Calculate the following limits Part 1

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating limits, specifically focusing on expressions involving trigonometric functions and exponential decay as variables approach certain values. The original poster presents a limit involving a vector expression and seeks clarification on how to evaluate each component as the variable approaches infinity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the behavior of the terms in the limit as the variable approaches infinity, questioning how to demonstrate the limits of specific functions like \(\tan^{-1}(t)\) and \(e^{-2t}\). There is also discussion about the limit of \(\sin(t)/t\) as \(t\) approaches zero and the implications of using L'Hôpital's rule.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, raising questions about the limits of various functions and discussing the conditions under which L'Hôpital's rule can be applied. There is a mix of understanding and confusion regarding the limits being evaluated, with some participants providing guidance and references to external resources.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the original limit statement, particularly regarding the variable notation and the conditions for applying certain mathematical rules. There is a recognition of the need for clarity in the definitions and assumptions being used in the discussion.

bugatti79
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Homework Statement



[itex]lim \underset{x \rightarrow }{\infty} {\frac{1+t^2}{1-t^2}}i+tan^{-1}(t)j+\frac{1-e^{-2t}}{t}k[/itex]

First term = [itex]=\frac{1/t^2+1}{1/t^2-1}=-1[/itex]

How do I show the second term and also the e^(-2t) term?

Thanks
 
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Hi bugatti79! :smile:

What is the range of [itex]\tan^{-1}[/itex]?
If you don't know, you could for instance look it up in the definition of the tangent:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse_trigonometric_functions

Same for [itex]e^{-2t}[/itex].
What is the smallest value that it can take (but just can't reach)?
 
bugatti79 said:

Homework Statement



[itex]lim \underset{x \rightarrow }{\infty} {\frac{1+t^2}{1-t^2}}i+tan^{-1}(t)j+\frac{1-e^{-2t}}{t}k[/itex]
I don't understand the question. Is the limit as t --> infinity? You have x.
bugatti79 said:
First term = [itex]=\frac{1/t^2+1}{1/t^2-1}=-1[/itex]
If the limit is as t gets large, then yes.
bugatti79 said:
How do I show the second term and also the e^(-2t) term?
What do tan-1(t) and e-2t approach as t gets large?
 
bugatti79 said:
[itex]lim \underset{x \rightarrow }{\infty} {\frac{1+t^2}{1-t^2}}i+tan^{-1}(t)j+\frac{1-e^{-2t}}{t}k[/itex]

For this limit, use [ itex] \lim_{t \to \infty} ... [ /itex ]
 
Mark44 said:
For this limit, use [ itex] \lim_{t \to \infty} ... [ /itex ]

Ok. How about this one.

I know the sin (t) as t tends to 0 = 0 but then how is the (sin (t))/t as t tends to 0 =1?

Does y tend to 0 faster than sin(t) tends to 0?

Similarly for cos(t) / t...? Is the converse true, ie cos (t) tends to 0 faster than y tends to 0.

I.L.S, that is a good table in that wiki link. THanks.
 
bugatti79 said:
Ok. How about this one.

I know the sin (t) as t tends to 0 = 0 but then how is the (sin (t))/t as t tends to 0 =1?

Does y tend to 0 faster than sin(t) tends to 0?

Similarly for cos(t) / t...? Is the converse true, ie cos (t) tends to 0 faster than y tends to 0.

I.L.S, that is a good table in that wiki link. THanks.

Thanks!

You're moving on to a more complex limit.
Does that mean you got the other limits?

To find
[tex]\lim\limits_{t \to 0} {\sin t \over t}[/tex]
you should apply l'Hôpital's rule:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Hôpital's_rule
The article gives your limit as an example.

To answer your question, sin t and t approach 0 with equal speed.
 
bugatti79 said:
Is the converse true, ie cos (t) tends to 0 faster than y tends to 0.

Does cos(t) → 0 when t → 0 at all?
 
LCKurtz said:
Does cos(t) → 0 when t → 0 at all?

Sorry, that should be cos(t) to 1 as t to 0
 
I like Serena said:
Thanks!

You're moving on to a more complex limit.
Does that mean you got the other limits?

To find
[tex]\lim\limits_{t \to 0} {\sin t \over t}[/tex]
you should apply l'Hôpital's rule:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Hôpital's_rule
The article gives your limit as an example.

To answer your question, sin t and t approach 0 with equal speed.

Here is another example I am checking using different methods
[itex]\frac{1-t^2+3t^5}{t^2+4}[/itex] as t tends to 0

Method 1: Limit of the quotients is a quotient of the limits hence [itex]\frac{1-(0)^2+3(0)^5}{(0)^2+4}=\frac{1}{4}[/itex]

Method 2: [itex]\frac{f(t)}{g(t)}=\frac{f'(t)}{g'(t)}[/itex] as t tends to 0 implies [itex]\frac{15t^4-2t}{2t}[/itex] as t tends to 0 gives [itex]\frac{0}{0}[/itex]...?

Method 3: [itex]\frac{1/t^2-1/t^3+3}{1/t^3+4/t^5}=\frac{3}{0}[/itex]...?

I have seen each of these methods work correctly in other problems...whats going on?
 
  • #10
bugatti79 said:
Here is another example I am checking using different methods
[itex]\frac{1-t^2+3t^5}{t^2+4}[/itex] as t tends to 0

bugatti79 said:
Method 1: Limit of the quotients is a quotient of the limits hence [itex]\frac{1-(0)^2+3(0)^5}{(0)^2+4}=\frac{1}{4}[/itex]

This is correct.
bugatti79 said:
Method 2: [itex]\frac{f(t)}{g(t)}=\frac{f'(t)}{g'(t)}[/itex] as t tends to 0 implies [itex]\frac{15t^4-2t}{2t}[/itex] as t tends to 0 gives [itex]\frac{0}{0}[/itex]...?

L'Hôpital's rule is only applicable if nominator and denominator both approach zero, meaning you have the indeterminate form 0/0.
This is not the case now.
bugatti79 said:
Method 3: [itex]\frac{1/t^2-1/t^3+3}{1/t^3+4/t^5}=\frac{3}{0}[/itex]...?

This form only works if t approaches infinity, which it doesn't in this case.
 
  • #11
I like Serena said:
L'Hôpital's rule is only applicable if nominator and denominator both approach zero, meaning you have the indeterminate form 0/0.
This is not the case now.

Does this work for an indeterminate form of infinity over infinity also? Thanks
 
  • #12
bugatti79 said:
Does this work for an indeterminate form of infinity over infinity also? Thanks

Actually, yes it works, as you can see in the wiki article.
 

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