Trouble with the following limit

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit \(\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} 2^n \arcsin \frac{k}{2^n u_{n}}\), where \(k\) is a constant and \(u_n\) converges to a constant \(u\). Participants explore different approaches to understand why the limit evaluates to \(\frac{k}{u}\) as stated in the book.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using L'Hôpital's rule and a substitution \(k/(2^n u_n) = \sin(x)\) to evaluate the limit.
  • Another participant discusses the approximation \(\arcsin(x) \approx x\) for small \(x\), emphasizing that this is valid when \(x\) approaches 0.
  • There is a reiteration of the approximation of \(\arcsin(x)\) and its relationship to the sine function, noting that \(\arcsin(\sin(x)) = x\) by definition.
  • A participant mentions the importance of considering higher-order terms in the expansion of \(\arcsin(x)\), specifically stating that \(\arcsin(x) = x + O(x^3)\).
  • One participant expresses initial skepticism about the book's answer but later acknowledges clarity after engaging with the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the evaluation of the limit, as some propose different methods and approximations without agreeing on a single approach. There is a mix of agreement on certain approximations but no definitive resolution on the overall limit evaluation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of small-angle approximations and higher-order terms in the context of the limit, indicating that assumptions about the behavior of \(\arcsin\) near zero are critical to the discussion.

devious_
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I'm having trouble with the following limit:
[tex]\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} 2^n \arcsin \frac{k}{2^n u_{n}} \text{, where \emph{k} is constant.}[/tex]

I'm given that [itex]\lim u_{n} = u[/itex], where u is constant.

Apparently the book says the answer is [itex]\frac{k}{u}[/itex], but I can't figure out why.
 
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Le Hopital's rules works well.
so does the substitution k/(2^n un)=sin(x)
if you have
lim x->0 sin(x)/x=1 as a known limit
 
Ok:
1. We have that [tex]arcsin(x)\approx{x},|x|<<1[/tex],
that is, when x is close to 0, arcsine is practically equal to x.
If you are unsure about it, remember that the SINE function sin(x) is practically equal to x when x is close to 0 (measured in radians, that is).
But:
Since arcsine is the inverse of sine we have:
[tex]arcsin(\sin(x))=x[/tex]
by definition of the inverse.
For SMALL x's, we may replace sin(x) with x, and gets:
[tex]arcsin(x)\approx{x}[/tex]
which is what we claimed..

2. Now, you should be able to do the rest..
 
Last edited:
arildno said:
Ok:
1. We have that [tex]arcsin(x)\approx{x},|x|<<1[/tex],
that is, when x is close to 0, arcsine is practically equal to x.
If you are unsure about it, remember that the SINE function sin(x) is practically equal to x when x is close to 0 (measured in radians, that is).
But:
Since arcsine is the inverse of sine we have:
[tex]arcsin(\sin(x))=x[/tex]
by definition of the inverse.
For SMALL x's, we may replace sin(x) with x, and gets:
[tex]arcsin(x)\approx{x}[/tex]
which is what we claimed..

2. Now, you should be able to do the rest..

That works, but it is important to recall
Arcsin(x)=x+O(x^3)
lest one get confused when confronted with something like
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\frac{\sin^{-1}(x)-\sin(x)}{x^3}=\frac{1}{3}[/tex]
 
lurflurf said:
That works, but it is important to recall
Arcsin(x)=x+O(x^3)
lest one get confused when confronted with something like
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\frac{\sin^{-1}(x)-\sin(x)}{x^3}=\frac{1}{3}[/tex]
Since it worked (hooray! it worked!), I didn't see any reason why I should load upon OP more than he needed.

And, if we are in need of the higher-order terms of arcsine, we can readily find them by inverting the power series of sine by the method of successive substitutions (or compute that Taylor series of arcsine otherwise, or look it up in a ready-made formula book etc.).
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys. I was so determined that the book was wrong that I refused to think about this clearly. :)
 

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