โˆซcalculus i review

Sum law for limits

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025

Definition

The Sum Law for Limits states that the limit of the sum of two functions is equal to the sum of their individual limits. Mathematically, if $\lim_{{x \to c}} f(x) = L$ and $\lim_{{x \to c}} g(x) = M$, then $\lim_{{x \to c}} [f(x) + g(x)] = L + M$.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Sum Law for Limits can be applied to both finite and infinite limits.
  2. It is one of the basic limit laws used to simplify complex limit problems.
  3. The law holds true regardless of whether the individual limits exist as finite numbers or approach infinity.
  4. If either function does not have a limit at a certain point, the Sum Law cannot be applied at that point.
  5. This law also extends to sums involving more than two functions: $\lim_{{x \to c}} [f(x) + g(x) + h(x)] = L + M + N$.

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