2 2  2
now, do you see something
putting x as (1 ă x) solves the question
(1 ă x) becomes x & lim changes to

x x 2
lim x cot  lim 
x0 2 x 0 x  [as cos  = 1]
sin
2

1  sin x
Lt
(b) x   / 2    x  cot x
2 
 
Note : In these type of questions you will get the clue of what to substitute from the question
itself.


Like in this question we will substitute  x for x, hence limit becomes
2

 
1  sin   x 
lim 2   lim 1  cos x
 x0    x  0 x tan x
x cot   x 
2 

 1  cos x   x  1  1  cos x 1
= lim    = 1  as lim  
x0 x2   tan x  2  x  0 x 2 2

you can learn this

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 40 QUIZRR

So m e q u e s t io n s o n e x p a n s i o n s e r ie s
Generally expanding makes the question a bit easy. Lt us see how.

Illustration 21

x5
Evaluate Lt
x   ex

x x2 x3
Solution : e  1  x    ...
2! 3 !
putting this back in the limit

x5
Lt
x x2 x3 x4 x5
1 x     ...
2! 3! 4! 5!

dividing by x5

1
Lt
x 1 1 1 1 1 x
    1  ...
x5
x4
2! x3
3! x2 4! x 6!

we can see that denominator is approaching 

1
Hence the limit becomes Lt which is 0.
x 

Illustration 22

log 1  x 
Find Lt
x 0 3x  1
Solution :
Here we will apply expansion series of both log (1 + x) & ax which is

x2 x3 x4
log 1  x = x     ...
2 3 4

x2
& ax = 1  x  log a    log a 2  ...
2!
using these

x2 x3 x4
x  
Lt 2 3 4
x0 2
x
1  x log 3  (log 3)2 ...  1
2!

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 41

 x x2 x3 
x 1    ... 
 2 3 4 
Lt  
= x0  x 
x log 3  1  log 3  ... 
 2 

Now we can put x = 0 in the limit also

1
Hence limit is log 3

L IM IT B Y L ’ ‘H OSPIT A L ’S RU L E

0 
LÊHospitalÊs rule is applicable only when the form is or .
0 
0 
In case of other indeterminate forms, first of all they should be changed to the form or and
0 
then L HospitalÊs rule should be applied.
ÂHospitalÊs rule : Let f (x) and g (x) be differentiable functions at x = a.
Let f´ (x), f´´(x), f´´´(x), ..., fn (x) denote the first, second, third, .... nth derivatives respectively of
f (x) and g´(x), g´´(x), g´´´(x), ..., gn(x) denote the first, second, third, ..., nth derivatives respectively of
g(x).
According to LÊHospitalÊs rule

f ( x)  0  f '( x)
1. Lt  form  = Lt
x  a g ( x)  0  x  a g '( x)

In general if f´(x), f´´(x), ..., fnă1(x)  0 and g´(x), g´´(x), ... gnă1(x)  0 as x  a and

Lt f n ( x) and Lt g n ( x) are simultaneously zero, then

xa xa

f ( x)  0  f n ( x)
Lt form Lt
x  a g( x)  0  =
 x  a g n ( x)

f ( x)    f '( x)
2. Lt   form  = Lt
x  a g( x)   x  a g '( x)

In general if f´(x), f´´(x), ..., fnă1(x)   and g´(x), g´´(x), ... gnă1(x)   as x  a and

Lt f n ( x) and Lt g n ( x) are simultaneously , then

xa xa

f ( x)    f n ( x)
Lt form Lt
x   g( x)    =
 x   g n ( x)

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

42 QUIZRR

0 
How to change the indeterminate forms to form or
0 
1. When the form is 0., bring the suitable factor in the denominator.
0 
The form will be now or .
0 
x
Example : Lt 1  x  tan
x 1 2 [0. form]

1x
Lt 0 
= x  1 cot x  form 
2  
0

0 
2. When the form is  ă  : Go on simplifying until it reduces to the form or .
0 
3. When the form is 1 , 0, 00 : Let the required limit be P, then take logarithm and proceed.

Illustration 23

x7  2x5  1
Find Lt
x  1 x3  3x2  2

Solution :

x7  2 x5  1 0 
Lt   0 form 
3 2  
x1 x  3x  2

7 x6  10 x4  0
= Lt [by L ÂHospitalÊs rule]
x 1 3 x2  6 x  0

7  10   3 
=  1
36   3

Illustration 24

x sin    sin x
Find Lt
x  x 
[Here x is the variable and a is a constant, therefore we will have to differentiate w.r.t. to x.]
x sin    sin x 0 
Solution : Lt  0 form 
x   x   

1.sin    cos x
 Lt  sin    cos 
x 10

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 43

Illustration 25

tan x  sin x
Find Lt
x 0 x3

tan x  sin x 0 
Solution : Lt  0 form 
3
x0 x  

sec 2 x  cos x 0 
= Lt
2  0 form 
x0 3x  

2sec x sec x tan x  sin x 0 

= Lt  0 form 
x0 6x  

2sec 2 x.sec 2 x  2 tan x . 2sec x sec x tan x  cos x

= Lt
x0 6

201 1
= 
6 2

Illustration 26

a  h  sin  a  h   a 2 sin a
2
Find Lt
h 0 h

[Here h is the variable]

Solution :

 a  h 2 sin  a  h   a2 sin a 0 
Lt
h  0 form 
h0  

Lt
 a  h 2 cos  a  h  (0  1)  sin  a  h 2  a  h   0  1  0
=
h0 1

= a2cosa + 2asina [by LÊHospitalÊs rule]

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 44 QUIZRR

M is c e l la n e o u s Fo r m s :

(I) 00 form : When xlim f ( x)  1 but f(x) is positive in the neighbourhood of x = a.

a

g ( x)
In this case we write, ( f ( x) g ( x) = elog e f ( x)

lim g ( x) log e f ( x)
g ( x)
 lim  f ( x)   ex  a
xa

Illustration 27

Evaluate lim  sin x  x

x  0

Solution :

Let A = lim  sin x x

x  0

lim x log  sin x 

 log A = x  0

log  sin x 
log A = lim [By LÊ HospitalÊs rule]
x  0 1/ x

1
. cos x
lim sin x  lim x2 cot x
= x  0 1 =
 x  0
x2

x2
=  lim 0
x  0
tan x

 A=1 or lim  sin x x  1

x  0

Illustration 28
x
Evaluate xlim  cos ec x 
0

Solution :
x
Let A = xlim  cosec x (0 form)
0

log A = xlim x log  cosec x 

0

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 45

log  cos ec x 
lim  
= x0 1   form 
x  

1   cosec x cot x
lim .
= x  0 cosec x 
1 [By LÊHospitalÊs rule)
x2

x2
= lim 0
x  0 tan x

 log A = 0 or A=1

 lim  cos ec x x 1
x0

Illustration 29

1
x log x
Evaluate lim e
x 0

Solution :

1
Let A  lim e x log x
x0

1 1/ x  
. log e . log e
log A = lim x log x = lim log x   form  [By LÊ HospitalÊs rule]
x0 x0  

 1 / x2

= lim 1/ x 
x0

loge A = ă 
1

 A = eă or lim ex log x 0
x0

Illustration 30
sin x
Evaluate xlim x
0

Solution :
log e x
lim
sin x cosec x
lim x = lim sin x log e x  ex  0
x0 e
x0

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 46 QUIZRR

1/ x
lim
= x0  cos ec x cot x
e

2
 sin x   x 
2 lim    . 
sin x x  0  x   cos x 
= lim  e
x0 x cos x
e
= eă(1). (0) = e0 = 1

Illustration 31

lim log sin x sin 2 x

Solve x  0 

Solution :
lim log sin x sin 2 x
Here, x  0

log sin 2 x   
= lim  form 
x  0 log sin x   

1  2x 
lim . 2 cos 2 x   cos 2 x
x  0 sin 2 x
lim  sin  2 x 
= 1 =  x  [By LÊ HospitalÊs]
s]
.cos x x  0
sin x   cos x
 sin x 

cos 2 x
= lim 1
x  0 cos x

Illustration 32

Solve lim  sin x tan x

x  0
Solution :

Here lim sin xtan x (00 form)

x  0

let A = lim sin xtan x

x  0
Taking log on both sides, we get
lim tan x log  sin x
loge A = x  0

log  sin x   
= lim  form  [By LÊ HospitalÊs]
x  0 cot x    

LIMITS & CONTINUITY

 QUIZRR 47

1
lim .cos x  lim  sin x .cos x  0
 sin x x  0
Applying L-HospitalÊs rule = x  0
2
 cos ec x
 loge A = 0
 A = e0 = 1  A =1

Illustration 33

2
Evaluate lim  n  /n
n 
Solution :
2
Here; A = lim  n  /n
(0 form)
n

2 log  n   
log A = lim   form 
n n  

1
2. . 2
= lim n = lim n  0
n 1 n

loge A = 0 A = 1

Illustration 34

1
/n
 en 
Evaluate lim  
n     

Solution :
1/
n
 en 
Here, A = lim   (0 form)
n     


1  en 
 log A = lim log  
n  n   
 

n log e  log   
= lim n   form 
n  

log e  0
= lim
n  1

= log e
A = e

LIMITS & CONTINUITY