To solve limit problems easily, students can follow these simple steps:

1. Identify the Limit: First, look for the limit you need to find. It’s often written as $\lim_{x \to a} f(x)$.

2. Direct Substitution: Next, plug the value of $a$ into the function $f(x)$. If you find that $f(a)$ has a clear answer (that is, it's defined and not infinite), then you can say $\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = f(a)$.

3. Indeterminate Forms: If plugging in gives you an indeterminate form like $\frac{0}{0}$ or $\frac{\infty}{\infty}$, you'll need to do some extra steps. These tricky cases pop up in about 20% of limit problems.

4. Factorization: If possible, break down the expression into factors, then simplify it. After that, try to substitute again.

5. L'Hôpital's Rule: If you're stuck with an indeterminate form, you can use L'Hôpital's Rule. This rule says that if you have $\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}$, you can instead look at the limit of their derivatives: $\lim_{x \to a} \frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}$, as long as this limit exists.

6. Verify Continuity: Finally, check if the function is continuous at the point $a$. A function is continuous there if $\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = f(a)$.

By following these steps, students can get much better at solving limit problems!