Solving Limits Problem: Struggling with Missed Lecture Material

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a limits problem that the original poster is struggling with after missing a lecture. The problem involves evaluating a limit expression as n approaches infinity, specifically focusing on the behavior of certain terms in the expression.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the behavior of the term ##\frac{7}{3n^2 + 7}## as n approaches infinity, questioning what it approaches and its implications for the overall limit. There is discussion about the value of 1 raised to various powers and how that relates to the limit being evaluated.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights and corrections regarding the limit, with some noting the importance of careful reasoning when evaluating limits that involve terms approaching 1. There is a recognition of the complexity of the limit and the need for accurate interpretation of the expressions involved.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the limit notation and assumptions made in the problem setup, particularly concerning the limit as n approaches infinity versus a specific value. Participants are reminded of the forum's guidelines against providing complete solutions.

Bob Jonez
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Homework Statement


I was sick and missed the lecture so having hard time with this problem @_@.
http://i.imgur.com/ByK7iVk.png

Homework Equations


I don't know how to solve it all the textbook don't have particular problem so having a hard time figuring it out.

The Attempt at a Solution


My attempt and where i got stuck.
http://i.imgur.com/ONvliRo.jpg
 
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Take a look at your second term ##\frac 7 {3n^2+7}##, what does this approach as n goes to infinity?
 
TJGilb said:
Take a look at your second term ##\frac 7 {3n^2+7}##, what does this approach as n goes to infinity?
Zero?
 
Yes. Since it's effectively ##\frac 1 \infty##. Now, what does that leave you with?
 
TJGilb said:
Yes. Since it's effectively ##\frac 1 \inf##. Now, what does that leave you with?
(1)^(n^2+1) ?
 
So, what is 1 to any power?
 
TJGilb said:
So, what is 1 to any power?
1 I think, sorry I am a bit slow today.
 
Yep. One multiplied by itself infinite times will get you one.

Edit: Ignore, turned out to be incorrect.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Bob Jonez said:
So that would be the whole soulution?

Assuming you didn't write the limit "as n goes to 8" in that last line on purpose, yes.
 
  • #11
TJGilb said:
Assuming you didn't write the limit "as n goes to 8" in that last line on purpose, yes.
Woops yeah that would be infinity, thanks a lot.
 
  • #12
Mentor note: This member has been warned about posting complete solutions.
$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \left({3n^2\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{n^2 + 1} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 +{-7\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{3n^2 + 3 + 4 - 4\over 3}$$

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 +{-7\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{3n^2 + 7 - 4\over 3} =\lim_{n \to \infty} {\left(1 +{-7\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{3n^2 + 7\over 3} \over \left(1 +{-7\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{4 \over 3}} = \lim_{n \to \infty} {\left(1 +{-7/3\over (3n^2 + 7)/3} \right)^{3n^2 + 7\over 3}}$$

Now using ##e^x = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1+ {x\over n}\right)^n##
the given limit is
$$ \lim_{n \to \infty} {\left(1 +{-7/3\over (3n^2 + 7)/3} \right)^{3n^2 + 7\over 3}} = e^{-7 \over 3}$$
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
TJGilb said:
So, what is 1 to any power?

TJGilb said:
Yep. One multiplied by itself infinite times will get you one.
This is not true, in general. For example, ##\lim_{n \to \infty}(1 + 1/n)^n = e##. Even though the base is approaching 1, and the exponent is becoming unbounded, the limit is not equal to 1, a contradiction to what you said above.

@TJGilb, please take care when you give advice that your advice is factually correct.
 
  • #14
Buffu said:
@Bob Jonez, @TJGilb
I think the limit is not 1.

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \left({3n^2\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{n^2 + 1} = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 +{-7\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{3n^2 + 3 + 4 - 4\over 3}$$

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 +{-7\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{3n^2 + 7 - 4\over 3} =\lim_{n \to \infty} {\left(1 +{-7\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{3n^2 + 7\over 3} \over \left(1 +{-7\over 3n^2 + 7} \right)^{4 \over 3}} = \lim_{n \to \infty} {\left(1 +{-7/3\over (3n^2 + 7)/3} \right)^{3n^2 + 7\over 3}}$$

Now using ##e^x = \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1+ {x\over n}\right)^n##
the given limit is
$$ \lim_{n \to \infty} {\left(1 +{-7/3\over (3n^2 + 7)/3} \right)^{3n^2 + 7\over 3}} = e^{-7 \over 3}$$
Thanks glad I noticed the correct version. Appreciate it, this community is amazing!
 
  • #15
Bob Jonez said:
Thanks glad I noticed the correct version. Appreciate it, this community is amazing!
Don't be so happy, you won't get full solutions like this from next time. :(((
 

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