Chapter 8: Problem 10
Evaluate \(L^{\prime}(1)\) by using the sequence \((1+1 / n)\) and the fact that \(e=\lim \left((1+1 / n)^{n}\right)\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative \(L^{\prime}(1)\) evaluated at \(x = 1\) with using the given sequence and the mathematical constant \(e\) is \(e\).
Step by step solution
01
Define the Function
Define the function \(L(x) = ln(x)\). Notice that \(L^{\prime}(x) = 1/x\).
02
Use the Limit Definition of Derivative
To evaluate \(L^{\prime}(1)\), use the limit definition of the derivative:\[L^{\prime}(1) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{L(1 + h) - L(1)}{h}\]
03
Substitute the function into the limit
Let's substitute \(L(x) = ln(x)\) into the limit:\[L^{\prime}(1) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\ln(1 + h) - \ln(1)}{h}\]
04
Simplify the expression in the limit
The natural logarithm of 1 is zero, so simplify the expression to:\[L^{\prime}(1) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\ln(1 + h)}{h}\]
05
Use the fact \[e=\lim \left((1+1 / n)^{n}\right)\]
Notice the limit in question has a similar resemblance to the given expression for \(e\). To make it identical, rewrite \(h\) as \(1/n\), therefore as \(n \to \infty\), \(1/n\) tends to zero which is the same as \(h \to 0\). So we can write the limit as:\[L^{\prime}(1) = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{\ln(1 + 1/n)}{1/n}\] and this has the same form of the limit that defines \(e\), except for the natural logarithm function in the numerator.
06
Apply the fact \[e=\lim \left((1+1 / n)^{n}\right)\]
Recall the exact definition of the number \(e\) as the limit of the sequence \((1+1 / n)^{n}\). Rewrite the limit \((1+1 / n)^{n}\) as \(\exp(n \ln (1 + 1/n))\). By the continuity of the exponential, we can exchange limit and function: \(\exp(\lim_{n \to \infty} \{ n \ln (1 + 1/n) \})\). Comparing with the limit in Step 5, we can then conclude that the limit is \(\exp(1) = e\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on change. It primarily deals with two concepts: differentiation and integration. Differentiation is about finding the rate of change of a quantity, while integration focuses on the accumulation of quantities. In our problem, we use differentiation to evaluate the derivative of the function \( L(x) = \ln(x) \) at a specific point.
- Differentiation: In simple terms, differentiation helps us find how a function changes at any point. For the function \( L(x) = \ln(x) \), its derivative is \( L'(x) = \frac{1}{x} \).
- Limit Definition of a Derivative: This concept helps us find the derivative at a particular point. It is given by the expression: \[ L^{\prime}(a) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{L(a + h) - L(a)}{h} \]
Natural Logarithm
A natural logarithm is a logarithm with the base \( e \), where \( e \approx 2.718 \). The function \( \ln(x) \) represents the natural logarithm of \( x \). It is particularly useful in various mathematical areas because it relates to exponential growth and decay.
- Characteristics: The function \( \ln(x) \) is only defined for positive real numbers. It is an increasing function, meaning it always grows larger as \( x \) increases.
- Derivative: As seen in the exercise, the derivative of \( \ln(x) \) is \( \frac{1}{x} \). This tells us the rate of change of \( \ln(x) \) at any point \( x \).
Limits
The concept of limits is fundamental in calculus. A limit helps define the value that a function approaches as the input gets closer to a certain point. In our problem, limits are crucial for defining derivatives and understanding the number \( e \).
- Limit and Derivatives: Limits allow us to find derivatives by evaluating how a function behaves as it approaches a specific value. For instance, finding \( L'(1) \) required evaluating \[ \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\ln(1 + h)}{h} \].
- Calculating \( e \): The number \( e \) is defined using a specific limit. Knowing \[ e = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 + \frac{1}{n}\right)^{n} \] helps us in various exponential and calculus applications.