Chapter 2: Problem 37
Find the limits in Exercises \(37-48.\) $$\lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{+}} \frac{1}{3 x}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit is \( \infty \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Limit Notation
We are asked to find the limit as \( x \) approaches 0 from the positive direction (right-hand limit). This is denoted as \( x \to 0^+ \).
02
Analyze the Expression \( \frac{1}{3x} \)
The expression \( \frac{1}{3x} \) represents a function that becomes large as \( x \) becomes small. Specifically, as \( x \to 0^+ \), the denominator \( 3x \) approaches zero, and the fraction becomes very large.
03
Determine Behavior as \( x \to 0^+ \)
Since \( x \) is positive and approaching zero from the right, \( 3x \) is a small positive number. As the denominator gets smaller (but positive), \( \frac{1}{3x} \) increases without bound. Therefore, the limit approaches infinity.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Right-Hand Limit
A "right-hand limit" is a type of limit that examines the behavior of a function as the input value approaches a certain point from the right. In mathematical terms, this means considering what happens to a function as the variable \( x \) approaches a specific value from values greater than it or the positive side. We denote this situation using the notation \( x \to a^+ \), where \( a \) is the point of interest. For example, if \( x \to 0^+ \), it means we are seeing what happens when \( x \) approaches zero from right of zero or positive values close to zero.
- For example, the limit \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{1}{3x} \) focuses on values of \( x \) that are just slightly greater than zero.
- This is useful in determining the behavior of functions near points where they might not be defined or are discontinuous.
Infinite Limit
An "infinite limit" occurs when a function grows indefinitely as the input approaches a certain point. In the context of calculus, if as \( x \to a \), the function value gets larger and larger (positively or negatively), we say that the function approaches infinity.
Let's consider the function \( \frac{1}{3x} \). As \( x \) nears zero from the positive side, the expression \( 3x \) approaches zero. The fraction \( \frac{1}{3x} \) then rises to very large positive values because the denominator becomes extremely small while remaining positive. This phenomenon where the limit goes to infinity is expressed as \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{1}{3x} = \infty \).
Let's consider the function \( \frac{1}{3x} \). As \( x \) nears zero from the positive side, the expression \( 3x \) approaches zero. The fraction \( \frac{1}{3x} \) then rises to very large positive values because the denominator becomes extremely small while remaining positive. This phenomenon where the limit goes to infinity is expressed as \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{1}{3x} = \infty \).
- Infinite limits help us understand the vertical asymptotic behavior of a function.
- They point to places where the function increases or decreases without restriction as inputs approach a certain point.
Limit Notation
"Limit notation" is the concise language used in calculus to describe the tendency of a function as it approaches a particular input. It formalizes the concept of limits, encapsulating the idea of what value a function gets close to as the input variable heads towards a specified point.
For a limit approaching from the right, we use the notation \( \lim_{x \to a^+} f(x) \), indicating that \( x \) approaches \( a \) from greater values. For instance, \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{1}{3x} \) specifies that we are taking the limit of the function \( \frac{1}{3x} \) as \( x \) heads towards 0 from numbers larger than 0.
For a limit approaching from the right, we use the notation \( \lim_{x \to a^+} f(x) \), indicating that \( x \) approaches \( a \) from greater values. For instance, \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{1}{3x} \) specifies that we are taking the limit of the function \( \frac{1}{3x} \) as \( x \) heads towards 0 from numbers larger than 0.
- It provides a precise way to express mathematical ideas involving approximation and boundary behavior.
- This notation is not limited to just real numbers but can extend into more complex areas like multivariable calculus.