Chapter 8: Problem 7
Evaluate \(\lim \left(e^{-n x}\right)\) for \(x \in \mathbb{R}, x \geq 0\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(\lim \left(e^{-n x}\right)\) as \(n\) approaches infinity is 1 when \(x=0\) and 0 when \(x>0\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Limit
The task is to find \(\lim \left(e^{-n x}\right)\) as \(n\) approaches infinity. Since \(x\) is any real number greater than or equal to 0, we need to consider two cases: when \(x=0\) and when \(x>0\).
02
Case 1: x = 0
When \(x=0\), the equation simplifies to \(\lim \left(e^{0}\right)\), which is equivalent to \(\lim \left(1\right)\). As \(n\) approaches infinity, the limit of a constant is just the constant itself. Therefore, the limit of the function when \(x=0\) is 1.
03
Case 2: x > 0
When \(x>0\), as \(n\) approaches infinity, the value of \(-n x\) approaches negative infinity. Since anything raised to the power of negative infinity is 0, the function \(\lim \left(e^{-n x}\right)\) approaches 0 as \(n\) approaches infinity. So the limit of the function when \(x>0\) is 0.
04
Solution Conclusion
So, the limit of function \(e^{-n x}\) as \(n\) approaches infinity is 1 if \(x=0\), and 0 if \(x\) is greater than 0.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Functions
Exponential functions involve the expression of a constant raised to the power of a variable. They can represent rapid growth or decay depending on whether the exponent is positive or negative. The general form is \(a^b\) where \(a\) is a positive constant and \(b\) is a variable. In the context of the exercise, we have the function \(e^{-nx}\).
Here, \(e\) stands for Euler's number, approximately 2.71828, which is the base of natural logarithms.
Here, \(e\) stands for Euler's number, approximately 2.71828, which is the base of natural logarithms.
- The negative sign in the exponent \(-nx\) indicates the function models exponential decay.
- Such decay becomes rapidly significant as \(n\) grows towards infinity, especially when \(x\) is greater than 0.
Real Numbers
Real numbers (\(\mathbb{R}\)) encompass the broad spectrum of numbers we use daily, comprising both rational and irrational numbers. These include:
- Integers like -2, 0, 3
- Fractions like 1/2, -3/4
- Irrational numbers like \(\sqrt{2}\), and \(\pi\)
- If \(x=0\), \(e^{-nx}\) simplifies to 1 as highlighted in the step-by-step solution.
- As \(x\) increases, \(e^{-nx}\) will decay more rapidly towards zero as \(n\) approaches infinity.
Infinity
The concept of infinity is integral in calculus when discussing limits and asymptotic behavior of functions. Infinity is not a number but a concept that denotes unboundedness.
As \(n\) approaches infinity in our function \(e^{-nx}\), we're considering a progression where \(n\) gets extraordinarily large. Here’s how it impacts the function:
As \(n\) approaches infinity in our function \(e^{-nx}\), we're considering a progression where \(n\) gets extraordinarily large. Here’s how it impacts the function:
- Exponent \(-nx\) becomes exceedingly large and negative, which directs \(e^{-nx}\) towards zero when \(x > 0\).
- If \(x = 0\), there's no change through infinity, and the result remains constant at 1.