Chapter 7: Problem 6
Which of the following functions grow faster than \(\ln x\) as \(x \rightarrow \infty ?\) Which grow at the same rate as \(\ln x ?\) Which grow slower? a. \(\log _{2}\left(x^{2}\right)\) b. \(\log _{10} 10 x\) c. \(1 / \sqrt{x}\) d. \(1 / x^{2}\) e. \(x-2 \ln x\) f. \(e^{-x}\) g. \(\ln (\ln x)\) h. \(\ln (2 x+5)\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Identify the Type of Growth
Analyze \( a. \log _{2}(x^{2}) \)
Analyze \( b. \log _{10}(10x) \)
Analyze \( c. \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}} \)
Analyze \( d. \frac{1}{x^{2}} \)
Analyze \( e. x-2 \ln x \)
Analyze \( f. e^{-x} \)
Analyze \( g. \ln(\ln x) \)
Analyze \( h. \ln(2x+5) \)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Growth Rates
- For instance, polynomial functions such as \(x^2\) have a higher growth rate than linear functions like \(x\).
- Exponentials, such as \(e^x\), grow even faster than polynomial functions.
- On the other hand, logarithmic functions like \(\ln x\) grow slower than linear functions but faster than functions that approach zero like \(\frac{1}{x}\).
Asymptotic Behavior
Understanding asymptotic behavior involves:
- Identifying which terms in a function become negligible as \(x\) becomes very large.
- Recognizing dominant terms guiding the function's growth over time.
- Determining if two functions might "behave similarly" by checking if their dominant terms match.
Comparison of Functions
When comparing functions:
- Functions like \(x - 2 \ln x\) might initially seem complex. Yet, when you identify \(x\) as the dominant term, it becomes clear this function grows faster than \(\ln x\).
- Contrastingly, functions like \(\ln(\ln x)\) show their slower-growing nature immediately, due to the additional logarithmic layer, which significantly diminishes growth.
- Through comparison, discovering such subtleties aids in identifying which functions hold their own as inputs grow ever larger.