Indeterminate forms and L'Hospital's Rule

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In summary, indeterminate forms are mathematical expressions that cannot be evaluated using basic algebraic techniques, such as substitution or factoring. L'Hospital's Rule is a calculus rule that provides a method for evaluating these forms by taking the limit of the quotient of the derivatives of the functions involved. This rule should only be used when the limit of the original quotient is indeterminate. The most common indeterminate forms are 0/0, ∞/∞, 0*∞, and ∞-∞, which often arise when evaluating limits involving polynomials, rational functions, or exponential and logarithmic functions. However, L'Hospital's Rule has limitations and can only be used for limits involving indeterminate forms, with different
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asimon2008
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Homework Statement



48. Lim (cscx- cotx)
x-0

52. lim (xe^1/x -x)
x-∞

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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What have you tries so far? 52. is unclear
 

Related to Indeterminate forms and L'Hospital's Rule

What are indeterminate forms?

Indeterminate forms are mathematical expressions that cannot be evaluated using basic algebraic techniques, such as substitution or factoring. These expressions often have variables in the denominator or involve limits approaching infinity or zero.

What is L'Hospital's Rule?

L'Hospital's Rule is a calculus rule that provides a method for evaluating indeterminate forms. It states that if the limit of a quotient of functions is indeterminate, the limit of the quotient of the derivatives of those functions will have the same value.

When should L'Hospital's Rule be used?

L'Hospital's Rule should only be used when the limit of a quotient of functions is indeterminate. It is not necessary to use this rule if the limit can be evaluated using basic algebraic techniques.

What are the common indeterminate forms?

The most common indeterminate forms are 0/0, ∞/∞, 0*∞, and ∞-∞. These forms often arise when evaluating limits involving polynomials, rational functions, or exponential and logarithmic functions.

Are there any limitations to L'Hospital's Rule?

Yes, there are limitations to L'Hospital's Rule. It can only be used for limits involving indeterminate forms, and the functions must be differentiable in the given interval. Additionally, it is important to double check the result obtained using L'Hospital's Rule, as it may not always give the correct answer.

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