MAE101 CAL V1 Chapter 2 Limits

ĐẠI HỌC FPT CẦN THƠ
Chapter 2
LIMITS
(Page 123-194, Calculus Volume 1)
MSc. Nguyen Quoc Thanh

Email: thanhnq24@fe.edu.vn
Mathematics for Engineering

CONTENTS
2.1 A Preview of calculus

2.2 The limit of a Function
2.3 The Limit Laws
2.4 Continuity

LIMITS
2.1 A Preview of Calculus

THE TANGENT PROBLEM

Example 1 x2 − 1
We know that the slope of the secant line PQ is mPQ = .
x −1
How to find an equation of the tangent line to the parabola y = x2 at
the point P(1,1)?

THE VELOCITY PROBLEM

Example 2
Investigate the example of a falling ball.
§ Suppose that a ball is dropped

from the upper observation
deck of the CN Tower in
Toronto, 450 m above the
ground.
§ Find the velocity of the ball

after 5 seconds.

If the distance fallen after t seconds is denoted by s(t) and

measured in meters, then Galileo’s law is expressed by the
following equation.
s(t) = 4.9t2


change in position
average velocity =
time elapsed
s ( 5.1) - s ( 5 )
= = 49.49 m/s
0.1
Thus, the (instantaneous)

velocity after 5s is:
v = 49 m/s

THE AREA PROBLEM

Example 3
We begin by attempting to solve the area problem:
Find the area of the region S that lies under the curve y = f(x)
from a to b.

LIMITS
2.2
The Limit of a Function

THE LIMIT OF A FUNCTION

In general, we write
lim f (x ) = L
x→a
if we can make the values

of f(x) arbitrarily close to L
by taking x to be
sufficiently close to a
but not equal to a.

ONE-SIDED LIMITS
We write lim− f (x ) = L
x→a
if we can make the values of f(x) arbitrarily close to L by taking x

to be sufficiently close to a and x less than a.

ONE-SIDED LIMITS
Similarly, “the right-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches a is equal
to L” and we write
lim+ f (x ) = L
x→a
lim− g (x ) lim+ g (x )
x→2 x→2
lim g (x ) lim− g (x )
x→2 x →5
lim+ g (x ) lim g (x )
x →5 x →5

INFINITE LIMITS
Let f be a function defined on both sides of a, except
possibly at a itself. Then, lim f (x ) = ∞
x→a
means that the values of f(x)

can be made arbitrarily large
by taking x sufficiently
close to a, but not equal to a.

INFINITE LIMITS
Let f be defined on both sides of a, except possibly at a
itself. Then, lim f (x ) = −∞
x→a
means that the values of f(x)

can be made arbitrarily
large negative by taking x
sufficiently close to a,
but not equal to a.

INFINITE LIMITS
Similar definitions can be given for the one-sided limits:
lim− f (x ) = ∞ lim+ f (x ) = ∞
x→a x→a
lim− f (x ) = −∞ lim+ f (x ) = −∞
x→a x→a

DEFINITIONS
l x=ais called the vertical asymptote of f(x) if
we have one of the following:
lim− f (x ) = ∞ lim+ f (x ) = ∞
x→a x→a
lim− f (x ) = −∞ lim+ f (x ) = −∞
x→a x→a

LIMITS
2.3 The Limit Laws
In this section, we will:

Use the Limit Laws to calculate limits.

THE LIMIT LAWS

Suppose that c is a constant and the limits lim f ( x)
x→a
and lim g ( x) exist. Then
x→a
1.lim [ f ( x) ± g ( x) ] = lim f ( x) ± lim g ( x)

x®a x®a x®a
2.lim [ cf ( x) ] = c lim f ( x)
x ®a x ®a
3.lim [ f ( x) g ( x) ] = lim f ( x) × lim g ( x)

x®a x ®a x ®a
f ( x) lim f ( x)
4.lim = x®a
if lim g ( x) ¹ 0
x®a g ( x) lim g ( x) x ®a
x®a

USING THE LIMIT LAWS

n
6.lim [ f ( x) ] = élim f ( x) ù
n
x ®a ë x ®a û
7.lim c = c
x→a
8.lim x = a
x→a
9.lim x n = a n
x→a
10.lim n x = n a
x→a
11.lim n f ( x) = n lim f ( x)
x→a x→a
where n is a positive integer.

lim f ( x) = L if and only if lim− f ( x) = L = lim+ f ( x)

x→a x→a x→a


Example 4
x
Prove that lim does not exist.
x →0 x

PROPERTIES OF LIMITS
If f (x) ≤ g(x) when x is near a (except possibly at a) and the

limits of f and g both exist as x approaches a, then
lim f ( x) ≤ lim g ( x)
x→a x→a

SQUEEZE THEOREM
The Squeeze Theorem (the Sandwich Theorem or the Pinching
Theorem) states that,
if f ( x) ≤ g ( x) ≤ h( x) when x is near a (except possibly at a) and

lim f ( x) = lim h( x) = L .Then lim g ( x) = L
x→a x→a x→a


Example 5
1
Show that lim x sin = 0.
2
x ®0 x
– Note that we cannot use
1 1
lim x sin = lim x × lim sin
2 2
x ®0 x x ®0 x ®0 x
– This is because lim sin(1/ x) does not exist.
x ®0


Example 5
1
– However, since−1 ≤ sin ≤ 1,
x
1
we have: − x ≤2
x sin 2
≤ x 2
§ Taking f(x) = -x2, and h(x) = x2

in the Squeeze Theorem,
1
we obtain: lim x sin = 0
2
x →0 x

QUIZ QUESTIONS
1) If lim f ( x) = 0, lim g ( x) = 0
x ®3 x ®3
f ( x)
then lim
x ®3 g ( x )
does not exist
a. True b. False

QUIZ QUESTIONS
If lim f ( x) g ( x) exists, then the limit must be f (3) g (3)

x ®3
a. True b. False

EXERCISES
P176: 93 - 124

LIMITS
2.4 Continuity
In this section, we will:
See that the mathematical definition of continuity
corresponds closely with the meaning of the word
continuity in everyday language.

CONTINUITY
A function f is continuous at a if:

lim f ( x) = f (a )
x→a
Notice that :
§ f(a) is defined - that is,
a is in the domain of f
§ lim f ( x) exists.
x®a
§ lim f ( x) = f (a)
x®a

CONTINUITY Definition
If f is defined near a - that is, f is defined on an open interval

containing a, except perhaps at a - we say that f is discontinuous
at a if f is not continuous at a.
The figure shows the graph

of a function f.
At which numbers is f
discontinuous?
Why?

CONTINUITY

CONTINUITY

SOLUTION
(a) Notice that f(2) is not defined, so f is discontinuous at 2.
Later we’ll see why is continuous at all other numbers

does not exist. So f is discontinuous at 0.

Definition
CONTINUITY
A function f is continuous from the right at a number a if
lim+ f ( x) = f (a)
x®a
and f is continuous from the left at a if
lim- f ( x) = f (a)
x®a

CONTINUITY
Definition
A function f is continuous on an interval if it is continuous at every
number in the interval.
– If f is defined only on one side of an endpoint of the interval,

we understand ‘continuous at the endpoint’ to mean
‘continuous from the right’ or ‘continuous from the left.’

CONTINUITY
Theorem
If f and g are continuous at a; and c is a constant, then the following

functions are also continuous at a:
1. f + g
2. f - g
3. cf
4. fg
5. f if g (a) ¹ 0
g

CONTINUITY
Theorem
The following types of functions are continuous at every
number in their domains:
– Polynomials
– Rational functions
– Root functions
– Trigonometric functions

Theorem
CONTINUITY
If f is continuous at b and lim g ( x) = b then
x→a
lim f ( g ( x)) = f (b)

x→a
In other words, lim

x ®a
(
f ( g ( x)) = f lim g ( x)
x ®a
)
– If x is close to a, then g(x) is close to b; and, since f
is continuous at b, if g(x) is close to b, then f(g(x))
is close to f(b).

CONTINUITY
Theorem
If g is continuous at a and f is continuous at g(a), then the

composite function ( f ! g ) ( x) = f ( g ( x)) is continuous at a.
This theorem is often expressed informally by saying

“a continuous function of a continuous function is
a continuous function.”

INTERMEDIATE VALUE THEOREM Theorem

Suppose that f is continuous on the closed interval [a, b] and let N be
any number between f(a) and f(b), where f (a) ≠ f (b)
Then, there exists a number c in (a, b) such that f(c) = N.

INTERMEDIATE VALUE THEOREM Example 6

Show that there is a root of the equation
4 x − 6 x + 3x − 2 = 0
3 2
between 1 and 2.
– Let f ( x ) = 4 x 3
− 6 x 2
+ 3 x −.2
– We are looking for a solution of the given equation

that is, a number c between 1 and 2 such that f(c) = 0.
– Therefore, we take a = 1, b = 2, and N = 0 in the theorem.
– We have f (1) = 4 − 6 + 3 − 2 = −1 < 0

and f (2) = 32 − 24 + 6 − 2 = 12 > 0

QUIZ QUESTIONS
Which is the equation expressing the fact that “f is continuous at 2”?
a. lim f ( x) = 2 b. lim f ( x) = f (2)

x®2 x ®¥
c. lim f ( x) = 0 d. lim f ( x) = ¥
x®2 x®2
e. lim f ( x) = f (2)
x®2

DEFINITION
The line y=L is called the horizontal asymptote of f(x) if we

have one of the following:
lim f ( x ) = L lim f ( x ) = L
x ®¥ x ®-¥

Example
Find the asymptotes of the function
x3 - 1
f ( x) = 3
x + x2 - 2
Solution
1
1-
x3 - 1 x3
lim 3 = lim =1 y=1 is horizontal asymptote
x ®¥ x + x 2 - 2 x ®¥ 1 2
1+ - 3
x x
x3 - 1 ( x - 1) ( x 2 + x + 1)
=
x + x - 2 ( x - 1)( x 2 + 2 x + 2)
3 2
x3 + 1 3
lim 3 =
x ®1 x + x 2 - 2 5

Example
Compute
1
a. lim sin 0
x ®¥ x
b. lim( x 2 + 1 - x) 0
x ®¥
c. lim sin x Does not exist

x ®¥
d.
lim( x - x 3 )
x ®¥

QUIZ QUESTIONS
1) Find lim cos x
x ®¥
a. 0 b. infinity c. 1 d. Does not exist
1
2) Find lim cos x
x ®¥ x
a. 0 b. infinity c. 1 d. Does not exist

QUIZ QUESTIONS
3) If lim f ( x) = ¥, lim g ( x) = ¥
x ®0 x ®0
lim[ f ( x) - g ( x)] = 0
x ®0
Then
a. True b. False
4) A function can have two different horizontal asymptotes
a. True b. False

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ĐẠI HỌC FPT CẦN THƠ

MSc. Nguyen Quoc Thanh

Mathematics for Engineering

2.1 A Preview of calculus

Mathematics for Engineering

2.1 A Preview of Calculus

Mathematics for Engineering

THE TANGENT PROBLEM

Mathematics for Engineering

THE VELOCITY PROBLEM

§ Suppose that a ball is dropped

§ Find the velocity of the ball

Mathematics for Engineering

THE VELOCITY PROBLEM

If the distance fallen after t seconds is denoted by s(t) and

Mathematics for Engineering

THE VELOCITY PROBLEM

Thus, the (instantaneous)

Mathematics for Engineering

THE AREA PROBLEM

Mathematics for Engineering

Mathematics for Engineering

THE LIMIT OF A FUNCTION

if we can make the values

Mathematics for Engineering

if we can make the values of f(x) arbitrarily close to L by taking x

Mathematics for Engineering

Mathematics for Engineering

means that the values of f(x)

Mathematics for Engineering

means that the values of f(x)

Mathematics for Engineering

Mathematics for Engineering

Mathematics for Engineering

2.3 The Limit Laws

In this section, we will:

Mathematics for Engineering

THE LIMIT LAWS

1.lim [ f ( x) ± g ( x) ] = lim f ( x) ± lim g ( x)

3.lim [ f ( x) g ( x) ] = lim f ( x) × lim g ( x)

Mathematics for Engineering

USING THE LIMIT LAWS

where n is a positive integer.

Mathematics for Engineering

USING THE LIMIT LAWS

lim f ( x) = L if and only if lim− f ( x) = L = lim+ f ( x)

Mathematics for Engineering

USING THE LIMIT LAWS

Mathematics for Engineering

If f (x) ≤ g(x) when x is near a (except possibly at a) and the

Mathematics for Engineering

if f ( x) ≤ g ( x) ≤ h( x) when x is near a (except possibly at a) and

Mathematics for Engineering

USING THE LIMIT LAWS

Mathematics for Engineering

USING THE LIMIT LAWS

§ Taking f(x) = -x2, and h(x) = x2

Mathematics for Engineering

Mathematics for Engineering

If lim f ( x) g ( x) exists, then the limit must be f (3) g (3)