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Exercise 12.1 · Q23

Q.Find lim⁡x→0f(x)\lim_{x\to 0} f(x) and lim⁡x→1f(x)\lim_{x\to 1} f(x), where f(x)={2x+3,x≤03(x+1),x>0f(x) = \begin{cases} 2x + 3, & x \le 0 \\ 3(x + 1), & x > 0 \end{cases}

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This is a piecewise function with a change of rule at x=0x=0. The left-hand and right-hand limits there both equal 33, so the limit as x→0x\to 0 exists and equals 33. The limit as x→1x\to 1 is simply 66, since the function is continuous there.

We are given:

f(x)={2x+3,x≤03(x+1),x>0f(x) = \begin{cases} 2x + 3, & x \le 0 \\ 3(x + 1), & x > 0 \end{cases}

The key idea: for a limit to exist at a point, the function must approach the same value from both sides. At x=0x=0, the definition changes — so we must check left and right separately. At x=1x=1, the function is defined by a single rule (the second piece) in a neighbourhood of 11, so the limit is just the value of that polynomial.


1. Limit as x→0x \to 0

Because the function has different rules on either side of 00, we compute the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit.

Left-hand limit (x→0−x \to 0^-):

For x≤0x \le 0, f(x)=2x+3f(x) = 2x + 3. As xx approaches 00 from the left, we substitute directly (since polynomials are continuous):

lim⁡x→0−f(x)=2(0)+3=3.\lim_{x \to 0^-} f(x) = 2(0) + 3 = 3.

Right-hand limit (x→0+x \to 0^+):

For x>0x > 0, f(x)=3(x+1)f(x) = 3(x + 1). As xx approaches 00 from the right:

lim⁡x→0+f(x)=3(0+1)=3.\lim_{x \to 0^+} f(x) = 3(0 + 1) = 3.

Both one-sided limits equal 33. Therefore, the two-sided limit exists and is 33.

Watch out

A common mistake is to think that because the function value at x=0x=0 is 2(0)+3=32(0)+3 = 3, the limit must be 33 — which is true here, but only because the left and right limits agree. If they differed, the function value at the point would be irrelevant. Always check both sides for piecewise functions at the breakpoint.

Tip

When both pieces give the same limit at the boundary, the function is continuous at that point. Here, f(0)=3f(0)=3 and lim⁡x→0f(x)=3\lim_{x\to 0}f(x)=3, so ff is continuous at 00.

Thus:

lim⁡x→0f(x)=3.\boxed{\lim_{x\to 0} f(x) = 3}.

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