Derivatives & Limits: Solving "Does Not Exist

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around limits and derivatives, specifically focusing on evaluating limits that may not exist and finding differentials of functions. Participants are addressing problems involving exponential functions and polynomial expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to evaluate limits, including the limit of (e^(7x)-1)/x^2 as x approaches 0, and are discussing the application of L'Hopital's rule for indeterminate forms. There are questions about the correctness of their answers and the interpretation of limits approaching infinity.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using L'Hopital's rule and clarifying the limits involved. There is a recognition of differing interpretations regarding the limits, particularly concerning whether they exist or not, and some participants express confusion about their previous answers being marked incorrect.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework assignments, which may include specific formatting requirements for derivatives and limits. There is also mention of potential discrepancies between posted problems and textbook problems.

MitsuShai
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Homework Statement

lim (e^(7x)-1)/x^2
x-->0

The Attempt at a Solution



I typed in "does not exist" and it was wrong.
 
Last edited:
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MitsuShai said:

Homework Statement


1. Find the differential of the function (dy)
y=(x^4−7)^7

2. Evaluate.
lim (x+1)/(x^2+4x+3)
x-->3+


3.lim (e^(7x)-1)/x^2
x-->0

The Attempt at a Solution


1. I typed this in 7(x^4-7)^6 * 4x^3 and it was wrong, so I typed this in 28x^3(x^4-7)^6 and it was also wrong.
You are missing dx. The rest is correct.
MitsuShai said:
2. I got 1/6, and it was wrong. (I factored it out and canceled the common factors)
I get 1/6 for the limit as well.
MitsuShai said:
3. I typed in "does not exist" and it was wrong.
I get the same. For this problem, the right-hand limit is infinity and the left-hand limit is -infinity, so the two-sided limit does not exist.
MitsuShai said:
People are telling me my answers are right, but there is no away there could be this many errors on the homework...I really can't figure out what I am doing wrong.

I don't either. All I can suggest is to make sure the problems you posted here are the same ones that are in your book or wherever you got them.
 
2. I suspected as much! It's the limit as x approaches NEGATIVE three.
3. Use L'Hopital's rule...once
 
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Concerning #3,

Since [tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \frac{e^(7x)-1}{x^2} = \frac{0}{0}[/tex] (called an indeterminate), you have to use L'Hopital's rule, which states that [tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow c} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \lim_{x\rightarrow c} \frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}[/tex]

So, find the derivative of f(x) and g(x) and use apply the rule above.
 
The Chaz said:
2. I suspected as much! It's the limit as x approaches NEGATIVE three.
3. Use L'Hopital's rule...once

wow was that a stupid mistake and for number 3 people were telling me that I couldn't use l'hopital's rule that's why I didn't.

so here's what I got
1. for number one do I just have to put dx at the end? like this: 7(x^4-7)^6 * 4x^3 dx or like this 28x^3(x^4-7)^6 dx (it's my last chance to put the correct answer and I don't want to put the wrong thing in)
2. I factored it out and got lim 1/(x+3)
then I get 1/0..so does that mean positive infinity or something
3. this is what I did before: lim 7e^7x/2x = 7/0, so is that infinity?
Before I was thinking I should apply the rule twice because I get 7/0 and If I did apply it twice I get: lim 49e^(7x)/2= 49/2
 
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For #1 I would go with 28x^3(x^4 - 7)^6 dx, but the other expression is equal to this, so either should be marked as correct.

For #2, the limit is taken as x --> -3 from the right, so the limit is +infinity.

For #3, after applying L'Hopital's rule once you get 7e^(7x)/(2x) (which is what you show). Is the left side limit (x --> 0-) the same as the right side limit (x --> 0+)?
 
Mark44 said:
For #1 I would go with 28x^3(x^4 - 7)^6 dx, but the other expression is equal to this, so either should be marked as correct.

For #2, the limit is taken as x --> -3 from the right, so the limit is +infinity.

For #3, after applying L'Hopital's rule once you get 7e^(7x)/(2x) (which is what you show). Is the left side limit (x --> 0-) the same as the right side limit (x --> 0+)?

no, x --> 0- goes to negative infinity and x --> 0+ goes to positive infinity, so the limit does not exist, but I put "does not exist" and it was wrong...
 
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I don't see how that answer could be marked wrong. Can you talk to your instructor?

Are you supposed to write something like DNE?
 

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