Chapter 4: Problem 8
Use 1'Hopital's Rule to find the limits in Exercises \(7-26\). $$ \lim _{x \rightarrow \pi / 2} \frac{2 x-\pi}{\cos x} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit is -2.
Step by step solution
01
Determine the Indeterminate Form
Substitute the limit point \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\) into the function \(\frac{2x - \pi}{\cos x}\) to see if it results in an indeterminate form. Substituting gives: \(\frac{2(\pi/2) - \pi}{\cos(\pi/2)} = \frac{\pi - \pi}{0} = \frac{0}{0}\). This is an indeterminate form, so we can use L'Hopital's Rule.
02
Apply L'Hopital's Rule
L'Hopital's Rule states that for functions \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\) that are differentiable, if \(\lim_{x\to c} f(x) = \lim_{x\to c} g(x) = 0\) or \(\pm \infty\), then \(\lim_{x\to c} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \lim_{x\to c} \frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\). For our function, \(f(x) = 2x - \pi\) and \(g(x) = \cos x\).
03
Differentiate the Numerator and Denominator
Find the derivative of the numerator \(f(x) = 2x - \pi\), which is \(f'(x) = 2\). Then find the derivative of the denominator \(g(x) = \cos x\), which is \(g'(x) = -\sin x\).
04
Evaluate the Limit with the Derivatives
Now compute the limit using the derivatives: \(\lim_{x\to \pi/2} \frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)} = \lim_{x\to \pi/2} \frac{2}{-\sin x}\). Substitute \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\), so \(-\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = -1\). Thus, \(\frac{2}{-1} = -2\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Indeterminate Forms
Indeterminate forms arise when evaluating the limit of a function results in an uncertain outcome. In mathematical terms, these forms generally come in different types such as \(\frac{0}{0}\), \(\frac{\infty}{\infty}\), \(0 \, \cdot \, \infty\), and others. In the context of L'Hopital's Rule, the most common are \(\frac{0}{0}\) and \(\frac{\infty}{\infty}\).
This means that at the point where you're evaluating a limit, direct substitution into the function doesn't provide any useful information about the limit.
To identify an indeterminate form:
This means that at the point where you're evaluating a limit, direct substitution into the function doesn't provide any useful information about the limit.
To identify an indeterminate form:
- Directly substitute the limit value into the original function \(\frac{2x - \pi}{\cos x}\).
- If you end up with \(\frac{0}{0}\) or any other indeterminate form after substitution, L’Hôpital's Rule can be used to resolve it.
Differentiation
Differentiation is a crucial concept in calculus, allowing us to determine how functions change. It involves finding the derivative of a function, which represents the slope of the function at any point.
The process of differentiation is applied to the numerator and denominator of the function in question. For L'Hopital's Rule:
This step is fundamental because it transforms an indeterminate form into one that is more easily evaluated by substituting the limit value into \(\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\).
By understanding the behavior of the original functions, we can examine how the transformed function behaves, setting us up to apply the next step: limit evaluation.
The process of differentiation is applied to the numerator and denominator of the function in question. For L'Hopital's Rule:
- First, find the derivative of the numerator \(f(x) = 2x - \pi\), which is \(f'(x) = 2\).
- Next, find the derivative of the denominator \(g(x) = \cos x\), which is \(g'(x) = -\sin x\).
This step is fundamental because it transforms an indeterminate form into one that is more easily evaluated by substituting the limit value into \(\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\).
By understanding the behavior of the original functions, we can examine how the transformed function behaves, setting us up to apply the next step: limit evaluation.
Limit Evaluation
Limit evaluation is the final step in settling on the actual value at which the function approaches as \(x\) approaches a certain point. After having differentials for both the numerator and the denominator, we are set to calculate the limit itself.
For situations involving L'Hopital's Rule:
Understanding how to evaluate limits is key to unraveling the behavior of functions at specific points, helping to predict how they behave near certain values, and providing a clearer insight into their structure.
For situations involving L'Hopital's Rule:
- Determine the limit of the new function \(\lim_{x\to c} \frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\). In this exercise, it's \(\lim_{x\to \pi/2} \frac{2}{-\sin x}\).
- Substitute \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\) to find the exact value \(-\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = -1\).
- Calculate \(\frac{2}{-1} = -2\).
Understanding how to evaluate limits is key to unraveling the behavior of functions at specific points, helping to predict how they behave near certain values, and providing a clearer insight into their structure.