Chapter 2: Problem 79
If \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 4} \frac{f(x)-5}{x-2}=1,\) find \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 4} f(x).\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \lim _{x \rightarrow 4} f(x) = 5 \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
We are given the limit \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 4} \frac{f(x)-5}{x-2}=1 \) and need to find \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 4} f(x) \). This problem involves a limit that results in L'Hôpital's Rule since the expression is an indeterminate form \( \frac{0}{0} \).
02
Identify the Form of the Limit
The expression \( \frac{f(x)-5}{x-2} \) suggests that both the numerator \( f(x) - 5 \) and the denominator \( x - 2 \) approach zero as \( x \rightarrow 4 \). This implies \( f(x) - 5 \) must approach \( 0 \), meaning \( f(x) \) approaches some constant that needs to be determined.
03
Apply L'Hôpital's Rule
Since \( \frac{f(x)-5}{x-2} \) is a \( \frac{0}{0} \) form, we apply L'Hôpital's Rule. This states that the limit of \( \frac{f(x)-5}{x-2} \) is the same as the limit of \( \frac{f'(x)}{1} \) or \( f'(x) \) as \( x \to 4 \). However, L'Hôpital's Rule is not needed since the limit condition given is enough.
04
Set Up the Equation for the Limit
From \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 4} \frac{f(x)-5}{x-2}=1 \), it suggests the derivative condition \( \frac{f(x)-5}{x-4} = 1 \) can be written as \( f(x)-5 = 1(x-4) \).
05
Solve for f(x)
Solve the equation \( f(x)-5 = 1(x-4) \) to find \( f(x) = x - 4 + 5 = x + 1 \).
06
Find the Required Limit of f(x)
Evaluate \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 4} f(x) \) by substituting into \( f(x) = x + 1 \): \( \lim _{x \rightarrow 4} (x+1) = 4+1 = 5 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
L'Hôpital's Rule
L'Hôpital's Rule is a powerful tool in calculus used to evaluate limits that initially present as indeterminate forms. This rule applies to limits of the form \( \frac{0}{0} \) or \( \frac{\pm \infty}{\pm \infty} \). When faced with such a scenario:
- Differentiate the numerator and the denominator separately.
- Re-evaluate the limit using these derivatives.
Indeterminate Forms
Indeterminate forms occur when substituting values into a function's limit results in expressions that are not immediately clear or determinate. Common indeterminate forms include \( \frac{0}{0} \), \( \frac{\infty}{\infty} \), \( \infty - \infty \), \( 0 \times \infty \), among others.These forms are tricky because they do not provide enough information to determine a limit immediately. However:
- They signal the need for additional techniques like algebraic manipulation, L'Hôpital's Rule, or approximation methods.
- Analyzing the structure of the expressions involved helps decide which technique to use.
Limit Calculation
Calculating limits involves finding the value that a function approaches as the input (or variable) approaches a particular point. To find limits:
- Sometimes direct substitution suffices if the function is continuous at the point.
- For functions that result in an indeterminate form upon substitution, apply algebraic simplifications or rules like L'Hôpital's to find the answer efficiently.