1 Limits & Continuity Notes

UNIT 1: LIMITS & Calculus 12
with Ms. Conroy

CONTINUITY January to April 2023
TOPIC 1.1: FUNCTIONS Calculus 12
with Ms. Conroy
AND GRAPHS September to December 2022
FUNCTIONS VOCABULARY TO
KNOW
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Domain
Range
WHAT IS A FUNCTION?
REPRESENTING DOMAIN AND
RANGE
Interval Notation Set Notation Graph
(a, b)
[a, b]
[a, b)
(a, b]
(-∞, ∞)
(a, ∞)
[a, ∞)
(-∞, b)
(-∞, b]
EXAMPLES
Find Domain and Range of the following Functions:
1. y = x2
2. y = 1/x
y  1  x2
3.
RECOGNIZING FUNCTIONS
m = -2
m=3 m=1
m = -1
m = 1/2
m = -1/3
Linear Function: y = mx Quadratic Function: y = x2 Cubic Function: y = x3
Domain Domain Domain
Range Range Range

1
Rational Function: y 
x
Radical Function: y  x Exponential Function: y  2x
Domain Domain Domain
Range Range Range

SYMMETRY – ODD OR EVEN?
y = x2 is an example of an even function. What is its symmetry?
y = x3 is an example of an odd function. What is its symmetry?

PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS
  x, x  0

y   x2 , 0  x  1
1, x  1

ABSOLUTE VALUE FUNCTION
 x, x  0
y x 
  x, x  0
COMPOSITE FUNCTIONS
Using the output of one function as the input into another – f(g(x)) read as “f of g of x”
Example: Find a formula for the following if g(x) = x 2 and f(x) = x – 7:
a) f(g(x))
b) g(f(x))
TOPIC 1.2: INTRODUCTION Calculus 12
with Ms. Conroy
TO CALCULUS January to April 2022
WHAT IS CALCULUS?
FUNDAMENTAL CALCULUS
PROBLEMS – THE TANGENT LINE
PROBLEM
Finding the slope of a tangent line at point P on a curve –
how can we do this?
We must approximate using a secant line
FUNDAMENTAL CALCULUS
PROBLEMS – THE AREA PROBLEM
Finding the area under a curve – how can we do this?
We must approximate using rectangles
TOPIC 1.3: INTRODUCTION Calculus 12
with Ms. Conroy
TO CALCULUS January to April 2023
INTRODUCTION TO LIMITS
x3  1
Consider the function f  x   . What, x  value
1 can’t be sketched
x 1
using normal methods?
Let’s look at the behaviour of the function as x approaches 1.
x 0.75 0.9 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.1 1.25

f(x) ?
What value does the function approach as x approaches 1?
DEFINITION OF A LIMIT
What is a limit?
ESTIMATING A LIMIT
NUMERICALLY x f(x)
-0.1
-0.01
-0.001
-0.0001
0
0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
FINDING A LIMIT
Does the value or existence of the function at the limit value influence the limit?
FINDING LIMITS
Limits can be found in three different ways:
1.Constructing a table of values – a numerical approach
2.Draw a graph by hand or using a graphing calculator –
a graphical approach
3.Using algebra or calculus – an analytical approach
DO LIMITS ALWAYS EXIST?
x
Consider the function f  xas it approaches 0
x
DO LIMITS ALWAYS EXIST?
1
Consider the function f as
x  it approaches 0
x2
ALGEBRAIC METHODS
FOR FINDING LIMITS
PROPERTIES OF LIMITS
Some limits are very easy! When a function is continuous, limits can be found by
direct substitution! Here are some basic limits:
lim b  lim x  lim x  n

x c x c x c
Examples:
lim 3  lim x  lim x  2

x2 x 4 x2
Given that b and c are real numbers, n is a positive integer, and f
and g are functions with the limits oflim f  x   L and lim g  x   K
x c x c
1. Scalar Multiple
2. Sum or Difference
3. Product
Given that b and c are real numbers, n is a positive integer, and f
and g are functions with the limits of lim f  x   L and lim g  x   K
x c x c
4. Quotient
5. Power
This means that limits can easily be found for polynomial

functions, rational functions, and radical functions
EXAMPLES: FIND THE LIMIT…
x 1

lim x 2  2 x  4  lim 3 x  2
x 2
WHAT IF SUBSTITUTION
DOESN’T WORK? x  1 3
Consider the question lim
x 1 x 1
Why won’t substitution work?
Is there an equivalent function we could use that behaves

like f(x) but doesn’t have the restrictions?
FUNCTIONS THAT
(MOSTLY) AGREE
Let c be a real number and let f(x) = g(x) for all x ≠ c in any
interval containing c. If the limit of g(x) exists as x approaches c,
then the limit of f(x) exists and:
lim f  x   lim g  x 
x c x c
x3  1
f x  f  x   x2  x  1
x 1
Strategies For Finding Limits
1. Recognize the limits that can be evaluated by substitution
These include polynomials, radicals, absolute value, and

rationals where the denominator is not equal to zero.
2. If you are not sure, use a graph of a table of values to help

yourself! It is always okay to check your answer when you
need to.
2. Try Factoring And Canceling
x2  x  2
lim
x 1 x 1
3. Rationalize The Numerator Or
Denominator If It Is Irrational
x 5
lim
x 25 x  25
4. Simplify Complex Fractions
1
1
lim x
x 1 x  1
EXAMPLE: PIECEWISE
FUNCTIONS
 10  x 2 , x  1

 26  5 x 2
g x    , 1  x  e
 7
ln x 3 , xe

EXAMPLE: PIECEWISE
FUNCTIONS
 10  x 2 , x  1

 26  5 x 2
g x    , 1  x  e
 7
ln x 3 , xe

SQUEEZE THEOREM
Can be used to find limits in
“weird” functions that are hard
to visualize
 
Example: If g  x   c o s  and
x2 h x   x  3
2
2 
and g  x   f  x   h  xon
 -1≤x≤5, Find
lim f  x 
x 0
lim x cos 10 x 
2
x 0
Example: find
sin 
SPECIAL LIMITS:
lim
x 0 
1
sin 2 x x  sin x
lim lim
x 0 x x 0 x
sin 
SPECIAL LIMITS:
lim
x 0 
1
sin x 3 sin 4 x
lim 2 lim
x 0 2 x  x x  0 sin 3 x
INFINITE LIMITS & Calculus 12
with Ms. Conroy
ASYMPTOTES January to April 2023
ASYMPTOTES
What is an asymptote?
What kind of asymptotes can a function have?
How do you know when a function has an asymptote?

1
f x 
x 1
VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES
The line x = a is a vertical asymptote Vertical asymptote
at x = 1
of the graph of a function y = f(x)
if…
This is considered an…
NOTE: The value of the numerator of the function cannot be zero at f(c). If it is, this
is an indeterminate form and requires more investigation to determine behaviour
EXAMPLE : FIND THE VERTICAL
ASYMPTOTE(S) FOR EACH FUNCTION.
USE A GRAPH AND LIMITS TO HELP.
1 1
f x   f x  
x 1  x  1
2
Example: Determine all vertical
asymptotes ofx the graph
 2x  8
2
of
f x  
x2  4
PROPERTIES OF INFINITE
LIMITS
Let c and L be real numbers and let f and g be functions such that
lim g  x   L and lim f  x   
x c x c
1. Sum or Difference rule:
2. Product Rule:
3. Quotient Rule:
Similar properties hold for one-sided limits and where the limit is -∞
EXAMPLE: FIND THE LIMITS
 1  x2 1
lim 1  2  lim
x 0
 x  x 1 1
x 1
HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
The line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of a function
y = f(x) if either…
Horizontal asymptotes help determine…

EXAMPLE: FIND THE HORIZONTAL
ASYMPTOTE(S) FOR EACH FUNCTION.
USE GRAPHS AND LIMITS TO HELP
1 x
f x   f x 
x 1 x2 1
EXAMPLE: FIND ALL ASYMPTOTE(S) OF THE
FUNCTION
2
x  4 USING LIMITS TO JUSTIFY YOUR
x   x2  2 x
fANSWER
End Behaviour
Models
f x   3 x4  2 x3  3 x2  5x  6
g x   3 x4
GROWTH RATES
Function x = 10 x = 100 x = 1000 x = 10000
x2
x3
2x
log x
1/x
sqrt(x)
END BEHAVIOUR MODELS
The function g is a good approximation for the behaviour of f and
is a good right end behaviour model for f if…
The function g is a good approximation for the behaviour of f and

is a good left end behaviour model for f if…
Example: Show graphically and analytically that
g(x) is a right-end behaviour model for f(x) and h(x)
is a left end behaviour model
f x   x  e x
g x   x h x   e x
Example: Show graphically and analytically that
g(x) is a right-end behaviour model for f(x) and h(x)
is a left end behaviour model
f x   x  e x
g x   x h x   e x
Example: use end behaviour models to
help find the horizontal asymptotes of
3 x4  x3  2 x2  5 4 x4  5x2  6
f x   g x   4
4 x2  7x  3 5x  3 x3  7
Example: Use end behaviour models to
help find the horizontal asymptotes of
3 x4  x3  2 x2  5 4 x4  5x2  6
f x   g x   4
4 x2  7x  3 5x  3 x3  7
Example: Find The End Behaviour
Model Of
2 x2  4 x
f x  
x 1
OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTES
When the end behaviour model shows
a linear function the function will
have an oblique asymptote which can
be found by long division
Calculus 12
CONTINUITY with Ms. Conroy
January to April 2023
CONTINUITY OF FUNCTIONS
What does continuity mean?
How can you tell a function is continuous?

Continuity At A Point
Interior point:
End Point
Example: The Greatest Integer
Function
Find intervals of continuity and points of discontinuity
Types Of Discontinuities
Types Of Discontinuities
Example: extend f(x) to create a
function continuous at x = 3
x3  7x  6
f x  
x 9
2
DEFINITION OF CONTINUITY
A function is continuous on an interval if it is…
A continuous function is…

Properties Of Continuity
If b is a real number and f and g are continuous at
x = c, then the following functions are also
continuous at x = c.
Composite Functions can be
1. Scalar multiples – bf evaluated for continuity as well! If
2. Sums and Differences – f ± g g is continuous at c and f is
continuous at g(c), then the
3. Products – fg
composite function (f º g)(x) =
4. Quotients – f/g (as long as g(c) ≠ 0) f(g(x)) is continuous at c
Every polynomial, rational, and radical function
is continuous at every point in their domains.
Intermediate Value Theorem
This theorem states that “If f is
continuous on the closed interval [a,
b], f(a) ≠ f(b), and k is any number
between f(a) and f(b), then there
must be one number c in [a, b] such
that f(c) = k”
*Note: this only says that the value

exists it can’t tell you what it is
Example: Does the function shown
below have a root on the interval [0,1]?
y  x  x  5x  2
5 3
Example: Is any real number on the
interval [1,2] exactly one less than its cube?
(Hint: ) x  x3 1
Extreme Value Theorem
Example: Although y=1/x is continuous on
[1,∞), it has no minimum value on the interval.
Does this contradict EVT?

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UNIT 1: LIMITS & Calculus 12

with Ms. Conroy

Linear Function: y = mx Quadratic Function: y = x2 Cubic Function: y = x3

Domain Domain Domain

Range Range Range

Range Range Range

y = x3 is an example of an odd function. What is its symmetry?

x 0.75 0.9 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.1 1.25

lim b  lim x  lim x  n

lim 3  lim x  lim x  2

This means that limits can easily be found for polynomial

Why won’t substitution work?

Is there an equivalent function we could use that behaves

These include polynomials, radicals, absolute value, and

2. If you are not sure, use a graph of a table of values to help

What kind of asymptotes can a function have?

How do you know when a function has an asymptote?

This is considered an…

Horizontal asymptotes help determine…

The function g is a good approximation for the behaviour of f and

How can you tell a function is continuous?

A continuous function is…

*Note: this only says that the value

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