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Calculus I
Chapter 2 Section 2 - Intro to Limits and Properties Review
Remember: A limit is not at a number but it is very, very close to that number
Therefore, a lim =

Let us start out simple concerning limits, every aspect of math has its starting point.

You may be startled when you see the limit symbol in front of the f(x) fu tio , ut do t orr , thi k
of it has just an f(x) you are evaluating.
For Example, in these two equations I going to show you example of the simple limits below:
Ex.1: lim + 9 =?

(Note: Its not rocket science. There are simply asking for you to plug in the number, 2 into the function
to find out the limit as x goes to 2. Also note that the limit symbol goes way when you reach the step of
evaluating)
First step and last step: Evaluate.
lim + 9 =? =

Thats it! Prett si ple right?! Ok o to the e t e a ple

+9= 9

Ex.2: lim =?

(Note: The same goes for this problem as well. You will need to plug in the number, -3, as x goes to -3 in
order to find the limit.)
Step 1: Evaluate.
lim

=? =

= 7

=7

As you can see above, in this function when we have a negative sign and we are subtracting. The
negative sign cancels out and causes us to change our sign to a positive sign.

See not too bad right?! Now that you got the hang of the simple ones let us move on to some more limits
problems that require more work. Do t orr ! It all a out the o epts. If ou u dersta d the o ept
of the math game, then it stays pretty simple.
Like this for example:
lim

7 +

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You are probably wondering how to solve this problem while trying to recollect your memory of the
lecture on limits given by your professor but you a t, so I will refresh your memory and hopefully it will
stick.
Notice that if you plug in 3 in the denominator as x goes to 3, you will get 0 in your denominator. Yet
despite what you get in the numerator your answer will still be 0. In the rules of calculus, whatever number
in the numerator over 0 will be undefined, but if you can factor to find a definite solution that will be your
limit.
Step 1: Factor, if possible.
lim

7 +

= lim

As ou a see here, the fu tio i the u erator is fa tored out. We fa tored out 2 s to gi e us
squared and we picked to numbers that give us -7 but also give us 12 which is -4 and -3. A negative times
a negative gives us a positive number. Well, what do we do? I mean it looks clearer, but can we make it
simpler to solve? The answer is YES! There are some like terms and we can cancel them out, which is (x3).
Step 2: Simplify, if possible.
lim

= lim

You can see once we cancel out (x-3), you are only left with x-4 and it gives us no other choice but to
evaluate the f(x) in order to find the limit.

lim

See! It all about solving the puzzle and finding where to plug the pieces right in place and these rules or
concepts can help you solve various problems like this by just applying these concepts combined with
your algebra skills.

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