Exploring the Limit of an Infinity/Infinity Undeterminate Form

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter quasar987
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Form Limit
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating limits involving indeterminate forms, specifically the limit of an expression that results in an infinity/infinity form. Participants explore various approaches to simplify and resolve the limit, as well as related questions about limits and mathematical notation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the limit \(\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} \frac{2^{3n}}{3^{2n}}\) and claims the answer is zero, attempting to apply the sandwich theorem but finds challenges in establishing bounds.
  • Another participant rewrites the expressions \(2^{3n}\) and \(3^{2n}\) in terms of powers of 8 and 9, respectively, prompting a follow-up on the limit of \(\left( \frac{8}{9} \right)^n\) as \(n\) approaches infinity.
  • A participant provides a transformation of a limit involving square roots, suggesting the multiplication by the conjugate to simplify the expression.
  • There is a side discussion about the meaning of the abbreviation QED, with participants clarifying its interpretation in both English and French contexts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of confidence in their approaches to limits, with some agreeing on the steps to simplify expressions while others raise additional questions. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the initial limit problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' attempts to apply the sandwich theorem are noted as leading to infinity, indicating potential limitations in their approaches. The discussion also includes informal exchanges about notation and terminology.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and individuals interested in calculus, particularly those grappling with limits and indeterminate forms, may find the exchanges and methods discussed relevant.

quasar987
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Messages
4,796
Reaction score
32
[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} \frac{2^{3n}}{3^{2n}}[/tex]

The answer is zero. All I can do is turn this infinity/infinity undeterminate form into a 0 times infinity indeterminate form. I also tried finding a creature strictly bigger than [itex]\frac{2^{3n}}{3^{2n}}[/tex] that has zero for a limit so that the answer would follow from the "sandwich theorem". But all my attempts let to infinity. For instance,<br /> <br /> [tex]0\leq \frac{2^{3n}}{3^{2n}}\leq \frac{3^{3n}}{3^{2n}}=\frac{3^{2n}3^n}{3^{2n}}=3^n[/tex][/itex]
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
2^(3n) = (2^3)^n = 8^n and 3^(2n) = (3^2)^n = 9^n, so 2^(3n) / 3^(2n) = what?
 
[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} \left( \frac{8}{9} \right)^n=0[/tex]

Thanx a bunch!
 
Last edited:
Btw, [tex]\infty[/tex] is written \infty in LaTeX.
 
I would have another question for you if you don't mind.

The textbook says that

[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} \sqrt{2n+1} - \sqrt{2n}=\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}\frac{1}{\sqrt{2n+1}+\sqrt{2n}}[/tex]

What are the steps to get from one to the other?
 
Last edited:
Multiply [tex]\sqrt{2n + 1} - \sqrt{2n}[/tex] by its conjugate like so:

[tex]\sqrt{2n + 1} - \sqrt{2n} = (\sqrt{2n + 1} - \sqrt{2n}) \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2n + 1} + \sqrt{2n}}{\sqrt{2n + 1} + \sqrt{2n}}[/tex].

The top can then be simplified into 1...
 
Great!

Those were #1 a) and b) out of n) by the way. Wish me luck!
 
Is this from Courant's book?
 
No, it's from two Canadian people: Jaques Labelle and Armel Mercier.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
I'm using this somewhat dead thread to ask: What does QED means? D is probably for Demonstrated, but what about Q and E?

In french, it's CQFD, which translate into "That which had to be demonstrated."
 
  • #11
Close! It means "that which was to be shown" or "demonstrated."
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K