Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
Precalculus 2e

Chapter 12

Precalculus 2eChapter 12

Chapter 12

Try It

12.1 Finding Limits: Numerical and Graphical Approaches

1.

a=5, a=5, f( x )=2 x 2 −4, f( x )=2 x 2 −4, and L=46. L=46.

2.

a. 0; b. 2; c. does not exist; d. −2; −2; e. 0; f. does not exist; g. 4; h. 4; i. 4

3.

lim x→0 ( 20sin(x) 4x )=5 lim x→0 ( 20sin(x) 4x )=5

4.

does not exist

12.2 Finding Limits: Properties of Limits

1.

26

2.

59

3.

10

4.

−64 −64

5.

−3 −3

6.

− 1 50 − 1 50

7.

− 1 8 − 1 8

8.

2 3 2 3

9.

−1 −1

12.3 Continuity

1.
  1. ⓐ removable discontinuity at x=6; x=6;
  2. ⓑ jump discontinuity at x=4 x=4
2.

No. The function is not continuous at x=2x=2 because the left hand limit is 1212 and the right hand limit is 6.56.5.

3.

No, the function is not continuous at x=3. x=3. There exists a removable discontinuity at x=3. x=3.

4.

x=6 x=6

12.4 Derivatives

1.

3

2.

f ′ (a)=6a+7 f ′ (a)=6a+7

3.

f ′ (a)= −15 ( 5a+4 ) 2 f ′ (a)= −15 ( 5a+4 ) 2

4.

3 2 3 2

5.

0

6.

−2 , −2 , 0, 0, −3 −3

7.
  1. ⓐ After zero seconds, she has traveled 0 feet.
  2. ⓑ After 10 seconds, she has traveled 150 feet east.
  3. ⓒ After 10 seconds, she is moving eastward at a rate of 15 ft/sec.
  4. ⓓ After 20 seconds, she is moving westward at a rate of 10 ft/sec.
  5. ⓔAfter 40 seconds, she is 100 feet westward of her starting point.
8.

The graph of f f is continuous on ( −∞,1 )∪( 1,3 )∪( 3,∞ ). ( −∞,1 )∪( 1,3 )∪( 3,∞ ). The graph of f f is discontinuous at x=1 x=1 and x=3. x=3. The graph of f f is differentiable on ( −∞,1 )∪( 1,3 )∪( 3,∞ ). ( −∞,1 )∪( 1,3 )∪( 3,∞ ). The graph of f f is not differentiable at x=1 x=1 and x=3. x=3.

9.

y=19x−16 y=19x−16

10.

–68 ft/sec, it is dropping back to Earth at a rate of 68 ft/s.

12.1 Section Exercises

1.

The value of the function, the output, at x=a x=a is f( a ). f( a ). When the lim x→a f( x ) lim x→a f( x ) is taken, the values of x x get infinitely close to a a but never equal a. a. As the values of x x approach a a from the left and right, the limit is the value that the function is approaching.

3.

–4

5.

–4

7.

2

9.

does not exist

11.

4

13.

does not exist

15.

Answers will vary.

16.

Answers will vary.

17.

Answers will vary.

18.

Answers will vary.

19.

Answers will vary.

20.

Answers will vary.

21.

Answers will vary.

23.

7.38906

25.

54.59815

27.

e 6 ≈403.428794, e 6 ≈403.428794, e 7 ≈1096.633158, e 7 ≈1096.633158, e n e n

29.

lim x→−2 f(x)=1 lim x→−2 f(x)=1

31.

lim x→3 ( x 2 −x−6 x 2 −9 )= 5 6 ≈0.83 lim x→3 ( x 2 −x−6 x 2 −9 )= 5 6 ≈0.83

33.

lim x→1 ( x 2 −1 x 2 −3x+2 )=−2.00 lim x→1 ( x 2 −1 x 2 −3x+2 )=−2.00

35.

lim x→1 ( 10−10 x 2 x 2 −3x+2 )=20.00 lim x→1 ( 10−10 x 2 x 2 −3x+2 )=20.00

37.

lim x→ −1 2 ( x 4 x 2 +4x+1 ) lim x→ −1 2 ( x 4 x 2 +4x+1 ) does not exist. Function values decrease without bound as x x approaches –0.5 from either left or right.

39.

lim x→0 7tanx 3x = 7 3 lim x→0 7tanx 3x = 7 3

40.
43.

lim x→0 e e − 1 x 2 =1.0 lim x→0 e e − 1 x 2 =1.0

45.

lim x→− 1 − | x+1 | x+1 = −(x+1) (x+1) =−1 lim x→− 1 − | x+1 | x+1 = −(x+1) (x+1) =−1 and lim x→− 1 + | x+1 | x+1 = (x+1) (x+1) =1; lim x→− 1 + | x+1 | x+1 = (x+1) (x+1) =1; since the right-hand limit does not equal the left-hand limit, lim x→−1 | x+1 | x+1 lim x→−1 | x+1 | x+1 does not exist.

47.

lim x→−1 1 ( x+1 ) 2 lim x→−1 1 ( x+1 ) 2 does not exist. The function increases without bound as x x approaches −1 −1 from either side.

49.

lim x→0 5 1− e 2 x lim x→0 5 1− e 2 x does not exist. Function values approach 5 from the left and approach 0 from the right.

51.

Through examination of the postulates and an understanding of relativistic physics, as v→c, v→c, m→∞. m→∞. Take this one step further to the solution,

lim v→ c − m= lim v→ c − m o 1−( v 2 / c 2 ) =∞ lim v→ c − m= lim v→ c − m o 1−( v 2 / c 2 ) =∞

12.2 Section Exercises

1.

If f f is a polynomial function, the limit of a polynomial function as x x approaches a a will always be f( a ). f( a ).

3.

It could mean either (1) the values of the function increase or decrease without bound as x x approaches c, c, or (2) the left and right-hand limits are not equal.

5.

−10 3 −10 3

7.

6

9.

1 2 1 2

11.

6

13.

does not exist

15.

−12 −12

17.

− 5 10 − 5 10

19.

−108 −108

21.

1

23.

6

25.

1

27.

1

29.

does not exist

31.

6+ 5 6+ 5

33.

3 5 3 5

35.

0

37.

−3 −3

39.

does not exist; right-hand limit is not the same as the left-hand limit.

41.

2

43.

Limit does not exist; limit approaches infinity.

45.

4x+2h 4x+2h

47.

2x+h+4 2x+h+4

49.

cos(x+h)−cos(x) h cos(x+h)−cos(x) h

51.

−1 x(x+h) −1 x(x+h)

53.

−1 x+h + x −1 x+h + x

55.

f( x )= x 2 +5x+6 x+3 f( x )= x 2 +5x+6 x+3

57.

does not exist

59.

52

12.3 Section Exercises

1.

Informally, if a function is continuous at x=c , x=c , then there is no break in the graph of the function at f( c ), f( c ), and f( c ) f( c ) is defined.

3.

discontinuous at a=−3 a=−3 ; f(−3) f(−3) does not exist

5.

removable discontinuity at a=−4 a=−4 ; f(−4) f(−4) is not defined

7.

Discontinuous at a=3 a=3 ; lim x→3 f(x)=3 , lim x→3 f(x)=3 , but f(3)=6 , f(3)=6 , which is not equal to the limit.

9.

lim x→2 f(x) lim x→2 f(x) does not exist.

11.

lim x→ 1 − f(x)=4; lim x→ 1 + f(x)=1 lim x→ 1 − f(x)=4; lim x→ 1 + f(x)=1 . Therefore, lim x→1 f(x) lim x→1 f(x) does not exist.

13.

lim x→ 1 − f(x)=5≠ lim x→ 1 + f(x)=−1 lim x→ 1 − f(x)=5≠ lim x→ 1 + f(x)=−1 . Thus lim x→1 f(x) lim x→1 f(x) does not exist.

15.

lim x→− 3 − f(x)=−6 lim x→− 3 − f(x)=−6 , lim x→− 3 + f(x)=− 1 3 lim x→− 3 + f(x)=− 1 3

Therefore, lim x→−3 f(x) lim x→−3 f(x) does not exist.

17.

f( 2 ) f( 2 ) is not defined.

19.

f( −3 ) f( −3 ) is not defined.

21.

f( 0 ) f( 0 ) is not defined.

23.

Continuous on (−∞,∞) (−∞,∞)

25.

Continuous on (−∞,∞) (−∞,∞)

27.

Discontinuous at x=0 x=0 and x=2 x=2

29.

Discontinuous at x=0 x=0

31.

Continuous on (0,∞) (0,∞)

33.

Continuous on [4,∞) [4,∞)

35.

Continuous on (−∞,∞) (−∞,∞) .

37.

1, but not 2 or 3

39.

1 and 2, but not 3

41.

f( 0 ) f( 0 ) is undefined.

43.

(−∞,0)∪(0,∞) (−∞,0)∪(0,∞)

45.

At x=−1, x=−1, the limit does not exist. At x=1, x=1, f( 1 ) f( 1 ) does not exist.

At x=2, x=2, there appears to be a vertical asymptote, and the limit does not exist.

47.

x 3 +6 x 2 −7x ( x+7 )( x−1 ) x 3 +6 x 2 −7x ( x+7 )( x−1 )

49.

The function is discontinuous at x=1 x=1 because the limit as x x approaches 1 is 5 and f( 1 )=2. f( 1 )=2.

12.4 Section Exercises

1.

The slope of a linear function stays the same. The derivative of a general function varies according to x. x. Both the slope of a line and the derivative at a point measure the rate of change of the function.

3.

Average velocity is 55 miles per hour. The instantaneous velocity at 2:30 p.m. is 62 miles per hour. The instantaneous velocity measures the velocity of the car at an instant of time whereas the average velocity gives the velocity of the car over an interval.

5.

The average rate of change of the amount of water in the tank is 45 gallons per minute. If f( x ) f( x ) is the function giving the amount of water in the tank at any time t ,t, then the average rate of change of f( x ) f( x ) between t=a t=a and t=b t=b is f(a)+45(b−a). f(a)+45(b−a).

7.

f ′ (x)=−2 f ′ (x)=−2

9.

f ′ (x)=4x+1 f ′ (x)=4x+1

11.

f ′ (x)= 1 (x−2) 2 f ′ (x)= 1 (x−2) 2

13.

−16 ( 3+2x ) 2 −16 ( 3+2x ) 2

15.

f ′ (x)=9 x 2 −2x+2 f ′ (x)=9 x 2 −2x+2

17.

f ′ (x)=0 f ′ (x)=0

19.

− 1 3 − 1 3

21.

undefined

23.

f ′ (x)=−6x−7 f ′ (x)=−6x−7

25.

f ′ (x)=9 x 2 +4x+1 f ′ (x)=9 x 2 +4x+1

27.

y=12x−15 y=12x−15

29.

k=−10 k=−10 or k=2 k=2

31.

Discontinuous at x=−2 x=−2 and x=0. x=0. Not differentiable at –2, 0, 2.

33.

Discontinuous at x=5. x=5. Not differentiable at -4, –2, 0, 1, 3, 4, 5.

35.

f( 0 )=−2 f( 0 )=−2

37.

f( 2 )=−6 f( 2 )=−6

39.

f ′ ( −1 )=9 f ′ ( −1 )=9

41.

f ′ ( 1 )=−3 f ′ ( 1 )=−3

43.

f ′ ( 3 )=9 f ′ ( 3 )=9

45.

Answers vary. The slope of the tangent line near x=1 x=1 is 2.

47.

At 12:30 p.m., the rate of change of the number of gallons in the tank is –20 gallons per minute. That is, the tank is losing 20 gallons per minute.

49.

At 200 minutes after noon, the volume of gallons in the tank is changing at the rate of 30 gallons per minute.

51.

The height of the projectile after 2 seconds is 96 feet.

53.

The height of the projectile at t=3 t=3 seconds is 96 feet.

55.

The height of the projectile is zero at t=0 t=0 and again at t=5. t=5. In other words, the projectile starts on the ground and falls to earth again after 5 seconds.

57.

36π 36π

59.

$50.00 per unit, which is the instantaneous rate of change of revenue when exactly 10 units are sold.

61.

$21 per unit

63.

$36

65.

f'(x)=10a−1 f'(x)=10a−1

67.

4 ( 3−x ) 2 4 ( 3−x ) 2

Review Exercises

1.

2

3.

does not exist

5.

Discontinuous at x=−1( lim x→a f(x)x=−1( lim x→a f(x) does not exist ),x=3(),x=3(jump discontinuity)), andx=7( lim x→a f(x)x=7( lim x→a f(x) does not exist). ).

7.

lim x→−2 f(x)=0 lim x→−2 f(x)=0

9.

Does not exist

11.

-35-35

13.

11

15.

66

17.

500500

19.

-67-67

21.

At x=4, x=4, the function has a vertical asymptote.

23.

At x=3, x=3, the function has a vertical asymptote.

25.

Removable discontinuity at a=9a=9

27.

Removable discontinuity at x=5x=5

29.

Removable discontinuity at x=5x=5, discontinuity at x=1x=1

31.

Removable discontinuity at x=-2x=-2, discontinuity at x=5x=5

33.

33

35.

1 (x+ 1)(x+h+1) 1 (x+ 1)(x+h+1)

37.

e2x+2h-e2x h e2x+2h-e2x h

39.

10x-3 10x-3

41.

The function would not be differentiable at however, 0 is not in its domain. So it is differentiable everywhere in its domain.

Practice Test

1.

3

3.

0

5.

−1 −1

7.

lim x→ 2 − f(x)=− 5 2 a lim x→ 2 − f(x)=− 5 2 a and lim x→ 2 + f(x)=9 lim x→ 2 + f(x)=9 Thus, the limit of the function as x x approaches 2 does not exist.

10.

-150 -150

12.

1 1

14.

Removable discontinuity at x=3 x=3

16.

f'(x)=- 3 2a32 f'(x)=- 3 2a32

18.

Discontinuous at −2, 0, not differentiable at −2, 0, 2

20.

Not differentiable at x=0 x=0 (no limit)

22.

The height of the projectile at t=2 t=2 Seconds

24.

The average velocity from t=1 t=1 t=2 t=2

26.

13 13

28.

0 0

29.

2

30.

x=1 x=1

32.

y=−14x−18 y=−14x−18

34.

The graph is not differentiable at x=1 x=1 (cusp).

36.

f ' (x)=8x f ' (x)=8x

38.

f ' (x)=− 1 ( 2+x ) 2 f ' (x)=− 1 ( 2+x ) 2

40.

f ' (x)=−3 x 2 f ' (x)=−3 x 2

42.

f'(x)= 1 2 x−1 f'(x)= 1 2 x−1

Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/precalculus-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-functions

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/precalculus-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-functions

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Jun 12, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.