Help w/ Limit of x^(tan(x)) as x->0 from Right: 2

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of the expression x^(tan(x)) as x approaches 0 from the right. This involves concepts from calculus, particularly limits and logarithmic transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the use of logarithms to simplify the limit and discuss the application of L'Hôpital's rule. There are questions about the validity of the original poster's steps and the handling of indeterminate forms.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the original poster's reasoning, with some participants pointing out potential mistakes in the application of L'Hôpital's rule and the interpretation of logarithmic properties. Multiple interpretations of the limit are being explored, and guidance has been offered regarding the correct approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the expression involves an indeterminate form and question the assumptions made in the original calculations. There is a focus on ensuring that logarithmic properties are applied correctly in the context of limits.

SomeRandomGuy
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lim as x approaches 0 from the right of x^(tan(x))

I took the ln and got tan(x)ln(x), then made it ln(x)/(1/tan(x)) which = ln(x)/(cot(x)) and I could use L' Hospital's rule. I got (1/x)/(csc^2(x)) and made that (1/x)/(1/sin^2(x)). I then made that sin^2(x)/x and used L' Hospital's rule again to get the lim as x approaches 0 from the right of 2cos(x) which = 2. Am I right or wrong? :/
 
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You've made at least one mistake.
 
0^0 is not 1. :-p It's an indeterminate form.
 
Write [tex]L=\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} x^{\tan x}[/tex].
Then [tex]\log L =\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \tan x\log x = \lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \frac{\tan x}{\log x}= 0[/tex]
So L = e^0 = 1. There is no use for l'hospital's rule here.
 
0/0 is another indeterminate form. When you took the derivative of sin^2 x, you messed up (as well as forgot a negative sign which doesn't effect it). So instead of your top going to 2 it should go to 0.
 
Last edited:
Euclid said:
Write [tex]L=\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} x^{\tan x}[/tex].
Then [tex]\log L =\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \tan x\log x = \lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \frac{\tan x}{\log x}= 0[/tex]
So L = e^0 = 1. There is no use for l'hospital's rule here.

U've written something wrong.
Limit and logaritm commute.Use this property to show that:
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \ln(x^{\tan x}) = \lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\tan x\ln x[/tex]

I hope u can show that the logaritm of the limit is zero,and hence the initial limit is 1.

Daniel.
 
Cantari said:
0/0 is another indeterminate form. When you took the derivative of sin^2 x, I think you messed up (as well as forgot a negative sign which doesn't effect it). So instead of your top going to 2 it should go to 0.

Not to perform any differentiations on the sine squared use this trick
[tex]\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{\sin x}{x} =1[/tex].

Daniel.
 
Also I am not sure that you know that when you take the ln of this, you need to take the ln of the other side of the equals sign. So just assume that it equals y, then the answer is ln y = 0, which would be 1.
 
Cantari said:
Also I am not sure that you know that when you take the ln of this, you need to take the ln of the other side of the equals sign. So just assume that it equals y, then the answer is ln y = 0, which would be 1.

Which other side??Of course u apply logarithm on the both sides of the equation:
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} x^{\tan x} = L[/tex]
,where L is the limit and is the unknown.When u take logarithm,u should be stating:
[tex]\ln L=...=0[/tex]
,from where u get your result...


Daniel.
 
  • #10
... my comment was directed to the original poster as he said he got an answer of 2 and assumed that was the final answer. Which would not be the case even if 2 was what the right side came out to be due to the fact he took the log of the problem in the first step.
 

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