Find Limit of (x*cos x-sin x)/(x-sin⁡x) at x→0

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the limit of the expression (x*cos x - sin x) / (x - sin x) as x approaches 0. Participants are exploring techniques to resolve the indeterminate form that arises when substituting x = 0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using L'Hôpital's rule, factoring, and power series expansions. There are attempts to simplify the expression and repeated applications of derivatives, with some questioning the validity of their results.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes various attempts to apply L'Hôpital's rule, with some participants expressing uncertainty about their calculations. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the limit, and while some assert a specific value, others challenge that conclusion, indicating an ongoing exploration of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is a recognition of the 0/0 indeterminate form, and participants are navigating through the implications of repeated differentiation and simplification. Some express confusion over the limit's behavior, suggesting a need for careful consideration of the steps taken.

francisg3
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find the limit of lim ⁡(x*cos x-sin x)/(x-sin⁡x)
(x→0)



I know substitution does not work as it gives 0/0 and I attempted to factor and try the conjugate method without any result. I also tried l'hospital's rule which states that i take the derivative of the numerator and denominator which gave the following results:

lim x-> 0 = (cos x -xsin x-cos x)/(1-cos x) which still gives me 0/0
 
Last edited:
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Use L'Hopital's again, but first simplify the numerator.
 
You have to apply l'hospital's repeatedely for this guy or use the power series of sinx and cosx.
 
alright so i applied l'hospital's again to
(-x*sin x)/(1-cos x) simplified version of the first derivative...then i dervied again to get

(-sin x - x*cos x)/(sin x) which itook the derivative once again to give:

(-cos x - cos x + x*sin x)/(cos x) which gives me a limit of -2...i have gone wrong somewhere
 
francisg3 said:
alright so i applied l'hospital's again to
(-x*sin x)/(1-cos x) simplified version of the first derivative...then i dervied again to get

(-sin x - x*cos x)/(sin x) which itook the derivative once again to give:

(-cos x - cos x + x*sin x)/(cos x) which gives me a limit of -2...i have gone wrong somewhere

Don't know why you think that... -2 is the answer I get.
 
francisg3 said:
alright so i applied l'hospital's again to
(-x*sin x)/(1-cos x) simplified version of the first derivative...then i dervied again to get

(-sin x - x*cos x)/(sin x) which itook the derivative once again to give:

Don't take the derivative again, this has a definite limit.
 
Sourabh N said:
Don't take the derivative again, this has a definite limit.

...no it doesn't...
 
You are right Char. Limit, my mistake. Thanks for your help!
 
Char. Limit said:
...no it doesn't...

Eek I took x/Sin x = 1 in my head *headdesk*
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Sourabh N said:
Eek I took x/Sin x = 1 in my head *headdesk*

No problem. Just making sure the OP gets it right is all.
 

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