Chapter 2: Problem 45
Find the limits in Exercises \(37-48\) $$ { a. }\lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{+}} \frac{2}{3 x^{1 / 3}} \quad \text { b. } \lim _{x \rightarrow 0^{-}} \frac{2}{3 x^{1 / 3}} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
a. \(+\infty\), b. \(-\infty\).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Function
We are given the function \( f(x) = \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \). This function involves \( x^{1/3} \), which is the cube root of \( x \). At \( x = 0 \), the cube root is undefined, so we need to consider the behavior as \( x \) approaches 0 from both the positive (right) and negative (left) directions.
02
Consider the Right-hand Limit
For the right-hand limit as \( x \to 0^+ \), we evaluate \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \). When \( x \) approaches 0 from the positive side, \( x^{1/3} \) approaches 0 from the positive side as well. This causes the expression \( \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \) to grow towards positive infinity. Thus, \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} = +\infty \).
03
Consider the Left-hand Limit
For the left-hand limit as \( x \to 0^- \), we evaluate \( \lim_{x \to 0^-} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \). When \( x \) approaches 0 from the negative side, \( x^{1/3} \) is the cube root of a negative number, which is negative. Hence, \( x^{1/3} \to 0^- \). Therefore \( \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \) approaches negative infinity. Thus, \( \lim_{x \to 0^-} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} = -\infty \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cube Root Function
A cube root function involves finding the number that, when multiplied by itself three times, gives the original number. In mathematical terms, the cube root of a number \( x \) is represented as \( x^{1/3} \), indicating the cube root operation. This function is particularly interesting because unlike square roots, cube roots can produce both positive and negative results depending on the sign of \( x \).
- For positive \( x \), the cube root is positive. For example, \( 8^{1/3} = 2 \).- For negative \( x \), the cube root remains negative, such as with \( (-8)^{1/3} = -2 \).
This ability to handle negative inputs while remaining functionally correct is crucial for understanding behavior as \( x \) approaches zero from either side, as it allows us to evaluate both right-hand limits and left-hand limits effectively.
- For positive \( x \), the cube root is positive. For example, \( 8^{1/3} = 2 \).- For negative \( x \), the cube root remains negative, such as with \( (-8)^{1/3} = -2 \).
This ability to handle negative inputs while remaining functionally correct is crucial for understanding behavior as \( x \) approaches zero from either side, as it allows us to evaluate both right-hand limits and left-hand limits effectively.
Right-hand Limit
The right-hand limit describes how a function behaves as \( x \) approaches a certain value from the right, or the positive side. In the context of the exercise, we need to determine \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \). This means we're interested in what happens to this expression as \( x \) gets closer to zero from values slightly greater than zero.
As \( x \to 0^+ \):
As \( x \to 0^+ \):
- The expression \( x^{1/3} \) becomes very small and positive, as it's the cube root of a small positive number.
- Consequently, \( \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \) becomes very large, as we're dividing by a very small positive number, causing the overall value to trend towards positive infinity.
Left-hand Limit
The left-hand limit examines how a function behaves as \( x \) approaches a certain value from the left, or the negative side. In our exercise, we seek \( \lim_{x \to 0^-} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \). This involves exploring the function as \( x \) nears zero from slightly negative numbers.
Key elements include:
Key elements include:
- As \( x \to 0^- \): The term \( x^{1/3} \) transforms into a small negative number since the cube root of a negative value remains negative.
- Therefore, \( \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \) produces a large negative result. Dividing by such a small negative value drives the expression toward negative infinity.
Infinite Limits
Infinite limits occur when a function grows larger and larger without bound as \( x \) approaches a particular value. In the exercise, both right-hand and left-hand limits as \( x \to 0 \) exhibit infinite behavior, but in opposite directions.
- For \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \), the function increases towards positive infinity.- In contrast, \( \lim_{x \to 0^-} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \) drives the function towards negative infinity.
This unbounded growth or decline signifies an infinite limit, crucial in understanding discontinuities and asymptotic behavior in functions. Infinite limits highlight instances where a function does not approach a finite value but instead continually escalates or descends in magnitude.
- For \( \lim_{x \to 0^+} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \), the function increases towards positive infinity.- In contrast, \( \lim_{x \to 0^-} \frac{2}{3x^{1/3}} \) drives the function towards negative infinity.
This unbounded growth or decline signifies an infinite limit, crucial in understanding discontinuities and asymptotic behavior in functions. Infinite limits highlight instances where a function does not approach a finite value but instead continually escalates or descends in magnitude.