Does g(x) Approach Infinity Given f(x)'s Limit and Inequality Conditions?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a limit statement involving two functions, f(x) and g(x). Specifically, it addresses the condition that if the limit of f(x) as x approaches a is infinity and g(x) is greater than or equal to f(x) for all real x, then the limit of g(x) as x approaches a should also be infinity. The subject area includes concepts from calculus, particularly limits and epsilon-delta definitions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the epsilon-delta definition of limits and how it applies to both functions. Some express uncertainty about their reasoning, particularly regarding the implications of the inequalities between f(x) and g(x). Others explore the necessity of using epsilon-delta arguments in this context and question whether the divergence of both functions to infinity can be established without it.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their reasoning and questioning each other's interpretations. Some guidance has been offered, particularly in clarifying the relationship between the limits of f(x) and g(x). However, there is no explicit consensus on the best approach or the correctness of the reasoning presented.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted concern about the correctness of the initial attempts, with participants indicating that they may have misunderstood the implications of the limit definitions. The discussion also highlights the potential confusion surrounding the use of epsilon in this scenario.

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Homework Statement


Prove: If the Limit as x goes to a of f(x)=infinity and g(x)>or equal to f(x) for all x in the reals, then limit as x goes to a of g(x) is inf


Homework Equations


using delta epsilon


The Attempt at a Solution


for all e>0 there exist a delta>0 s.t g(x)<e now using lim of f(x) goes to infinity means there is an M>0, there exists a delta>0 we get f(x)>M so for 0<|x-a|<delta we have f(x)>M=e so therefore since g(x) is greater than f(x), we have that g(x)<e. This is probably wrong, so any help is greatly appreciated
 
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Math_Geek said:

Homework Statement


Prove: If the Limit as x goes to a of f(x)=infinity and g(x)>or equal to f(x) for all x in the reals, then limit as x goes to a of g(x) is inf


Homework Equations


using delta epsilon


The Attempt at a Solution


for all e>0 there exist a delta>0 s.t g(x)<e now using lim of f(x) goes to infinity means there is an M>0, there exists a delta>0 we get f(x)>M so for 0<|x-a|<delta we have f(x)>M=e so therefore since g(x) is greater than f(x), we have that g(x)<e. This is probably wrong, so any help is greatly appreciated


Ok, this is simmilar to the previous one.
what we need to show is that:

[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow a}g(x)=\infty[/tex], in epsilon delta language, this means :
that for any M>0, [tex]\exists\delta>0[/tex] such that whenever [tex]0<|x-a|<\delta[/tex] we have [tex]g(x)>M[/tex]--------------(*)


we know that: [tex]g(x)\geq f(x), \forall xE R[/tex], and we also know that

[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow a}f(x)=\infty[/tex]

in [tex]\epsilon,\delta[/tex] language this actually means

For any M>0, [tex]\exists\delta>0[/tex] such that whenever [tex]0<|x-a|<\delta[/tex], (lets supposte that this M is the same as that used in (*). Or if we wish not so, we can simply chose their maximum. ) we have [tex]f(x)>M[/tex]. But from here since

[tex]g(x)\geq f(x), \forall xE R[/tex], it means that [tex]g(x)\geq f(x)[/tex] also for x-s within the interval [tex](a-\delta,a+\delta)[/tex].

Following this line of reasoning we have that

For any M>0,[tex]\exists\delta>0[/tex], such that whenever [tex]0<|x-a|<\delta[/tex], we have [tex]g(x)\geq f(x)>M[/tex], which actually means nothing else but that:

[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow a}g(x)=\infty[/tex]


Hope this helps..
 
You, do not have to use epsilon in this case, since both these functions, g, f, obviously diverge to infinity. The expression [tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow a}g(x)=\infty[/tex]
simply tells us that the function g increases without bound, and nothing else. It does not say that g(x) equal infinity, since that does not make sense.
 
Math_Geek said:
1. we have that g(x)<e.

YOu got it right up to this point.
 
… by George, she's got it … !

Math_Geek said:
For all e>0 there exist a delta>0 s.t g(x)<e now using lim of f(x) goes to infinity means there is an M>0, there exists a delta>0 we get f(x)>M so for 0<|x-a|<delta we have f(x)>M=e so therefore since g(x) is greater than f(x), we have that g(x)<e. This is probably wrong, so any help is greatly appreciated

Hi Michelle! :smile:

Well … actually … you've got it right! :smile:

(except, of course, that you should have written "g(x) > e" in the first and last lines! and M = e, so you didn't need both … :redface:)

Now write it out in proper English!
 

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