# Evaluating limits

1. May 27, 2006

### ultima9999

I have trouble with this limit evaluation due to the fractions in it.

$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \left[3x^5cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)\right]$$

I assumed that $$cos\left(\frac{1}{0}\right) = \infty$$ so that limit gives $$(0 \cdot \infty)$$ and is an indeterminate form. As such, I rearrange so that I can use L'Hopital's rule:

$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \left[\frac{cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)}{\frac{1}{3x^5}}\right]$$ this becomes $$\left(\frac{\infty}{\infty}\right)$$ and L'Hopital's rule applies.

$$\Rightarrow \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \left[\frac{\frac{sin}{x^2}\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)}{-\frac{5}{3x^4}}\right]$$
Am I correct so far?

Last edited: May 28, 2006
2. May 27, 2006

### VietDao29

Nah, it's not correct. In mathematics, you cannot assume things, you can just prove things.
I'll give you a hint: What's the maximum, and minimum value of cos(x)? Another hint is that it's not infinity. :)
Can you go from here? :)

3. May 28, 2006

### ultima9999

Maximum and minimum values of cos(x) is 1 and -1.

If $$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \neq \infty$$ then I cannot say that it is an indeterminate form and I cannot rearrange so that L'Hopital's can be used.

Last edited: May 28, 2006
4. May 28, 2006

### VietDao29

No, you cannot rearrange that, since $$\cos \left( \frac{1}{x} \right)$$ is upper bounded by 1, and lower bounded by -1.
Yes, this is correct.
Now if x tends to 0, then 3x5 also tends to 0, and $$\cos \left( \frac{1}{x} \right)$$ oscillates between -1, and 1, right? So what does this limit tend to?
Hint: And to prove that, you should use Squezze Theorem.
Can you go from here? :)

5. May 29, 2006

### ultima9999

$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \left[3x^5\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)\right]$$
$$-1 \leq \cos \left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \leq 1 (\times 3x^5)$$
$$\Rightarrow -3x^5 \leq 3x^5\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \leq 3x^5$$ since $$3x^5 > 0$$
$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} (-3x^5) = 0$$ and $$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} (3x^5) = 0$$
$$\therefore \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \left[3x^5\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)\right] = 0$$ (Sandwich theorem)

Last edited: May 29, 2006
6. May 29, 2006

### VietDao29

It's nearly correct. Congratulations. :)
However if x < 0, then 3x5 < 0
So you can split it into 2 cases:
Case 1: x < 0
$$3x ^ 5 \leq 3x ^ 5 \cos \left( \frac{1}{x} \right) \leq -3x ^ 5$$
So applying the Sandwich theorem here, we have:
$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0 ^ -} 3x ^ 5 = 0$$
And
$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0 ^ -} -3x ^ 5 = 0$$
So:
$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0 ^ -} 3x ^ 5 \cos \left( \frac{1}{x} \right) = 0$$
Case 2: x > 0 (It's x > 0, not x >= 0, since the function is not defined at x = 0)
You can do almost exactly the same as case 1 (be careful, since there's a slight change in the inequality sign), and get the result:
$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0 ^ +} 3x ^ 5 \cos \left( \frac{1}{x} \right) = 0$$
So, from the 2 cases above, we have:
$$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} 3x ^ 5 \cos \left( \frac{1}{x} \right) = 0$$
:)

Last edited: May 29, 2006