/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 43 Prove that $$\lim _{x \rightarro... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Prove that $$\lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{+}} \ln x=-\infty$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
As \( x \rightarrow 0^{+} \), \( \ln x \) decreases indefinitely, thus \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{+}} \ln x = -\infty \).

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Limit Expression

The expression \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{+}} \ln x = -\infty \) means we need to show that as \( x \) approaches 0 from the positive side, the value of \( \ln x \) decreases without bound (becomes infinitely negative). This involves evaluating how \( \ln x \) behaves as \( x \) gets closer to 0.
02

Analyze the Behavior of the Natural Logarithm Function

The natural logarithm function \( \ln x \) is only defined for positive values of \( x \). As \( x \) approaches positive values closer to 0, \( \ln x \) drops sharply. Observationally, we can note that \( \ln x \) becomes more and more negative as \( x \) decreases towards 0.
03

Argue using the Properties of Natural Logarithm

For \( 0 < x < 1 \), the value of \( \ln x \) is negative because the natural log of numbers between 0 and 1 is negative. More formally, notice that \( \ln(x) \) is the inverse of the exponential function; therefore as \( x \rightarrow 0^{+} \), \( e^{\ln x} \rightarrow 0 \). Both \( \ln(1) = 0 \) and as \( x \) moves closer to 0, the slope of \( \ln x \) causes it to drop infinitely negatively.
04

Apply a Formal Limit Approach

Consider any large negative number \( N \). We need to show that there exists a positive \( \delta \) such that for all \( 0 < x < \delta \), \( \ln x < N \). Take \( \delta = e^N \). For any \( 0 < x < \delta \), we have \( 0 < x < e^N \) implying \( \ln x < N \), since \( \ln(e^N) = N \). This confirms that \( \ln x \rightarrow -\infty \) as \( x \rightarrow 0^{+} \).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm, represented as \( \ln x \), is a fundamental mathematical function widely used in calculus and many fields of science and engineering. Let's break this down further to understand its special characteristics:
  • Definition and Domain: The natural logarithm is only defined for positive values of \( x \). This means \( \ln x \) can be used only when \( x > 0 \).
  • Inverse Property: The natural logarithm is the inverse of the exponential function (i.e., \( e^{y} = x \) implies \( y = \ln x \)). This relationship is key to understanding the behavior of logarithmic functions.
  • Slope and Growth: For values of \( x \) between 0 and 1, \( \ln x \) is negative, and as \( x \) decreases towards zero, \( \ln x \) decreases rapidly. This results in a steep negative slope as you move leftward towards zero.
Each of these aspects plays a critical role in exploring limits and understanding the behavior of functions as \( x \) changes.
Limits at Infinity
Calculus often deals with limits, which describe the behavior of a function as \( x \) approaches a certain value or infinity. Let's dive into what limits at infinity entail:
  • Concept: The notation \( \lim_{x \to \infty} \) or \( \lim_{x \to 0^{+}} \) indicates we are interested in the behavior of a function as \( x \) becomes very large, or very close to zero, respectively.
  • Natural Logarithm and Infinity: For the natural logarithm \( \ln x \), as \( x \to \infty \), \( \ln x \to \infty \). Conversely, as \( x \to 0^{+} \), \( \ln x \) goes to \(-\infty\).
Consider the limit \( \lim_{x \to 0^{+}} \ln x = -\infty \). This implies that as \( x \) gets tinier and tinier, closer to zero from the positive side, the values of \( \ln x \) become hugely negative, without bound.
Behavior as x Approaches Zero
Understanding how functions behave as \( x \) approaches zero is essential in calculus. It gives insight into the limiting behavior and helps solve many mathematical problems.
  • Approaching Zero from Positive Side: When we examine the limit \( \lim_{x \to 0^{+}} \ln x \), we focus on \( x \) reducing towards 0 from the positive side.
  • Function Behavior: As \( x \) approaches zero, \( \ln x \) drops sharply towards negative infinity since the natural log of numbers less than one is negative.
  • Mathematical Proof: By picking any large negative number \( N \) and setting \( \delta = e^N \), we prove that for any \( x < \delta \), \( \ln x \) becomes smaller than \( N \). Hence, it drops beyond any bound as \( x \to 0^{+} \).
These steps illustrate how \( \ln x \) behaves dramatically as it approaches zero, providing a clear mathematical foundation for its limit behavior.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Determine the infinite limit. $$\lim _{x \rightarrow \pi^{-}} \cot x$$

The displacement (in centimeters) of a particle moving back and forth along a straight line is given by the equation of motion \(s=2 \sin \pi t+3 \cos \pi t,\) where \(t\) is measured in seconds. (a) Find the average velocity during each time period: $$\begin{array}{ll}{\text { (i) }[1,2]} & {\text { (ii) }[1,1.1]} \\ {\text { (iii) }} & {[1,1.01]} & {[\text { iv) }[1,1.001]}\end{array}$$ (b) Estimate the instantaneous velocity of the particle when t= 1.

J Use the graph of the function \(f(x)=1 /\left(1+e^{1 / x}\right)\) to state the value of each limit, if it exists. If it does not exist, explain why. $${ (a) }\lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{-}} f(x) \quad \text { (b) } \lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{+}} f(x) \quad \text { (c) } \lim _{x \rightarrow 0} f(x)$$

$$ \begin{array}{l}{\text { Make a rough sketch of the curve } y=x^{n}(n \text { an integer })} \\ {\text { for the following five cases: }}\end{array} $$ $$ \begin{array}{ll}{\text { (i) } \mathrm{n}=0} & {\text { (ii) } \mathrm{n}>0, \mathrm{n} \text { odd }} \\ {\text { (iii) } \mathrm{n}>0, \mathrm{n} \text { even }} & {\text { (iv) } \mathrm{n}<0, \mathrm{n} \text { odd }}\end{array} $$ $$ \begin{array}{l}{\text { (v) } \mathrm{n}<0, \text { n even }} \\ {\text { Then use these sketches to find the following limits. }}\end{array} $$ (a) $$ \lim _{x \rightarrow \mathbb{u}^{+}} x^{n} \quad \text { (b) } \lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{-}} x^{n} $$ (c) $$ \lim _{x \rightarrow \infty} x^{n} \quad \text { (d) } \lim _{x \rightarrow-\infty} x^{n} $$

$$ \begin{array}{c}{\text { Use a graph to find a number } N \text { such that }} \\ {\text { If } \quad x>N \quad \text { then } \quad\left|\frac{3 x^{2}+1}{2 x^{2}+x+1}-1.5\right|<0.05}\end{array} $$

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.