Algebra of Limits

The solution of equations and sets of equations is an essential and historically important part of what we call algebra. Algebra is commonly used in formulas when we can change one of the numbers or at least one of the numbers is unknown. In this article, you will learn the algebra of limits.

Algebra methods are used to evaluate the limits. Some of the important methods are the factorisation method, evaluation using standard limits, direct substitution method, rationalisation and evaluation of limits at infinity.

Let A and B be two functions such that their limits

Limit of Sum of Two Functions

Let A and B be two functions such that their limits

Important Rules:

Let A(x) and B(x) be function of x such that

If l and m exist, then

(i) The sum/subtraction of the limits of two given functions is equal to the limit of the sum/subtraction of two functions.

(ii) The limits of the product of any two given functions is the same as the product of the limits of that given function.

(iii) If we have the quotient of two functions, then the limit of that term is the same as the quotient of their limits, including the condition that the limit of the denominator is not equal to zero.

(iv) The limit of a constant multiple of the function f(x) is equal to c times the limit of that function.

Important Points to Remember:

(i) lim_x→p (A.B)(x) exists, then we have the following cases:

(a) both lim_x→p A(x) and lim_x→p B(x) exists.

(b) lim_x→p A(x) exists, but lim_x→p B(x) does not exist.

Example: A(x) = x and B(x) = 1/x then lim_x→p A(x) = 0(exists) and lim_x→p B(x) does not exist, but lim_x→p (A.B)(x) = 1(exists)

(c) both lim_x→p A(x) and lim_x→p B(x) does not exist

Example: A(x) = 1 ∀ x ≥ 0 and 2 ∀ x < 0 and B(x) = 2 ∀ x ≥ 0 and 1 ∀ x < 0 then

lim_x→p A(x) does not exist and lim_x→p B(x) does not exist, but lim_x→p (A.B)(x) = 2(exists).

(ii) If lim_x→p [A(x)+B(x)] exists, then we have following cases:

(a) If lim_x→p A(x) exists, then lim_x→p B(x) must exist

Proof: This is true as B = [A + B] – A.

So, by the limit theorem, lim_x→p B(x) = lim_x→p [A(x) + B(x)] – lim_x→p B(x) which exists.

(b) Both lim_x→p A(x) and lim_x→p B(x) does not exist

Example: A(x) = [x], where [.] represents greatest integer function.

B(x) = {x}, where {.} represents the fraction part function.

Here, both the limits lim_x→p A(x) and lim_x→p B(x) do not exist, but lim_x→p [A(x) + B(x)] exists.

Methods for Evaluating the Limits

(1) Direct substitution method:

(a) lim_x→p f(x)

(b) lim_x→p (A(x))/(B(x))

If f(a) and (A(a))/(B(a)) both exist and B(a)≠0, then lim_x→p f(x) = f(a) and lim_x→p (A(x))/(B(x))=(A(a))/(B(a)).

(2) Factorisation and rationalisation: Do the factorisation and rationalisation whenever needed.

(3) Evaluation of limits using standard substitution:

Some standards limits are given below:

• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to a} \frac{x^{n}-a^{n}}{x-a}= n(a)^{n-1}\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} sin x = 0\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} cos x = 1\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{1-cos x}{x} = 0\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{sin^{-1}x}{x} = 1\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{tan^{-1} x}{x} = 1\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{sin x}{x} = 1\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{tan x}{x} = 1\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} e^{x}=1\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{e^{x}-1}{x}=1\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to \infty } \left ( 1+\frac{1}{x} \right )^{x}=e\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to \infty } \left ( 1+\frac{a}{x} \right )^{x}=e^{a}\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} (1+x)^{\frac{1}{x}}=e\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{a^{x}-1}{x}=log_{e}a\end{array} \)
• \(\begin{array}{l}\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{log(1+x)}{x}=1\end{array} \)

Also, Read:

• Limits of Functions
• Limits Continuity and Differentiability

Limits at Infinity and Infinite limits

The limit of a function shows the behaviour of the function at a particular point. The limit is the output value of the function for which the input value approaches closer and closer to a particular point. Let’s see, with the help of an example, how to compute infinity and infinite limits.

We know that

So we have:

Example:

Sandwich Theorem

Sometimes we use the squeeze principle on limits where usual algebraic methods are not effective. In this method, adjust the given problem in between two other simpler functions whose limit can easily be computed and equal. Also, we need knowledge of algebra and inequalities.

If f, g and h are three functions such that f(x) < g(x) < h(x) for all x in some interval containing the point x = a, and if

Example:

Solution:

We know that range of sin x is [-1, 1], so min(sin x) = -1 and max(sin x) = 1

⇒ -1 ≤ sin x ≤ 1

⇒ -5 ≤ 5sin x ≤ 5

⇒ 5 ≥ -5. sin x ≥ -5

⇒ x + 5 ≥ x – 5. sin x ≥ x – 5

= -1/5

So, we can say that

Practice Problems

1. \(\begin{array}{l}\text{Compute}\ \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{sin(2+x) – sin (2-x)}{x}\end{array} \)
2. Prove that lim_x→1 (6x + 1) = 7 by using the precise definition of a limit.
3. \(\begin{array}{l}\text{Find}\ \lim_{x\rightarrow0}\frac{sin(a+x)-sin(a-x)}{x}\end{array} \)

Video Lessons

Limits, Continuity and Differentiability – Part 1

Limits, Continuity and Differentiability – Part 2

Limits, Continuity and Differentiability – Important Topics

Limits, Continuity and Differentiability – Important Questions

Limits for Class 11 – Revision Notes