Chapter 1: Problem 13
Suppose that \(f\) is differentiable at \(x_{0}\). Let \(L\) be the "best linear approximation" defined by \(L(x)=f\left(x_{0}\right)+f^{\prime}\left(x_{0}\right)(x-\) \(\left.x_{0}\right)\). Given that \(R(x)=f(x)-L(x)\), show that $$ \lim _{x \rightarrow x_{0}} \frac{R(x)}{x-x_{0}}=0 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit is 0.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem Statement
We are given a function \( f \) that is differentiable at \( x_0 \). The task is to find the limit of the ratio \( \frac{R(x)}{x-x_0} \) as \( x \) approaches \( x_0 \), where \( R(x) = f(x) - L(x) \) and \( L(x) = f(x_0) + f'(x_0)(x-x_0) \).
02
Decompose the Remainder Function R(x)
Start by substituting the definition of \( L(x) \) into \( R(x) \):\[ R(x) = f(x) - \left(f(x_0) + f'(x_0)(x-x_0)\right). \] Simplifying this gives: \[ R(x) = f(x) - f(x_0) - f'(x_0)(x-x_0). \]
03
Apply the Definition of Derivative
Since \( f \) is differentiable at \( x_0 \), the definition of the derivative tells us that: \[ \lim_{x \to x_0} \frac{f(x) - f(x_0)}{x - x_0} = f'(x_0). \] Rearrange the expression for \( f(x) - f(x_0) \):\[ f(x) - f(x_0) = f'(x_0)(x-x_0) + \varepsilon(x) \cdot (x-x_0), \] where \( \varepsilon(x) \to 0 \) as \( x \to x_0 \).
04
Substitute Back into the Remainder Expression
Substitute the expression for \( f(x) - f(x_0) \) into \( R(x) \):\[ R(x) = f'(x_0)(x-x_0) + \varepsilon(x) \cdot (x-x_0) - f'(x_0)(x-x_0). \] This simplifies to \[ R(x) = \varepsilon(x) \cdot (x-x_0). \]
05
Find the Limit of R(x)/(x-x_0)
Compute the limit: \[ \lim_{x \to x_0} \frac{R(x)}{x-x_0} = \lim_{x \to x_0} \frac{\varepsilon(x) \cdot (x-x_0)}{x-x_0} = \lim_{x \to x_0} \varepsilon(x). \] Since \( \varepsilon(x) \to 0 \) as \( x \to x_0 \), it follows that: \[ \lim_{x \to x_0} \frac{R(x)}{x-x_0} = 0. \]
06
Conclusion
By showing that \( \varepsilon(x) \to 0 \) as \( x \to x_0 \), and using the expression for \( R(x) \), we confirmed that \( \lim_{x \to x_0} \frac{R(x)}{x-x_0} = 0 \), as required by the problem statement.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Linear Approximation
Linear approximation is a method used to estimate the value of a function near a given point by using its tangent line. It provides a way to approximate complex functions with simpler linear functions that are easy to compute and understand.
For a differentiable function, the linear approximation at a point \(x_0\) is given by the equation \(L(x) = f(x_0) + f'(x_0)(x - x_0)\). This equation represents the tangent line to the graph of the function at \(x_0\).
For a differentiable function, the linear approximation at a point \(x_0\) is given by the equation \(L(x) = f(x_0) + f'(x_0)(x - x_0)\). This equation represents the tangent line to the graph of the function at \(x_0\).
- \(f(x_0)\) is the value of the function at the point \(x_0\).
- \(f'(x_0)\) is the slope of the tangent line, which is the derivative of the function at \(x_0\).
- \(x - x_0\) represents the horizontal distance from \(x_0\).
Differentiable Function
A function is called differentiable at a point if it has a well-defined tangent at that point, meaning its derivative exists there. Differentiability implies that the function is smooth and continuous around that specific point.
If a function \(f\) is differentiable at \(x_0\), it means that the limit
\[\lim_{x \to x_0} \frac{f(x) - f(x_0)}{x - x_0} \]
exists and equals \(f'(x_0)\), the derivative of \(f\) at \(x_0\). This derivative represents the slope of the tangent line at the point \(x_0\).
If a function \(f\) is differentiable at \(x_0\), it means that the limit
\[\lim_{x \to x_0} \frac{f(x) - f(x_0)}{x - x_0} \]
exists and equals \(f'(x_0)\), the derivative of \(f\) at \(x_0\). This derivative represents the slope of the tangent line at the point \(x_0\).
- Differentiability assures that small changes in \(x\) cause small changes in \(f(x)\), which is a crucial property for analyzing functions using calculus tools.
- If a function is differentiable at a point, it is also continuous at that point, but the reverse is not necessarily true.
Limit of a Function
The limit of a function at a certain point is a fundamental concept in calculus. It describes the value that a function approaches as the input approaches a specific point.
In the problem, we examined the limit\( \lim _{x \rightarrow x_{0}} \frac{R(x)}{x-x_{0}}\), which shows how the difference between the actual function \(f(x)\) and its linear approximation \(L(x)\) behaves near \(x_0\).
In the problem, we examined the limit\( \lim _{x \rightarrow x_{0}} \frac{R(x)}{x-x_{0}}\), which shows how the difference between the actual function \(f(x)\) and its linear approximation \(L(x)\) behaves near \(x_0\).
- The remainder \(R(x)\), defined as \(f(x) - L(x)\), demonstrates how much the actual function value deviates from the linear approximation.
- We determined that this remainder divided by \(x - x_0\) tends to zero as \(x\) approaches \(x_0\), meaning that \(R(x)\) gets arbitrarily small compared to \(x - x_0\).