B. P.

Mandal College of Engineering, Madhepura

B. Tech (I SEM)
Mathematics- I
Limit
Class Notes

Limits of Functions of One Variable:

Definition of a Limit:
The limit of a function 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 is written as:
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑎
This means that as 𝑥 geta arbitrarily close to 𝑎, the function values 𝑓(𝑥) approach L.
Finite Limit at a Point:
If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿, then for values of 𝑥 near 𝑎, 𝑓(𝑥) is close to L.
𝑥→𝑎
Cases where a Limit does not exist:
 Left-hand and right-hand limits are not equal.
 The function approaches infinity or negative infinity.
 The function oscillates indefinitely near the point.
One-Sided vs. Two-Sided Limits:
 Right-hand limit: lim → 𝑓(𝑥) (as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the right)
 Left-hand limit: lim → 𝑓(𝑥) (as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the left)
Some Important Limits

i. lim = 1 (𝑥 is expressed in radian)

𝑥→0

ii. lim 1+ =𝑒
𝑥→±∞

iii. lim (1 + 𝑥) = 𝑒
𝑥→0

iv. lim log(1 + 𝑥) = 1

𝑥→0

v. lim =1
𝑥→0

vi. lim = 𝑛𝑎 (For all rational values of n, provided 𝑎 > 0)

𝑥→𝑎
( )
vii. lim =𝑛
𝑥→0

viii. lim =0
𝑥→∞ !
/
ix. lim =1
𝑥→0

Examples:
1. Evaluate lim (2𝑥 + 1)
→
Solution. Direct substitution gives 2(3) + 1 = 7
2. Evaluate lim
→

MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS DR. AJAY KUMAR (8889171989)

 Solution. Direct substitution gives = =0

3. Evaluate lim
→
Solution. Direct substitution gives = = which is an indeterminate form.
To resolve this, we factor the numerator
Now, we can rewrite the limit:
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2)
lim = lim (𝑥 + 2) = 4
→ 𝑥−2 →

4. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
sin(𝑥) cos(𝑥)
lim d𝑥 = lim = cos 0 = 1
→ 𝑑 → 1
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
5. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(tan 𝑥) sec 𝑥
lim d𝑥 = lim = sec 0 = 1
→ 𝑑 → 1
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
6. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(𝑒 − 1) 𝑒
lim d𝑥 = lim =𝑒 =1
→ 𝑑 → 1
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
7. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(𝑥 − 1) 2𝑥
lim d𝑥 = lim =2
→ 𝑑 → 1
(𝑥 − 1)
𝑑𝑥
We can also solve by factor the numerator.
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 + 1)
lim = lim =2
→ (𝑥 − 1) → 1
8. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
𝑑
(1 − cos 𝑥) sin 𝑥 0
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 2𝑥 0
(𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:

MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS DR. AJAY KUMAR (8889171989)

 𝑑
(sin 𝑥) cos 𝑥 1
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 2 2
(2𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
9. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(𝑒 − 1) 2𝑒
lim d𝑥 = lim = 2𝑒 = 2
→ 𝑑 → 1
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
( )
10. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
ln(1 + 𝑥) 1/(1 + 𝑥)
lim d𝑥 = lim =1
→ 𝑑 → 1
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
11. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(sin 𝑥 − 𝑥) cos 𝑥 − 1 1 − 1 0
lim d𝑥 = lim = =
→ 𝑑 → 3𝑥 0 0
(𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:
𝑑
(cos 𝑥 − 1) −sin 𝑥 0
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 6𝑥 0
(3𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:
𝑑
(−sin 𝑥) − cos 𝑥 −1
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 6 6
(6𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
12. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(2 cos 𝑥 − 2 + 𝑥 ) −2 sin 𝑥 + 2𝑥 0 + 0 0
lim d𝑥 = lim = =
→ 𝑑 → 4𝑥 0 0
(𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:
𝑑
(−2 sin 𝑥 + 2𝑥) −2 cos 𝑥 + 2 −2 + 2 0
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim = =
→ 𝑑 → 12𝑥 0 0
(4𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:
𝑑
(−2 cos 𝑥 + 2) 2 sin 𝑥 0
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 24𝑥 0
(12𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS DR. AJAY KUMAR (8889171989)
 Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:
𝑑
(2 sin 𝑥) 2 cos 𝑥 2 1
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim = =
→ 𝑑 → 24 24 12
(24𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
( )
13. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(ln 𝑥) 1/𝑥 0
lim d𝑥 = lim = =0
→ 𝑑 → 1 1
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
14. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
𝑑
(𝑒 ) 𝑒 ∞
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 2𝑥 ∞
(𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:
𝑑
(𝑒 ) 𝑒 ∞
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim = =∞
→ 𝑑 → 2 2
(2𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
15. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
𝑑
(𝑥 ) 𝑛𝑥 ∞
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 𝑒 ∞
(𝑒 )
𝑑𝑥
Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:
𝑑
(𝑛 𝑥 ) 𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 𝑥 ∞
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 𝑒 ∞
(𝑒 )
𝑑𝑥
=⋯
𝑛! 𝑥 𝑛! 𝑥 𝑛!
= lim = lim = lim = 0
→ 𝑒 → 𝑒 → ∞
It is a property also.
( )
16. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
[ln(3 + 2 )] 3 ln 3 + 2 ln 2
lim d𝑥 = lim
→ 𝑑 → (3 + 2 )
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
As 𝑥 → ∞, 3 dominates 2 . Therefore, we can factor 3 from the expression
3 ln(3) + 2 ln(2) ln(3) + (2/3) ln(2) ln(3) + 0
lim = lim = = ln(3)
→ (3 + 2 ) → 1 + (2/3) 1+0
MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS DR. AJAY KUMAR (8889171989)
 17. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 2) 2𝑥 + 3 ∞
lim d𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 4𝑥 ∞
(2𝑥 + 5)
𝑑𝑥
Apply using L’Hôpital Rule again:
𝑑
(2𝑥 + 3) 2 1
lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 4 2
(4𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
√
18. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(√𝑥 + 1) (2𝑥) 𝑥 ∞
lim d𝑥 = lim = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 2 √𝑥 + 1 → √𝑥 + 1 ∞
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
we can simplify the expression. We do this by dividing both the numerator and the
denominator by 𝑥.
1 1
lim = =1
→ 1 + 1/𝑥 1
( )
19. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
(ln(1 + 𝑥 ) 2𝑥/(1 + 𝑥 )
lim d𝑥 = lim =1
→ 𝑑 → 2𝑥
(𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
√
20. Evaluate lim
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives . Using L’Hôpital Rule:
d
d𝑥 √𝑥 + 1 − 1 1/2(√𝑥 + 1 1
lim = lim =
→ 𝑑 → 1 2
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
/
21. Evaluate lim [BEU 2020 3rd SEM]
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives 1 .
/
Let 𝑦 = lim
→
Taking log both sides
log 𝑦 = lim log
→

log 𝑦 = lim
→
Using L’Hôpital Rule (since the form is ), differentiate the numerator and
denominator:
MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS DR. AJAY KUMAR (8889171989)
 𝑑 sin 𝑥
log 𝑥 𝑥 cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥
= lim 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 = lim
→ 𝑑 → sin 𝑥 𝑥
(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
𝑥 cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥
= lim
→ 𝑥 sin 𝑥
Again, using L’Hôpital Rule (since the form is ),
𝑑
(𝑥 cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥) −𝑥 sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥 − cos 𝑥
= lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim
→ 𝑑 → 𝑥 cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥
(𝑥 sin 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
−𝑥 sin 𝑥
= lim
→ 𝑥 cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥

Again, using L’Hôpital Rule (since the form is ),

𝑑
(−𝑥 sin 𝑥) −𝑥 cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥
= lim 𝑑𝑥 = lim
→ 𝑑 → −𝑥 sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥 + cos 𝑥
(𝑥 cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
log 𝑦 = 0
𝑦=𝑒 =1
/
22. Evaluate lim [BEU 2020 3rd SEM]
→
Solution: Direct substitution gives 1 .
/
Let 𝑦 = lim
→
Taking log both sides
log 𝑦 = lim log
→

log 𝑦 = lim
→
Using L’Hôpital Rule (since the form is ), differentiate the numerator and
denominator:
𝑑 tan 𝑥
log 1 𝑥 sec 𝑥 − tan 𝑥 1
= lim 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 = lim .
→ 𝑑 → tan 𝑥 /𝑥 𝑥 2𝑥
(𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
𝑥 sec 𝑥 − tan 𝑥 1
= lim × lim
→ 2𝑥 → tan 𝑥 /𝑥
Again, using L’Hôpital Rule (since the form is ),
𝑑
(𝑥 sec 𝑥 − tan 𝑥)
= lim 𝑑𝑥 ×1
→ 𝑑
(2𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
𝑥(2 sec 𝑥 . tan 𝑥) + sec 𝑥 − sec 𝑥
= lim
→ 6𝑥
𝑥(sec 𝑥 . tan 𝑥)
= lim
→ 3𝑥

MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS DR. AJAY KUMAR (8889171989)

 1 𝑥 sec 𝑥 tan 𝑥
= lim × lim
→ 3 𝑥 → 𝑥
1
= lim sec 𝑥 × 1
3 →
1 1
= ×1×1=
3 3
1
log 𝑦 =
3
/
𝑦=𝑒

MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS DR. AJAY KUMAR (8889171989)