Limits and continuity

When substitution gives 0/0, factor and cancel; for a limit at infinity, compare the highest powers.

A worked example

(x² - 25)/(x - 5) is 0/0 at x = 5, but it factors to x + 5, so the limit is 10.

The mistake people actually make

A 0/0 form does not mean the limit fails to exist. It means there is a common factor to remove. A limit only fails when the left-hand and right-hand values disagree.

Practice this free