Are there more solutions than this? Limit Problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of limits, particularly the limit of the function $\sin(x)/x$ as $x$ approaches 0, and the implications of using Taylor series for justification. Participants also explore the validity of taking limits consecutively in multivariable contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the expression $\sin(x)/x$ does not equal 1 for all $x$, emphasizing that the relationship involves limits.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the validity of taking limits consecutively, with some participants questioning whether this holds true in general for continuous functions.
  • Participants propose using Taylor series to justify the limit of $\sin(x)/x$, presenting the expansion and concluding that the limit approaches 1 as $x$ approaches 0.
  • There is a discussion about splitting limits into products of limits, with some participants asserting that this is valid when both limits exist.
  • One participant summarizes the evaluation of the limit involving $\sin(x)$ and another variable, concluding with a specific numerical result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of certain limit operations and the interpretation of the limit of $\sin(x)/x$. No consensus is reached on the correctness of the limit-taking methods discussed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in the assumptions made about continuity and the conditions under which limits can be taken consecutively. There are unresolved questions regarding the general applicability of these limit properties.

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The answer is correct, but I have a couple of remarks. First, you wrote two times that $\sin(x)/x$ literally equals 1. In fact, $\sin(x)/x\ne1$ for all $x\in\mathbb{R}$. The familiar relationship between $\sin(x)/x$ and 1 always involves limits.

Second, in the last line you seem you use the fact that \[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(x_0,y_0)} f(x,y)=\lim_{y\to y_0} f\left(\lim_{x\to x_0} f(x,y), y\right)
\]
i.e., that you can take limits consecutively. I believe this is not even true in general when $f$ is continuous at $(x_0,y_0)$.
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
The answer is correct, but I have a couple of remarks. First, you wrote two times that $\sin(x)/x$ literally equals 1. In fact, $\sin(x)/x\ne1$ for all $x\in\mathbb{R}$. The familiar relationship between $\sin(x)/x$ and 1 always involves limits.

Second, in the last line you seem you use the fact that \[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(x_0,y_0)} f(x,y)=\lim_{y\to y_0} f\left(\lim_{x\to x_0} f(x,y), y\right)
\]
i.e., that you can take limits consecutively. I believe this is not even true in general when $f$ is continuous at $(x_0,y_0)$.
So, how would I rewrite this? I'm not really sure =/
 
If you want to justify $\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x$ using Taylor series, then you say that by Taylor's theorem,
\[
\sin x=x+\alpha(x)x
\]
where $\alpha(x)\to0$ as $x\to0$. Then $\sin(x)/x=1+\alpha(x)$, so
\[
\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x= \lim_{x\to0}(1+\alpha(x)) =\lim_{x\to0}1+ \lim_{x\to0}\alpha(x)=1
\]
Using small-o notation,
\[
\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x= \lim_{x\to0}(x+o(x))/x
=\lim_{x\to0}(1+o(1))=1
\]

Concerning the last line, I just wasn't sure what fact you relied on. You can split the limit into the product of limits because both of them exist.
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y\sin x}{x(y+1)} =
\left(\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{\sin x}{x}\right) \left(\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y}{y+1}\right)
\]
Now since both functions depend on only one argument, we can use
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(x_0,y_0)}f(x) =\lim_{x\to x_0}f(x)
\]
and similarly for $y$, which follow easily from the definition of limits. So,
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{\sin x}{x}= \lim_{x\to0}\frac{\sin x}{x}=1
\]
and
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y}{y+1}= \lim_{x\to1}\frac{y}{y+1}=\frac{1}{2}
\]

All in all,
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y\sin x}{x(y+1)} =
1\cdot\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{2}
\]
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
If you want to justify $\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x$ using Taylor series, then you say that by Taylor's theorem,
\[
\sin x=x+\alpha(x)x
\]
where $\alpha(x)\to0$ as $x\to0$. Then $\sin(x)/x=1+\alpha(x)$, so
\[
\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x= \lim_{x\to0}(1+\alpha(x)) =\lim_{x\to0}1+ \lim_{x\to0}\alpha(x)=1
\]
Using small-o notation,
\[
\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x= \lim_{x\to0}(x+o(x))/x
=\lim_{x\to0}(1+o(1))=1
\]

Concerning the last line, I just wasn't sure what fact you relied on. You can split the limit into the product of limits because both of them exist.
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y\sin x}{x(y+1)} =
\left(\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{\sin x}{x}\right) \left(\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y}{y+1}\right)
\]
Now since both functions depend on only one argument, we can use
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(x_0,y_0)}f(x) =\lim_{x\to x_0}f(x)
\]
and similarly for $y$, which follow easily from the definition of limits. So,
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{\sin x}{x}= \lim_{x\to0}\frac{\sin x}{x}=1
\]
and
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y}{y+1}= \lim_{x\to1}\frac{y}{y+1}=\frac{1}{2}
\]

All in all,
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y\sin x}{x(y+1)} =
1\cdot\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{2}
\]
That makes perfect sense ! Awesome thank you so much.
 

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