How to Prove This Limit with Cube and Fourth Roots?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of a function involving cube and fourth roots as \( n \) approaches infinity. Participants explore various methods to simplify and prove that the limit approaches zero, focusing on algebraic manipulation and bounding techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the limit can be shown to approach zero but struggles to provide a rigorous proof.
  • Another participant proposes using polynomial division to simplify the numerator and denominator, indicating that this method should make the limit easier to evaluate.
  • A later reply reiterates the polynomial division approach and presents a complex expression derived from it, expressing difficulty in simplifying further due to indeterminate forms.
  • One participant expresses frustration with limits involving higher degree roots, questioning how to approach such problems.
  • Another participant attempts to bound the limit by transforming the expression and argues that it can be shown to approach zero based on the behavior of the terms involved.
  • There is a suggestion to eliminate the differences in both the numerator and denominator to facilitate evaluation, with a claim that the leading order behavior can be determined.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to prove the limit, with multiple competing approaches and some expressions of uncertainty regarding the simplification process.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the complexity of handling higher degree roots and the potential for indeterminate forms, indicating that certain assumptions or steps may be necessary for a complete evaluation.

twoflower
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Hi guys, I have another limit I can't move with. Well, I guess it goes to zero, but can't show a bulletproof evidence:

[tex] \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{ \sqrt[4]{n + 2} - \sqrt[4]{n + 1}}{ \sqrt[3]{n + 3} - \sqrt[3]{n}}[/tex]

Even after I got rid of denominator, I can't find some known lemma to show that this limit is really 0. Will somebody help me to find any?

Thank you.
 
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1. For your numerator:
Set:
[tex]a=\sqrt[4]{n+2}[/tex]
[tex]b=\sqrt[4]{n+1}[/tex]
Show that (for example by polynomial division):
[tex]a^{4}-b^{4}=(a-b)(a^{3}+a^{2}b+ab^{2}+b^{3})[/tex]
2. Use a similar technique for your denominator.
It should now be quite simple to evaluate your limit.
 
arildno said:
1. For your numerator:
Set:
[tex]a=\sqrt[4]{n+2}[/tex]
[tex]b=\sqrt[4]{n+1}[/tex]
Show that (for example by polynomial division):
[tex]a^{4}-b^{4}=(a-b)(a^{3}+a^{2}b+ab^{2}+b^{3})[/tex]
2. Use a similar technique for your denominator.
It should now be quite simple to evaluate your limit.

Yes I used this method to get rid of denominator, hence I got this:

[tex] \frac{1}{3} \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \left( \sqrt[4]{n+2}.\sqrt[3]{(n+3)^2} + \sqrt[4]{n+2}.\sqrt[3]{n^2+3n} + \sqrt[4]{n+2}.\sqrt[3]{n^2} - \sqrt[4]{n+1}.\sqrt[3]{(n+3)^2} - \sqrt[4]{n+1}.\sqrt[3]{n^2+3n} - \sqrt[4]{n+1}.\sqrt[3]{n^2} \right)[/tex]

I tried to divide it somehow with the largest term but the only thing I got were undeterminate forms like [itex]0. \infty[/itex]
 
please... i don't know how to solve the limits that its denominator is from 8th or 5th or...etc degree! what should i do to solve such a quesion?!
 
Let's take a second look at that limit:

[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} ((n+2)^{\frac{1}{4}}-(n+1)^{\frac{1}{4}})\frac{1}{3}((n+3)^{\frac{2}{3}}+(n)^{\frac{1}{3}}(n+3)^{\frac{1}{3}}+n^{\frac{2}{3}})[/tex]

Can be bounded above since [itex](n+3)^\frac{1}{3}>(n)^\frac{1}{3}[/itex]
[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} ((n+2)^{\frac{1}{4}}-(n+1)^{\frac{1}{4}})(n+3)^{\frac{2}{3}}[/tex]
But that's equal to
[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} \frac{(n+3)^{\frac{2}{3}}}{((n+2)^\frac{1}{4}+(n+1)^\frac{1}{4})((n+2)^\frac{1}{2}+(n+1)^\frac{1}{2})}[/tex]
which is bounded above by
[tex]\lim_{n \rightarrow\infty} \frac{(n+3)^{\frac{2}{3}}}{4(n+1)^\frac{3}{4}}[/tex]
Which has a larger exponet on bottom, so it goes to zero.
 
twoflower said:
Yes I used this method to get rid of denominator, hence I got this:

[tex] \frac{1}{3} \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \left( \sqrt[4]{n+2}.\sqrt[3]{(n+3)^2} + \sqrt[4]{n+2}.\sqrt[3]{n^2+3n} + \sqrt[4]{n+2}.\sqrt[3]{n^2} - \sqrt[4]{n+1}.\sqrt[3]{(n+3)^2} - \sqrt[4]{n+1}.\sqrt[3]{n^2+3n} - \sqrt[4]{n+1}.\sqrt[3]{n^2} \right)[/tex]

I tried to divide it somehow with the largest term but the only thing I got were undeterminate forms like [itex]0. \infty[/itex]
But this is not at all what you should do!
You should get rid of the difference both in the denominator AND numerator.
Then you'll end up with:
[tex]\frac{(n+3)^{\frac{2}{3}}+(n+3)^{\frac{1}{3}}n^{\frac{1}{3}}+n^{\frac{2}{3}}}{3((n+2)^{\frac{3}{4}}+(n+2)^{\frac{2}{4}}(n+1)^{\frac{1}{4}}+(n+2)^{\frac{1}{4}}(n+1)^{\frac{2}{4}}+(n+1)^{\frac{3}{4}})}[/tex]
This is easy to evaluate, the leading order behavior is [tex]\frac{1}{4n^{\frac{1}{12}}}, n\to\infty[/tex]
 
Last edited:

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