Finding the limit as x-> infinity: [sqrt(5 + 5x^2)]/(5 + 7x)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the limit of the expression [sqrt(5 + 5x^2)]/(5 + 7x) as x approaches infinity. The subject area includes limits in calculus, particularly focusing on behavior at infinity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the process of identifying the dominant terms in the expression and how to manipulate the limit by dividing through by the highest power of x. There are attempts to simplify the expression and evaluate the limit as x approaches infinity, with some participants expressing uncertainty about their results.

Discussion Status

Several participants have shared their transformations of the limit expression and have arrived at similar results. There is acknowledgment of the correctness of the limit for x approaching infinity, while also noting the need to consider the limit as x approaches negative infinity, which introduces additional complexity.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight that the problem involves two parts: evaluating the limit as x approaches infinity and as x approaches negative infinity. There is a discussion about the implications of the square root function when x is negative.

Lo.Lee.Ta.
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Finding the limit as x--> infinity: [sqrt(5 + 5x^2)]/(5 + 7x)

1. lim[√(5 + 5x^2)]/(5 +7x)
x→∞

2. Alright, I thought I would have first find the largest exponent of x in the denominator.

In this case, the largest exponent is x^1.
The next step is to divide every term by x^1.

Since I cannot divide something in a square root by x, I thought I COULD multiply it by
√(1/x^2). That's the same thing as dividing by x.

So, this is what I have:

[√(1/x^2)*√(5 + 5x^2)]/(5/x + 7x/x)

= [ √(5/(x^2) + 5x^2/x^2) / ((5/x) + 7) ] * (1/x^2)/(1/x)

= √((5/x^2) + 5) / ((5/x) + 7)

Then I thought if you substitute infinity for x here, then the (5/x^2) and the 5/x both equal 0.

So, it's √((5/0) + 5) / (0 + 7)

= √(5)/7

...This is not the right answer... =_=
Could you find my mistakes?
Thank you so much!
 
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I was able to transform the expression to:
EDIT: The TEX was just too tedious correct after making it wrong, so I am corrected my mistake in plain text:
(sqrt((5/x^2)+5))/((5/x)+7)

Upon letting x increase without end, I found the same limit as you did,
[itex]\frac{\sqrt{5}}{7}[/itex]
 


You're answer is correct:

[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow+\infty}\frac{\sqrt{5x^{2}+5}}{7x+5}=\lim_{x\rightarrow+\infty}\sqrt{\frac{5x^{2}+5}{(7x+5)^{2}}}=\lim_{x \rightarrow +\infty} \sqrt{\frac{5x^2+5}{49x^2+70x+25}}=\lim_{x \to +\infty}\sqrt{\frac{5x^2}{49x^2}}=\frac{\sqrt{5}}{7}[/tex]
 
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Worked solution, because it may be somewhat different from LoLeeTa and mtayab1994.
(Attached)
 

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Thanks so much symbolipoint and mtayab1994!

You guys are awesome! :)

There were 2 aspects to the computer homework problem.
One part was as x→∞, and the other was as x→-∞

So it actually counted the √(5)/7 right for x→∞

BUT for x→-∞, the answer had to be -√(5)/7!

Thanks! :D
 


Lo.Lee.Ta. said:
There were 2 aspects to the computer homework problem.
One part was as x→∞, and the other was as x→-∞

So it actually counted the √(5)/7 right for x→∞

BUT for x→-∞, the answer had to be -√(5)/7!

Thanks! :D
That's because ##\sqrt{x^2}## = -x if x < 0. Keep in mind that the square root of a nonnegative number is nonnegative, by definition.

In essence you are factoring x2 out of the terms insided the radical, and bringing it out of the radical as -x.
 

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