Basic Limit Involving x-xcosx and sin^2(3x)

  • Thread starter skam74
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So why are you multiplying by csc?In summary, two different methods were used to solve for the limit of x-xcosx/sin^2(3x). The first method involved using the trigonometric identity sin^2x = (1-cos2x)/2 and simplifying the expression to eventually get the result of 0. The second method involved rewriting the expression as 2x*[sin(x/2)/sin(3x)]^2 and evaluating the limit to get the result of 0.
  • #1
skam74
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My answer is correct, but I feel like I might've taken an illegitimate route to get there. Can anyone verify? Many thanks in advance.

Homework Statement


[tex]\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}\frac{x-xcosx}{sin^{2}3x}[/tex]

Homework Equations


[tex]\sin ^{2}x = \frac{1-\cos 2x}{2}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{x}{\frac{y}{z}}=x\cdot \frac{z}{y}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}\frac{x-xcosx}{sin^{2}3x}[/tex]
[tex]=\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}\frac{(x-x)cosx}{(\cfrac{1-cos(6x)}{2})}[/tex]
[tex]=\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}\frac{(x-x)cosx}{1}\cdot\frac{2}{1-cos(6x)}[/tex]
[tex]=\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}2((x-x)cosx)\cdot(1-cos(6x))[/tex]
[tex]=2((0)cos0)\cdot(1-cos0)[/tex]
[tex]=2(0\cdot1)\cdot(1-1)[/tex]
[tex]=0[/tex]
 
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  • #2
skam74 said:
My answer is correct, but I feel like I might've taken an illegitimate route to get there. Can anyone verify? Many thanks in advance.

Homework Statement


[tex]\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}\frac{x-xcosx}{sin^{2}3x}[/tex]

Homework Equations


[tex]\sin ^{2}x = \frac{1-\cos 2x}{2}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{x}{\frac{y}{z}}=x\cdot \frac{z}{y}[/tex]



The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}\frac{x-xcosx}{sin^{2}3x}[/tex]
[tex]=\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}\frac{(x-x)cosx}{(\cfrac{1-cos(6x)}{2})}[/tex]
[tex]=\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}\frac{(x-x)cosx}{1}\cdot\frac{2}{1-cos(6x)}[/tex]
[tex]=\underset{x\rightarrow0}{\lim}2((x-x)cosx)\cdot(1-cos(6x))[/tex]
[tex]=2((0)cos0)\cdot(1-cos0)[/tex]
[tex]=2(0\cdot1)\cdot(1-1)[/tex]
[tex]=0[/tex]

The second line of (3) is wrong: you cannot write x - x*cos(x) as (x-x)*cos(x). However, you can write it as x*2*sin(x/2)^2, so your function is 2*x*[sin(x/2)/sin(3x)]^2.

RGV
 
  • #3
Never mind I see it now:

sin^2(3x) = sin^2(2x + x) = [cos(2x)sin(x) + sin(2x)cos(x)]^2

which ends up giving 0/4 = 0
 
  • #4
Just for fun I solved it using your idea as well:

[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\frac{x-xcosx}{sin^{2}3x}[/tex]
[tex]=\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\frac{x(1-cosx)}{sin^23x}[/tex]
[tex]=\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\frac{x(2sin^2(\frac{x}{2}))}{sin^23x}[/tex]
[tex]=\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\frac{xsinx}{\frac{2}{sin^23x}}[/tex]
[tex]=\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\frac{xsinx}{2}\cdot \frac{1}{sin^23x}[/tex]
[tex]=\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\frac{xsinx\cdot csc3x}{2}[/tex]
[tex]=\frac{0}{2}[/tex]
[tex]=0[/tex]
 
  • #5
Your last attempt has numerous errors in it, and I don't see how what you wrote in post #3 helps in evaluating the limit.
 
  • #6
vela said:
Your last attempt has numerous errors in it, and I don't see how what you wrote in post #3 helps in evaluating the limit.

Oops. Can you point me towards my errors in my last attempt?
 
  • #7
Going from the third to fourth lines, fifth to sixth lines. Finally, when evaluating the limit at the end, you seemed to pull a 0 out of nowhere. Cosecant diverges as x goes to 0, so you have an indeterminate form.
 

What is a basic limit?

A basic limit is a mathematical concept that describes the behavior of a function as the input approaches a certain value. It is used to determine the value that a function approaches as its input gets closer and closer to a specific value.

What is x-xcosx?

x-xcosx is a trigonometric function that represents the difference between x and the cosine of x. It is commonly used in calculus to calculate the slope of a curve at a specific point.

What is sin^2(3x)?

sin^2(3x) is a trigonometric function that represents the square of the sine of 3x. It is commonly used in calculus to calculate the area under a curve.

How do I calculate a limit involving x-xcosx and sin^2(3x)?

To calculate a limit involving x-xcosx and sin^2(3x), you can use algebraic manipulation and trigonometric identities to simplify the expression. Then, you can use limit laws and substitution to evaluate the limit.

What are some real-world applications of limits involving x-xcosx and sin^2(3x)?

Limits involving x-xcosx and sin^2(3x) can be used in various real-world applications, such as determining the trajectory of a projectile, calculating the speed and acceleration of an object in motion, and analyzing the behavior of electric circuits.

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