BASIC CALCULUS

THE LIMIT OF A FUNCTION: THEOREMS AND EXAMPLES

Background Information

Calculus is the mathematics of change. Calculus is an enormously powerful branch of

mathematics with a wide range of applications, including curve sketching, optimization of
functions, analysis of rates of change, and computation of area and probability. What gives
calculus its power and distinguishes it from algebra is the concept of limit (backbone of
Calculus), and the purpose of this section is to provide an ample introduction to this important
concept. The ideas outlined here form the basis for a more rigorous development of the laws
and procedures of Calculus and lie at the heart of much of modern mathematics.

1.1 The Limit of a Function

Imagine you are watching the UAAP basketball championship in MOA arena. When
you choose seats, you would want to be as close to the action as possible. You would want
to be as close to the players as possible and have the best view of the game, as if you were
in the basketball court yourself. Take note that you cannot actually be in the court and join
the players, but you will be close enough to describe clearly what is happening in the game.
This is how it is with limits of functions.
Limit of a function If 𝑓(𝑥) gets closer and closer to a number 𝐿 as 𝑥 gets closer and
closer to 𝑐 from both sides, then 𝐿 is the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐. The behavior is
expressed by writing
𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳
𝒙→𝒄

Geometrically, the limit statement 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 means that the height of the graph1
𝒙→𝒄
𝑓(𝑥) approaches 𝑳 as x approaches c, as shown in the figure below:

Figure 1. lim𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
$→%

Illustrating the Limit of a Function

Example 1. Express in limit symbol: the limit of the 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 as x approaches 2 is 4.

Solution:
Here, the function is given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2, and the constant c, which x will
approach, is 2 and the limit L is 4. Writing this behavior into the expression given in
the definition above, we have
𝒍𝒊𝒎(𝒙 + 𝟐) = 𝟒
𝒙→𝟐

Example 2: Use a table and a graph to estimate the limit of

𝒍𝒊𝒎(𝒙 + 𝟐) = 𝟒
𝒙→𝟐

1
1. Gerald L. Bradley and Laurence D. Hoffman, Calculus for Business, Economics and Social Sciences10th Ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2010, 64.
Solution:
Let 𝒍𝒊𝒎(𝒙 + 𝟐) = 𝟒. To evaluate the given limit, we will make use of a table to
𝒙→𝟐
help us keep track of the effect that the approach of x toward 2 will have on f(x). Then,
compute f(x) for a succession of values of x approaching 2. Of course, on the number
line, x may approach 2 in two ways: through values on its left and through values on
its right. We first consider approaching 2 from its left or through values less than 2.
Remember that the values to be chosen should be close to 2.
𝒙 < 𝟐 𝒇(𝒙)
1 3
1.4 3.4
1.7 3.7
1.9 3.9
1.99 3.99
1.999 3.999
1.9999 3.9999
Now we consider approaching 2 from its right or through values greater than
but close to 2.
𝒙 > 𝟐 𝒇(𝒙)
3 5
2.7 4.7
2.5 4.5
2.1 4.1
2.01 4.01
2.001 4.001
2.0001 4.0001

Observe that as the values of x get closer and closer to 2, the values of f(x) get closer
and closer to 4. This behavior can be shown no matter what set of values, or what direction,
is taken in approaching 2. In symbols,
𝒍𝒊𝒎(𝒙 + 𝟐) = 𝟒
𝒙→𝟐
If one knows the graph of f(x), it will be easier to determine its limits as x approaches
given values of c. To graph the limit of the given function, use the coordinates from the tables
then plot them to a cartesian plane. We have,

c
The limit computation says that the height
of the graph of y= f(x) approaches L= 4 as
x approaches 2. This corresponds to the
“hole” in the graph of f(x) at (2, 4).

Figure 2. Graph of 𝒍𝒊𝒎(𝒙 + 𝟐) = 𝟒

𝒙→𝟐

It is important to remember that limits describe the behavior of a function near a

particular point, not necessarily at the point itself.

2
 √𝒙)𝟏
Example 3: What is 𝐥𝐢𝐦 ?
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙)𝟏
Solution:
Take note that 1 is not in the domain of f(x), but this is not a problem. In evaluating a
limit, remember that we only need to go very close to 1; we will not go to 1 itself.
Now, compute f(x) for a succession of values of x approaching 1 from the left and from
the right:
𝑥 → 1 ← 𝑥
x 0.99 0.999 0.9999 1 1.00001 1.0001 1.001
f(x) 0.50126 0.50013 0.50001 0.499999 0.49999 0.49988

The numbers on the bottom line of the table suggest that f(x) approaches 0.5 as x
approaches 1; that is,
√𝒙 − 𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝟎. 𝟓
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙 − 𝟏
This example gives us the following fact:

The limit of a function f(x) may exist as x approaches c even if f(x) is not defined at
x = c.

One-Sided Limits
If 𝑓(𝑥) approaches 𝐿 as 𝑥 tends toward 𝑐 from the left (𝑥 < 𝑐), we write lim! 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.
$→%
Likewise, if 𝑓(𝑥) approaches 𝐿 as 𝑥 tends toward 𝑐 from the right (𝑐 < 𝑥), 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 lim" 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿.
$→%

Example 3: Use a table to estimate the limit

1 − 𝑥 ! 𝑖𝑓 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 2
𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥 + 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2
Solution:
This example looks a bit different, but the logic and procedure are exactly the
same. We still approach the constant 2 from the left and from the right, but note that
we should evaluate the appropriate corresponding functional expression. In this case,
when x approaches 2 from the left, the values taken should be substituted in
x f(x)
1 0
1.9 -2.61
1.99 -2.9601
1.999 -2.996001
Meaning,
lim! 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐥𝐢𝒎! (𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 ) = −𝟑
$→* 𝒙→𝟐
On the other hand, when x approaches 2 from the right, the values taken
should be substituted in f(x) = 2x + 1. So,
x f(x)
2.001 5.002
2.01 5.02
2.1 5.2
3 7
Meaning,
lim" 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝒍𝒊𝒎"(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏) = 𝟓
$→* 𝒙→𝟐
Observe that the values that f(x) approaches are not equal, namely, f(x) approaches
-3 from the left while it approaches 5 from the right. In such a case, we say that the limit of
the given function does not exist (DNE).
3
 Graphically, notice that this corresponds to a jump in the graph.

1 − 𝑥 ! 𝑖𝑓 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 2
Figure 3. Graph of 𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥 + 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2

For a limit L to exist, the limits from the left and from the right must both exist and be
equal to L. Therefore,
𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙)𝑫𝑵𝑬 whenever 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) ≠ 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙)
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄! 𝒙→𝒄"

Illustration of Limit Theorems

We are now ready to list down the basic theorems on limits. We will state eight
theorems. These will enable us to directly evaluate limits, without need for a table or a graph.
In the following theorems, c is a constant, and f and g are functions which may or may
not have c in their domains.

1. The limit of a constant is itself. If k is any constant, then, 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒌 = 𝒌

𝒙→𝒄

Examples: i. lim 13 = 13
$→%
ii. lim − 214 = −214
$→%

2. The limit of x as x approaches c is equal to c. This may be thought of as the substitution

law, because x is simply substituted by c.

Examples: i. lim 𝑥 = 33
$→++
ii. lim 𝑥 = −20
$→)*,

3. The Constant Multiple Theorem: This says that the limit of a multiple of a function is simply
that multiple of the limit of the function.
Examples: if lim𝑓(𝑥) = 2, then
$→%
i. lim 5 · 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 · lim𝑓(𝑥) = 5 · 2 = 10
$→% $→%
ii. lim − 7 · 𝑓(𝑥) = −7 · lim𝑓(𝑥) = −7 · 2 = −14
$→% $→%

4. The Addition Theorem: This says that the limit of a sum of functions is the sum of the limits
of the individual functions. Subtraction is also included in this law, that is, the limit of a
difference of functions is the difference of their limits.
𝐥𝐢𝐦9𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙); = 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) + 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 + 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
𝐥𝐢𝐦9𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙); = 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) − 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 − 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Examples: if lim𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −6 then

$→% $→%
i. limf𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)g = lim𝑓(𝑥) + lim𝑔(𝑥) = 3 + (−6) = −3
$→% $→% $→%
ii. limf𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)g = lim𝑓(𝑥) − lim𝑔(𝑥) = 3 − (−6) = 9
$→% $→% $→%
4
5. The Multiplication Theorem: This is similar to the Addition Theorem, with multiplication
replacing addition as the operation involved. Thus, the limit of a product of functions is equal
to the product of their limits.
𝐥𝐢𝐦9𝒇(𝒙) · 𝒈(𝒙); = 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) · 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒈(𝒙) = 𝑳 · 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Example: Again, if lim𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −6 then

$→% $→%
i. limf𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥)g = lim𝑓(𝑥) · lim𝑔(𝑥) = 3 · (−6) = −18
$→% $→% $→%

6. The Division Theorem: This says that the limit of a quotient of functions is equal to the
quotient of the limits of the individual functions, provided the denominator limit is not equal to
0.
𝒇(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) 𝑳
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝒙→𝒄 = ,𝑴 ≠ 𝟎
𝒙→𝒄 𝒈(𝒙) 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒈(𝒙) 𝑴
𝒙→𝒄

Example: Again, if lim𝑓(𝑥) = 3 and lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −6 then

$→% $→%
lim𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) $→% 3 1
𝑖. lim = = =−
$→% 𝑔(𝑥) lim𝑔(𝑥) −6 2
$→%

7. The Power Theorem: This theorem states that the limit of an integer power p of a function
is just that power of the limit of the function.
𝒑
𝒑
𝐥𝐢𝐦f𝒇(𝒙)g = m𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙)n = 𝑳𝒑
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄
Example: if lim𝑓(𝑥) = 2, then
$→%
.
.
𝑖. limf𝑓(𝑥)g = mlim𝑓(𝑥)n = 2. = 16
$→% $→%

8. The Radical/Root Theorem: This theorem states that if n is a positive integer, the limit of
the nth root of a function is just the nth root of the limit of the function, provided the nth root
of the limit is a real number. Thus, it is important to keep in mind that if n is even, the limit of
the function must be positive.
𝒏 𝒏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 o𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒏p𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) = √𝑳
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄

Example: if lim𝑓(𝑥) = 16, then

$→%

𝑖. limo𝑓(𝑥) = plim𝑓(𝑥) = √16 = 4

$→% $→%

if lim𝑓(𝑥) = −16, then

$→%

𝑖. limo𝑓(𝑥) = plim𝑓(𝑥) = √−16, and this is not a real number.

$→% $→%

Limits of Polynomial, Rational, and Radical Functions

Theorem 1: Let f be a polynomial function of the form
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎/ 𝑥 / + 𝑎/)0 𝑥 /)0 + 𝑎/)* 𝑥 /)* +. . . +𝑎0 𝑥 + 𝑎, .
If c is a real number, then
𝐥𝐢𝐦𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒄)
𝒙→𝒄
Example: Find lim (3𝑥 + − 4𝑥 + 8)
$→)0
Solution:
The given function, 𝑓(𝑥) = (3𝑥 + − 4𝑥 + 8) is a polynomial.

5
 Computing for the value of f at x = -1, we get
𝑓(−1) = 3(−1)% − 4(−1) + 8
= −3 + 4 + 8
=𝟗
We can also get the same answer when we use limit theorems.
lim (3𝑥 + − 4𝑥 + 8) = 3(lim 𝑥)+ − 4(lim 𝑥) + lim 8)
$→)0 $→)0 $→)0 $→)0
%
= 3(−1) − 4(−1) + 8 = 𝟗

1($)
Theorem 2. Let h be a rational function of the form ℎ(𝑥) = 4($) where f and g are
polynomial functions. If c is real number and g(c) ≠ 0, then
𝒇(𝒙) 𝒇(𝒄)
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒉(𝒙) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 =
𝒙→𝒄 𝒙→𝒄 𝒈(𝒙) 𝒈(𝒄)

+$ $ )5
Example: Find lim
$→0 $)*
Solution:
Since the denominator is not zero when evaluated at x = 1, we may
apply theorem 2:
lim (3𝑥 + − 8) 3 lim 𝑥 + − lim 8 3(1)+ − 8
3𝑥 + − 8 $→0
lim = = $→0 $→0
= =5
$→0 𝑥 − 2 lim (𝑥 − 2) lim 𝑥 − lim 2 1−2
$→0 $→0 $→0
We will now evaluate limits of radical functions using limit theorems.
Examples
1. Evaluate lim√𝑥.
$→0
Solution:
Note that lim 𝑥 = 1 > 0. Therefore, by the radical/root rule,
$→0

lim√𝑥 = p lim 𝑥 = √1 = 1
$→0 $→0
$
2. Evaluate lim √𝑥 * + 3𝑥 − 6
$→)*
Solution:
Applying the radical/root rule,
$
lim o𝑥 * + 3𝑥 − 6
$→)*

= $p lim (𝑥 * + 3𝑥 − 6)
$→)*
$
= √4 − 6 − 6
$
= √−8
= −𝟐
Activities
Instruction
Answer the following activities. Write your complete solutions for each of the
problems.

Activity 1
A. Complete the table by evaluating f(x) at the specified values of x. Then use
the table to estimate the indicated limit or show it does not exist.
1. lim (𝑥 * − 𝑥)
$→*

6
 x 1.9 1.99 1.999 2 2.001 2.01 2.1
f(x)
$ $ 60
2. lim
$→0 $)0
x 0.9 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.1
f(x)

B. Find lim 𝑓(𝑥) if it exists.

&→'

1. 2. 3.

Activity 2
A. Find the indicated limit or show that it does not exist using the following facts about limits
involving the functions f(x) and g(x):
lim𝑓(𝑥) = 5 lim𝑔(𝑥) = −2
$→% $→%
1($)
1. lim[2𝑓(𝑥) − 3𝑔(𝑥)] 2. limo𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) 3. lim 4($)
$→% $→% $→%

B. Find the indicated limit if it exists.

& ! )(
1. lim (3𝑥 * − 5𝑥 + 2) 6. lim
$→* &→( &)(
& ! )%&)(+
2. lim (𝑥 7 .
− 6𝑥 + 7) 7. lim &)*
$→, &→*
* (𝑥 ($60)($).)
3. lim (𝑥 − 1) + 1) 8. lim ($)0)($).)
$→+ $→.
$60 & ! )&),
4. lim% $6* 9. lim
$→$ &→)! & ! -%&-!
$6+
5. lim 7)$ 10. lim √&)!
&).
$→7 &→.

Reflection 1
Is the limit of a function similar as evaluating a function? Explain.

7
 LIMITS OF SOME TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

Background Information

Transcendental functions are functions not expressible as a finite combination of the

algebraic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to a power, and
extracting a root. Some examples of transcendental functions are exponential, logarithmic,
and trigonometric functions, which you have encountered in your Precalculus course.
In this lesson, we will solve the limit of transcendental functions using table of values
and graphs.

1. Evaluating Limits of Exponential Functions

Example: Evaluate 𝑙𝑖𝑚 3$ by constructing the table of values, then confirm through
$→0
graphing.
Solution:
First, in evaluating this limit, remember that we only need to go very close to 1; we will
not go to 1 itself.
Now, compute f(x) for a succession of values of x approaching 1 from the left and from
the right:
𝑥 → 1 ← 𝑥
x 0.99 0.999 0.9999 1 1.00001 1.0001 1.001
f(x) 2.96722 2.99671 2.99967 3.00003 3.00033 3.00329

The numbers on the bottom line of the table suggest that f(x) approaches 3 as x
approaches 1 from the left and right; that is,
𝒍𝒊𝒎! 𝟑𝒙 = 𝟑 𝒍𝒊𝒎" 𝟑𝒙 = 𝟑
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙→𝟏
Since both one-sided limits from the left and right is equivalent to 3, therefore the
limit of the function 𝟑𝒙 as 𝒙 gets closer to 1 is 3, that is written as
𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝟑𝒙 = 𝟑
𝒙→𝟏
We can also use the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 3$ to determine its limit as x approaches 1. To
graph the limit of the given function, use the coordinates from the table then plot them to a
cartesian plane. We have,

Looking at Figure 1, as the

values of x approach 1, either
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟑𝒙 from the right or the left, the
values of f(x) will get closer
and closer to 3.

Figure 1

8
2. Evaluating Limits of Logarithmic Functions
Example: Evaluate 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑜𝑔 x by constructing the table of values, then confirm
$→0
through graphing.
Solution:
Again, in evaluating this limit, remember that we only need to go very close to 1; we
will not go to 1 itself.
We will now construct the table of values for f(x) = log x. Compute f(x) for a succession
of values of x approaching 1 from the left and from the right:
𝑥 → 1 ← 𝑥
x 0.99 0.999 0.9999 1 1.00001 1.0001 1.001
f(x) −0.00436 −0.00043 −0.00004 0.0000043429 0.00004342 0.000434

The numbers on the bottom line of the table suggest that f(x) approaches 0 as x
approaches 1 from the left and right; that is,
𝒍𝒊𝒎 ! 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒙 = 𝟎 𝒍𝒊𝒎" 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒙 = 𝟎
𝒙→𝟏 𝒙→𝟏
Since both one-sided limits from the left and right is equivalent to 0, therefore the
limit of the function log x as 𝒙 gets closer to 1 is 0, that is written as
𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒙 = 𝟎
𝒙→𝟏
We can also use the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = log x to determine its limit as x approaches 1. To
graph the limit of the given function, use the coordinates from the table then plot them to a
cartesian plane. We have,

𝑓 (𝑥) = log x
Looking at Figure 2, as the
values of x approach 1, either
from the right or the left, the
values of f(x) will get closer
and closer to 0.

Figure 2

3. Evaluating Limits of Trigonometric Functions

Example: Evaluate 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 by constructing the table of values, then confirm
𝒙→𝟎
through graphing.
Solution:
We will now construct the table of values for f(x) = sin x. Compute f(x) for a
succession of values of x approaching 0 from the left and from the right:
𝑥 → 0 ← 𝑥
x -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 0 0.001 0.01 0.1
f(x) −0.09983 −0.00999 −0.00099 0.00099 0.00999 0.09983

As the values of x get closer and closer to 1, the values of f(x) get closer and closer to
0. In symbols,
𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 = 𝟎
𝒙→𝟎

9
 We can also use the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = sin x to determine its limit as x approaches 0. To
graph the limit of the given function, use the coordinates from the table then plot them to a
cartesian plane. We have,
Consider the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥.

Figure 3

Figure 3 then validates our answer in the example above that 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒙 = 𝟎. Also,
𝒙→𝟎
using the graph, we have the following:
𝑎. lim& sin 𝑥 = 1 𝑐. lim& sin 𝑥 = −1
$→ ' $→) '

𝑏. lim sin 𝑥 = 0 𝑑. lim sin 𝑥 = 0

$→9 $→)9

THREE SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

:;< >
We will now evaluate the limits of three special functions; namely 𝑓(𝑡) = >
, 𝑔(𝑡) =
0)?@: > A ( )0
>
, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ(𝑡) = > since these functions will be vital to the computation of the derivatives
of the sine, cosine, and natural exponential functions.

𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒕
Example 1: Evaluate 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒕
by constructing the table of values, then graph.
𝒕→𝟎
Solution:
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒕
We will now construct the table of values for 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝒕 . Compute f(t) for a
succession of values of t approaching 0 from the left and from the right:
𝑡 → 0 ← 𝑡
t -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 0 0.001 0.01 0.1
f(t) 0.99833 0.99998 0.99999 0.99999 0.99998 0.99833

The numbers on the bottom line of the table suggest that f(t) approaches 0 as t
approaches 1 from the left and right; that is,
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒕 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒕
𝐥𝐢𝐦! 𝒕 = 𝟏 𝐥𝐢𝐦" 𝒕 = 𝟏
𝒕→𝟎 𝒕→𝟎
Since both one-sided limits from the left and right is equivalent to 1, therefore the
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒕
limit of the function as t gets closer to 0 is 1, that is written as
𝒕
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒕
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝟏
𝒕→𝟎 𝒕
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒕
Graphing the function 𝒕 by using the coordinates from the table then plot them to a
cartesian plane, we have

Figure 4
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The graph from figure 4 confirms that the y-values approach 1 as t approaches 0.

𝟏)𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒕
Example 2: Evaluate 𝒍𝒊𝒎
𝒕
by constructing the table of values, then confirm
𝒕→𝟎
through graphing.
Solution:
𝟏)𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒕
We will now construct the table of values for 𝑔(𝑡) = 𝒕 . Compute g(t) for a
succession of values of x approaching 0 from the left and from the right:
𝑡 → 0 ← 𝑡
t -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 0 0.001 0.01 0.1
f(t) −0.04996 −0.00499 −0.00049 0.00049 0.00499 0.04996

The numbers on the bottom line of the table suggest that g(t) approaches 0 as t
approaches 0 from the left and right; that is,
𝟏)𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒕 𝟏)𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒕
𝐥𝐢𝐦! 𝒕 = 𝟎 𝐥𝐢𝐦" 𝒕 = 𝟎
𝒕→𝟎 𝒕→𝟎
Since both one-sided limits from the left and right is equivalent to 0, therefore the
𝟏)𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒕
limit of the function as t gets closer to 0 is 0, that is written as
𝒕
𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒕
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝟎
𝒕→𝟎 𝒕
𝟏)𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝒕
Graphing the function 𝒕 by using the coordinates from the table then plot them to
a cartesian plane, we have

Figure 5

The graph from figure 5 confirms that the y-values approach 0 as t tends to 0.

𝒆𝒕 )𝟏
Example 3: Evaluate 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒕→𝟎 𝒕
by constructing the table of values, then confirm
through graphing.
Solution:
𝒆𝒕 )𝟏
We will now construct the table of values for ℎ(𝑡) = 𝒕 . Compute h(t) for a
succession of values of x approaching 0 from the left and from the right:
𝑡 → 0 ← 𝑡
t -0.1 -0.01 -0.001 0 0.001 0.01 0.1
f(t) 0.95163 0.99501 0.99950 1.00050 1.00502 1.05170

The numbers on the bottom line of the table suggest that h(t) approaches 1 as t
approaches 0 from the left and right; that is,
𝒆𝒕 )𝟏 𝒆𝒕 )𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦! 𝒕
= 𝟏 𝐥𝐢𝐦" 𝒕
=𝟏
𝒕→𝟎 𝒕→𝟎
Since both one-sided limits from the left and right is equivalent to 0, therefore the
𝒆𝒕 )𝟏
limit of the function 𝒕
as t gets closer to 0 is 1, that is written as
𝒆𝒕 − 𝟏
𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝟏
𝒕→𝟎 𝒕
11
 𝒆𝒕 )𝟏
Graphing the function 𝒕
by using the coordinates from the table then plot them to
a cartesian plane, we have

Figure 6

The graph from figure 6 confirms that the y-values approach 1 as t tends to 0.

Activities
Instruction
Answer the following activities. Write your complete solutions for each of the problems.

Activity 3
Evaluate the following limits by constructing their respective tables of values.

1. lim 5$
$→*
2. lim 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
$→,
3. lim 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥
$→,
4. lim 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
$→9
5. lim 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
$→9

Activity 4
Evaluate the following limits by constructing the tables of values.
>
1. lim :;< >
>→,
>
2. lim A ( )0
>→,
KL/(*>)
3. lim *M
>→,
0)%NK(+>)
4. lim +M
>→,
0)%NK >
5. lim
>→, KL/ >

Reflection 2
Give three (3) STEM-related applications of transcendental functions.

Prepared by:

KHIMBERLY T. DEL MAR

Teacher III
12