Proving the Limit of (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} as n Goes to Infinity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the limit of the expression (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} as n approaches infinity. Participants explore various methods to prove this limit, referencing concepts from calculus such as logarithms, L'Hôpital's rule, and the Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that as n becomes very large, the exponent approaches 0, leading to the conclusion that (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} approaches 1, but expresses uncertainty about the rigor of this reasoning.
  • Another participant provides a detailed manipulation of the expression, showing that (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} can be rewritten as (x^{1/x})^{1.5} and concludes that the limit is 1, while noting that the presentation might not be suitable for an exam.
  • A later reply questions the origin of the transformation to (x^{1/x})^{1.5}, prompting clarification that x is defined as 3n.
  • One participant corrects the spelling of the Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem and emphasizes its relevance to the discussion.
  • Another participant proposes an alternative method using logarithms and L'Hôpital's rule to evaluate the limit, arriving at the same conclusion of y = 1.
  • One participant affirms the correctness of the logarithmic method and highlights the utility of interchanging logarithms and limits.
  • Another participant confirms the application of L'Hôpital's rule to evaluate the limit of ln{x}/x as x approaches infinity, leading to the conclusion that it approaches 0.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While participants arrive at the same limit of 1, there are multiple approaches discussed, and no consensus is reached on the best method or presentation for proving the limit rigorously.

Contextual Notes

Some methods rely on the continuity of logarithmic functions and the application of L'Hôpital's rule, which may not be universally accepted or understood by all participants. The discussion also reflects varying levels of comfort with formal proof techniques.

semidevil
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find the limit

[tex](3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}}[/tex] as n goes to infinity

just by eyeballing, I know that as the nget sufficiently large, the limit of the exponent will get to 0. and 3n to the 0 will be one...

im' sure on the exam, this won't work, and I don't know how to give a precise proof of it. this is the chapter on subsequences and Bolzano-wiestress theorem, so I assume I need to use one of these concepts...but I don't know how...

any tips?
 
Last edited:
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[tex](3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} = (3n)^{\frac{1}{3n}\times \frac{3}{2}} = \left ((3n)^{\frac{1}{3n}}\right )^{1.5} = (x^{1/x})^{1.5}[/tex]

[tex]\lim _{x \to \infty} x^{1/x} = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp (\ln x^{1/x}) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp \left (\frac{\ln x}{x}\right ) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp \left (\frac{1/x}{1}\right ) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp (0) = 1[/tex]

[tex]\lim _{n \to \infty} (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} = 1^{1.5} = 1[/tex]

If you wrote the solution out exactly like this, you'd probably lose some marks, but the idea is right. You can figure out on your own how to write it out properly, I just did it this way to save time.
 
Last edited:
AKG said:
[tex](3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} = (3n)^{\frac{1}{3n}\times \frac{3}{2}} = \left ((3n)^{\frac{1}{3n}}\right )^{1.5} = (x^{1/x})^{1.5}[/tex]

[tex]\lim _{x \to \infty} x^{1/x} = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp (\ln x^{1/x}) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp \left (\frac{\ln x}{x}\right ) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp \left (\frac{1/x}{1}\right ) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp (0) = 1[/tex]

[tex]\lim _{n \to \infty} (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} = 1^{1.5} = 1[/tex]

If you wrote the solution out exactly like this, you'd probably lose some marks, but the idea is right. You can figure out on your own how to write it out properly, I just did it this way to save time.


thanx...great..but where did the

[tex](x^{1/x})^{1.5}[/tex]

come from?
 
x = 3n...
 
And one more thing:It's the theorem of Bolzano-WEIERSTRASS (sic)...

Daniel;
 
AKG said:
[tex](3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} = (3n)^{\frac{1}{3n}\times \frac{3}{2}} = \left ((3n)^{\frac{1}{3n}}\right )^{1.5} = (x^{1/x})^{1.5}[/tex]

[tex]\lim _{x \to \infty} x^{1/x} = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp (\ln x^{1/x}) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp \left (\frac{\ln x}{x}\right ) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp \left (\frac{1/x}{1}\right ) = \lim _{x \to \infty} \exp (0) = 1[/tex]

[tex]\lim _{n \to \infty} (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}} = 1^{1.5} = 1[/tex]

If you wrote the solution out exactly like this, you'd probably lose some marks, but the idea is right. You can figure out on your own how to write it out properly, I just did it this way to save time.
ok, but i think that i got another way
[tex]set y = \lim _{n \to \infty} (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}}[/tex]
we take = [tex]lny = ln( \lim _{n \to \infty} (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}})[/tex]
Since [tex]ln( \lim _{n \to \infty} (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}}) is continuous function[/tex]
--> [tex]lny = \lim _{n \to \infty}[ln (3n)^{\frac{1}{2n}}][/tex]
[tex]lny = \lim _{n \to \infty}[{\frac{ln3n}{2n}}][/tex]
[tex]infty/infty[/tex] -> use L'Hopital
[tex]lny = \lim _{n \to \infty}[{\frac{1}{2n}}][/tex]
--> lny = 0 -> y =1
 
The method is correct and so is the result.The trick with the commuting between "ln" (or "exp") and the limit is very useful & u proved it.

Daniel.
 
[tex]\lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} e^{\frac{\ln{x}}{x}} = e^{\lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} \frac{\ln{x}}{x}}[/tex]

and

[tex]\lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} \frac{\ln{x}}{x} = \lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} \frac{\frac{1}{x}}{1} = 0[/tex]

by l'Hopital.
 

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