Chapter 5: Problem 21
If \(f(x)=e^{[\cot x]}\) where \([y]\) represents the greatest integer less than or equal to \(y\), then (a) \(\lim _{x \rightarrow \frac{\pi^{+}}{2}} f(x)=1\) (b) \(\lim _{x \rightarrow \frac{\pi^{+}}{2}} f(x)=\frac{1}{e}\) (c) \(\lim _{x \rightarrow \frac{x^{-}}{2}} f(x)=\frac{1}{e}\) (d) \(\lim _{x \rightarrow \frac{\pi^{-}}{2}} f(x)=1\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding the Function
Analyzing \(\cot x\) as \(x \to \frac{\pi}{2}^+\)
Analyzing \(\cot x\) as \(x \to \frac{\pi}{2}^-\)
Calculating \(\lim _{x \to \pi/2^+} f(x)\)
Calculating \(\lim _{x \to \pi/2^-} f(x)\)
Identifying the Correct Option
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Greatest Integer Function
In the provided exercise, the expression \(f(x) = e^{[\cot x]}\) utilizes the greatest integer function. Here, \([\cot x]\) gives us an integer value of \(\cot x\) nearest and lesser, when \(x\) approaches different sides of \(\frac{\pi}{2}\). This impacts how we calculate limits in this context since the behavior of \(\cot x\) changes near \(\frac{\pi}{2}\).
- As \(x\) approaches \(\frac{\pi}{2}^+\), \(\cot x\) approaches zero from positive values, yielding \([\cot x] = 0\).
- When \(x\) approaches \(\frac{\pi}{2}^-\), \(\cot x\) approaches zero from negative values, leading to \([\cot x] = -1\).
Trigonometric Limits
In this case, we focus on the cotangent function, \(\cot x = \frac{1}{\tan x}\). As \(x\) moves closer and closer to \(\frac{\pi}{2}\), the behavior of \(\tan x\) affects \(\cot x\) drastically:
- Approaching from the right, \(x \to \frac{\pi}{2}^+\), \(\tan x\) decreases sharply towards negative infinity, causing \(\cot x\) to trend towards zero from positive values.
- From the left, \(x \to \frac{\pi}{2}^-\), \(\tan x\) increases towards positive infinity, making \(\cot x\) edge towards zero from the negative side.
Exponential Functions
Analyzing the limits:
- For \(\lim_{x \to \frac{\pi}{2}^+} f(x)\), we saw that \([\cot x] \rightarrow 0\), leading to \(e^0 = 1\).
- For \(\lim_{x \to \frac{\pi}{2}^-} f(x)\), \([\cot x] = -1\), resulting in \(e^{-1} = \frac{1}{e}\).