Chapter 2: Problem 28
Find the limits in Exercises \(19-36\). $$ \lim _{v \rightarrow 2} \frac{v^{3}-8}{v^{4}-16} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit is \( \frac{3}{8} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Indeterminate Form
Plugging in the limit value, \( v = 2 \), into the function \( \frac{v^3 - 8}{v^4 - 16} \) results in \( \frac{8 - 8}{16 - 16} = \frac{0}{0} \), an indeterminate form. Thus, we need to simplify the expression further.
02
Factor the Numerator and Denominator
The numerator \( v^3 - 8 \) is a difference of cubes that can be factored as \( (v-2)(v^2 + 2v + 4) \). The denominator \( v^4 - 16 \) is a difference of squares which can be factored as \( (v^2 - 4)(v^2 + 4) \) and further as \( (v-2)(v+2)(v^2 + 4) \).
03
Simplify the Expression
After factoring, the function becomes \( \frac{(v-2)(v^2 + 2v + 4)}{(v-2)(v+2)(v^2 + 4)} \). We can cancel the \( (v-2) \) terms in the numerator and denominator, noting that \( v eq 2 \) for simplification purposes. This gives us \( \frac{v^2 + 2v + 4}{(v+2)(v^2 + 4)} \).
04
Evaluate the Limit
Now, substitute \( v = 2 \) into the simplified expression: \( \frac{(2)^2 + 2(2) + 4}{(2+2)((2)^2 + 4)} \). This simplifies to \( \frac{4 + 4 + 4}{4(4 + 4)} = \frac{12}{32} = \frac{3}{8} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Indeterminate Forms
When evaluating a limit, like \( \lim _{v \rightarrow 2} \frac{v^{3}-8}{v^{4}-16} \), sometimes substituting the given value directly into the function results in an undefined or indeterminate form, such as \( \frac{0}{0} \). This happens because both the numerator and denominator evaluate to zero. Indeterminate forms are crucial in calculus because they indicate that further analysis is needed to find the actual limit.
- An indeterminate form implies that the direct substitution method does not work.
- It is often necessary to simplify the expression further, usually by factoring, to resolve an indeterminate form.
- Once the problematic parts are simplified or canceled, we can correctly evaluate the limit.
Factoring Polynomials
When faced with an indeterminate form, a common method to resolve it is by factoring polynomials. In the example with the limit \( \lim _{v \rightarrow 2} \frac{v^{3}-8}{v^{4}-16} \), both the numerator and the denominator can be factored to simplify the expression.Factoring is a technique that involves rewriting a polynomial as a product of simpler polynomials. Here are the steps utilized for our specific expressions:
- The numerator \( v^3 - 8 \) is recognized as a difference of cubes. It can be factored into \( (v - 2)(v^2 + 2v + 4) \).
- The denominator \( v^4 - 16 \) is a difference of squares. It is factored into \( (v^2 - 4)(v^2 + 4) \). The expression \( v^2 - 4 \) is further factored into \( (v-2)(v+2) \).
Limit Evaluation
Once the expression is simplified by canceling common factors, usually the next step is evaluating the limit by substitution. After successfully factoring and simplifying \( \frac{(v-2)(v^2 + 2v + 4)}{(v-2)(v+2)(v^2 + 4)} \) to \( \frac{v^2 + 2v + 4}{(v+2)(v^2 + 4)} \), we eliminate the indeterminate form.Here's how we evaluated the limit:
- Substitute \( v = 2 \) into the simplified expression.
- Calculate each term step-by-step: \( \frac{2^2 + 2(2) + 4}{(2+2)((2)^2 + 4)} = \frac{12}{4 \times 8} \).
- This results in \( \frac{12}{32} \), which simplifies to \( \frac{3}{8} \).