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AP®︎/College Calculus AB
Course: AP®︎/College Calculus AB > Unit 1
Lesson 3: Estimating limit values from graphs- Estimating limit values from graphs
- Unbounded limits
- Estimating limit values from graphs
- Estimating limit values from graphs
- One-sided limits from graphs
- One-sided limits from graphs: asymptote
- One-sided limits from graphs
- Connecting limits and graphical behavior
- Connecting limits and graphical behavior
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Estimating limit values from graphs
The best way to start reasoning about limits is using graphs. Learn how we analyze a limit graphically and see cases where a limit doesn't exist.
There's an important difference between the value a function is approaching—what we call the limit—and the value of the function itself. Graphs are a great tool for understanding this difference.
In the example above, we see that the function value is undefined, but the limit value is approximately
Just remember that we're dealing with an approximation, not an exact value. We could zoom in further to get a better approximation if we wanted.
Examples
The examples below highlight interesting cases of using graphs to approximate limits. In some of the examples, the limit value and the function value are equal, and in other examples, they are not.
Sometimes the limit value equals the function value.
But, sometimes the limit value does not equal the function value.
Whenever you're dealing with a piecewise function, it's possible to get a graph like the one below.
Big takeaway: It's possible for the function value to be different from the limit value.
And just because a function is undefined for some
Holes in graphs happen with rational functions, which become undefined when their denominators are zero. Here's a classic example:
In this example, the limit appears to be
Here's another problem for you to try:
Reinforcing the key idea: The function value at
On the flip side, when the function is defined for some
Just like an earlier example, this graph shows the sort of thing that can happen when we're working with piecewise functions. Notice how we're not approaching the same
Want more practice? Try this exercise.
Graphing calculators are pretty slick these days.
Graphing calculators like Desmos can give you a feel for what's happening to the
In both cases, the function isn't defined at the
Summary questions
Want to join the conversation?
How do i know what is the limit if the graph has two functions ?(34 votes)
If the graph has two functions, then it depends on which of the two functions you are trying to find the limit of.
For example, say you have two graphs:
Function F(x) https://cdn.kastatic.org/ka-perseus-graphie/cfaecfcb3dd4f44b762a7f0a6dea53235be65418.svg
And function G(x) https://cdn.kastatic.org/ka-perseus-graphie/adfdea04d04764651f78e8585b0eb28c72056435.svg
When you are finding the limit it will specify whether it is function f or g in the limit function.(69 votes)
So, is it safe to say that a limit exist for a function, if the graph of function at a x-value does not break (discontinued) even if it has another actual value at that same x-value point?(14 votes)
Yes. Limits are all about where it is heading, not the value at the location.(31 votes)
When I used desmos to graph x/sin(x), x at 0 was defined. Isn't sin (0)=0, therefore making the function undefined at zero? I know I've done something obviously wrong...can you point it out to me? Thanks(15 votes)
Since you use desmos, you need to zoom in really close to the part of the graph where x=0 to see that x/sin(x) is not defined at x=0. You would not be able so see this if you graph it with a graphing calculator, however, if you press "2nd" and then "Table" you will see "error" at x=0, which means the function is not defined. I hope this helps.(25 votes)
Does z-axis takes part in Calculus?(14 votes)
Yep take a look at multivariate calculus(14 votes)
- What about functions like f(x) = (1/x). Do those have limits?(7 votes)
- Yes, it does except when the function f(x) approaches zero. It is undefined at this point; if you take the limit from the right as x+ >>> 0, it will grow without bound in the positive direction, and if you take the limit from the left as x- >>> 0, it will decrease without bound in the negative direction.
However, if you would take the limit of f(x) as x >>> infinity in either the negative or positive directions, the function would approach a value of 0.
So yes, the function 1/x would have a limit in every circumstance except at the point x = 0.(21 votes)
This is a bit of a broader question. How is limits applied in the real world? For example, derivatives and integrals are crucial to engineering and the sciences. Are limits just something used in pure mathematics or is there a more applicable use?(10 votes)- limits form the basis of differentiation and integration.
If you want to find what happens at a particular time or will happen in the long run then limits are useful. Such as in time complexity.(12 votes)
- Why can't we think about a limit approaching more than 1 value? Of course I went on to the next sections and the concept of one sided limits makes this perhaps an uneducated question, but I must persist. It seems to me that what we get is a sort of complex vector if we forgo this "sided" limit idea and suppose that as we approach a limit (without saying from this side or that side) that even if we might be approaching more than one value, we don't have to fret as actually something unique and salient does indeed emerge (a 'complex' vector).(5 votes)
The answer to that question isn't really that complicated. If we let a limit be two numbers, there's a really evident issue there. If I need to communicate this idea to someone, which number do I use? This causes ambiguity, because the question "What's the limit?" suddenly has two different answers instead of one. Hence, when we have two limits which aren't equal, for the sake of clarity, we say the limit doesn't exist.
Also, one sided limits aren't uneducated questions. You'll see how useful they can be later on(16 votes)
so, guys, I was wondering whether this was easy enough or not, because I can do it in my sleep. BUY PEPSI NOT COLA(4 votes)
I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but Pepsi is a brand of cola, so you can't do that. It's like trying to graph f(x) where x != x.(7 votes)
- In Desmos calculator, how can I use the limit?(4 votes)
- Howdy ArvFar,
Unfortunately, Desmos does not have a limit tool. Desmos does have a table feature that lets you solve the limit analytically (try searching the web for "Using Desmos to Solve Limits using Tables").
Hope this helps.(6 votes)
- How do you plug in the limit equation into calculator?(5 votes)
- You have to have an advanced calculator to be able to put in a limit, but you can use numbers that get really close to the number you want to find the limit at. Like if you were finding some functions limit as x approached 3 you would do 2.9, 2.999, 2.999999 and then do 3.1, 3.001, 3.000001, this will allow you to find the limit.(3 votes)
