Evaluate Limit Using L'Hopital's Rule

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a limit using L'Hôpital's Rule, specifically the limit as x approaches 9 from the right of the expression (1/(x-9) - 1/ln(x-8)). The participants are exploring the application of L'Hôpital's Rule to resolve an indeterminate form.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to apply L'Hôpital's Rule after identifying a 0/0 indeterminate form. There are discussions about re-expressing the limit as a single fraction and taking derivatives of the numerator and denominator. Some participants question the algebraic steps taken and suggest corrections.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on algebraic manipulation and derivative calculations. There is a recognition of the need for clarity in notation and the importance of showing all steps in the work. Multiple interpretations of the limit and its derivatives are being explored, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules that require them to show their reasoning and steps without providing complete solutions. There is an emphasis on correcting misunderstandings and clarifying the application of mathematical rules.

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Homework Statement


evaluate the limit using l'hospital's rule.

Homework Equations


limit x->9+ (1/(x-9) - 1/ln(x-8))

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried taking the derivative of the numerator and denominator in each, getting 0 as an answer, but it wasn't correct.
 
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whatlifeforme said:

Homework Statement


evaluate the limit using l'hospital's rule.


Homework Equations


limit x->9+ (1/(x-9) - 1/ln(x-8))


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried taking the derivative of the numerator and denominator in each, getting 0 as an answer, but it wasn't correct.

Reexpress that as a single fraction then |'Hopital's Rule becomes valid.
 
ln(x-8) - x - 9
------------------ 0/9 ---> should be zero right?
x - 9ln(x-8)


anyways, apply l'hospital's (take derivative of numerator and denominator):


(1/x-8) - 1
------------ = 0/-8 = 0
1 - 9(1/x-8)


answer should be, but i can't figure out how: (-1/2)
 
whatlifeforme said:
ln(x-8) - x - 9
------------------ 0/9 ---> should be zero right?
x - 9ln(x-8)
Be careful with your algebra. I'm getting
[tex]\frac{\ln (x-8) - x + 9}{(x - 9)\ln(x - 8)}[/tex]
Of course, as x approaches 9 from the right the fraction goes to 0/0.
 
whatlifeforme said:
ln(x-8) - x - 9
------------------ 0/9 ---> should be zero right?
x - 9ln(x-8)


anyways, apply l'hospital's (take derivative of numerator and denominator):


(1/x-8) - 1
------------ = 0/-8 = 0
1 - 9(1/x-8)


answer should be, but i can't figure out how: (-1/2)

I really wish you would write things using more parentheses where needed. You have (log(x-8)-(x-9))/((x-9)*log(x-8)). The denominator is a product. Use the product rule. You'll should get another 0/0 limit. That just means you should use l'Hopital again.
 
now I'm getting 1 as the answer, after correcting my algebra, and applying l'hospital's again.

(1/(-x+8)^2)
lim(x->9+ ------------------
(x-9)(1/(-x+8)^2) + (1/(x-8)) - 9ln(x-8)
= (1/1)/1
 
whatlifeforme said:
now I'm getting 1 as the answer, after correcting my algebra, and applying l'hospital's again.

(1/(-x+8)^2)
lim(x->9+ ------------------
(x-9)(1/(-x+8)^2) + (1/(x-8)) - 9ln(x-8)
= (1/1)/1

You should also show all steps in your work, not just the last one. It's harder to detect where you went wrong. You should also learn LaTeX -- it's very hard to read what you wrote above.

What did you get when you took the first derivative? Before taking the second derivative, you should simplify the expression by multiplying top and bottom by (x - 8). That way you won't have to deal with complex fractions.
 
eumyang said:
You should also show all steps in your work, not just the last one. It's harder to detect where you went wrong. You should also learn LaTeX -- it's very hard to read what you wrote above.

What did you get when you took the first derivative? Before taking the second derivative, you should simplify the expression by multiplying top and bottom by (x - 8). That way you won't have to deal with complex fractions.

sorry i cna't figure the latex out.1. limit x->9+ (1/(x-9) - 1/ln(x-8))

2. ln(x-8) - x + 9
----------------- Common denominator. (0/0)
(x-9) * (ln(x-8))
3. (1/(x-8)) - 1
----------------- derivatives of numerator and denominator. using product rule in denominator. (0/0)
(x-9) * (1/(x-8)) + 1(1/ln(x-8))
4. (-1/(x-8)^2)
--------------------- derivatives of numerator and denominator. using product rule in denominator. (1/1)
(x-9)* (-1/(x-8)^2) + (1/(x-8) + (-1/(x-8)*ln(x-8)^2)
 
Last edited:
whatlifeforme said:
sorry i cna't figure the latex out.
If I can do it, so can you!


whatlifeforme said:
1. limit x->9+ (1/(x-9) - 1/ln(x-8))

2. ln(x-8) - x + 9
----------------- Common denominator. (0/0)
(x-9) * (ln(x-8))



3. (1/(x-8)) - 1
----------------- derivatives of numerator and denominator. using product rule in denominator. (0/0)
(x-9) * (1/(x-8)) + 1(1/ln(x-8))
This is wrong.

After you fix step #3, as I said previously, before you take the derivative again, multiply the numerator and denominator by (x-8), so that you won't have to deal with complex fractions.
 
  • #10
what's wrong with it?
 
  • #11
whatlifeforme said:
what's wrong with it?

eumyang marked the problem in red. How did you 1/ln(x-8) in the denominator. That's wrong.
 
  • #12
Dick said:
eumyang marked the problem in red. How did you 1/ln(x-8) in the denominator. That's wrong.

i'm sorry; it should be.

(x-9) * (1/(x-8)) + 1(ln(x-8))
 
  • #13
whatlifeforme said:
i'm sorry; it should be.

(x-9) * (1/(x-8)) + 1(ln(x-8))

Ok, so you've fixed that. So it's 0/0. Now take another derivative.
 

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