Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ILOCOS NORTE

BASIC CALCULUS
Quarter III – Module 1-d:
Week 1
Limits of Polynomial, rational
and Radical Functions
MELC: Apply the limit laws in evaluating the limit of
algebraic functions (polynomial, rational, and radical
(STEM_BC11LCIIIa-4)

Author:

RAMSES M. LAMPITOC
Catagtaguen National High School
 Lesson Limits of Polynomial,
4 Rational and Radical
Function

Good day! So, how do you find limit laws? In this

lesson, we will apply those laws in evaluating
Algebraic Function.
Oh! Algebraic Functions? You mean the
polynomial, rational and radical
functions?
Correct! But first let
us check your prior
knowledge about it.

What I Know

Pre - Assessment
Find out how much you already know about the topics in this module. Choose
the letter of the best answer. Take note of the items that you were not able to
answer correctly and find the right answer as you go through this module.

1. Evaluate lim 5
𝑥→−1

A. 1 B. 5 C. −1 D. −5

2. Evaluate lim5 −𝑥 + 2
𝑥→−2

7 9
A. 2 C. 2
−7 −9
B. D.
2 2

3. Evaluate lim (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 4)
𝑥→2
 A. 0 B. 1 C. 2 D. 4

𝑥2
4. Evaluate lim (− + 2𝑥 + 4)
𝑥→1 2

−5 −11
A. C.
2 2
5 11
B. 2 D. 2

5. Evaluate lim −√𝑥 + 3

𝑥→3

A. −√6 B. √6 C. −√3 D. √3

6. Evaluate lim3 −√2𝑥 + 4

𝑥→2

A. −√2 B. −√5 C. −√7 D. −√4

𝑥−4
7. Evaluate lim − 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+8
𝑥→1

A. 4 B. 3 C. 2 D. 1

−𝑥−3
8. Evaluate lim3 − 𝑥 2 +𝑥+1
𝑥→2
18 −6
A. 19 C. 7
18 6
B. − 19 D. 7

9. Which of the following limits that evaluates to 4

A. lim 𝑥 C. lim √2𝑥 + 4

𝑥→−4 𝑥→4
𝑥−4 𝑥2
B. lim D. lim (− + 2𝑥 + 4)
𝑥→4 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+8 𝑥→4 2

10. Which of the following limits of a quadratic function where the limit
evaluates to 8?

A. lim 𝑥 2 C. lim 𝑥 2 + 4
𝑥→1 𝑥→2
2 𝑥2
B. lim 𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 8 D. lim (− + 2𝑥 + 4)
𝑥→3 2
𝑥→4
 What’s In

Previously, you have learned how to illustrate limit theorems. Do you still recall
how to od it? To find out, do the first activity below.
Activity 1: Finding the Father of Calculus

Directions: To find father of calculus, evaluate the following limits. Write the
corresponding letter above the correct answer.
Note: Assume f(x) = x

E lim 𝑓(𝑥) G lim √3. (𝑓(𝑥 ))2 + 4. 𝑓(𝑥) W lim √9. 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→4 𝑥→4 𝑥→4

N 1 I lim (𝑓 (𝑥 ))3 + (𝑓 (𝑥 ))2 + 2 L lim (𝑓 (𝑥 ))2 − 𝑓(𝑥)

lim 𝑥→4 𝑥→4
𝑥→4 𝑓(𝑥)

Z 1 B (𝑓(𝑥))2 − 4𝑓(𝑥)
lim lim
𝑥→4 (𝑓 (𝑥 ))2 𝑥→4 (𝑓 (𝑥 ))2 + 4𝑓(𝑥)

Answer:

8 6 12 4 82 0 1 82 1
4 16

Did you get the correct answer? Let us now

proceed to the next part of this module to
deepen your knowledge about applying
limit theorems in evaluating algebraic
function
 What’s New

This module focuses on applying limit theorems in evaluating algebraic

function.
Activity 2: Let’s Evaluate!
Direction: Evaluate the indicated limits, if it exists.

1. lim 3𝑥 + 1 𝑥 2 +𝑥−2
4. lim 𝑥2 +2𝑥−3
𝑥→2
𝑥→1

2. lim 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 3
𝑥→0 5. lim √2𝑥 + 1
𝑥→2

𝑥−5
3. lim 𝑥2 +4
𝑥→2
 What is It

Now I will show you step by step on how to apply limit theorem in
evaluating algebraic function.

Limits of Algebraic Function

Limit Theorems: Let c, k, L, and M be real numbers, and let f(x) and g(x)
functions defined on some open interval containing c, except possibly at c.

1. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, then it is unique. That is, if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = L and
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = M, then L = M.
𝑥→𝑐
2. lim 𝑐 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
3. lim 𝑥 = 𝑐
𝑥→𝑐
a) Suppose lim 𝑓(𝑥) = L and lim 𝑔(𝑥)= M.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
b) (Constant Multiple) lim[𝑘. 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑘. 𝑀
𝑥→𝑐
c) (Addition) lim[𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝐿 ± 𝑀
𝑥→𝑐
d) (Multiplication) lim[𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝐿𝑀
𝑥→𝑐
𝑓(𝑥) 𝐿
e) (Division) lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑀, provide M ≠ 0
𝑥→𝑐
f) (Power) lim[𝑓(𝑥)]𝑝 = 𝐿𝑝 for p, a positive integer.
𝑥→𝑐
𝑛
g) (Root/Radical) lim 𝑛√𝑓(𝑥) = √𝐿 for positive integers n, and
𝑥→𝑐
provided that L > 0 when n is even.

A. Limits of Polynomial Function

Example 1: Apply the rules of limits to evaluate lim (2𝑥 + 1).
𝑥→1

Solution: From the Theorems we have

lim (2𝑥 + 1) = lim(2𝑥 ) + lim(1) (Addition)

𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
= 2 lim(𝑥 ) + (1) (Constant Multiple)
𝑥→1
= 2(1) + 1 lim 𝑥 = 𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐
=2+1
=3
 Example 2: Apply the rules of limits to evaluate lim (3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4).
𝑥→2

Solution: From the Theorems we have

lim(3𝑥2 − 5𝑥 + 4) = lim(3𝑥2 ) - lim(5𝑥) + lim(4) (Addition)

𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
= 3lim(𝑥2 ) - 5lim(𝑥) + 4 (Constant Multiple)
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
= 3(2 ) – 5lim(𝑥) + 4
2
(Power)
𝑥→2
= 3(2 ) – 5(2) + 4
2
(lim 𝑥 = 𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐
= 12 – 10 + 4
=6

B. Limits of a Rational Function

We will now apply the limit of theorems in evaluating rational functions.
In evaluating the limits of such functions, recall from Theorem of Limits of
Functions the Division Rule, and all the rules stated in the theorem which
have been useful in evaluating limits of polynomial functions, such as the
Addition and Product Rules
1
Example 1: Apply the rules of limits to evaluate lim(𝑥).
𝑥→1

Solution: First, note that lim 1 = 1. Since the limit of the denominator is
𝑥→1
nonzero, we can apply the Division Rule. Thus,

1 lim( 1)
lim( 𝑥) = lim( lim
𝑥→1
) (Division)
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1( 𝑋)
1
=1
=1

𝑥 3 −5𝑥+4
Example 2: Apply the rules of limits to evaluate lim( ).
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 −2

Solution: We get

𝑥 3 −5𝑥+4 lim(𝑥 3 −5𝑥+4)

lim( ) = lim( 𝑥→3
) (Division)
𝑥→3 𝑥 2 −2 𝑥→3 lim(𝑥 2 −2)
𝑥→3
lim (𝑥 3 )−lim(5𝑥)+lim(4)
= lim(𝑥→3 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
) (Addition)
𝑥→3 lim(𝑥 2 )−lim(2)
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
lim(𝑥 3 )−5lim(𝑥)+(4)
= lim( 𝑥→3 𝑥→3
) (Constant Multiple)
𝑥→3 lim(𝑥 2 )−(2)
𝑥→3
33 −5(3)+(4)
= (Power)
32 −(2)
27−15+4
=
9−2
16
= 7
 𝑥 2 −1
Example 3: Apply the rules of limits to evaluate lim( 1−𝑥 ).
𝑥→1

Solution: Notice right away that

𝑥 2 −1 lim(𝑥 2 −1)
lim( 1−𝑥 ) = lim( lim(1−𝑥) )
𝑥→1
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥→1

since the limit of the denominator is zero. (Recall that the limit of a
quotient is the quotients of the limits only when both limit exist and the
limit in the denominator is not zero.) We can resolve this problem by
observing that

𝑥 2 −1 (𝑥−1)(𝑥+1)
lim( 1−𝑥 ) = lim (Factoring)
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 −(𝑥−1)
(𝑥+1)
= lim (Simplify)
𝑥→1 −1
= lim(−𝑥 − 1)
𝑥→1
= (lim(−𝑥 ) − lim 1) (Addition)
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
= -1 – 1
= -2

C. Limits of a Radical Function

Example 1: Evaluate lim √𝑥 + 4

𝑥→0

Solution: Notice that lim (𝑥 + 4) > 0. Hence, by the Radical/Root Rule

𝑥→0

lim √𝑥 + 4 = lim √lim (𝑥 + 4)

𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0

= lim √lim 𝑥 + lim 4

𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0

= √0 + 4
= √4
=2
5
Example 2: Evaluate lim √3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥
𝑥→2

Solution: By Radical/Root Rule

5
lim √3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 = lim 5√lim 3𝑥 2 − lim 2𝑥
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2

= lim 5√3lim 𝑥 2 − 2lim𝑥

𝑥→2 𝑥→2 𝑥→2
5
= √3(22 ) − 2(2)
5
= √12 − 4
5
= √8
 √𝑥+2−√2
Example 3: Evaluate lim
𝑥→0 𝑥

Solution: First, notice that both the numerator (√𝑥 + 2 − √2) and the
denominator (x) approaches 0 as x approaches 0. However,
we can rationalize the numerator, as follows:

√𝑥+2−√2 (√𝑥+2−√2)(√𝑥+2+√2)
=
𝑥 𝑥(√𝑥+2+√2)
𝑥+2−2
= 𝑥(√𝑥+2+√2)
𝑥
= 𝑥(√𝑥+2+√2)
1
= (√𝑥+2+√2)

where the last equality holds if x ≠ 0 (which is the case in the

limit as 𝑥 → 0). So, we have

√𝑥+2−√2 1
lim = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 (√𝑥+2+√2)
1
= (√0+2+√2)
1
= (√2+√2)
1
= 2√2

Let’s try these!

Evaluate the following:

1. lim (3𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 1) 4. lim

√2𝑥+5
𝑥→−1
𝑥→2 1−3𝑥

(𝑥−3)(𝑥 2 −2)
2. lim
𝑥→1 𝑥 2 +1
2𝑥
5. lim 3−
𝑥→0 √𝑥+9

3
3. lim √𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 6
𝑥→−2
 What’s More

How do find the previous activity? I hope you learned a lot. Now, let
us try to answer more challenging set of problems and activities
about applying theorems of limits in evaluating algebraic function.

Activity 3: I Exist! Compute My Limits.

Direction: Evaluate the indicated limit, if it exist.

1 2 ℎ2
1. lim 𝑥−1 − 𝑥2 −1 4. lim
𝑥→1 ℎ→0 √ℎ 2 +ℎ+3−√ℎ+3

(2+ℎ)2 −4 1 1
2. lim 5. lim
+
2 𝑡
ℎ→0 ℎ
𝑡→−2 2+𝑡

√𝑥 2 +𝑥+4−2
3. lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 2 +𝑥
 What I have learned

Now, let us summarize

what we have learned from
this module

Activity 4: Tell my Theorem

Directions: Fill-in the blanks with the Theorem used in applying limits of
theorem in evaluating algebraic function.

1. lim (3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 − 1) = lim (3𝑥 4 ) - lim (2𝑥) - lim (1) __________________

𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
4
= 3lim(𝑥 ) - 2lim(𝑥) -1 ____________________
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
= 3(0 ) – 2lim(𝑥) -1
4
____________________
𝑥→0
= 3(04 ) – 5(0) - 1 ____________________
=0–0-1
= -1

𝑥 lim (𝑥)
2. lim (𝑥+1) = lim lim
𝑥→2
__________________
𝑥→2 (𝑥+1)
𝑥→2 𝑥→2
lim (𝑥)
= lim lim (𝑥)+
𝑥→2
____________________
𝑥→2 𝑥→2 lim (1)
𝑥→2
2
= 2+1
2
= 3

√𝑥+4−2 1
3. lim = lim
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 √𝑥+4+2
lim 1
= lim lim𝑥→0 __________________
Note that the 𝑥+4+2
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 √
denominator (x) lim 1
approaches 0 as x = lim lim 𝑥→0
____________________
approaches 0. Therefore, 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 √𝑥+4+lim
𝑥→0
2
we rationalize the lim 1
numerator as follows: = lim 𝑥→0
____________________
𝑥→0 lim √lim 𝑥+lim 4+lim 2
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥→0
√𝑥+4−2 (√𝑥+4−2)(√𝑥+4+2)
= 1
𝑥 𝑥(√𝑥+4+2)
=
√0+4+2
𝑥+4−4 1
= 𝑥(√𝑥+4+2)
=
√4+2
𝑥 1
= 𝑥(√𝑥+4+2) = 2+2
1
=
1
=
√𝑥+4+2 4
 What I can do

Now, it’s time for us to apply applying theorems of limits in

evaluating algebraic function by relating it to real – life
situations. Are you now ready? Then, let’s begin!

But before we solve the activity note that “an object moving
straight line, whose position at time t is given by the function f(t) ,
the instantaneous velocity of the object at time t = 1 is given by the
𝑓(1+ℎ)−𝑓(1)
limit lim .”
ℎ→0 ℎ

Activity 5: Evaluating a Limit Describing Velocity

Directions: Read and analyze the problem carefully. Answer the given
questions in the space provided.

Problem: Suppose that the position function for an object at time t

(seconds) is given by
𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑡 2 + 2 (feet)

Find the instantaneous velocity of the object at time t = 1.

 Post-Assessment

Thumbs up for the job well done! I hope But for now, I want you to read the
you had a good time going over this instruction and answer each number
module. correctly

Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

𝑥 2 −4
1. Evaluate lim 𝑥2 +4
𝑥→2

A. 1 B. 0 C. -1 D. ∞
𝑥−3
2. Evaluate lim 𝑥2 −2𝑥−3
𝑥→3

A. 0 B. 1 C.
1 D. ∞
4

𝑥
3. Evaluate lim 𝑥
𝑥→0

A. 1 B. 0 C. ∞ D. -1

𝑥 3 −8
4. Evaluate lim 𝑥2 −4
𝑥→2

A. 4 B. 0 C. 1 D. 3

4−𝑥 2
5. Evaluate lim 4𝑥2 −𝑋−2
𝑥→1

A. 4 B. 3 C. 2 D. 1

6. Determine the limit of lim √𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 + 49

𝑥→4
A. 121 B. Does not exist
 C. ±11 D. 11

𝑥 3 +12𝑥 2−5𝑥
7. Determine the limits of lim
𝑥→0 5𝑥

A. 0 C. -1
B. Does not exist D. 5

8. Assume that a watermelon dropped from a tall building falls y = 16𝑡 2 ft in

t sec. find the watermelon’s average speed during the first 6 sec of fall.

A. 97 ft/sec C. 96 ft/sec
B. 48 ft/sec D. 192 ft/sec

9. Let lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 49. Find lim √𝐹(𝑥)

𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1

A. -1 B. 7 C. 2.6 D. 49

−4𝑥 2 +𝑥
10. Verify that the function F(x) = is continuous. Indicate which
√𝑥
theorems are needed.

A. Assume y = x and the square root function are continuous. We use,

Addition, constant multiple, product and quotient
B. Assume y = x and the square root function are continuous. We use,
Addition, power, product and quotient
C. Assume y = x and the square root function are not continuous. We
use, Addition, constant multiple, product and quotient
D. Assume y = x and the square root function are not continuous. We
use, Addition, power, product and quotient