JEE Main · Mathematics ↓ Falling

Limits, Continuity and Differentiability appeared 52 times across 3 years — 6% of Mathematics. This question is from Limits of Algebraic and Trigonometric Functions.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 12 24 16 52

x → 0 x (√(2 ² x + 3 x) - √( ² x + x + 4)) is equal to :

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

To evaluate limits of indeterminate types containing radical forms, rationalize the numerator directly by multiplying by its conjugate element matching:

(√(A) - √(B))(√(A) + √(B)) = A - B
Core Logic

Rewrite the expression as a fraction with x in the denominator and rationalize the numerator:

x → 0 (2 ² x + 3 x) - ( ² x + x + 4) x · (√(2 ² x + 3 x) + √( ² x + x + 4)) = x → 0 ² x + 3 x - x - 4 x · (√(2 ² x + 3 x) + √( ² x + x + 4))
Step 1: Simplify Numerator and Group Terms

Express the numerator terms to isolate algebraic patterns:

² x + 3 x - 4 - x = ( x - 1)( x + 4) - x

Substitute this back into our rationalized limit format:

= x → 0 ( x - 1)( x + 4) - x x · (√(2 ² x + 3 x) + √( ² x + x + 4))
Step 2: Distribute x in Denominator

Split the limit across the two separated numerator expressions:

= x → 0 [ ( x - 1)/( x) · ( x + 4) - 1 ] · 1√(2(1)+3) + √(1+0+4)

Evaluate the limit component values:

x → 0 ( x - 1)/( x) = x → 0 (-2 ²(x/2))/(2 (x/2) (x/2)) = x → 0 [- (x/2)] = 0

Substituting this zero value simplifies the numerator expression directly:

= [ 0 · (1 + 4) - 1 ] · 1√(5) + √(5) = -12√(5)
Pattern Recognition

Recognizing that ( x - 1)/( x) → 0 as x → 0 isolates the non-vanishing trigonometric components without needing full multi-stage application of L'Hôpital's rule.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Limits and Derivatives

Reference Study Guides

More Limits, Continuity and Differentiability Previous-Year Questions

Q10 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning 1^infinity Limit Form with L'Hopital's Rule
Let f: R → (0, ∞) be a twice differentiable function such that f(3) = 18 , f'(3) = 0 and f''(3) = 4 . Then x → 1 ( ₑ ( (f(2 + x))/(f(3)) )(18)/((x-1)²) ) is equal to:
  • A. 1
  • B. 9
  • C. 2
  • D. 18

Solution

Related Formula

For a limit of 1∞ form, x → a [g(x)]h(x) equals:

e^ x → a h(x)[g(x) - 1]
Core Logic

Let T = x → 1 ( (f(x + 2))/(f(3)) )(18)/((x - 1)²). As x → 1, (f(x+2))/(f(3)) → (f(3))/(f(3)) = 1. The exponent goes to ∞. This is a standard 1∞ form.

T = e^ x → 1 (18)/((x - 1)²) ( (f(x + 2) - f(3))/(f(3)) )
Step 1: Simplify Exponent Limit

Given f(3) = 18:

T = e^ x → 1 (18)/((x - 1)²) ( (f(x + 2) - f(3))/(18) ) T = e^ x → 1 (f(x + 2) - f(3))/((x - 1)²)

This is a (0)/(0) form limit.

Step 2: Apply L'Hopital's Rule

Differentiate numerator and denominator w.r.t x:

T = e^ x → 1 (f'(x + 2))/(2(x - 1))

This is still a (0)/(0) form since f'(3) = 0. Apply L'Hopital's Rule again:

T = e^ x → 1 (f''(x + 2))/(2)

Substitute x = 1:

T = e(f''(3))/(2)
Step 3: Final Calculation

Given f''(3) = 4:

T = e(4)/(2) = e²

The question asks for ₑ(T):

ₑ(T) = ₑ(e²) = 2
Pattern Recognition

When expanding f(x) around an extrema (f'(a)=0) inside a 1∞ limit form, double L'Hopital isolates the second derivative divided by the Taylor factorial (2! = 2). The limit elegantly shrinks directly to f''(a)/2.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Limits and Derivatives Class 12 Maths: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

Q3 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Differentiation
Let f(x) = x³ + x² f'(1) + 2x f''(2) + f'''(3), x in R. Then the value of f'(5) is :
  • A. (62)/(5)
  • B. (657)/(5)
  • C. (2)/(5)
  • D. (117)/(5)

Solution

Related Formula
(d)/(dx) (xⁿ) = nxⁿ⁻¹
Core Logic

Differentiate the given polynomial function iteratively to find expressions for f'(x) and f''(x), treating f'(1), f''(2), and f'''(3) as constant values.

Step 1: First and Second Derivatives
f'(x) = 3x² + 2x f'(1) + 2f''(2) f''(x) = 6x + 2f'(1)

Substitute x = 2 into the second derivative to create a relation:

f''(2) = 12 + 2f'(1)
Step 2: Substitute and Solve for Constants

Substitute f''(2) back into f'(x):

f'(x) = 3x² + 2x f'(1) + 2(12 + 2f'(1)) f'(x) = 3x² + 2(x + 2)f'(1) + 24

Now put x = 1 to solve for f'(1):

f'(1) = 3(1)² + 2(1 + 2)f'(1) + 24 f'(1) = 3 + 6f'(1) + 24 -5f'(1) = 27 f'(1) = -(27)/(5)
Step 3: Calculate Required Value

Determine the exact form of f'(x):

f'(x) = 3x² + 2(x + 2)(-(27)/(5)) + 24 f'(x) = 3x² - (54)/(5)x - (108)/(5) + (120)/(5) f'(x) = 3x² - (54)/(5)x + (12)/(5)

Substitute x = 5 to find f'(5):

f'(5) = 3(25) - (54)/(5)(5) + (12)/(5) f'(5) = 75 - 54 + (12)/(5) = 21 + (12)/(5) = (105 + 12)/(5) = (117)/(5)
Pattern Recognition

Treat derivatives evaluated at specific points (like f'(1)) as fixed scalar constants. Substitute values back sequentially to solve the linear system of constants.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Method of Differentiation

Q21 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Limits of Sum
Let [·] denote the greatest integer function and f(x)= n→∞ 1n³Σk=1ⁿ[ k²3x]. Then 12Σj=1∞f(j) is equal to
Numerical Answer. Answer: 2 to 2

Solution

Related Formula
Sandwich Theorem for greatest integer function: x - 1 < [x] ≤ x Σk=1ⁿ k² = (n(n+1)(2n+1))/(6)
Core Logic

Evaluate f(x) using Squeeze Theorem on the summation bounds due to the Greatest Integer Function.

(k²)/(3^x) - 1 < [(k²)/(3^x)] ≤ (k²)/(3^x)
Step 1: Evaluate Limit f(x)

Sum over bounds:

Σk=1ⁿ ( (k²)/(3^x) - 1 ) < Σk=1ⁿ [ (k²)/(3^x) ] ≤ Σk=1ⁿ (k²)/(3^x) (1)/(3^x) (n(n+1)(2n+1))/(6) - n < Σk=1ⁿ [ (k²)/(3^x) ] ≤ (1)/(3^x) (n(n+1)(2n+1))/(6)

Divide by n³ and apply limit n → ∞:

n → ∞ ( (2n³ + 3n² + n)/(6n³ · 3^x) - (1)/(n²) ) < f(x) ≤ n → ∞ (2n³ + 3n² + n)/(6n³ · 3^x) f(x) = (2)/(6 · 3^x) = (1)/(3 · 3^x) = 13x+1
Step 2: Evaluate Final Summation

We need 12Σj=1∞ f(j):

12 Σj=1∞ 13j+1 = 12 ( (1)/(3²) + (1)/(3³) + … )

This is an infinite geometric progression with a = (1)/(9) and r = (1)/(3).

Sum = (a)/(1 - r) = (1/9)/(1 - 1/3) = (1/9)/(2/3) = (1)/(6)

Finally, 12 × (1)/(6) = 2.

Pattern Recognition

When evaluating infinite limits over greatest integer sums n → ∞ 1np+1 Σ [k^p/C], the G.I.F brackets can be safely replaced by exact values due to Sandwich theorem bounding the -1 residual to 0.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability Class 11 Maths: Sequence and Series

Q5 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Limits using Expansion
If x → 0 e(a-1)x + 2 bx + (c-2)e-xx x - ₑ(1+x) = 2, then a² + b² + c² is equal to:
  • A. 5
  • B. 3
  • C. 7
  • D. 9

Solution

Related Formula

Standard Taylor series expansions:

e^x = 1 + x + (x²)/(2!) + , x = 1 - (x²)/(2!) + , ₑ(1+x) = x - (x²)/(2) +
Core Logic

Expand numerator and denominator around x = 0: Denominator: x(1 - (x²)/(2)) - (x - (x²)/(2)) = (x²)/(2) + O(x³). For limit to be finite, coefficients of x⁰ and x¹ in numerator must be zero:

  • Coefficient of x⁰: 1 + 2 + c - 2 = 0 c = -1
  • Coefficient of x¹: (a-1) - (c-2) = 0 a - 1 + 3 = 0 a = -2
Step 1: Coefficient of x^2

Numerator coefficient of x² is ((a-1)²)/(2) - b² + (c-2)/(2). Given limit value is 2:

(((a-1)²)/(2) - b² + (c-2)/(2))/(1/2) = 2 (9)/(2) - b² - (3)/(2) = 1 b² = 2
Step 2: Final Calculation
a² + b² + c² = (-2)² + 2 + (-1)² = 4 + 2 + 1 = 7
Pattern Recognition

Match powers of x in Taylor series to resolve indeterminate limit form (0)/(0).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

Q15 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Points of Discontinuity and Min Function
Let [·] denote the greatest integer function, and let f(x) = √(2)x, x². Let S = x in (-2,2) : the function g(x) = |x|[x²] is discontinuous at x. Then Σx in S f(x) equals:
  • A. 2 - √(2)
  • B. 2√(6) - 3√(2)
  • C. 1 - √(2)
  • D. √(6) - 2√(2)

Solution

Related Formula

Greatest integer function [x²] is discontinuous where x² takes integer values, except possibly where |x| = 0.

Core Logic

In (-2, 2), x² in [0, 4). Integer values occur at x = 0, ± 1, ±√(2), ±√(3). At x = 0, g(0) = 0 and x → 0 g(x) = 0, so g(x) is continuous at x = 0. Points of discontinuity: S = -1, 1, -√(2), √(2), -√(3), √(3).

Step 1: Evaluate f(x) for x in S

For f(x) = √(2)x, x²:

  • f(-1) = -√(2), 1 = -√(2)
  • f(1) = √(2), 1 = 1
  • f(-√(2)) = -2, 2 = -2
  • f(√(2)) = 2, 2 = 2
  • f(-√(3)) = -√(6), 3 = -√(6)
  • f(√(3)) = √(6), 3 = √(6)
Step 2: Summation
Σx in S f(x) = -√(2) + 1 - 2 + 2 - √(6) + √(6) = 1 - √(2)
Pattern Recognition

Check origin continuity explicitly for |x|[x²]; evaluate √(2)x, x² case-by-case on set S.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

More Limits, Continuity and Differentiability Questions — jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning

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