Limit and Continuity PDF

CHAPTER 8
LIMITS AND
CONTINUITY-
INTUITIVE
APPROACH
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

LIMITS AND CONTINUITY-INTUITIVE APPROACH
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
Know the concept of limits and continuity;
Understand the theoruems underlying limits and their applications; and
Know how to solve the problems relating to limits and continuity with the help of given
illustrations.
8.1 INTRODUCTION
Intuitively we call a quantity y a function of another quantity x if there is a rule (method
procedure) by which a unique value of y is associated with a corresponding value of x.
A function is defined to be rule that associates to any given number x a single number f(x)
to be read as function of x. f(x) does not mean f times x. It means given x, the rule f results
the number f(x).
Symbolically it may be written in the form y = f(x).
In any mathematical function y = f(x) we can assign values for x arbitrarily; consequently
x is the independent variable while the variable y is dependent upon the values of the
independent variable and hence dependent variable.
Example 1: Given the function f(x) = 2x + 3 show that f(2x) = 2 f(x) 3.
Solution: LHS. f(2x) = 2 (2x) + 3 = 4x + 6 3 = 2(2x + 3) 3
= 2 f(x) 3.
f(x+h)-f(x)
Example 2: If f(x) = ax2 + b find .
h
f(x+h)-f(x) a(x+h)2 +b-ax 2 -b a (x 2 +2xh+h 2 -x 2 ) h a(2x+h)
Solution: = = =
h h h h
= a(2x + h)
Note: f (x) = | x a | means f (x) = x a for x > a
= a x for x < a.
= x a for x = a
Example 3: If f(x) = |x| + |x 2| then redefine the function. Hence find f (3.5), f ( 2),
f(1.5).
Solution: If x > 2 f (x) = x + x 2 = 2x 2
If x < 0 f (x) = x x + 2 = 2 2x
If 0 < x < 2. f (x) = x x + 2 = 2
So the given function can be redefined as
8.2 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

f(x) = 2 2x for x < 0
= 2 for 0 x 2
= 2x 2 for x > 2
for x = 3.5 f (x) = 2(3.5) 2 = 5 , f (3.5) = 5
for x = 2 f (x) = 2 2( 2) = 6 f (2) = 6
for x = 1.5 f (x) = 2. f (1.5) = 2
Note. Any function becomes undefined (i.e. mathematically cannot be evaluated) if
denominator is zero.
x+1
Example 4: If f(x) = 2 find f(0), f(1), f( 1).
x 3x 4
x +1 1 -1 2 1
Solution: f(x) = f(0) = = , f(1) = = f(1) = 0 which is
( x - 4)( x + 1) -4 4 ( 3)(2) 3 0
undefined
i.e. it is undefined.
Example 5: If f(x) = x2 5 evaluate f(3), f(4), f(5) and f(1)
Solution: f(x) = x2 5
f(3) = 32 5 = 9 5 = 4
f(4) = ( 4)2 5 = 16 5 = 11
f(5) = 52 5 = 25 5 = 20
f(1) = 12 5 = 1 5 = 4
8.2 TYPES OF FUNCTIONS

Even and odd functions : If a function f(x) is such that f(x) = f(x) then it is said to be an
even function of x.
Examples : f (x) = x2 + 2x4
f (x) = (x ) 2 + 2 (x )4 = x2 + 2x4 = f(x)
Hence f(x) = x2 + 2x4 is an even function.
On the other hand if f(x) = f(x) then f(x) is said to be an odd function.
Examples : f (x) = 5x + 6x3
f (-x) = 5(-x ) + 6(-x )3 = -5x - 6x3 = -(5x + 6x3)
Hence 5x + 6x3 is an odd function.
Periodic functions: A function f (x) in which the range of the independent variable can be
separated into equal sub intervals such that the graph of the function is the same in each
MATHS 8.3
part then it is periodic function. Symbolically if f(x + p) = f(x) for all x, then p is the period
of f(x).
Inverse function: If y = f(x) defined in an interval (a, b) is a function such that we express
x as a function of y, say x = g(y) then g(y) is called the inverse of f(x)
5x+3 3-9y
Example: i) if y= , then x=
2x+9 2y-5 is the inverse of the first function.
ii) x= 3 y is the inverse function of y = x 3 .
Composite Function: If y = f(x) and x = g(u) then y = f {g(u)} is called the function of a
function or a composite function.
1+x x1 +x 2

Example : If a function f(x) = log prove that f(x1) + f(x2) = f 1+x x
1-x 1 2
1+x 1 1+x 2
Solution : f(x1)+f(x2) = log + log
1-x 1 1-x 2
1+x 1 1+x 2
= log
1-x 1 1-x 2
x1 +x 2
1+
1+ x1 + x 2 + x1x 2 1+x1 x 2 x1 +x 2
=log =f
= log 1 x1 x 2 + x1 x 2 x +x 1+x1 x 2 . Hence the result is proved
1- 1 2
1+x1 x 2
Exercise 8(A)
Choose the most appropriate option (a) (b) (c) or (d)
1. Given the function f(x) = x2 5, f( 5) is equal to
a) 0 b) 5 c) 10 d) none of these
x
5 +1
2. If f(x)= then f(x) is
5 x -1
a) an even function b) an odd function
c) a composite function d) none of these

3. If g(x) = 3 x2 then g(x) is
a) an odd function b) a periodic function
c) an even function d) none of these
q(x-p) p(x-q)
4. If f(x)= + then f(p) + f(q) is equal to
(q-p) (p-q)
a) p +q b) f(pq) c) f(p q) d) none of these

5. If f(x) = 2x2 5x + 4 then 2f(x) = f(2x) for
a) x=1 b) x = 1 c) x = 1 d) none of these
6. If f(x) = logx (x > 0) then f(p) + f(q) +f(r) is
a) f(pqr) b) f(p)f(q)f(r) c) f(1/pqr) d) none of these
f (4+h) f (4)
7. If f(x) = 2x2 5x +2 then the value of is
h
a) 11 2h b) 11 + 2h c) 2h 11 d) none of these
px-q
8. If y=h(x)= then x is equal to
qx-p
a) h(1/y) b) h (y) c) h(y) d) none of these

9. If f(x) = x2 x then f( h+1) is equal to
a) f(h) b) f(h) c) f(h + 1) d) none of these
1-x
10. If f(x)= then f (f(1/x)) is equal to
1+x
a) 1/x b) x c) 1/x d) none of these
8.3 CONCEPT OF LIMIT

I) We consider a function f(x) = 2x. If x is a number approaching to the number 2 then f(x) is
a number approaching to the value 2 2 = 4.
The following table shows f(x) for different values of x approaching 2
x f(x)
1.90 3.8
1.99 3.98
1.999 3.998
1.9999 3.9998
2 4
MATHS 8.5
Here x approaches 2 from values of x<2 and for x being very close to 2 f(x) is very close to
4. This situation is defined as left-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches 2 and is written as lim
f(x) = 4 as x 2
Next
x f(x)
2.0001 4.0002
2.001 4.002
2.01 4.02
2.0 4
Here x approaches 2 from values of x greater than 2 and for x being very close to 2 f(x) is
very close to 4. This situation is defined as righthand limit of f(x) as x approaches 2 and
is written as lim f(x) = 4 as x 2 +
So we write
lim f(x) = lim f(x) = 4
x 2 x 2+
Thus lim f ( x ) is said to exist when both left-hand and right-hand limits exists and they
x a
are equal. We write as

lim f (x) = lim f (x) = lim f (x)
xa xa+ xa
Thus, if lim f (a+h) = lim f (ah) , (h>o)
hJo hJo
then lim f(x) exists
xJa
We now consider a function defined by
2x-2 for x<0

f(x)= 1 for x=0

2x+2 for x>0
We calculate limit of f(x) as x tend to zero. At x = 0, f(x) = 1 (given). If x tends to zero from
left-hand side for the value of x<0, f(x) is approaching (20) 2 = 2 which is defined as
left-hand limit of f(x) as x 0 -. We can write it as
lim =2
x0
Similarly if x approaches zero from right-hand side for values of x>0, f(x) is approaching
2 0 + 2 = 2. We can write this as lim f(x) = 2.
x0 +

In this case both left-hand limit and right-hand exist, but they are not equal. So we may
conclude that lim
x0
f(x) does not exist.
8.4 USEFUL RULES (THEOREMS) ON LIMITS

Let lim f(x) = and lim g(x) = m
x a x a
where and m are finite quantities
i) lim {f(x) + g(x)} = lim f(x) + lim g(x) = +m

x a x a x a
That is limit of the sum of two functions is equal to the sum of their limits.
ii) lim {f(x) g(x)} = lim f(x) lim g(x) = m

x a x a x a
That is limit of the difference of two functions is equal to difference of their limits.
iii) lim {f(x) . g(x)} = lim f(x) . lim g(x) = m

x a x a x a
That is limit of the product of two functions is equal to the product of their limits.
iv) lim {f(x)/g(x)} = { lim f(x)}/{ lim g(x)} = /m if m 0

x a x a x a
That is limit of the quotient of two functions is equal to the quotient of their limits.
v) lim c = c where c is a constant

x a
That is limit of a constant is the constant.
vi) lim cf(x) = c lim f(x)

x a x a
vii) lim F{ f ( x)} = F{lim f ( x)} = F(l)

x a x a
viii) 1 1
lim = lim + (h > 0)
x0+ x h 0 h
1 1
lim = lim (h > 0)
x0 x h 0 h
is a very-very large number called infinity
1
Thus lim does not exist.
x0 x
MATHS 8.7
1 1
Example 1: Evaluate: (i) lim(3 x + 9) ; (ii) lim (iii) lim
x2 x 5 x 1 x a xa
Solution: (i) lim(3 x + 9) = 3.2 + 9 = (6 + 9) = 15
x 2
1 1 1
(ii) lim = =
x 5 x 1 5 1 4
1 1 1
(iii) lim lim
does not exist, since x + and lim - -
x a xa a+ x - a xa x - a
x 2 5x + 6
Example 2: Evaluate lim .
x 2 x2
Solution: At x = 2 the function becomes undefined as 2-2 = 0 and division by zero is not
mathematically defined.
So lim {x 2 5 x + 6/( x 2)} = lim {( x 2)( x 3)/( x 2)} = lim( x 3) ( x-2 0)

x 2 x 2 x 2
= 2-3 = -1
x2 + 2x 1
Example 3: Evaluate lim .
x2
x2 + 2
x 2 + 2 x 1 xlim ( x 2 + 2 x 1) lim x 2 + lim 2 x 1

lim = 2 = 2
x x2
Solution:
x2 2 2
x +2 lim x + 2 lim x 2 + 2
x2 x2
(2)2 + 2 2 1 7
= =
(2)2 + 2 6
8.5 SOME IMPORTANT LIMITS

We now state some important limits
x
a) lim (e -1) =1
x0
x
ax -1
b) lim =log e a (a>0)
x0 x

log(1+x)
c) lim =1
x 0 x
x 1
1
lim 1+ =e or lim (1+x) =e
x
d) x x x0 x
x n -a n
e) lim =na n-1
x a x-a
(1+x)n -1
f) lim =n
x 0 x
(A) The number e called exponential number is given by e = 2.718281828 = 2.7183. This
number e is one of the useful constants in mathematics.
(B) In calculus all logarithms are taken with respect to base e that is log x=log e x.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
x 2 -6x+9 x2 6 x + 9
Example 1: Evaluate: lim , where f(x) = . Also find f (3)
x3 x-3 x3
Solution: At x = 3 the function is undefined as division by zero is meaningless. While taking

the limit as x 3, the function is defined near the number 3 because when x 3, x
cannot be exactly equal to 3 i.e. x 3 0 and consequently division by x 3 is
permissible.
x 2 -6x+9 (x-3)2 0
Now lim = lim = lim (x-3) =3-3 =0. f(3) = is undefined
x 3 x-3 x 3 x-3 x 3 0
The reader may compute the left-hand and the right-hand limits as an exercise.
Example 2: A function is defined as follows:
-3x when x<0
f(x)=
2x when x>0
Test the existence of lim

x 0
f(x).
Solution: For x approaching 0 from the left x < 0.
Left-hand limit = lim f(x) = lim ( 3x) = 0
x 0- x 0-
When x approaches 0 from the right x > 0
Right-hand limit = lim f(x) = lim 2x = 0
x 0+ x 0+
Since L.H. limit = R.H. Limit, the limit exists. Thus, lim
x0
f(x) = 0.
MATHS 8.9
1
Example 3: Does lim exist ?
x x
1 1
Solution: lim = and lim =+ ;
x +0 -x x -0 -x
1
= lim
1 1
R.H.L. lim = lim
x x
h0 ( + x ) h0 h
Since the limits are unequal the limit does not exist.
1 = lim 1 1
R.H.L. = xlim = lim +
x hv ( h h0

h
x 2 +4x+3
Example 4: : lim .
x 3 x 2 +6x+9
x 2 +4x+3 x 2 +3x+x+3 x (x+3)+1(x+3) (x+3)(x+1) x+1

Solution: = = = =
x 2 +6x+9 (x+3)2 (x+3)2 (x+3)2 x+3
x+1 4 2
= lim = = .
x3 x+3 6 3
Example 5: Find the following limits:
x -3 x+h - x
(i) lim ; (ii) lim if h > 0.
x 9 x-9 h 0 h
Solution:
x -3 x -3 1 x -3 1 1
(i) = = . lim = xlim
9 = .
x-9 ( x +3) ( x -3) x +3 x 9 x-9 x+3 6
x+h - x x+h-x 1 x+h - x 1

(ii) = = lim = lim
h 0
h h ( x+h + x ) x+h + x h 0 h x+h + x
1 1 1
= =
= lim x+h + lim x x+ x 2 x .
h 0 h 0
3x+ x
Example 6: Find xlim
0 7x-5 x .
3x+|x| 3x+x
Solution: Right-hand limit = lim = lim = lim 2 = 2
x0+ 7x-5|x| x0+ 7x-5x x0+

3x+ x 3x-(x) 1 1
Left-hand limit lim = lim = lim = .
x 0- 7x-5 x x 0 - 7x-5 (-x) x 0- 6 6
Since Right-hand limit Left-hand limit the limit does not exist.
ex -e-x
Example 7: Evaluate lim
x0 x
ex -e-x (ex -1)-(e-x -1) ex -1 e-x -1

Solution: lim = lim = lim - lim =1-1=0
x0 x x0 x x0 x x0 x
x
9
Example 8: lim 1+ .
Find x (Form 1)
x
x x
Solution: It may be noted that approaches as x approaches . i.e. xlim
9 9
9

x/9

9
x
lim 1+ 1

lim 1+ = x/9 x
x
x

9

9
1 z
lim
Substituting x/9 = z the above expression takes the form z 1+

z
z 9
1

= lim 1+ =e9 .

z z

2x+1
Example 9: Evaluate: xlim
x3 +1 . Form
Solution: As x approaches 2x + 1 and x3 + 1 both approach and therefore the given

function takes the form which is indeterminate. Therefore instead of evaluating directly let

us try for suitable algebraic transformation so that the indeterminate form is avoided.
2 1 2 1 2 1
+ lim + lim + lim
2 3 x
x 2 3
x = x 2 x x 3 = 0+0 = 0 = 0.
lim x x = x
x 1 1
1+ lim 1+ 1 lim 1+ lim 1+0 1
x 3 x 3
x x x x 3
MATHS 8.11
2 2 2 2
Example 10: Find lim 1 +2 +3 +..........+x
x3
x
12 +2 2 +3 2 +..........+x 2
Solution: xlim
x3
[x(x+1)(2x+1)] 1 1
1
lim = lim 1+ 2+
x 6x 3

6 x x x

1 1
= 12= .
6 3
1 2 3 n
Example 11: lim + + ....................... +
n 2 2 2
1-n 1-n 1-n 1-n 2
1 2 3 n
Solution : = lim + + ....................... +
n 1-n 2 1-n 2 1-n 2 1-n 2
1
= lim (1+2+3 ..+n)
n 1-n 2
1 n(n+1)
= lim 2
n 1-n 2
1 n(n+1)
= lim 2
n 1-n 2
1 n
= lim
2 n 1-n

1 1
= lim 1
2 x -1
n
1 1 1 1
= lim = (1) = -
2 n 0-1 2 2
Exercise 8 (B)
1. lim f (x) when f(x) = 6 is
x 0
a) 6 b) 0 c) 1/6 d) none of these

2. lim (3x + 2) is equal to
x2
x 2 -4
3. lim is equal to
x-2 x+2
a) 4 b) 4 c) does not exist d) none of these
3
4. lim 2 +2
x x
5. lim logex is evaluated to be
x1
a) 0 b) e c) 1 d) none of these
6. The value of the limit of f(x) as x 3 when f(x) = e x2 +2x+1 is
a) e 15
b) e16 c) e10 d) none of these
8 x 3 -1

7. lim is equal to
x 1/2 6x 2 -5 x + 1
1+ 2x 2 - 1-2x 2
8. lim is equal to
x 0 x2
a) 2 b) 2 c) d) none of these
x-q - p-q
9. lim (p>q) is evaluated as
xp
x 2 -p 2
1 1 1
a) p p-q b) 4p p-q c) 2p p-q d) none of these
(3x -1)
10. lim is equal to
x 0 x
a) 10 3 log103 b) log3e c) loge3 d) none of these
5x +3x -2
11. lim will be equal to
x 0 x
a) loge15 b) log (1/15) c) log e d) none of these
MATHS 8.13
10 x 5 x -2 x + 1
12. lim is equal to
x 0 x2
a) loge2 + loge5 b) loge2 loge5 c) loge10 d) none of these
f(x+h)-f(x)
13. If f(x) = ax2 + bx+c then lim is equal to
x 0 h
a) ax +b b) ax + 2b c) 2ax +b d) none of these
2x 2 -7x+6
14. lim is equal to
x2 5x 2 -11x+2
a) 1/9 b) 9 c) 1/9 d) none of these
x 3 -5x 2 +2x+2
15. lim is equal to
x1 x 3 +2x 2 -6x+3
a) 5 b) 5 c) 1/5 d) none of these
x 3 -t 3
16. lim 2 2 is evaluated to be
x t x -t
3
a) 3/2 b) 2/3t c) t d) none of these
2
4x 4 +5x 3 7x 2 +6x
17. lim is equal to
x 0 5x 5 +7x 2 +x
(x2 5x + 6 ) (x2 -3x +2)

18. lim is equal to
x2 x3 -3x2 +4
a) 1/3 b) 3 c) 1/3 d) none of these
3x4 + 5x2 + 7x + 5
19. lim is evaluated
x 4x2
3
a) b) 3 c) 1/4 d) none of these
4
(e x + e -x - 2 ) (x 2 -3x +2)
20. lim is equal to
x0
(x-1)

(1-x -1/3 )
21. lim -2/3 is equal to
x1 (1-x )
a) 1/2 b) 1/2 c) 2 d) none of these
(x 2 -16)
22. lim is equal to
x 4 (x-4)
x2 - x
23. lim is equal to
x1 x -1
a) 3 b) 1/3 c) 3 d) none of these
x3 1
24. lim is equal to
x 1 x1
(1+ x)6 1
25. then lim f( x) is equal to
(1+ x)2 1 x0
(1+px)
26. lim log is equal to
x 0 e 3x -1
a) p/3 b) p c) 1/3 d) none of these
1
27. lim 3 2 is equal to
x
x + x + x +1
a) 0 b) e c) e6 d) none of these
2x 2 +7x+5
28. lim is equal to where is
x 4x 2 +3x-1
(x x -m m )
29. lim is equal to
x
1-x -2/3
a) 1 b) 1 c) 1/ 2 d) none of these
(x + 2 ) 5 / 3 -(p + 2 ) 5 / 3
30. lim is equal to
x 0 x -p
a) p b) 1/p c) 0 d) none of these
MATHS 8.15
x 3 +3x 2 -9x-2
31. If f(x) and lim f(x) exists then lim (x) is equal to
x 3 -x-6 x 2 x 2
a) 15/11 b) 5/11 c) 11/15 d) none of these
2 + ex
32. lim is equal to
x 7 ex
2
a) b) 0 c) 1 d) none of these
7
4-x 2
33. lim is equal to
x 2 3- x 2 +5
x 3/2 -2 3/4
34. xlim exists and is equal to a finite value which is
2
x -21/4
1
35. lim log (1x/2) is equal to
x 0
x
( x 1)2
36. lim is equal to
x 1 ( x 1)( x 2 1)
1
a) 1 b) 0 c) d) none of these
2
13 + 23 + 33 + - - +x3
37. lim
x is equal to
x4
a) 1/4 b) 1/2 c) 1/4 d) none of these
8.6 CONTINUITY
By the term continuous we mean something which goes on without interruption and
without abrupt changes. Here in mathematics the term continuous carries the same
meaning. Thus we define continuity of a function in the following way.
A function f(x) is said to be continuous at x = a if and only if
(i) f(x) is defined at x = a
(ii) lim f(x) = xlim

a+
f(x)
xa-

(iii) lim f(x) = f(a)
x a
In the second condition both left-hand and right-hand limits exists and are equal.
In the third condition limiting value of the function must be equal to its functional value at
x = a.
Useful Information:
(i) The sum, difference and product of two continuous functions is a continuous function.
This property holds good for any finite number of functions.
(ii) The quotient of two continuous functions is a continuous function provided the
denominator is not equal to zero.
1
Example 1 : f(x) = -x when 0< x < 1/2
2
3
= -x when < x < 1
2
1 1
= when x =
2 2
Discuss the continuity of f(x) at x = .
Solution : lim f(x) = lim
1 1
(1/2 x) = 1/2 1/2 = 0
x - x -
2 2
lim f(x) = lim

1 1
(3/2 x) = (3/2 1/2) = 1
x + x +
2 2
Since LHL RHL lim f(x) does not exist

x 1/2
Moreover f(1/2 ) = 1/2

1
Hence f(x) is not continuous of x = 1/2 , i.e. f (x) is discontinuous at x =
2
x 2 +2x+5
Example 2 : Find the points of discontinuity of the function f(x) =
x 2 -3x+2
x 2 +2x+5 x 2 +2x+5
Solution : f(x) = 2 =
x -3x+2 (x-1) (x-2)
For x = 1 and x = 2 the denominator becomes zero and the function f(x) is undefined at
x = 1 and x = 2. Hence the points of discontinuity are at x = 1 and x = 2.
Example 3 : A function g(x) is defined as follows:
g(x) = x when 0< x < 1
= 2 x when x 1
MATHS 8.17
Is g(x) is continuous at x = 1?
Solution :
lim g(x) = lim x = 1
x1- x1-
lim g(x) = lim ( 2 x) = 2 1 = 1

x1+ x1+
lim
x1-
g(x) = lim g (x) = 1
x1+
Also g(1) = 2 1 = 1
and lim g(x) = g(1) = 1

x1
Hence f(x) is continuous at x = 1.

Example 4: The function f(x) = (x2 9) / (x 3) is undefined at x = 3. What value must be
assigned to f(3) if f (x) is to be continuous at x = 3?
Solution : When x approaches 3, x 3 i.e. x 3 0
(x-3)(x+3)
So lim f(x) = lim
x 3 x3 (x-3)
= lim (x + 3) = 3 + 3 = 6
x 3
Therefore if f(x) is to be continuous at x = 3, f(3) = lim f(x) = 6.

x3
Example 5: Is the function f(x) = | x | continuous at x = 0?

Solution: We know | x | =x when x > 0
=0 when x = 0
= x when x < 0
Now lim f(x) = lim (x) = 0 and lim f(x) = lim x = 0

x0- x0- x 0+ x 0+
Hence lim f(x) = 0 = f(0)

x 0
So f(x) is continuous at x = 0.
Exercise 8(C)
1. If f(x) is an odd function then
f(-x)+f(x)
a) is an even function
2
b) [| x | + 1 ] is even when [x] = the greater integer x <

f(x)+f(-x)
c) is neither even or odd
2
d) none of these.
2. If f(x) and g(x) are two functions of x such that f(x) + g(x) = ex and f(x) g(x) = e x
then
a) f(x) is an odd function b) g(x) is an odd function
c) f(x) is an even function d) g(x) is an even function
2
2x +6x-5
3. If f(x) = is to be discontinuous then
12x 2 +x-20
a) x = 5/4 b) x = 4/5 c) x = 4/3 d) both (a) and (b).
4. A function f(x) is defined as follows
f(x) = x2 when 0 < x <1
= x when 1 < x < 2
= (1/4) x3 when 2 < x < 3
Now f(x) is continuous at
a) x = 1 b) x = 3 c) x = 0 d) none of these.
3x+|x|
5. lim 7x-5|x|
x 0
a) exists b) does not exist c) 1/6 d) none of these.
(x+1)
6. If f(x) = then lim f(x) and f(-1)
6x 2 +3+3x x-1
a) both exists b) one exists and other does not exist

c) both do not exists d) none of these.
x 2 -1
7. lim is evaluated to be
x1 3x+1- 5x-1
a) 4 b) 1/4 c) 4 d) none of these.
8. lim ( x+h - x ) / is equal to

h 0
1
a) 1/ 2 x b) 1/2x c) x /2 d)
2 x
9. Let f(x) = x when x >0
= 0 when x = 0
= x when x < 0
MATHS 8.19
Now f(x) is
a) discontinuous at x = 0 b) continuous at x = 0
c) undefined at x = 0 d) none of these.
10. If f(x) = 5+3x for x > 0 and f(x) = 5 3x for x < 0 then f(x) is
a) continuous at x = 0
b) discontinuous and defined at x = 0
c) discontinuous and undefined at x = 0
d) none of these.
(x-1)2 2

lim
11. x1 +(x -1)
x-1
a) does not exist b) exists and is equal to zero
c) is equal to 1 d) none of these.
lim 4 x+1 -4
12. x0
2x
a) does not exist b) exists and is equal to 4
c) exists and is equal to 4 loge2 d) none of these.
(x 2 -16)
13. Let f(x) = for x 4
(x-4)
= 10 for x = 4
Then the given function is not continuous for
(a) limit f(x) does not exist
(b) limiting value of f(x) for x 4 is not equal to its function value f(4)
(c) f(x) is not defined at x = 4
(d) none of these.
14. A function f(x) is defined by f(x) = (x2)+x over all real values of x, now f(x) is
(a) continuous at x = 2 (b) discontinuous at x = 2
(c) undefined at x = 2 (d) none of these.
15. A function f(x) defined as follows f(x) = x+1 when x < 1
= 3 px when x > 1
The value of p for which f(x) is continuous at x = 1 is
(a) 1 (b) 1 (c) 0 (d) none of these.
16. A function f(x) is defined as follows :

f(x) = x when x < 1
= 1+x when x > 1
= 3/2 when x = 1
Then f(x) is
(a) continuous at x = (b) continuous at x = 1
(c) undefined at x = (d) none of these.
17. Let f(x) = x/|x|. Now f(x) is
(a) continuous at x = 0 (b) discontinuous at x = 0
(c) defined at x = 0 (d) none of these.
18. f(x) = x1 when x > 0
= when x = 0
= x + 1 when x < 0
f(x) is
(a) continuous at x = 0 (b) undefined at x = 0
(c) discontinuous at x = 0 (d) none of these.
x+4
x+6
19. lim is equal to
x x+1
(a) 64 (b) 1/e5 (c) e5 (d) none of these.
(e 2x -1)
20. lim is equal to
x 0 x
(a) (b) 2 (c) 0 (d) none of these.
e x +1
21. lim x is evaluated to be
x e +2

x n -3 n
22. If lim x-3 = 108 then the value of n is
x 3
23. f(x) = (x2 1) / (x3 1) is undefined at x = 1 the value of f(x) at x = 1 such that it is
continuous at x = 1 is
(a) 3/2 (b) 2/3 (c) 3/2 (d) none of these.
24. f(x) = 2x |x| is
(a) undefined at x = 0 (b) discontinuous at x = 0
(c) continuous at x = 0 (d) none of these.
MATHS 8.21
25. If f(x) = 3, when x <2

f(x) = kx2, when x >2 is continuous at x = 2, then the value of k is
(a) (b) 4/3 (c) 1/3 (d) none of these.
2
x -3x+2
26. f(x) = x 1 becomes continuous at x = 1. Then the value of f(1) is
x-1
2
(x -2x-3)
27. f(x) = x 1 and f(x) = k, when x = 1 If(x) is continuous at x= 1 .
(x+1)
The value of k will be
x 2 - x
is equal to
28. lim
x1 x -1
(a) 3 (b) 3 (c) 1/3 (d) none of these.
2
e x -1
29. lim is evaluated to be
x 0 x2
(a) 1 (b) (c) 1 (d) none of these.
x n -2 n
30. If lim = 80 and n is a positve integer, then
x 2 x-2
(a) n = 5 (b) n = 4 (c) n = 0 (d) none of these.
x 5/2 -2 5/4
31. lim is equal to
x 2 x -21/4
(a) 1/ 10 (b) 10 (c) 20 (d) none of these.
1 x
32. lim 2 - 3 is evaluated to be
1 x +x-2 x -1
x
(a) 1/9 (b) 9 (c) 1/9 (d) none of these.
1 1 1 1
33. nlim + 2
+ 3 + + n is

6 6 6 6
(a) 1/5 (b) 1/6 (c) 1/5 (d) none of these.

34. The value of lim ux + vx + wx 3 / x is
x 0
(a) uvw (b) log uvw (c) log (1/uvw) (d) none of these.
x
35. lim is equal to
x0 log(1+x)
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 0.5 (d) none of these.
ANSWERS
Exercise 8(A)
1. a 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. a 6. a 7. b 8. c
9. b 10. a
Exercise 8(B)
1. a 2. c 3. b 4. c 5. c 6. b 7. c 8. a
9. b 10. c 11. a 12. d 13. c 14. a 15. b 16. c
17. a 18. c 19. a 20. b 21. b 22. a 23. c 24. a
25. b 26. a 27. a 28. b 29. a 30. d 31. a 32. c
33. a 34. c 35. a 36. c 37. a
Exercise 8(C)
1. a 2. b, c 3. a,c 4. a 5. b 6. b 7. c 8. d
9. b 10. a 11. b 12. c 13. b 14. a 15. b 16. a
17. b 18. c 19. a 20. b 21. c 22. a 23. b 24. c
25. a 26. b 27. c 28. a 29. a 30. a 31. b 32. c
33. a 34. b 35. a
MATHS 8.23
ADDITIONAL QUESTION BANK

1. The value of the limit when n tends to infinity of the expression
(7 n 3 -8 n 2 + 1 0 n -7 ) (8 n 3 -9 n 2 + 5 ) is
(A) 7/8 (B) 8/7 (C) 1 (D) None
2. The value of the limit when n tends to infinity of the expression (n 4 -7 n 2 + 9) (3 n 2 + 5 ) is
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D)

3. The value of the limit when n trends to infinity of the expression
(3n 3 + 7n 2 -11n+ 19) (17n 4 + 18n 3 -20n+ 45) is
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D) 1/ 2
4. The value of the limit when n tends to infinity of the expression (2n) [(2n-1) (3n+ 5)] is
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D) 1/ 2

n 1/3 (n 2 +1)1/3 (2n 2 +3n+1) -1/2 is
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D) 1/ 2
6. The value of the limit when x tends to a of the expression (x n -a n )(x-a) is
(A) na n-1 (B) na n (C) (n-1)a n-1 (D) (n+1)a n+1
7. The value of the limit when x tends to zero of the expression (1+n)1/n is
(A) e (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) 1
( )
n
8. The value of the limit when n tends to infinity of the expression 1+ 1 n is
(A) e (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) 1

9. The value of the limit when x tends to zero of the expression [(1+ x)n - 1]x is
(A) n (B) n + 1 (C) n 1 (D) n(n 1)

10. The value of the limit when x tends to zero of the expression (ex1)/x is
(A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) indeterminate
11. The value of the limit when x tends to 3 of the expression (x 2 +2x-15)/(x 2 -9) is
(A) 4/3 (B) 3/4 (C) 1/2 (D) indeterminate

12. The value of the limit when x tends to zero of the expression [(a +x 2 )1/2 -(a-x 2 )1/2 ]x 2 is
(A) a -1/2 (B) a1/2 (C) a (D) a -1
13. The value of the limit when x tends to unity of the expression [(3+x)1/2 -(5-x)1/2 ](x 2 -1) is
(A) 1/4 (B) (C) 1/4 (D) 1/2
14. The value of the limit when x tends to 2 of the expression (x-2)-1 -(x 2 -3x+2)-1 is
(A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) None

2 -n (n 2 +5n+6)[(n+4)(n+5)]-1 is
(A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) None
lim n+1 1
16. The value of
n n2 n
(A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) None
lim 1/2 1/2 -1 -1/2
17. Find n [n +(n+1) ] n
(A) 1/2 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) None

lim 2 -2 -2
18. Find n (2n-1)(2n)n (2n+1) (2n+2)
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/2 (C) 1 (D) None

lim 3 1/2 3/2 3/2
19. Find n [(n +1) -n ]n
(A) 1/4 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) None

lim 4 1/2 4 1/2 -2
20. Find n [(n +1) -(n -1) ]n
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/2 (C) 1 (D) None

lim n n -1
21. Find n (2 -2)(2 +1)
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/2 (C) 1 (D) None
MATHS 8.25
lim n -n-1 -1
22. Find n n (n+1) n
(A) e -1 (B) e (C) 1 (D) 1
lim n -1 1-n
23. Find n (2n-1)2 (2n+1) 2
(A) 2 (B) 1/2 (C) 1 (D) None

lim n-1 -1 -n
24. Find n 2 (10+n)(9+n) 2
(A) 2 (B) 1/2 (C) 1 (D) None

lim 2
25. Find n [n(n+2)](n+1)
(A) 2 (B) 1/2 (C) 1 (D) None

lim n+1 n
26. Find n [n!3 ][3 (n+1)!]
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D) 2

lim 3 3 -1 n+1 n -1
27. Find n (n +a)[(n+1) a] (2 +a)(2 +a)
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D) 2

lim 2 2 -1 n+1 -n
28. Find n (n +1)[(n+1) +1] 5 5
(A) 5 (B) e -1 (C) 0 (D) None

lim n n+1
29. Find n [n .(n+1)!][n!(n+1) ]
(A) 5 (B) e -1 (C) 0 (D) None

lim 4 4
30. Find n [{1.3.5....(2n-1)}(n+1) ][n {1.3.5....(2n-1)(2n+1)}]
(A) 5 (B) e -1 (C) 0 (D) None

lim n n+1
31. Find n [x .(n+1)][nx ]
(A) x -1 (B) x (C) 1 (D) None

lim n -n
32. Find n n (1+n)
(A) e -1 (B) e (C) 1 (D) 1
lim n+1 -n-1 -1 -n

33. Find n [(n+1) . n -(n+1). n ]
(A) (e-1)-1 (B) (e+1)-1 (C) e-1 (D) e+1
lim -1 -1 -1
34. Find n (1+n )[1+(2 n) ]
(A) 1/2 (B) 3/2 (C) 1 (D) 1

lim 2 2
35. Find n [4n +6n+2]4 n
(A) 1/2 (B) 3/2 (C) 1 (D) 1

36. 3x 2 +2x-1 is continuous
(A) at x = 2 (B) for every value of x
(C) both (A) and (B) (D) None
x
37. f(x) = , when x 0, then f(x) is
x
(A) discontinuous at x = 0 (B) continuous at x = 0
(C) maxima at x = 0 (D) minima at x = 0
38. e -1/x [1+e1/x ]-1 is
(A) discontinuous at x = 0 (B) continuous at x = 0

(C) maxima at x = 0 (D) minima at x = 0
39. If f(x)=(x 2 -4)(x-2) for x<2, f(x)=4 for x=2 and f(x)=2 for x>2 , then f(x) at x = 2 is
(A) discontinuous (B) continuous

(C) maxima (D) minima
1
40. If f(x)=x for 0 x<1/2, f(x)=1 for x=1/2 and f(x)=1-x for 1/2<x<1 then at x = the
2
function is
(A) discontinuous (B) continuous
(C) left-hand limit coincides with f(1/2) (D) right-hand limit coincides with left-hand limit.
MATHS 8.27
41. If f(x)=9x(x+2) for x<1, f(1)=1, f(x)=(x+3)x -1 for x>1, then in the interval (3, 3) the
function is
(A) continuous at x = 2
(B) continuous at x = 1
(C) discontinuous for values of x other than 2 and 0 in the interval (, )
(D) None
ANSWERS
1) A 2) D 3) A 4) A 5) D 6) A
7) A 8) A 9) A 10) A 11) A 12) A
13) A 14) A 15) B 16) A 17) A 18) A
19) B 20) C 21) C 22) A 23) A 24) B
25) C 26) A 27) D 28) A 29) B 30) C
31) A 32) A 33) A 34) A 35) C 36) C
37) A 38) A 39) A 40) A 41) C


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CHAPTER 8

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

8.2 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

8.2 TYPES OF FUNCTIONS

ii) x= 3 y is the inverse function of y = x 3 .

8.4 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

a) p +q b) f(pq) c) f(p q) d) none of these

a) h(1/y) b) h (y) c) h(y) d) none of these

8.3 CONCEPT OF LIMIT

are equal. We write as

8.6 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

8.4 USEFUL RULES (THEOREMS) ON LIMITS

where and m are finite quantities

i) lim {f(x) + g(x)} = lim f(x) + lim g(x) = +m

ii) lim {f(x) g(x)} = lim f(x) lim g(x) = m

iii) lim {f(x) . g(x)} = lim f(x) . lim g(x) = m

iv) lim {f(x)/g(x)} = { lim f(x)}/{ lim g(x)} = /m if m 0

v) lim c = c where c is a constant

That is limit of a constant is the constant.

vi) lim cf(x) = c lim f(x)

vii) lim F{ f ( x)} = F{lim f ( x)} = F(l)

is a very-very large number called infinity

So lim {x 2 5 x + 6/( x 2)} = lim {( x 2)( x 3)/( x 2)} = lim( x 3) ( x-2 0)

x 2 + 2 x 1 xlim ( x 2 + 2 x 1) lim x 2 + lim 2 x 1

8.5 SOME IMPORTANT LIMITS

8.8 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

Solution: At x = 3 the function is undefined as division by zero is meaningless. While taking

Test the existence of lim

x 2 +4x+3 x 2 +3x+x+3 x (x+3)+1(x+3) (x+3)(x+1) x+1

Example 5: Find the following limits:

x+h - x x+h-x 1 x+h - x 1

8.10 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

ex -e-x (ex -1)-(e-x -1) ex -1 e-x -1

Solution: As x approaches 2x + 1 and x3 + 1 both approach and therefore the given

a) 6 b) 0 c) 1/6 d) none of these

8.12 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

(x2 5x + 6 ) (x2 -3x +2)

8.14 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

a) p b) 1/p c) 0 d) none of these

a) 15/11 b) 5/11 c) 11/15 d) none of these

(ii) lim f(x) = xlim

8.16 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

lim f(x) = lim

Since LHL RHL lim f(x) does not exist

Moreover f(1/2 ) = 1/2

lim g(x) = lim ( 2 x) = 2 1 = 1

and lim g(x) = g(1) = 1

Hence f(x) is continuous at x = 1.

Therefore if f(x) is to be continuous at x = 3, f(3) = lim f(x) = 6.

Example 5: Is the function f(x) = | x | continuous at x = 0?

Now lim f(x) = lim (x) = 0 and lim f(x) = lim x = 0

Hence lim f(x) = 0 = f(0)

8.18 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

a) exists b) does not exist c) 1/6 d) none of these.

a) both exists b) one exists and other does not exist

8. lim ( x+h - x ) / is equal to

8.20 COMMON PROFICIENCY TEST

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 1 (d) none of these.

25. If f(x) = 3, when x <2