Can't understand how to compute this limit where x tends to infinity

DanB1993

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

This is a question from a past exam paper:

2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution

I really had no idea how to approach this but the solution is:
Hopefully someone can explain to me the method used to obtain this answer.
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data



2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution

HallsofIvy

It's a fairly standard technique- "infinity" is hard to deal with while "0" is very easy- so they have made use of the fact if x goes to infinity, 1/x goes to 0.

Starting from [itex](2x^3+ x)/(3x^2- 4x^3)[/itex], they have divided both numerator and denominator by the highest power of x, [itex]x^3[/itex], to get [itex](2+ 1/x^2)/(3/x- 4)[/itex] and then replaced "1/x" with "y": (2+y^2)/(3y- 4). Then, as x goes to infinity, y goes to 0 so that the limit is just (2+ 0)/(0- 4)= 2/(-4)= -1/2.

mtayab1994

Or at infinity you take the highest power in the numerator over the highest power in the denominator. In your case it would be 2x^3/-4x^3 and then x^3 will cancel out leaving you with -2/4 which is -1/2.

DanB1993

Thanks very much for that - very clear.

Thank you