Document1 Page 1

x
-4 -2 2 4
y
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-4 -2 2 4
y
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
Mathematical Methods Unit 2
Calculus
H2 - Limits of a Polynomial Function

The concept of a limit needs to be understood before you proceed with calculus. In
mathematics, limit is considered as the value of y that the curve approaches as x gets closer
to a particular number.

Notation: ) ( lim x f
a x
denotes the value of ) (x f as x approaches . a

Example 1. Investigate the ). 2 ( lim
2
2
+

x
x

Consider 2
2
+ = x y



From the above table and graph we get:

=

) ( lim
2
x f
x
(left-hand limit) =
+

) ( lim
2
x f
x
(right-hand limit)
) ( lim ) ( lim
2 2
x f x f
x x
+

=

=

) ( lim
2
x f
x


Note: 2 ) (
2
+ = x x f is continuous at 2 = x and = ) 2 ( f

Continuous Functions.

Example 1: If , 2 2 ) ( = x x f find ). ( lim
1
x f
x

From the graph we get:
=

) ( lim
1
x f
x


=
+

) ( lim
1
x f
x


) ( lim ) ( lim
1 1
x f x f
x x
+

=

=

) ( lim
1
x f
x



x Y
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
Document1 Page 2
x
-4 -2 2 4
y
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
x
-4 -2 2 4
y
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
Note: ) (x f is continuous at 1 = x and = ) 1 ( f

Example 2: Find ) ( lim
3
x f
x
given that ). 5 )( 2 ( ) ( x x x f =

From the graph we get:
=

) ( lim
3
x f
x


=
+

) ( lim
3
x f
x

) ( lim ) ( lim
3 3
x f x f
x x
+

=

=

) ( lim
3
x f
x


Note: ) (x f is continuous at 3 = x and = ) 3 ( f


In general: If ) (x f is continuous at a x = then ). ( ) ( lim a f x f
a x
=

Example 3: Evaluate each of the following.

(i) 10 6 lim
3

x
x
(ii) 5 2 lim
2
3


g
g
(iii) 5 ) 2 ( lim
2
0
+ +

h
h





Discontinuous Functions.
Type 1: Point discontinuity (hole in graph)

Example1: Given , 2 ,
2
4
) (
2
=

= x where
x
x
x f investigate ) ( lim
2
x f
x
.
As this function is undefined at , 2 = x we cannot just find ). 2 ( f However, by factorising we get:

2
2
4
) (
2
= =
=

=
x
x
x
x f


The graph of 2 , 2 ) ( = + = x x x f looks like the graph of 2 ) ( + = x x h except it has a point of discontinuity
at . 2 = x












Document1 Page 3
2
4
lim
2
2

x
x
x

From the previous we get:
=

) ( lim
2
x f
x
=
+

) ( lim
2
x f
x

) ( lim ) ( lim
2 2
x f x f
x x
+

=
=

) ( lim
2
x f
x


ie







Your approach to evaluating limits will depend upon whether the denominator of the function contains terms
involving . x Use the flow diagram below to guide you when solving problems involving limits.

Denominator carries x terms Denominator is constant or is absent

+ +

Substitute a into the denominator Find ) (a f

+ +

If denominator 0 = If denominator = 0

+ +

Find ) (a f Factorise and simplify

+

Find ) (a f


Example 2: Find
(i) 0 ,
5
lim
2
0
=
+

x
x
x x
x
(ii) 1 ,
2
1
lim
2
1
=
+

x
x x
x
x
(iii) 4 ,
4
64
lim
3
4
=
+
+

x
x
x
x
















Document1 Page 4
x
-4 -2 2 4
y
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
x
-2 2 4 6
y
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
6
8
10
x
-2 -1 1 2 3 4
y
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2

Example 3: Investigate ) ( lim
0
x f
x
where
( )
( )

e
e +
=
0 , , 1
, 0 , 1
) (
2
x
x x
x f

=

) ( lim
0
x f
x
=
+

) ( lim
0
x f
x

) ( lim ) ( lim
0 0
x f x f
x x
+

=
=

) ( lim
0
x f
x







The ) ( lim x f
a x
is not dependent on the value of ) (x f at . a The limit may exist even if the function is not
defined at . a

A limit exists if the left hand limit equals the right hand limit.


Type 2: Discontinuous across an interval (jump/break in graph)

Example 1: If
( |
( )

e
e
=
, 1 , 1
1 , , 2
) (
x
x x
x g investigate ). ( lim
1
x g
x


From the graph we get:

=

) ( lim
1
x g
x
=
+

) ( lim
1
x g
x

) ( lim ) ( lim
1 1
x g x g
x x
+

=
) ( lim
1
x g
x
does not exist.






Example 2: If

>
s +
=
3 , 8
3 , 3
) (
x
x x
x f investigate ). ( lim
3
x f
x


=

) ( lim
3
x f
x
=
+

) ( lim
3
x f
x

) ( lim ) ( lim
3 3
x f x f
x x
+

=
) ( lim
3
x f
x
does not exist.






Document1 Page 5
x
-4 -2 2 4
y
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
x
-4 -2 2 4
y
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5

In general:
The limit as a x will exist if ). ( lim ) ( lim x f x f
a x a x
+

= This occurs:

1. When ) (x f is continuous at . a x =





2. When there is a point discontinuity at . a x =






The limit as a x will not exist if ). ( lim ) ( lim x f x f
a x a x
+

= This occurs when the function is discontinuous
across an interval, and a lies within this interval.









Type 3: Asymptotes

Example 1: Investigate (i) ), ( lim
0
x f
x
(ii) ) ( lim x f
x
and (iii) ), ( lim x f
x
where . 0 ,
1
) ( = = x
x
x f

(i) =

) ( lim
0
x f
x
=
+

) ( lim
0
x f
x














(ii) =

) ( lim x f
x
(iii) =
+
) ( lim x f
x







f(x)
x
a
f(x)
x
a
f(x)
x
a
f(x)
x
a
Document1 Page 6
x
-4 -2 2 4
y
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
Example 2: Find ) ( lim x f
x
where . 0 ,
1
) (
2
= = x
x
x f















Example 3: Find .
2 3
lim
2 2
0
h
h xh h x
h
+

Example 4: Find .
2 30
lim
2 2
0
h
h x h hx
h
+ +

Ex 19D