# Help with a limit

sony
Hi,

Lim(t->0) t / sqrt(4+t)-sqrt(4-t)

I've stared at this for like half an hour :( Could someone please give me some hints of how I start factorizing this? Thanks.

Can you use L'Hopital's Rule?

sony
No, sorry. We havnent gotten that far yet :)

Homework Helper
Multiply nominator & denominator with the complement of the denominator, i.e. $\left(\sqrt {4 + t} + \sqrt {4 - t}\right)$

In the denominator, use $\left( {a - b} \right)\left( {a + b} \right) = a^2 - b^2$

Now, you should be able to cancel out a t and just fill in t = 0.

Homework Helper
The easiest way, use the binomial expansion (the general form for nonintegral exponents).

$$(1 + x)^{\frac{1}{2}} \approx 1 + \frac{1}{2}x$$ for $|x| << 1$

So

$$\lim_{t -> 0}\frac{t}{\sqrt{4 + t} - \sqrt{4 - t}} = \lim_{t -> 0}\frac{t}{2(\sqrt{1 + \frac{t}{4}} - \sqrt{1 - \frac{t}{4}})} = \lim_{t -> 0}\frac{t}{2[(1 + \frac{t}{8}) - (1 - \frac{t}{8})]} = \lim_{t -> 0}\frac{t}{\frac{t}{2}} = 2$$

sony
TD: Then i get ( sqrt(4+t)-sqrt(4-t)) / 2

But the answer is supposed to be 2. I'm still stuck :(

Homework Helper
It should be a + between those square roots in the nominator

sony
Curious: I've never seen that formula before. But thanks.

sony
TD: Gaaah, stupid me. Well I got it now. Thanks!

Homework Helper
No problem

This tactic is often used to get rid off square roots.