Finding the Limit of a Fraction with Exponential Terms

  • Thread starter Thread starter PCSL
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fraction Limit
Click For Summary
The limit of the expression \lim_{n\rightarrow ∞}\frac{3^n+2*5^n}{2^n+3*5^n} can be simplified by factoring out 5^n from both the numerator and denominator, leading to \lim_{n\rightarrow ∞} \frac{\frac{3}{5}^n+2}{\frac{2}{5}^n+3}. This approach reveals that the dominant term is 5^n, making the evaluation straightforward. L'Hôpital's Rule is not suitable for this limit since it applies to quotients, and the expression involves a nonconstant power. Instead, taking the natural logarithm of the expression and applying logarithmic properties is a more effective method for similar problems. The discussion emphasizes the importance of identifying dominant terms in limits involving exponential functions.
PCSL
Messages
146
Reaction score
0
\lim_{n\rightarrow ∞}\frac{3^n+2*5^n}{2^n+3*5^n}

I tried using l'hopitals rule and got

\lim_{n\rightarrow ∞}\frac{3^n*ln(3)+2(5^n*ln5)}{2^n*ln(2))+3(5^n*ln5)}

I'm not quite sure if that is the right way to approach this. This problem is an early one in the assignment so I assume that it is simple and I am just missing something obvious.

Thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
PCSL said:
\lim_{n\rightarrow ∞}\frac{3^n+2*5^n}{2^n+3*5^n}

I tried using l'hopitals rule and got

\lim_{n\rightarrow ∞}\frac{3^n*ln(3)+2(5^n*ln5)}{2^n*ln(2))+3(5^n*ln5)}

I'm not quite sure if that is the right way to approach this. This problem is an early one in the assignment so I assume that it is simple and I am just missing something obvious.

Thank you!

A much simpler approach is to factor 5n out of all terms in the numerator and denominator. Evaluating the limit is pretty easy after that.
 
Mark44 said:
A much simpler approach is to factor 5n out of all terms in the numerator and denominator. Evaluating the limit is pretty easy after that.

so then I'd have

\lim_{n\rightarrow ∞} \frac{\frac{3}{5}^n+2}{\frac{2}{5}^n+3}

Nevermind, I got it thanks!
 
Yes, that's right. The key idea is to find the dominant term in the numerator or denominator, which turns out to be 5n in this problem.
 
For

\lim_{n\rightarrow ∞}(\frac{n+1}{n})^n

is l'hoptials rules the correct way to approach it?
 
Last edited:
No, since L'Hopital's Rule applies to quotients, and that's not what you have here. (The quotient is raised to a nonconstant power.

The usual approach to this type of problem is:
1) Let y = the expression in the limit. Don't include the limit operation.
2) Take the natural log of both sides to get ln y = ln(expression).
3) Use the properties of logs to simplify the right side
4) Take the limit of both sides.
5) Switch the limit and ln operations to get ln(lim y). I.e., this is the log of what you want.
 
Mark44 said:
No, since L'Hopital's Rule applies to quotients, and that's not what you have here. (The quotient is raised to a nonconstant power.

The usual approach to this type of problem is:
1) Let y = the expression in the limit. Don't include the limit operation.
2) Take the natural log of both sides to get ln y = ln(expression).
3) Use the properties of logs to simplify the right side
4) Take the limit of both sides.
5) Switch the limit and ln operations to get ln(lim y). I.e., this is the log of what you want.

Really appreciate it.
 

Similar threads

Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
2K