Chapter 5: Problem 47
Find the limits in Problems 1-60; not all limits require use of l'Hôpital's rule. $$ \lim _{x \rightarrow \infty}\left(1-\frac{2}{x}\right)^{x} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit is \( e^{-2} \).
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Limit Form
The limit problem is \( \lim_{x \rightarrow \infty}\left(1-\frac{2}{x}\right)^{x} \). Observe that as \( x \to \infty \), \( 1 - \frac{2}{x} \to 1 \) and the expression is of the form \( 1^{\infty} \), an indeterminate form.
02
Apply the Exponential Limit Formula
To solve an indeterminate form of \( 1^{\infty} \), use the formula \( \left(1 + \frac{a}{n}\right)^n \approx e^a \) as \( n \to \infty \). Rewrite the limit using this formula as it resembles the problem structure.
03
Rewrite in Exponential Form
Rewrite the expression:\[\left(1 - \frac{2}{x}\right)^x = e^{x\ln\left(1 - \frac{2}{x}\right)}.\]
04
Expand the Logarithm
Use the approximation \( \ln(1 - u) \approx -u \) for small \( u \). Thus,\[\ln\left(1 - \frac{2}{x}\right) \approx -\frac{2}{x}.\]
05
Calculate the Limit of the Exponent
Substitute the approximation into the exponent:\[x \ln\left(1 - \frac{2}{x}\right) \approx x\left(-\frac{2}{x}\right) = -2.\]
06
Evaluate the Exponential
Substitute back into the exponential form:\[e^{x \ln\left(1 - \frac{2}{x}\right)} \approx e^{-2}.\]Thus, the limit is \( e^{-2} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
l'Hôpital's rule
Understanding calculus limits often involves dealing with indeterminate forms. Suppose you have a limit like \( \frac{0}{0} \) or \( \frac{\infty}{\infty} \). These are indeterminate forms, and we need special tools to solve them. That's where l’Hôpital's Rule comes into play.
L'Hôpital's Rule is a method to find limits of indeterminate forms by differentiating the numerator and thedenominator. While our given problem doesn't need l'Hôpital's Rule, this is a powerful technique when faced with limits that appear stuck or difficult at first glance.
To use l'Hôpital's Rule, ensure:
L'Hôpital's Rule is a method to find limits of indeterminate forms by differentiating the numerator and thedenominator. While our given problem doesn't need l'Hôpital's Rule, this is a powerful technique when faced with limits that appear stuck or difficult at first glance.
To use l'Hôpital's Rule, ensure:
- Your limit is in an indeterminate form of either \( \frac{0}{0} \) or \( \frac{\infty}{\infty} \).
- Differentiate the numerator and the denominator separately.
- Calculate the limit of the new fraction.
indeterminate forms
Indeterminate forms occur in calculus when the behavior of a limit is not immediately clear from its algebraic structure. In our original exercise, the expression \( \left(1 - \frac{2}{x}\right)^x \) approaches the form \( 1^\infty \) as \( x \to \infty \).
This "1 raised to infinity" is a classic indeterminate form. Such forms need special handling since they can lead to multiple potential limits rather than a clear single answer.
Common indeterminate forms include:
This "1 raised to infinity" is a classic indeterminate form. Such forms need special handling since they can lead to multiple potential limits rather than a clear single answer.
Common indeterminate forms include:
- \( \frac{0}{0} \)
- \( \frac{\infty}{\infty} \)
- \( 0 \times \infty \)
- \( \infty - \infty \)
- \( 1^\infty \), \( 0^0 \), and \( \infty^0 \)
exponential limit formula
When faced with an indeterminate form like \( 1^\infty \), one useful approach is the exponential limit formula.
For limits where the function resembles \( \left(1 + \frac{a}{n}\right)^n \) as \( n \) approaches infinity, the expression behaves like \( e^a \). This result is derived from the properties of the natural exponential function and can simplify the calculation of such limits.
In our exercise, we used this approach:
For limits where the function resembles \( \left(1 + \frac{a}{n}\right)^n \) as \( n \) approaches infinity, the expression behaves like \( e^a \). This result is derived from the properties of the natural exponential function and can simplify the calculation of such limits.
In our exercise, we used this approach:
- Rewrote the expression in exponential form as \(e^{x\ln\left(1 - \frac{2}{x}\right)}\).
- Used the approximation \( \ln(1 - u) \approx -u \) for small \( u \) to transform it.
- Finally, calculated the limit of the exponent to simplify the expression to \( e^{-2} \).