2.6: Limits at Infinity
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Learning Objectives
- Calculate the limit of a function as \(x\) increases or decreases without bound.
- Recognize a horizontal asymptote on the graph of a function.
In this section, we define limits at infinity and show how these limits affect the graph of a function.
We begin by examining what it means for a function to have a finite limit at infinity. Then we study the idea of a function with an infinite limit at infinity.
Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes
Recall that \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→a}f(x)=L\) means \(f(x)\) becomes arbitrarily close to \(L\) as long as \(x\) is sufficiently close to \(a\). We can extend this idea to limits at infinity. For example, consider the function \(f(x)=2+\frac{1}{x}\). As can be seen graphically in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) and numerically in Table \(\PageIndex{1}\), as the values of \(x\) get larger, the values of \(f(x)\) approach \(2\). We say the limit as \(x\) approaches \(∞\) of \(f(x)\) is \(2\) and write \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=2\). Similarly, for \(x<0\), as the values \(|x|\) get larger, the values of \(f(x)\) approach \(2\). We say the limit as \(x\) approaches \(−∞\) of \(f(x)\) is \(2\) and write \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}f(x)=2\).
\(x\) | 10 | 100 | 1,000 | 10,000 |
---|---|---|---|---|
\(2+\frac{1}{x}\) | 2.1 | 2.01 | 2.001 | 2.0001 |
\(x\) | −10 | −100 | −1000 | −10,000 |
\(2+\frac{1}{x}\) | 1.9 | 1.99 | 1.999 | 1.9999 |
More generally, for any function \(f\), we say the limit as \(x→∞\) of \(f(x)\) is \(L\) if \(f(x)\) becomes arbitrarily close to \(L\) as long as \(x\) is sufficiently large. In that case, we write \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=L\). Similarly, we say the limit as \(x→−∞\) of \(f(x)\) is \(L\) if \(f(x)\) becomes arbitrarily close to \(L\) as long as \(x<0\) and \(|x|\) is sufficiently large. In that case, we write \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}f(x)=L\). We now look at the definition of a function having a limit at infinity.
Definition: Limit at Infinity (Informal)
If the values of \(f(x)\) become arbitrarily close to \(L\) as \(x\) becomes sufficiently large, we say the function \(f\) has a limit at infinity and write
\[\lim_{x→∞}f(x)=L. \nonumber \]
If the values of \(f(x)\) becomes arbitrarily close to \(L\) for \(x<0\) as \(|x|\) becomes sufficiently large, we say that the function \(f\) has a limit at negative infinity and write
\[\lim_{x→−∞}f(x)=L. \nonumber \]
If the values \(f(x)\) are getting arbitrarily close to some finite value \(L\) as \(x→∞\) or \(x→−∞\), the graph of \(f\) approaches the line \(y=L\). In that case, the line \(y=L\) is a horizontal asymptote of \(f\) (Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)). For example, for the function \(f(x)=\dfrac{1}{x}\), since \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=0\), the line \(y=0\) is a horizontal asymptote of \(f(x)=\dfrac{1}{x}\).
Definition: Horizontal Asymptote
If \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=L\) or \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}f(x)=L\), we say the line \(y=L\) is a horizontal asymptote of \(f\).
A function cannot cross a vertical asymptote because the graph must approach infinity (or \( −∞\)) from at least one direction as \(x\) approaches the vertical asymptote. However, a function may cross a horizontal asymptote. In fact, a function may cross a horizontal asymptote an unlimited number of times. For example, the function \(f(x)=\dfrac{\cos x}{x}+1\) shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\) intersects the horizontal asymptote \(y=1\) an infinite number of times as it oscillates around the asymptote with ever-decreasing amplitude.
The algebraic limit laws and squeeze theorem we introduced in Introduction to Limits also apply to limits at infinity. We illustrate how to use these laws to compute several limits at infinity.
Example \(\PageIndex{1}\): Computing Limits at Infinity
For each of the following functions \(f\), evaluate \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)\) and \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}f(x)\). Determine the horizontal asymptote(s) for \(f\).
- \(f(x)=5−\dfrac{2}{x^2}\)
- \(f(x)=\dfrac{\sin x}{x}\)
- \(f(x)=\tan^{−1}(x)\)
Solution
a. Using the algebraic limit laws, we have
\[\lim_{x→∞}\left(5−\frac{2}{x^2}\right)=\lim_{x→∞}5−2\left(\lim_{x→∞}\frac{1}{x}\right)\cdot\left(\lim_{x→∞}\frac{1}{x}\right)=5−2⋅0=5.\nonumber \]
Similarly, \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}f(x)=5\). Therefore, \(f(x)=5-\dfrac{2}{x^2}\) has a horizontal asymptote of \(y=5\) and \(f\) approaches this horizontal asymptote as \(x→±∞\) as shown in the following graph.
b. Since \(-1≤\sin x≤1\) for all \(x\), we have
\[\frac{−1}{x}≤\frac{\sin x}{x}≤\frac{1}{x}\nonumber \]
for all \(x≠0\). Also, since
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}\frac{−1}{x}=0=\lim_{x→∞}\frac{1}{x}\),
we can apply the squeeze theorem to conclude that
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}\frac{\sin x}{x}=0.\)
Similarly,
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}\frac{\sin x}{x}=0.\)
Thus, \(f(x)=\dfrac{\sin x}{x}\) has a horizontal asymptote of \(y=0\) and \(f(x)\) approaches this horizontal asymptote as \(x→±∞\) as shown in the following graph.
c. To evaluate \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}\tan^{−1}(x)\) and \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}\tan^{−1}(x)\), we first consider the graph of \(y=\tan(x)\) over the interval \(\left(−\frac{π}{2},\frac{π}{2}\right)\) as shown in the following graph.
Since
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→\tfrac{π}{2}^−}\tan x=∞,\)
it follows that
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}\tan^{−1}(x)=\frac{π}{2}.\)
Similarly, since
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→-\tfrac{π}{2}^+}\tan x=−∞,\)
it follows that
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}\tan^{−1}(x)=−\frac{π}{2}.\)
As a result, \(y=\frac{π}{2}\) and \(y=−\frac{π}{2}\) are horizontal asymptotes of \(f(x)=\tan^{−1}(x)\) as shown in the following graph.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)
Evaluate \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}\left(3+\frac{4}{x}\right)\) and \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}\left(3+\dfrac{4}{x}\right)\). Determine the horizontal asymptotes of \(f(x)=3+\frac{4}{x},\) if any.
- Hint
-
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→±∞}\frac{1}{x}=0\)
- Answer
-
Both limits are \(3.\) The line \(y=3\) is a horizontal asymptote.
Infinite Limits at Infinity
Sometimes the values of a function \(f\) become arbitrarily large as \(x→∞ \)(or as \(x→−∞\)). In this case, we write \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=∞\) (or \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}f(x)=∞\)). On the other hand, if the values of \(f\) are negative but become arbitrarily large in magnitude as \(x→∞\) (or as \(x→−∞\)), we write \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=−∞\) (or \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}f(x)=−∞\)).
For example, consider the function \(f(x)=x^3\). As seen in Table \(\PageIndex{2}\) and Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\), as \(x→∞\) the values \(f(x)\) become arbitrarily large. Therefore, \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}x^3=∞\). On the other hand, as \(x→−∞\), the values of \(f(x)=x^3\) are negative but become arbitrarily large in magnitude. Consequently, \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}x^3=−∞.\)
\(x\) | 10 | 20 | 50 | 100 | 1000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
\(x^3\) | 1000 | 8000 | 125,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
\(x\) | −10 | −20 | −50 | −100 | −1000 |
\(x^3\) | −1000 | −8000 | −125,000 | −1,000,000 | −1,000,000,000 |
Definition: Infinite Limit at Infinity (Informal)
We say a function \(f\) has an infinite limit at infinity and write
\[\lim_{x→∞}f(x)=∞. \nonumber \]
if \(f(x)\) becomes arbitrarily large for \(x\) sufficiently large. We say a function has a negative infinite limit at infinity and write
\[\lim_{x→∞}f(x)=−∞. \nonumber \]
if \(f(x)<0\) and \(|f(x)|\) becomes arbitrarily large for \(x\) sufficiently large. Similarly, we can define infinite limits as \(x→−∞.\)
Formal Definitions
Earlier, we used the terms arbitrarily close, arbitrarily large, and sufficiently large to define limits at infinity informally. Although these terms provide accurate descriptions of limits at infinity, they are not precise mathematically. Here are more formal definitions of limits at infinity. We then look at how to use these definitions to prove results involving limits at infinity.
Definition: Limit at Infinity (Formal)
We say a function \(f\) has a limit at infinity, if there exists a real number \(L\) such that for all \(ε>0\), there exists \(N>0\) such that
\[|f(x)−L|<ε \nonumber \]
for all \(x>N.\) in that case, we write
\[\lim_{x→∞}f(x)=L \nonumber \]
Earlier in this section, we used graphical evidence in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) and numerical evidence in Table \(\PageIndex{1}\) to conclude that \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}\left(2+\frac{1}{x}\right)=2\). Here we use the formal definition of limit at infinity to prove this result rigorously.
Example \(\PageIndex{2}\):
Use the formal definition of limit at infinity to prove that \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}\left(2+\frac{1}{x}\right)=2\).
Solution
Let \(ε>0.\) Let \(N=\frac{1}{ε}\). Therefore, for all \(x>N\), we have
\[\left|2+\frac{1}{x}−2\right|=\left|\frac{1}{x}\right|=\frac{1}{x}<\frac{1}{N}=ε \nonumber \]
Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)
Use the formal definition of limit at infinity to prove that \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}\left(3-\frac{1}{x^2}\right)=3\).
- Hint
-
Let \(N=\frac{1}{\sqrt{ε}}\).
- Answer
-
Let \(ε>0.\) Let \(N=\frac{1}{\sqrt{ε}}\). Therefore, for all \(x>N,\) we have
\[\Big|3−\frac{1}{x^2}−3\Big|=\frac{1}{x^2}<\frac{1}{N^2}=ε \nonumber \]
Therefore, \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}(3−1/x^2)=3.\)
We now turn our attention to a more precise definition for an infinite limit at infinity.
Definition: Infinite Limit at Infinity (Formal)
We say a function \(f\) has an infinite limit at infinity and write
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=∞\)
if for all \(M>0,\) there exists an \(N>0\) such that
\(f(x)>M\)
for all \(x>N\) (see Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\)).
We say a function has a negative infinite limit at infinity and write
\(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=−∞\)
if for all \(M<0\), there exists an \(N>0\) such that
\(f(x)<M\)
for all \(x>N\).
Similarly we can define limits as \(x→−∞.\)
Earlier, we used graphical evidence (Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\)) and numerical evidence (Table \(\PageIndex{2}\)) to conclude that \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}x^3=∞\). Here we use the formal definition of infinite limit at infinity to prove that result.
Example \(\PageIndex{3}\)
Use the formal definition of infinite limit at infinity to prove that \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}x^3=∞.\)
Solution
Let \(M>0.\) Let \(N=\sqrt[3]{M}\). Then, for all \(x>N\), we have
\(x^3>N^3=(\sqrt[3]{M})^3=M.\)
Therefore, \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}x^3=∞\).
Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)
Use the formal definition of infinite limit at infinity to prove that \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}3x^2=∞.\)
- Hint
-
Let \(N=\sqrt{\frac{M}{3}}\).
- Answer
-
Let \(M>0.\) Let \(N=\sqrt{\frac{M}{3}}\). Then, for all \(x>N,\) we have
\(3x^2>3N^2=3\left(\sqrt{\frac{M}{3}}\right)^2=\frac{3M}{3}=M\)
Key Concepts
- The limit of \(f(x)\) is \(L\) as \(x→∞\) (or as \(x→−∞)\) if the values \(f(x)\) become arbitrarily close to \(L\) as \(x\) becomes sufficiently large.
- The limit of \(f(x)\) is \(∞\) as \(x→∞\) if \(f(x)\) becomes arbitrarily large as \(x\) becomes sufficiently large. The limit of \(f(x)\) is \(−∞\) as \(x→∞\) if \(f(x)<0\) and \(|f(x)|\) becomes arbitrarily large as \(x\) becomes sufficiently large. We can define the limit of \(f(x)\) as \(x\) approaches \(−∞\) similarly.
Glossary
- horizontal asymptote
- if \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→∞}f(x)=L\) or \(\displaystyle \lim_{x→−∞}f(x)=L\), then \(y=L\) is a horizontal asymptote of \(f\)
- infinite limit at infinity
- a function that becomes arbitrarily large as \(x\) becomes large
- limit at infinity
- a function that approaches a limit value \(L\) as \(x\) becomes large
Contributors and Attributions
Gilbert Strang (MIT) and Edwin “Jed” Herman (Harvey Mudd) with many contributing authors. This content by OpenStax is licensed with a CC-BY-SA-NC 4.0 license. Download for free at http://cnx.org.