Chapter 5: Problem 2
Find the following limits if they exist. (a) \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{x^{3}}{\sin x-x}\) (b) \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{\tan x-x}{x^{3}}\) (c) \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0}\left[\frac{1}{\sin x}-\frac{1}{x}\right]\) (d) \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0}(\cos x)^{1 / x^{2}}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
a) 0, b) 1/3, c) 1/2, d) 1/\sqrt{e}
Step by step solution
01
Evaluate limit (a)
For \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{x^{3}}{\sin x-x}\), apply L'Hôpital's rule because both the numerator and the denominator approach 0. Take derivatives of the numerator and the denominator: \(\lim _{x \to 0} \frac{3x^{2}}{\cos x-1}\). Now repeat L'Hôpital's rule again as it still forms 0/0: \(\lim _{x \to 0} \frac{6x}{-\sin x}\). This is equal to 0 because the numerator is 0.
02
Evaluate limit (b)
For \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{\tan x-x}{x^{3}}\), use the series expansion for \(\tan x\): \(\tan x \approx x + \frac{x^3}{3} + O(x^5)\). Thus, \(\tan x - x \approx \frac{x^3}{3}\). The limit becomes \(\lim _{x \to 0} \frac{\frac{x^3}{3}}{x^3} = \frac{1}{3}\).
03
Evaluate limit (c)
For \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0}\left[\frac{1}{\sin x}-\frac{1}{x}\right]\), rewrite the expression as a common denominator: \(\lim _{x \to 0} \frac{x-\sin x}{x \sin x}\). Apply L'Hôpital's rule by differentiating the numerator and the denominator: \(\lim _{x \to 0} \frac{1-\cos x}{\sin x + x \cos x}\). As \(x\) approaches 0, \(1 - \cos x \approx \frac{x^2}{2}\) and \(\sin x \approx x\). Simplifying, \(\lim _{x \to 0} \frac{\frac{x^2}{2}}{x^2} = \frac{1}{2}\).
04
Evaluate limit (d)
For \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0}(\cos x)^{1 / x^{2}}\), take the natural logarithm and simplify: \(y = (\cos x)^{1/x^2}, \) then \(\ln y = \frac{\ln (\cos x)}{x^2}\). As \(x\) approaches 0, \(\cos x \approx 1 - \frac{x^2}{2}\), thus \(\ln (\cos x) \approx -\frac{x^2}{2}\). This makes the expression \(\lim _{x \to 0} \frac{-\frac{x^2}{2}}{x^2} = -\frac{1}{2}\), hence \(\ln y = -\frac{1}{2}\). Thus, \(y = e^{-1/2} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{e}}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
L'Hôpital's rule
L'Hôpital's rule is a handy tool in calculus when you need to find the limit of a fraction that results in an indeterminate form, like 0/0 or ∞/∞.
This rule states that if \(\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\) approaches an indeterminate form as x approaches a certain value, you can differentiate the numerator, f(x), and the denominator, g(x), and then find the limit of \(\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\).
Repeat until you get a determinate form. Here's a simplified version of the rule:
If \(\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{0}{0}\), then \(\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\) may help find the limit.
If after taking derivatives, \(\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)} = \frac{0}{0}\) again, continue applying the rule.
For example, consider \(\frac{x^3}{\text{sin}x - x}\). Applying L'Hôpital's rule once, you get \(\frac{3x^2}{\text{cos}x - 1}\).
Since you still have an indeterminate form (0/0), apply the rule again to get \(\frac{6x}{-\text{sin}x}\).
Now, as x approaches 0, the limit becomes 0 because the numerator is 0.
This step-by-step application shows how L'Hôpital's rule can simplify finding limits in calculus.
This rule states that if \(\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\) approaches an indeterminate form as x approaches a certain value, you can differentiate the numerator, f(x), and the denominator, g(x), and then find the limit of \(\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\).
Repeat until you get a determinate form. Here's a simplified version of the rule:
If \(\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{0}{0}\), then \(\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\) may help find the limit.
If after taking derivatives, \(\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)} = \frac{0}{0}\) again, continue applying the rule.
For example, consider \(\frac{x^3}{\text{sin}x - x}\). Applying L'Hôpital's rule once, you get \(\frac{3x^2}{\text{cos}x - 1}\).
Since you still have an indeterminate form (0/0), apply the rule again to get \(\frac{6x}{-\text{sin}x}\).
Now, as x approaches 0, the limit becomes 0 because the numerator is 0.
This step-by-step application shows how L'Hôpital's rule can simplify finding limits in calculus.
Series expansion
A series expansion is used to approximate functions by breaking them down into simpler terms.
It's particularly useful for functions like \(\text{tan}x\) or \(\text{sin}x\) near certain points.
Mathematically, these expansions are called Taylor or Maclaurin series.
For instance, the series expansion for \(\text{tan}x\) near 0 is:\( \text{tan}x = x + \frac{x^3}{3} + O(x^5)\).
Using this series expansion can help solve limits when direct substitution does not work.
For example, to evaluate \(\frac{\text{tan}x - x}{x^3}\) as x approaches 0, use the expansion for \(\text{tan}x\):
\(\text{tan}x \approx x + \frac{x^3}{3}\).
Hence, \(\text{tan}x - x \approx \frac{x^3}{3}\).
Substituting this back into the limit, you get \(\frac{\frac{x^3}{3}}{x^3} = \frac{1}{3}\).
Here, you see how series expansion simplifies the problem and provides a straightforward solution.
It's particularly useful for functions like \(\text{tan}x\) or \(\text{sin}x\) near certain points.
Mathematically, these expansions are called Taylor or Maclaurin series.
For instance, the series expansion for \(\text{tan}x\) near 0 is:\( \text{tan}x = x + \frac{x^3}{3} + O(x^5)\).
Using this series expansion can help solve limits when direct substitution does not work.
For example, to evaluate \(\frac{\text{tan}x - x}{x^3}\) as x approaches 0, use the expansion for \(\text{tan}x\):
\(\text{tan}x \approx x + \frac{x^3}{3}\).
Hence, \(\text{tan}x - x \approx \frac{x^3}{3}\).
Substituting this back into the limit, you get \(\frac{\frac{x^3}{3}}{x^3} = \frac{1}{3}\).
Here, you see how series expansion simplifies the problem and provides a straightforward solution.
Natural logarithm
The natural logarithm, denoted as \( \text{ln}(x) \), is the logarithm to the base e, where e is an irrational constant approximately equal to 2.71828.
It plays a crucial role in calculus, particularly in limit problems.
For example, evaluating limits involving expressions like \( (\text{cos}x)^{\frac{1}{x^2}} \) can be tricky.
Here's how to break it down:
Take the natural logarithm of the expression and simplify.
If \( y = (\text{cos}x)^{\frac{1}{x^2}} \), then \( \text{ln}(y) = \frac{\text{ln}(\text{cos}x)}{x^2} \).
Near zero, \(\text{cos}x \approx 1 - \frac{x^2}{2}\), so \(\text{ln}(\text{cos}x) \approx -\frac{x^2}{2}\).
Substituting this approximation, we get \( \text{ln}(y) \approx \frac{-\frac{x^2}{2}}{x^2} = -\frac{1}{2} \).
Thus, \( y = e^{-\frac{1}{2}} = \frac{1}{\text{sqrt(e)}}\).
Using the natural logarithm simplifies the expression and makes evaluating the limit possible.
Understanding \( \text{ln}(x) \) and its properties is essential for tackling complex limit problems.
It plays a crucial role in calculus, particularly in limit problems.
For example, evaluating limits involving expressions like \( (\text{cos}x)^{\frac{1}{x^2}} \) can be tricky.
Here's how to break it down:
Take the natural logarithm of the expression and simplify.
If \( y = (\text{cos}x)^{\frac{1}{x^2}} \), then \( \text{ln}(y) = \frac{\text{ln}(\text{cos}x)}{x^2} \).
Near zero, \(\text{cos}x \approx 1 - \frac{x^2}{2}\), so \(\text{ln}(\text{cos}x) \approx -\frac{x^2}{2}\).
Substituting this approximation, we get \( \text{ln}(y) \approx \frac{-\frac{x^2}{2}}{x^2} = -\frac{1}{2} \).
Thus, \( y = e^{-\frac{1}{2}} = \frac{1}{\text{sqrt(e)}}\).
Using the natural logarithm simplifies the expression and makes evaluating the limit possible.
Understanding \( \text{ln}(x) \) and its properties is essential for tackling complex limit problems.