PrepGo

AP Calculus BC Practice Quiz: Estimating Limit Values from Tables

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 7 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 7

The table below shows values for a function f(x) at selected x-values. Based on the data, what is the best estimate for the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2? | x | 1.9 | 1.99 | 1.999 | 2.001 | 2.01 | 2.1 | |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | f(x) | 5.8 | 5.98 | 5.998 | 6.002 | 6.02 | 6.2 |

All Questions (7)

The table below shows values for a function f(x) at selected x-values. Based on the data, what is the best estimate for the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2? | x | 1.9 | 1.99 | 1.999 | 2.001 | 2.01 | 2.1 | |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | f(x) | 5.8 | 5.98 | 5.998 | 6.002 | 6.02 | 6.2 |

A) 2

B) 5.9

C) 6

D) Does not exist

Correct Answer: C

To estimate the limit as x approaches 2, we examine the values of f(x) for x-values very close to 2 from both the left and the right. As x approaches 2 from the left (1.9, 1.99, 1.999), f(x) approaches 6. As x approaches 2 from the right (2.1, 2.01, 2.001), f(x) also approaches 6. Since the left-hand and right-hand limits appear to be equal, the best estimate for the limit is 6.

The table below gives values for a function g(x) near x = -3. Note that g(-3) is undefined. What is the best estimate for lim (x→-3) g(x)? | x | -3.1 | -3.01 | -3.001| -2.999| -2.99 | -2.9 | |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | g(x) | -4.9 | -4.99 | -4.999| -5.001| -5.01 | -5.1 |

A) -3

B) -5

C) Undefined

D) Does not exist

Correct Answer: B

The limit of a function as x approaches a value does not depend on the function's value at that point. As x approaches -3 from the left, g(x) approaches -5. As x approaches -3 from the right, g(x) also approaches -5. Because the function approaches the same value from both sides, the limit is estimated to be -5.

Consider the function h(x) with values given in the table below. What is the best estimate for the limit of h(x) as x approaches 1? | x | 0.9 | 0.99 | 0.999 | 1.001 | 1.01 | 1.1 | |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | h(x) | 3.9 | 3.99 | 3.999 | 7.001 | 7.01 | 7.1 |

A) 4

B) 5.5

C) 7

D) Does not exist

Correct Answer: D

To find the limit as x approaches 1, we must check the behavior from both the left and the right. As x approaches 1 from the left (x < 1), the values of h(x) approach 4. This is the left-hand limit. As x approaches 1 from the right (x > 1), the values of h(x) approach 7. This is the right-hand limit. Since the left-hand limit (4) is not equal to the right-hand limit (7), the overall limit does not exist.

The table below provides values for a function k(x). Based on the numerical evidence, what is the best estimate for lim (x→0⁺) k(x)? | x | -0.1 | -0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.1 | 1 | |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | k(x) | 100 | 10000 | undef.| -10000| -100 | -1 |

A) 0

B)

C) -∞

D) Does not exist

Correct Answer: C

The question asks for the right-hand limit as x approaches 0 (indicated by x→0⁺). We look at the values of k(x) for x > 0 and getting closer to 0. As x takes values 0.1 and 0.01, k(x) takes values -100 and -10000. The values of k(x) are decreasing without bound. Therefore, the limit is estimated to be -∞.

The table below shows values for a function p(x). What is the best estimate for the limit of p(x) as x approaches 0? | x | -0.1 | -0.01 | -0.001 | 0.001 | 0.01 | 0.1 | |-------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------| | p(x) | 0.99833 | 0.99998 | 1.00000 | 1.00000 | 0.99998 | 0.99833 |

A) 0

B) 1

C) 0.99

D) Does not exist

Correct Answer: B

We examine the behavior of p(x) as x gets closer to 0 from both sides. As x approaches 0 from the left (-0.1, -0.01, -0.001), the values of p(x) get progressively closer to 1. As x approaches 0 from the right (0.1, 0.01, 0.001), the values of p(x) also get progressively closer to 1. Since the function approaches the same value from both directions, the best estimate for the limit is 1.

The table shows values for a function f(x). Using the data, estimate the value of lim (x→5⁻) f(x). | x | 4.9 | 4.99 | 4.999 | 5.0 | 5.001 | 5.01 | |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | f(x) | 10.1 | 10.01 | 10.001| 3.0 | -2.002| -2.02 |

A) 3

B) 10

C) -2

D) Does not exist

Correct Answer: B

The notation x→5⁻ indicates the limit as x approaches 5 from the left side (values less than 5). Looking at the table for x-values 4.9, 4.99, and 4.999, the corresponding f(x) values are 10.1, 10.01, and 10.001. These values are getting closer and closer to 10. The value of f(5)=3 is irrelevant for finding the limit.

The table below gives values for a function f(x). Based on the table, which of the following statements appears to be true? | x | 2.9 | 2.99 | 2.999 | 3.0 | 3.001 | 3.01 | |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | f(x) | -1.111| -1.010| -1.001| -1.0 | 4.002 | 4.020 |

A) lim (x→3) f(x) = -1

B) lim (x→3⁺) f(x) = -1

C) lim (x→3⁻) f(x) = 4

D) lim (x→3) f(x) does not exist

Correct Answer: D

We must evaluate the one-sided limits. For the left-hand limit, as x approaches 3 from the left (2.9, 2.99, 2.999), f(x) approaches -1. So, lim (x→3⁻) f(x) = -1. For the right-hand limit, as x approaches 3 from the right (3.01, 3.001), f(x) approaches 4. So, lim (x→3⁺) f(x) = 4. Since the left-hand limit (-1) and the right-hand limit (4) are not equal, the two-sided limit does not exist.