Can We Use the Product Rule for Limits in This Scenario?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the product rule for limits, particularly in scenarios where one or more limits do not exist. Participants explore whether it is valid to separate limits in such cases and the implications of continuity and boundedness on the limits of products of functions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether it is permissible to state that lim(f(x)g(x)) = lim(f(x)) * lim(g(x)) when lim(f(x)) exists but lim(g(x)) does not.
  • One participant argues that if lim(f(x)) is continuous and lim(g(x)) is not, then lim(f(x)g(x)) cannot be continuous due to the boundedness of f(x) and the unboundedness of g(x).
  • Another participant suggests that the reasoning presented is merely a repetition of the multiplication of limits and does not contribute to solving the limit question.
  • A participant shares a personal experience regarding a limit problem on an exam, indicating that their approach of separating limits was penalized by their teacher.
  • Some participants caution against assuming the existence of limits when attempting to split them, noting that this can lead to incorrect conclusions.
  • There is a discussion about the distinction between a non-existing limit and an undefined limit, indicating some confusion or disagreement on terminology.
  • One participant acknowledges a mistake regarding the boundedness of a function and retracts their earlier statement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of separating limits when one does not exist. There is no consensus on the correct approach, and the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific examples and personal experiences that highlight the complexity of applying limit rules, but these examples do not resolve the broader question of the product rule's applicability in cases of non-existing limits.

MHD93
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Note: all the following limits are when x approaches some certain number

The question is: if lim(f(x)g(x)) doesn't exist, and lim(f(x)) = 1, and lim(g(x)) doesn't exist
then are we allowed to say that lim(f(x)g(x)) = lim(f(x)) * lim (g(x)) = 1 * lim(g(x)) = doesn't exist

or isn't that allowed in general

Thanks a lot
 
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if lim (f(x)) is continuous and lim (g(X)) is not then it follows that:
lim(f(x)*g(x)) is not continous...for the simple reason that f(x) is bounded and g(x) is not bounded...for e.g if f(x)= 1/n then its and n→∞ then the lim→0 and conversely for g(x)=n when n→∞ lim→∞
 
What you're saying is allowable, but I want to tell you that it's useless and makes absolutely no sense to repeat yourself 3 times. I'm not a pro on limits but you should understand what you're doing...

The simple reason is because all your doing is stating what is equal three times

lim(f(x)g(x) = lim(f(x)) *limg(x)) All you did was show us another way to write how to multiply a function

then you say that 1 * lim(g(x)) =doesn't exist

Of course not

if f(x) = 1 all you did was plug in a 1 instead of F(x)

You mine as well just said

lim(f(x)g(x)) = lim(f(x)) * lim (g(x)) = 1 * lim(g(x)) = limf(x) * limg(x) = lim(f(x)g(x))
^ If you would've just worked your way back around you would've made it.

Essentially all you did was substitution, but yeah not really a limit question more of a algebra question
 
SpeedOfDark said:
What you're saying is allowable, but I want to tell you that it's useless and makes absolutely no sense to repeat yourself 3 times. I'm not a pro on limits but you should understand what you're doing...

The simple reason is because all your doing is stating what is equal three times

lim(f(x)g(x) = lim(f(x)) *limg(x)) All you did was show us another way to write how to multiply a function

then you say that 1 * lim(g(x)) =doesn't exist

Of course not

if f(x) = 1 all you did was plug in a 1 instead of F(x)

You mine as well just said

lim(f(x)g(x)) = lim(f(x)) * lim (g(x)) = 1 * lim(g(x)) = limf(x) * limg(x) = lim(f(x)g(x))
^ If you would've just worked your way back around you would've made it.

Essentially all you did was substitution, but yeah not really a limit question more of a algebra question
spped,
was i right in my response...thanks and goodnight

chwala
 
Thanks guys

but I want to tell you that it's useless and makes absolutely no sense to repeat yourself 3 times

If you just knew why I asked this questions, you wouldn't have said that
I have a limit in my exam which is lim( ((x^2 - 2x +1) ^ 0.5) / (x(x-1))) as x approaches one
in the end the limit doesn't exist, what I did is separate this to two limits, one of which is lim 1/x
and continued my solution properly
without this separation I would have taken a full mark in my exam, but my teacher said it's not allowable because one of these limits doesn't exist,
so he took from me a mark and had given me a big bang :D

I'm insisting to convince him so help me ;)

thanks
 
The problem is, you're assuming what you want to prove.

Splitting up only works if you know that the limit already doesn't exist, in which case it defeats the purpose of the question. For example,

[tex] 1 = \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} 1 = \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{x}{x} = \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} x \cdot \frac{1}{x}[/tex]

If you split it it, you get one of the factors that doesn't exist, but the limit itself exists. You have to be more careful when making such algebra tricks, which is why your prof took off points. Too careless. : )
 
chwala said:
if lim (f(x)) is continuous and lim (g(X)) is not then it follows that:
lim(f(x)*g(x)) is not continous...for the simple reason that f(x) is bounded and g(x) is not bounded...for e.g if f(x)= 1/n then its and n→∞ then the lim→0 and conversely for g(x)=n when n→∞ lim→∞

Hey chwala.. probably u have to be more careful... u said f(x) has limit because it is bounded... now consider [tex](-1)^{n}[/tex] .. But I am sure what u've state about g(x) exisiting no limits before it is not bounded ..
 
icystrike said:
Hey chwala.. probably u have to be more careful... u said f(x) has limit because it is bounded... now consider [tex](-1)^{n}[/tex] .. But I am sure what u've state about g(x) exisiting no limits before it is not bounded ..

thanks you are right...(-1)^n is bounded by -1 and 1 but has no limit i.e if n→∞ the limit does not exist...i withdraw the statement on the boundedness of f(x).
 
l'Hôpital said:
The problem is, you're assuming what you want to prove.

Splitting up only works if you know that the limit already doesn't exist, in which case it defeats the purpose of the question. For example,

[tex] 1 = \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} 1 = \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{x}{x} = \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} x \cdot \frac{1}{x}[/tex]

If you split it it, you get one of the factors that doesn't exist, but the limit itself exists. You have to be more careful when making such algebra tricks, which is why your prof took off points. Too careless. : )

mustn't there be a difference between a non-existing limit and an undefined limit?
 
  • #10
please help me?

if limit f(x)=L and limit g(x)app infinity then
xapp a xapp a


prove by c,delta methodthat (f(x)+g(x)) approaches infinity when x approaches a


thanks
 

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