Section 1.4 Limit of a Function and Limit Laws A.

Limit Notation The idea of a limit was introduced in the previous section to approximate the slope of the tangent line Denote the limit as follows: lim ( ) = This notation is read as the limit of ( ) as approaches is equal to This means that as gets CLOSE to the value , on both the left and the right, then () gets CLOSE to the value Determine limit values using a table, graph, or limit laws (algebra) In order for a limit to exist, () as from both the left and the right. If this does not happen, then we say that the limit as approaches does not exist. (DNE). o o

B. Limits Using a Table To find the limit as gets close some value , choose values CLOSE to on both the left and the right and determine the values of () at these points Examples: 1. Use the table to determine the limit of ( ) as 1 0.5 0.9 0.99 1 1.001 1.01 1.1 ( ) -2.5 -2.00025 -2.00001 -2.00095 -2.005 -2.3 2. Given ( ) = ( ) ( ) 3.9
2 , make a table to 4

3.99

3.999

determine to determine the limit of () as 4 4 4.0001 4.001 4.01

3. Given ( ) = , make a table to determine to determine the limit of () as 0

C. Limits Using a Graph To find the limit as gets close some value , start on the -axis. Find -values CLOSE to on both the left and the right. Then look up (or down) on the -axis to find the values of ( ). Example: Use the graph to determine the requested values 1. lim2 ( ) 2. lim3 ( ) 3. lim1 ( ) 4. (1)
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5. (3)

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D. Limit Laws The following limit laws are taken from the textbook. Use them to calculate limits algebraically:

(Direct Substitution)

Cancellation Rule for Rational Functions If the numerator and denominator share a common factor, then the limit of the is the same as the limit of the new function obtained by cancelling the common factor ( ) ( ) = lim ( ) ( ) lim

Examples: Use limit laws to determine each limit

1. lim0 [ 4 cos + 7 1 ]

2. lim5

2 +10+25 +5

3. lim9

3 9

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