1.6: Properties of Limit
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- Nov 28, 2020
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\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a} \newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b} \newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c} \newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d} \newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}} \newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e} \newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f} \newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n} \newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p} \newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q} \newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s} \newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t} \newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u} \newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v} \newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w} \newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x} \newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y} \newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z} \newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r} \newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m} \newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0} \newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1} \newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R} \newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]} \newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}} \newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B} \newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C} \newcommand{\scal}{\cal S} \newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W} \newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E} \newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}} \newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}} \newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}} \newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}} \newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}} \newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}} \renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}} \newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}} \newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}} \newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}} \newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|} \newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}} \newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}} \newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp} \newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}} \newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}} \newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}} \newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}} \newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}} \newcommand{\lt}{<} \newcommand{\gt}{>} \newcommand{\amp}{&} \definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}You're familiar with the idea of a limit of a function, and that some limits are computed using numerical and graphical methods. Limits can also be evaluated using the properties of limits. How would you find
without using a graph or using a table of values?
Properties of Limits
Let’s begin with some observations about limits of some simple functions. Consider the following limit problems:
We note that each of these functions is defined for all real numbers. If we apply our intuition for finding the limits we conclude correctly that:
The above results can be encapsulated in the following limit properties:
Basic Limit Properties:
Many functions can be expressed as the sums, differences, products, quotients, powers and roots of other more simple functions. The following properties are also useful in evaluating limits:
More Basic Limit Properties:
Knowing these properties, allows evaluation of the limits of a wide range of functions.
Take the problem:
Based on the properties above, the limit can be evaluated in the following steps:
Therefore:
Note that the application of the basic limit properties results, in this case, in a limit value that is the same as direct substitution of x=2 in the function.
Now, evaluate
Based on the properties of limits, the limit can be evaluated in the following steps:
Therefore:
Again, note that the application of the basic limit properties results, in this case, in a limit value that is the same as direct substitution of x=2 in the function.
Examples
Example 1
Earlier, you were asked to find
without using a graph or a table of values. This is a case where direct substitution to evaluate the limit gives the indeterminate form 0/0. But, reducing the fraction and then applying the basic limit properties above, we can evaluate the limit:
Example 2
Evaluate
where f(x) is the rational function
Example 3
Find the following limit if it exists:
Let’s apply the basic quotient rule to evaluate this limit.
Therefore:
Again, the limit result is the same as using direct substitution of x=−4 in the function.
Review
Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| indeterminate | In mathematics, an expression is indeterminate if it is not precisely defined. There are seven indeterminate forms: 0/0,0⋅∞,∞∞,∞−∞,00,∞0, and 1∞. |
| limit | A limit is the value that the output of a function approaches as the input of the function approaches a given value. |
Additional Resources
Practice: Properties of Limits
