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# Finding Limits of Specific Functions

This article is full of everyone's favorite things: examples! Want an example of finding a limit algebraically? It is here. Want an example of finding the limit of a rational function? That is here too! Even better, there are examples involving the exponential function and piecewise-defined functions.

For a review of limit properties, see Limit Laws

## Finding the Limit of Rational Functions

Remember that rational functions are continuous on their domains, so at any point in the domain of a rational function finding the limit is as easy as finding the function value at that point. It starts to get a bit more fun at points that aren't in the domain or in finding the limit at infinity.

Find

.

The idea is to apply the Quotient Rule for limits if possible. Since the numerator and denominator are both polynomials,

and

which means the conditions to apply the Quotient Rule for limits is met. Now you know that

.

Now find

.

While the Quotient Rule holds for limits at infinity, it does require that the limit of the numerator and denominator are both real numbers, which in this case isn't true. That means you can't apply the Quotient Rule for limits at infinity. Instead, try factoring to see if that will help. If you factor the denominator, you will see that

.

Let's cancel some factors out! This leaves us with

This is a much simpler limit; for more information on limits like this, see Infinite Limits. There you will learn how to show that

.

That means

.

In the following example, you can see what happens when there is a vertical asymptote where you are trying to take the limit.

Find

.

In the previous example, you were able to factor the denominator, enabling you to look at a simpler limit:

.

For this example, you will need to look at the limit from the left and the limit from the right and see if they are the same. In fact

,

while

.

So, you can't find the limit, and you would say that the limit doesn't exist.

For a review of limits from the left and right, see One-Sided Limits

## Finding the Limit of a Function Algebraically

There are lots of algebra techniques you can use to help you find limits. One of the most frequently used is simplifying fractions.

Find

.

Notice that this function has something interesting going on at since the denominator is zero there. It will either be a hole in the graph, or a vertical asymptote, or some other discontinuity. That means you can't apply the Quotient Rule for limits since the limit of the denominator cannot be zero. Instead, let's do some algebra first:

Now you can use the limit laws to see that

which means that

.

If roots are floating around it, can help to multiply by the conjugate.

Find

.

Again you are blocked from using the Quotient Rule for limits because the limit of the denominator is zero if you plug in -2. So try multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the numerator:

Now try evaluating the limit of the denominator, and you will see that

.

This means you can apply the Quotient Rule for limits to say that

.

Now you know that

.

## Finding the Limit of a Piecewise Function

For more examples of finding the limits of piecewise functions, see One-Sided Limits.

Using the function

find

if it exists.

If this were any limit other than as you could plug in function values to find the limit since both pieces of the function are polynomials. But is where the definition of the function changes, so instead you need to look at the limit from the left and the limit from the right. For this function,

,

and

.

Since those two numbers aren't the same,

does not exist.

For more examples of limits of piecewise-defined functions, see One-Sided Limits

## Finding Limits of Exponential Functions

When you are looking for limits of exponential functions, it depends on whether it is a standard exponential function, such as

,

or a composite exponential function, like

.

If you are looking for standard exponential function limits, see Exponential Functions for a discussion on the behavior of exponential functions.

Remember that if you have two functions and , and is continuous at , then

.

For more details on the composition of two functions and limits, see Theorems of Continuity

Find

.

Think of this limit as the composition of two functions,

and .

Then

.

You already know that the exponential function is continuous everywhere, and that has a limit as . Therefore

## Finding the Derivative of a Function by the Limit Process

You may wonder how to find the derivative of a function using limits. That is a larger topic than will fit in this article, so for more information, see Derivative Functions and Derivatives as Rates of Change.

## Finding Limits of Specific Functions - Key takeaways

• Always check to see if you can apply the Limit Law properly before using it. Be especially careful with the Quotient Rule.
• When looking for the limit of a rational function, using algebra to rewrite the function can be very helpful. Also, consider multiplying by conjugates in the case of roots in the rational function.
• If you are finding the limit of a piecewise function where the function changes definition, use one-sided limits.
• For finding the limit of exponential functions, or other composite functions, remember that if you have two functions and , and is continuous at , then.

If you are taking the limit of f(g(x)) as x approaches a, first take the limit of g(x) as x approaches a.  If that exists, and has the value L, then take the limit of f(x) as x approaches L.

If you like complex numbers, you can write trig functions as a sum and product of exponential functions and complex numbers, then use the rules for exponential function limits.

This involves doing a bunch of algebra to simplify the function first before applying things like properties of limits.

Look at what the function values get really close to as the x value gets close to where you are taking the limit at.  The number the function values get close to is the limit.

It largely depends on the function and where you are taking the limit.  It is a good idea to look at specific examples to find one like yours.

## Final Finding Limits of Specific Functions Quiz

Question

Can you always use the Quotient Rule to find the limit of a rational function?

No, you can only use it in the case when the limit of the denominator is not zero.

Show question

Question

What is one of the things you can do to try find the limit of a rational function?

You could try factoring and cancelling, or doing algebra to make things easier, or using properties of limits.

Show question

Question

If you are trying to find the limit of a function which has a root in it, what is one of the techniques you can use?

You can try multiplying both numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the part with the root.

Show question

Question

If you want to find the limit of a piecewise defined function at the point where the function definition changes, what do you need to do?

Find the limit from the left there, and the limit from the right there, and see if they are the same.  If they aren't the same then the limit doesn't exist.

Show question

Question

How do you find the limit of an exponential function?

You can think of it as the composition of two functions, and then use the fact that the exponential function is continuous to find the limit.

Show question

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