Chapter 2: Problem 80
Find the limits in Exercises \(80-86\). $$\lim _{x \rightarrow \infty}(\sqrt{x+9}-\sqrt{x+4})$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The limit is 0 as \( x \) approaches infinity.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
We need to evaluate the limit \( \lim_{x \to \infty}(\sqrt{x+9} - \sqrt{x+4}). \) The expression involves square roots and a difference of terms as \( x \) approaches infinity.
02
Rationalize the Expression
To simplify the limit, multiply the expression by the conjugate over itself: \( \frac{\sqrt{x+9} - \sqrt{x+4}}{1} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{x+9} + \sqrt{x+4}}{\sqrt{x+9} + \sqrt{x+4}}.\)
03
Simplify the Numerator
Multiply the expression inside the limit: \( \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{(\sqrt{x+9} - \sqrt{x+4})(\sqrt{x+9} + \sqrt{x+4})}{\sqrt{x+9} + \sqrt{x+4}}.\) The numerator becomes \((x+9) - (x+4) = 5.\)
04
Simplify the Denominator
The limit now is \( \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{5}{\sqrt{x+9} + \sqrt{x+4}}.\) To simplify further, factor \( x \) from each square root, we have \( \sqrt{x(1 + 9/x)} + \sqrt{x(1 + 4/x)} \).
05
Evaluate the Limit
As \( x \to \infty,\) \( \sqrt{1 + 9/x} \to 1 \) and \( \sqrt{1 + 4/x} \to 1.\) Therefore, the limit reduces to \( \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{5}{\sqrt{x}(\sqrt{1 + 9/x} + \sqrt{1 + 4/x})} = 0. \) This is because \( \frac{5}{\sqrt{x}(2)} \to 0 \) as \( x \) approaches infinity.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Rationalization technique
The rationalization technique is a mathematical tool used to simplify expressions, often involving square roots. It's particularly useful when dealing with limits where direct substitution leads to indeterminacy. By rationalizing, you replace a square root term with its conjugate, helping eliminate these roots and simplifying the computation.In our given problem, we start with \( \lim_{x \to \infty}(\sqrt{x+9} - \sqrt{x+4}) \). The direct approach of trying to substitute \( \infty \) will not work directly due to the roots. Here is where rationalization comes in handy:
- Multiply the expression by the conjugate of the numerator: \((\sqrt{x+9} + \sqrt{x+4})\).
- The purpose is to transform \( (\sqrt{x+9} - \sqrt{x+4})(\sqrt{x+9} + \sqrt{x+4}) \) into a square difference.
- By multiplying these, you obtain \((x+9) - (x+4) = 5\), dramatically simplifying the expression.
Infinity limit
One key aspect of solving limits is understanding how they behave as they approach infinity. A limit at infinity explores the behavior of functions as the variable grows indefinitely large. This could often give us insight into the long-term behavior or 'end' behavior of the function.In this exercise, we're examining \( \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{5}{\sqrt{x+9} + \sqrt{x+4}} \). This means we're interested in knowing what happens to the fraction as \( x \) tends toward infinity:
- As \( x \) becomes very large, the expressions \( \sqrt{x+9} \) and \( \sqrt{x+4} \) both closely resemble \( \sqrt{x} \).
- Hence, the denominator can be approximated as \( \sqrt{x}(\sqrt{1 + 9/x} + \sqrt{1 + 4/x}) \).
- Both terms \( \sqrt{1 + 9/x} \) and \( \sqrt{1 + 4/x} \) tend toward 1, simplifying the entire denominator to resemble \( \sqrt{x}(2) \).
Simplifying square roots
Simplifying square roots is fundamental when dealing with expressions involving limits and irrational numbers. It's a process aimed at transforming complicated root expressions into a more recognizable and workable form.During the calculation of our limit, we come across terms like \( \sqrt{x+9} \) and \( \sqrt{x+4} \), which at first glance seem difficult to handle, especially as we consider infinity. Here's how simplifying works:
- Rewrite \( \sqrt{x+9} \) using factoring within the root: \( \sqrt{x(1 + 9/x)} \).
- Similarly, \( \sqrt{x+4} \) becomes \( \sqrt{x(1 + 4/x)} \).
- As \( x \to \infty \), both \( 9/x \) and \( 4/x \) trend towards 0. Hence, \( \sqrt{1 + 9/x} \) and \( \sqrt{1 + 4/x} \) each simplify to approximately 1.