Finding Lim Without L'Hospital: A Math Challenge

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the limit of a trigonometric function without using L'Hospital's rule. The final answer is 1/pi and can be obtained by rewriting the function and using common bounds for sin().
  • #1
medwatt
123
0
Hello.
I have been trying to find this limit:

Lim as x --> 1 of (sin((1-x)/2)*tan(Pi*x/2))

Of course I don't want to solve it using L'Hospital. I have tried several ways but ended up in one of these.

lim as y -->0 of (y*tan(pi/2-y*pi))

The answer when using L'Hospital is 1/pi.

How can I go about getting the same answer without using L'Hospital. Thanks.
 
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  • #2
= ##\sin\left(\frac{1-x}{2}\right) \frac{\sin(\pi x/2)}{\cos(\pi x/2)}##
sin(πx/2) goes to 1 and does not matter. With z=x/2-1/2 and z->0 this can be rewritten as
$$ \frac{-\sin\left(z\right)}{\cos(\pi z+\frac{\pi}{2})} = \frac{\sin\left(z\right)}{\sin(\pi z)}$$
You can use common upper and lower bounds for sin() to get the limit of that expression.
 

1. What is "Finding Lim Without L'Hospital: A Math Challenge"?

"Finding Lim Without L'Hospital: A Math Challenge" is a mathematical problem that involves finding the limit of a function without using L'Hospital's rule, which is a commonly used method for evaluating limits in calculus. This challenge requires creative and critical thinking skills to come up with alternative approaches to finding the limit.

2. Why is it important to be able to find a limit without using L'Hospital's rule?

While L'Hospital's rule is a useful tool for evaluating limits, there are certain situations where it may not work or may lead to incorrect results. Being able to find limits without relying on this rule can expand one's problem-solving abilities and lead to a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

3. What are some strategies for solving "Finding Lim Without L'Hospital: A Math Challenge"?

Some possible strategies for solving this challenge include using algebraic manipulations, graphing the function, using trigonometric identities, and applying the squeeze theorem. It may also be helpful to break the problem down into smaller parts or consider different cases.

4. Is it necessary to have a strong background in calculus to solve this challenge?

While a basic understanding of calculus is helpful in understanding the concept of limits, it is not necessary to have a strong background in calculus to solve "Finding Lim Without L'Hospital: A Math Challenge". This challenge is more about critical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than specific knowledge of calculus.

5. Are there any real-world applications for "Finding Lim Without L'Hospital: A Math Challenge"?

Yes, there are many real-world applications for finding limits without using L'Hospital's rule. For example, it can be used to determine the maximum or minimum capacity of a system, such as the maximum number of people that can be safely seated in a theater. It can also be used in physics to calculate the velocity or acceleration of an object at a specific point in time.

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