Q.Compute limx→0xe7x−1.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Limit Of Polynomial
What Happens to a Polynomial as x Approaches a Number?
A limit answers a simple question about a polynomial: as x gets closer and closer to some number a, what value does the polynomial settle near?
The Intuition
Take P(x)=3x2−2x+1. What happens as x gets really close to 2?
- At x=2, the polynomial gives 3(4)−4+1=9.
- At x=1.9, it gives about 8.63.
- At x=2.1, it gives about 9.43.
The closer x gets to 2, the closer P(x) gets to 9. There is no drama — the polynomial just slides smoothly to that value.
For any polynomial, limx→aP(x)=P(a). You can simply substitute the number.
The Precise Statement
Limit of a Polynomial at a Point
limx→aP(x)=P(a)
where P(x)=cnxn+cn−1xn−1+⋯+c1x+c0 is any polynomial.
Why this works. Using the algebra of limits, the limit of a sum is the sum of the limits, and the limit of a constant multiple is the constant times the limit. Since limx→ax=a and limx→ac=c, each term ckxk tends to ckak. Adding the terms back together gives exactly P(a).
A Concrete Example
Find limx→3(2x3−5x+4).
Step 1: Recognise it is a polynomial.
Step 2: Substitute x=3:
2(27)−5(3)+4=54−15+4=43
For polynomials, direct substitution is the only tool you need — no factoring, no rationalising. Just plug in and compute.
The One Trap: "But What If I Can't Plug In?" …
Use the standard limit x→0limxeax−1=a. …
xe7x−1=7⋅7xe7x−1→7⋅1.
Recall the standard result t→0limtet−1=1. Write, with t=7x:
xe7x−1=7⋅7xe7x−1.
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- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The value of limx→1xx2+1 is ______.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The limit equals 2.
The function xx2+1 is continuous everywhere except x=0, so at x=1 the limit is simply the value of the function at x=1:
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.limx→4(4x2+2x)=(a) 64(b) 72(c) 80(d) 121
›Reveal solutionSolution
limx→4(4x2+2x)=72.
A polynomial is continuous everywhere, so the limit equals direct substitution: …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.limx→1(1+x+x2+…+x10)=(a) 10(b) 11(c) 12(d) 9
›Reveal solutionSolution
limx→1(1+x+x2+…+x10)=11.
The expression 1+x+x2+…+x10 is a polynomial with 11 terms (x0 through x10), so it is continuous and the limit is found by direct substitutio …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.limx→0(7x2−2x3+4x+9)=(a) 5(b) 7(c) 9(d) 11
›Reveal solutionSolution
limx→0(7x2−2x3+4x+9)=9.
By direct substitution (the function is a polynomial, continuous everywhere): …
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The value of x→−1limx−1x10+x5+1 will be:(a) 21(b) 0(c) −21(d) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
x→−1limx−1x10+x5+1=−21.
The function x−1x10+x5+1 is a rational function, and it is continuous (defined) at x=−1 since the denominator x−1=−1−1=−2=0 there. So the limit is simply the value of the function at x=−1 — direct substitution is valid.
Numerator at x=−1: (−1)10+(−1)5+1=1−1+1=1.
…
- CBSE 2022Set TERM11 markMCQQ.x→1lim[x3−x2+1]=(a) 0(b) 1(c) −1(d) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a polynomial, the limit at a point equals the value of the function there.
…
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markQ.State whether true or false: the value of x→3lim[x(x+1)] is 10.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The statement is False; the correct limit value is 12.
Since x(x+1) is a polynomial, it is continuous everywhere, so the limit as x→3 equals the value of the function at x=3:
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