Finding Limits of Sums of Terms w/ Diff Limits

In summary, when looking at the limit of a sum of two sequences, the coefficients do not matter. As long as one sequence tends to infinity and the other tends to 0, the overall limit will also tend to infinity. This is true regardless of the coefficients of the two sequences.
  • #1
Sun God
7
0
For instance:

1/(e^.5t) + 1/(e^-7t)

As t grows larger, the left term goes to 0, but the right term goes to infinity.

Would I be correct in saying that the limit of the sum is infinity because the (absolute value of the) coefficient of t in the term that tends to infinity is larger than the coefficient of t in the term that tends to 0?

What if both t's had the same coefficient?
 
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  • #2
It doesn't matter what the coefficients are. If [itex]\{a_n\}[/itex] and [itex]\{b_n\}[/itex] are any two sequences such that [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty} a_n= \infty[/itex] and [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty}b_n= 0[/itex], then [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty} (a_n+ b_n)= \infty[/itex].

More generally, if [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty} a_n= A[/itex] and [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty}b_n= 0[/itex], then [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty} (a_n+ b_n)= A[/itex].
 
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  • #3
Fixed you LaTeX script. There were [ itex] tags mixed in with [ math] tags.
HallsofIvy said:
It doesn't matter what the coefficients are. If [itex]\{a_n\}[/itex] and [itex]\{b_n\}[/itex] are any two sequences such that [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty} a_n= \infty[/itex] and [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty}b_n= 0[/itex], then [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty} (a_n+ b_n)= \infty[/itex].

More generally, if [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty} a_n= A[/itex] and [itex]\lim_{n\to\infty}b_n= 0[/itex], then [tex]\lim_{n\to\infty} (a_n+ b_n)= A[/itex].
 
  • #4
Thanks, Mark
 

What is meant by "limits of sums of terms with different limits"?

Limits of sums of terms with different limits refer to the process of finding the limit of a function that is defined as a sum of multiple terms, each with a different limit. This involves evaluating the limit of each individual term and then combining them to find the overall limit.

Why is it important to find the limits of sums of terms with different limits?

Finding the limits of sums of terms with different limits is important in various fields of science, including physics, chemistry, and engineering. It allows us to accurately model and predict the behavior of complex systems and make informed decisions based on the limits of these systems.

What are the steps involved in finding the limits of sums of terms with different limits?

The steps involved in finding the limits of sums of terms with different limits are as follows:1. Evaluate the limit of each individual term by substituting the limit value into the function.2. Simplify each term and combine them using algebraic operations.3. If the limit of each term exists, the overall limit can be found by simply adding the limits of each term. If the limit of any term does not exist, the overall limit does not exist.

What are some common methods used to find the limits of sums of terms with different limits?

Some common methods used to find the limits of sums of terms with different limits include the limit laws, L'Hopital's rule, and the squeeze theorem. These methods can also be combined to find the limits of more complex sums of terms.

Are there any special cases or exceptions to consider when finding the limits of sums of terms with different limits?

Yes, there are some special cases and exceptions to consider when finding the limits of sums of terms with different limits. For example, if the limit of a term is undefined or approaches infinity, it may affect the overall limit of the sum. Additionally, some functions may require more advanced techniques, such as Taylor series or power series, to find their limits.

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