# Limits

In Mathematics, a limit is defined as a value that a function approaches, as the input approaches to some value. Limits are important in calculus and mathematical analysis and used to define integrals, derivatives, and continuity.

The limit of a sequence is further generalized in the concept of the limit of a topological net and related to the limit and direct limit in theory category.

A limit is normally expressed as

${\displaystyle \lim _{n\to c}f(n)=L}$

It is read as “the limit of f of n, as n approaches c equals L”. The “lim” shows limit, and fact that function f(n) approaches the limit L as n approaches c is described by the right arrow as:

f(n) = L.

### Properties of Limits–

We assume that $\lim\limits_{x \to a}f(x)$ and $\lim\limits_{x \to a} g(x)$ exist and c is a constant. Then,

1.  $\lim\limits_{x \to a} \left [ c.f(x) \right ]= c \lim\limits_{x \to a}f(x)$

You can factor a constant that is multiplicative out of a limit.

1. $\lim\limits_{x \to a} \left [ f(x)\pm g(x) \right ]= \lim\limits_{x \to a}f(x) \pm \lim\limits_{x \to a}g(x)$

To consider the limit of a sum of difference, select the limits individually and put them back with the corresponding sign. This fact works regardless of number of functions we seperated by “+” or “-”.

1.  $\lim\limits_{x \to a} \left [ f(x) .g(x) \right ]= \lim\limits_{x \to a}f(x) . \lim\limits_{x \to a}g(x)$

Consider the limits of products similar to the limits of sums or differences. Just select the limit of the pieces and put back, and this is not limited to only two functions.

1. $\large \lim\limits_{x \to a} \left [ \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} \right ] = \frac{\lim\limits_{x \to a}f(x)}{\lim\limits_{x \to a}g(x)}$,

provided $\lim\limits_{x \to a}g(x) \neq 0$

As you can see, we need to bother only if the limit of the denominator is zero when operating the quotient limit. If it were zero, it ends up with a division by zero error.

1.  $\lim\limits_{x \to a} c = c$

The limit of a constant is only a constant. You can easily understand it by plotting graph of the function f(x) = c.

1. $\lim\limits_{x \to a} xn = an$

### Sample Question

Example 1: To Compute $\mathbf{\lim \limits_{x \to -4} (5x^{2} + 8x – 3)}$

Solution: First, use property 2 to divide the limit into three separate limits. Then use property 1 to bring the constants out of the first two. This gives,

$\lim\limits_{x \to -4} (5x^{2}+8x-3) = \lim\limits_{x \to -4} (5x^{2})+ \lim\limits_{x \to -4} (8x)- \lim\limits_{x \to -4} (3)$

$=5(-4)^{2}+ 8(-4)- 3$

$= 80 – 32 – 3 =45$

Example 2: To Compute $\mathbf{\lim\limits_{x \to 6} \left [ \frac{(x-3)(x-2)}{x-4} \right ]}$

Solution:  Given $\lim\limits_{x \to 6} \left [ \frac{(x-3)(x-2)}{x-4} \right ]$

$= \left [ \frac{ \lim\limits_{x \to 6} (x-3) \lim\limits_{x \to 6}(x-2)}{ \lim\limits_{x \to 6}(x-4)} \right ]$

$= \left [ \frac{ (6-3) (6-2)}{ (6-4)} \right ]$

$= \left [ \frac{ (3) (4)}{ (2)} \right ] =2$

Example 3: Compute $\mathbf{\lim \limits_{x \to 3} \frac{(x^{2}- 9)}{x – 3}}$

Solution: Given $\lim \limits_{x \to 3} \frac{(x^{2}- 9)}{x – 3}$
It is to be noted that, on substituting the value 3 directly to the funciton, the nemerator as well as denominator will become 0, and we know the value $\frac{0}{0}$, does not exist.

Using the property of squares , we have:

$\lim \limits_{x \to 3} \frac{(x-3)(x+3)}{x – 3} = \lim \limits_{x \to 3}(x+3)$

= 6

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#### Practise This Question

Find the value of limx2x24x+2