CALCULUS AB UNIT 1

Limits and Continuity CALCULUS AB

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 x 0 2 4 6 after launch x, in seconds, by
rate of change at x = 7. y = 16 x2 + 145x + 122. Find the
f(x) -7 6 4 -1
2. Use the table below to find best approximation for the
average rate of change at x = 3. 3. A rocket is launched from a instantaneous rate of change
tower. The height of the rocket y, (velocity) of the rocket at 5
in feet, is related to the time seconds.

Topic 1.2 - Topic 1.3 - Estimating Limit Values from

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

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

f(x) 5.9998 5.9999 6.0001 6.0002

__________
2 Topic
lim −9 9+ 121.6 - Determining Limits
−−2 7x
x➔3 xx x Using Algebraic Manipulation
__________
x➔ 9
x − the function then evaluate the limit. In your answer, remember to only drop the limit notation once
14. Rewrite
3
you evaluate the limit.

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), −
limits, and the limit of a quotient is the of the x➔ 4
limits. lim
+
f (x), and lim f (x).
x➔ 4 x➔ 4

x−6 for x _::

11. Use properties of limits to evaluate each limit. f (x) = {
−10 + x2 4
for x>4
lim (x2 + 3x + 2)(x − 1)
x➔−1

1 x
lim x2 −
x➔ 4 2

lim 3x2 − 6x + 4
x➔ 2

lim tan(3x)
x➔!

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

to the right, find the value of
lim[ f (x)g(x)].
x➔ 2
 CALCULUS AB UNIT 1
Limits and Continuity CALCULUS AB

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
lim sin x
x➔0 x csc lim
x x➔ 0 x
Topic 1.7 - Selecting Procedures for Determining Limits
16. Choose substitution, factoring, or conjugate method, then evaluate the limit.

lim x2 + 2x + 6
x➔−2

x2 − 16

lim
x➔ 4 x−
4
4+
h−2
lim
h➔0 h

Topic 1.8 - Determining Limits Using the Squeeze

Theorem
The sine function oscillates back and forth between ____ and ____ .
The cosine function oscillates back and forth between ____ nd a ____ .

19. Given g(x) = − x2 − 4x and h(x) = x2 + 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 x2 is 16” as an equation, and demonstrate it using a table
and a graph.
_______________

CALCULUS AB UNIT 1
Limits and Continuity CALCULUS AB

x -3.1 -3.01 -3.001 -3 -2.999 -2.99 -2.9

f(x) 10 20 30 3 -30 -20 -10

a.
•24. GiveTopic
25.Jump:
True or False?
one 1.10
example -each
Exploring
A discontinuity always
of a function Types existsaof
b. with
Removable:
at a cusp
jump, in the graph.discontinuities.
removable, c. Infinite:
and infinite discontinuity at x = 4.
Discontinuities
23. Point
Topic discontinuities
1.11 - Defining are also Continuity
called at a Point
22. Find and classify each discontinuity in the graph, justify
the
26. discontinuity
Aa.
function iswith limit
continuous notation.
at if: =
c.
b.
21.III
IIIonlylimfg(x)
Ifonly
only II. which
= 3, ofxthe
=I. cg(x)
following 3could
x + 3 representx :f − 3 III.
x➔−3 { x=−3
d. I
the and III
function
_____________________ only g?
i. and
2
ii. _____________________
+ 9x + 18
and
iii. _____________________
27. What is the implication of the second condition?
 CALCULUS AB UNIT 1
Limits and Continuity CALCULUS AB

Topic 1.12 - Confirming Continuity Topic 1.13 - Removing

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

29. Which of the trig functions have their domains

interrupted by vertical asymptotes?

The domain of ln x is _. ______________

The graph of the function f is shown. On which of
the following intervals is f continuous?
33. Find the value of k that makes the
(−9, − 5) function continuous.

(−5,4)
f (x) = k x+1 0 _:: x _::
{ 3
(−5,1) 5−x 3 < x _:: 5
(4,9)

Topic 1.14 - Connecting Infinite Limits and Vertical

Asymptotes
34. Where does the function have a 35. If lim f− (x) = oo and lim f (x) = − oo, does the general
vertical asymptote? x➔c x➔c+
limit exist at x = c? Is there a vertical asymptote? Justify your
answer.
f (x) = x −13

Topic 1.15 - Connecting Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes

36. Does the function f (x) = x2 have a horizontal asymptote? Why or why not?
 CALCULUS AB UNIT 1
Limits and Continuity CALCULUS AB

37. Describe the horizontal asymptote in each case. N is the degree of 38. Find any horizontal asymptote
the numerator; D is the degree of the denominator. that exists for each function.
N<D

x3 − 2x2
f (x) = x+3

N>D x+3
g(x) =
x3 − 2x2

3
N=D h(x) = x3 x− 2x
+ 23

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)
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.
Use the IVT to show that the function has at least one root in the interval [−2,5].
f (x) = x3 − 4x2 + 7x + 1
CALCULUS AB UNIT 1
Limits and Continuity CALCULUS AB