Find A, B with Limx->infinity Equation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the values of A and B such that the limit as x approaches infinity of a specific expression equals 3. The expression includes cube roots and polynomial terms, suggesting a focus on limits and algebraic manipulation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using L'Hospital's rule and logarithmic manipulation to simplify the limit expression. There are questions about the feasibility of finding values for A and B given the single equation and the nature of the limit approaching infinity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active with various approaches being explored, including algebraic manipulation and the potential use of L'Hospital's rule. Some participants express skepticism about the possibility of finding suitable values for A and B, while others are examining the implications of their algebraic transformations.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the challenge posed by the limit resulting in an indeterminate form (0/0) and the complexity introduced by the cube roots in the expression. Additionally, some participants reflect on the difficulty of achieving a limit of 3 with linear functions as x approaches infinity.

Dell
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find the values for A,B such that

Limx->infinity x*((x3+x2+ax)(1/3)-(x3-bx)(1/3)) = 3

what i thought was

t=1/x

Limt->0 1/t*((1/t3+1/t2+a/t)(1/3)-(1/t3-b/t)(1/3)) = 3

Limt->0 1/t*((1/t3+1/t2+a/t)(1/3)-(1/t3-b/t)(1/3)) = 3

since here we have 0/0 i can use l'hopital's law, but it looks like its going to get really ugly whith too manu terms,

also how can i solve for both A and B when i have only one equation
 
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Before you let x --> oo, take the natural log of both sides. I think a little algebra will take you farther than L'Hospital's rule. At first glance, I would say you will have a hard time finding any value of a and b that work. But perhaps "none" is the answer.
 
what will logs help, i have subtraction between the 2 roots
 
\ln{(A-B)} = \ln{\left (\frac A B\right)}
 
LCKurtz said:
\ln{(A-B)} = \ln{\left (\frac A B\right)}

No no,
log(a) - log(b) = log(a/b)
 
Aaargh! Forgot to engage brain. In a danger zone. Still reeling from Super Bowl sunday. What can I say?
 
I approached the question by first factoring out x1/3 from the bracketted expression. with the remaining surdic expression, i rationalised the numerator in terms of cube roots so the numerator i would have
[(x2 + x + a) - (x2 - b)] = x + a + b in it.
I rearranged the x4/3 in the numerator to 1/(1/x4/3) so i would have as the denominator f(x)/x4/3
where f(x) was the expression i used to rationalise the numerator.

using lim (f(x)/g(x)) = lim(f(x))/lim(g(x)), i evaluated the limit for the denominator and got 3 as the result.

so that means lim (x->infinity) (x + a + b) = 9

all linear functions i know of tend towards infinity as x tends towards infinity. thus, the limit is impossible no matter what value of a or b. at least that's what i got.
 

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