Unit 1 43 topics
Limits and Continuity
Estimating Limits from Graphs, The Algebra of Limits, Limits of Functions, and more.
1.1 Estimating Limits from Graphs
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1.1.1
The Finite Limit of a Function
means gets as close as you like to as gets close to from both sides. The value does not matter and may not even exist.
e.g. Graph with an open circle at and a filled dot at : , but
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1.1.2
The Left and Right-Sided Limits of a Function
The left-hand limit uses -values just less than . The right-hand limit uses -values just greater than .
e.g. Graph approaches height 3 from the left of and height 5 from the right: ,
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1.1.3
Finding the Existence of a Limit Using One-Sided Limits
The two-sided limit exists only when both one-sided limits exist and are equal. If they differ, the limit does not exist (DNE).
e.g. Left limit 3, right limit 5: DNE
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1.1.4
Limits at Infinity from Graphs
Read the height the graph levels off toward as moves far right () or far left (). If that height is , the line is a horizontal asymptote. The two ends can have different limits.
e.g. levels off at 2:
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1.1.5
Infinite Limits from Graphs
If grows without bound as , write (or ). The graph has a vertical asymptote at . The limit still does not equal a real number.
e.g. ; but
1.2 The Algebra of Limits
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1.2.1
Limits of Power Functions, and the Constant Rule for Limits
The limit of a constant is that constant. For a power of , substitute . A constant multiple can be pulled out of a limit.
e.g.
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1.2.2
The Sum Rule for Limits
If both limits exist, the limit of a sum or difference is the sum or difference of the limits.
e.g.
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1.2.3
The Product and Quotient Rules for Limits
If and , the limit of a product is . The limit of a quotient is , provided .
e.g.
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1.2.4
The Power and Root Rules for Limits
If , raise to the power or take its root. For an even root, must be positive.
e.g. ;
1.3 Limits of Functions
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1.3.1
Limits at Infinity of Polynomials
As , the leading term dominates. Its sign and degree decide whether the limit is or . A nonconstant polynomial never has a finite limit at infinity.
e.g. : , times gives
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1.3.2
Limits of Reciprocal Functions
For , as . Near it blows up: goes to from the right and from the left, while goes to from both sides.
e.g. ;
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1.3.3
Limits of Exponential Functions
Exponentials are continuous, so substitute at a finite point. For , as and as . For it is the reverse.
e.g. ;
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1.3.4
Limits of Logarithmic Functions
Logs are continuous on , so substitute there. as (slowly), and as . Only the right-hand limit at 0 makes sense.
e.g. ;
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1.3.5
Limits of Radical Functions
Roots are continuous on their domains, so substitute. Even roots need the inside ; at an endpoint of the domain, use the one-sided limit from inside the domain.
e.g.
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1.3.6
Limits of Trigonometric Functions
and are continuous everywhere, so substitute. is continuous except at odd multiples of , where it has vertical asymptotes. and have no limit as because they keep oscillating.
e.g.
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1.3.7
Limits of Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions
Write , , and as reciprocals and substitute where the denominator is not 0. Where the denominator is 0 there is a vertical asymptote; check the sign on each side.
e.g. ;
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1.3.8
Limits of Piecewise Functions
Away from a boundary, use the piece that applies there. At a boundary, find each one-sided limit with its own piece. The limit exists only if they match.
e.g. Left: ; right: ; so
1.4 Determining Limits Using Algebraic Manipulation
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1.4.1
Calculating Limits of Rational Functions by Factoring
If substitution gives , factor the top and bottom, cancel the common factor, then substitute again.
e.g.
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1.4.2
Limits of Absolute Value Functions
Rewrite the absolute value as two cases, split where the inside is 0. Find the one-sided limits using the correct case on each side.
e.g. : right limit 1, left limit , so DNE
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1.4.3
Calculating Limits of Radical Functions Using Conjugate Multiplication
If a radical expression gives , multiply the top and bottom by the conjugate. Simplify, cancel, then substitute.
e.g.
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1.4.4
Calculating Limits Using Trigonometric Identities
If substitution gives , rewrite with identities (Pythagorean, double-angle, ) until a factor cancels, then substitute.
e.g.
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1.4.5
Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes of Rational Functions
Compare the degree of the top with the degree of the bottom. If the limit is 0. If it is the ratio of leading coefficients. If it is and there is no horizontal asymptote.
e.g. , so the HA is
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1.4.6
Evaluating Limits at Infinity by Comparing Relative Magnitudes of Functions
As , logs grow slower than powers, and powers grow slower than exponentials. In a ratio, the faster-growing function wins.
e.g. ;
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1.4.7
Evaluating Limits at Infinity of Radical Functions
Divide the top and bottom by the highest power of . Inside a square root, , so when , use and watch the sign.
e.g. ;
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1.4.8
Vertical Asymptotes of Rational Functions
Cancel common factors first. Each -value that still makes the denominator zero is a vertical asymptote.
e.g. : vertical asymptote only
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1.4.9
Connecting Infinite Limits and Vertical Asymptotes of Rational Functions
After canceling common factors, a value that makes the denominator 0 (but not the numerator) is a vertical asymptote, and the one-sided limits there are . Test a value on each side to get the sign. A factor that cancels gives a hole instead.
e.g. : , , VA
1.5 Special Limits
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1.5.1
The Squeeze Theorem
If is trapped between two functions near and both outer functions have the same limit at , then has limit too. Often used with .
e.g. and both bounds go to , so
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1.5.2
Special Limits Involving Sine
As , and become nearly equal, so their ratio goes to . Only true with in radians.
e.g.
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1.5.3
Evaluating Special Limits Involving Sine Using a Substitution
Let . As , , so the sine limit still applies. Make the angle and the denominator match, then fix the constant.
e.g. : let , then
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1.5.4
Special Limits Involving Cosine
As , shrinks faster than , so the ratio goes to . Only true with in radians.
e.g.
1.6 Continuity
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1.6.1
Determining Continuity from Graphs
A function is continuous at a point if you can trace the graph through it without lifting your pencil. Holes, jumps, and vertical asymptotes are discontinuities.
e.g. Open circle at and a filled dot at : not continuous at
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1.6.2
Defining Continuity at a Point
is continuous at only if all three conditions hold. If any one fails, is discontinuous at .
e.g. at : and the limit is , so continuous
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1.6.3
Left and Right Continuity
is continuous from the left at if the left-hand limit equals , and from the right if the right-hand limit equals . Continuous at means both.
e.g. at : right limit , left limit , so continuous from the right only
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1.6.4
Further Continuity of Piecewise Functions
Each piece is usually continuous on its own interval, so check only the break points. Both pieces must reach the same value there, and it must equal .
e.g. for , for : both pieces give at , so continuous
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1.6.5
Point Discontinuities
Also called removable discontinuities. The limit exists, but is undefined or does not equal it. The graph shows a hole.
e.g. has a hole at
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1.6.6
Jump Discontinuities
Both one-sided limits exist but are different, so the graph jumps. The two-sided limit does not exist.
e.g. jumps from to at
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1.6.7
Discontinuities Due to Vertical Asymptotes
Also called infinite discontinuities. At least one one-sided limit is or , so the function is not continuous there.
e.g. : , so infinite discontinuity at
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1.6.8
Continuity Over an Interval
is continuous on if it is continuous at every point inside. On it must also be continuous from the right at and from the left at .
e.g. is continuous on . is continuous on but not on
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1.6.9
Continuity of Functions
Polynomial, rational, root, exponential, log, and trig functions are continuous on their domains. Sums, products, compositions, and quotients (where the denominator is not ) of continuous functions are continuous.
e.g. is continuous everywhere except
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1.6.10
The Intermediate Value Theorem
If is continuous on and is between and , then hits somewhere in between. Continuity is required.
e.g. : , , so has a root in
1.7 Removing Discontinuities
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1.7.1
Removing Point Discontinuities
Redefine the function at the hole so its value equals the limit.
e.g. for : limit is , so set
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1.7.2
Removing Jump Discontinuities
Choose the unknown constant so the two pieces meet. Set the left-hand and right-hand limits equal and solve.
e.g. for , for :
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1.7.3
Removing Discontinuities From Rational Functions
Factor and cancel. A canceled factor leaves a hole, which you remove by setting equal to the simplified function at . A factor left in the denominator gives a vertical asymptote, which cannot be removed.
e.g. for : set . stays an asymptote