Evaluating Trigonometric Limits

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of the function sin(x)/x as x approaches zero, particularly addressing the misconception regarding the expression sin(0)/0.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the limit of sin(x)/x and its behavior as x approaches zero, questioning the validity of directly substituting zero into the function. Some suggest using the definition of limits and geometric interpretations, while others mention the Maclaurin series as a method to understand the limit.

Discussion Status

Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, with some participants providing hints and guidance on how to approach the limit, while others emphasize the need to understand the underlying concepts rather than just the final answer.

Contextual Notes

There is a suggestion that the original poster may not yet be familiar with advanced techniques such as L'Hôpital's rule, indicating a potential gap in their current understanding of calculus.

kwikness
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Hi, I had a question about the following problem:
http://calcchat.tdlc.com/solutionart/calc8e/01/c/se01c01067.gif

Can someone explain how sin(0)/0 = 1?
 
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kwikness said:
Hi, I had a question about the following problem:
http://calcchat.tdlc.com/solutionart/calc8e/01/c/se01c01067.gif

Can someone explain how sin(0)/0 = 1?

No one can explain to you what you are asking for because it is not true. It is true only when we take the limit as x goes to zero.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Look the function sin(x)/x si undefined for x=0, so you have to take the limit as x-->0.
use the following link it will be very helpful

http://www.csun.edu/~ac53971/courses/math350/xtra_sine.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hello!

I'm new to this forum, and was passing through the threads when I found your post. I have a hint!

In fact, the lim(x->0) of sin(x)/x is 1! When finding limits the first thing to do is plug in the limit to observe how the function behaves. In this situation, when you plug 0 in for 'x' you get 0/0. Incidentally, this is an indeterminate form, just like infinity/infinity.

When limits result in an indeterminate form the solution can be found by taking the derivative of the numerator and denominator of the function. DO NOT perform the quotient rule to find this derivative. Simply take the derivative of the numerator separately from the denominator, then plug in 0 for 'x' again. You should reach the answer you were looking for.

Steve
 
Nevetsman said:
Hello!

I'm new to this forum, and was passing through the threads when I found your post. I have a hint!

In fact, the lim(x->0) of sin(x)/x is 1! When finding limits the first thing to do is plug in the limit to observe how the function behaves. In this situation, when you plug 0 in for 'x' you get 0/0. Incidentally, this is an indeterminate form, just like infinity/infinity.

When limits result in an indeterminate form the solution can be found by taking the derivative of the numerator and denominator of the function. DO NOT perform the quotient rule to find this derivative. Simply take the derivative of the numerator separately from the denominator, then plug in 0 for 'x' again. You should reach the answer you were looking for.

Steve
'
well, no offends, but i think that the op is not only interested to know how to reach the final answer, rather he wants to know why lim(x-->0)sin(x)/x =1
and the best way to know why such a thing is true is to go back to its very deffinition. I mean to use the unit circle and construct three triangles in it. The link that i posted in post #3 explains the whole thing. I also think that the op haven't yet reached the point of using l'hopital rule, and to know why the l'hopital really works it needs quite some rigorous calculus, which the op might lack at the moment.
 
Another way to show that

lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \frac{sinx}{x}=1

is to look at the maclaurin series for sinx
 
Nevetsman said:
Hello!

I'm new to this forum, and was passing through the threads when I found your post. I have a hint!

In fact, the lim(x->0) of sin(x)/x is 1! When finding limits the first thing to do is plug in the limit to observe how the function behaves. In this situation, when you plug 0 in for 'x' you get 0/0. Incidentally, this is an indeterminate form, just like infinity/infinity.

When limits result in an indeterminate form the solution can be found by taking the derivative of the numerator and denominator of the function. DO NOT perform the quotient rule to find this derivative. Simply take the derivative of the numerator separately from the denominator, then plug in 0 for 'x' again. You should reach the answer you were looking for.

Steve

Welcome to PF, by the way!
 
For gods sake, the op is asking for a simple answer, but you are rather making an elefant out of a fly!
 

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