How Do You Find the Limit of This Logarithmic Function?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the limit of a logarithmic function, specifically the expression lim_{i\rightharpoonup\infty} \frac{ln(4^{i}-1)}{ln(2^{i})}. Participants explore various methods to evaluate this limit, including L'Hôpital's Rule and logarithmic properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that the limit should approach 2 but expresses uncertainty about the correct approach to solve it.
  • Another participant suggests using L'Hôpital's Rule as a method to evaluate the limit.
  • A different participant argues that for large values of i, ln(4^i-1) behaves similarly to ln(4^i), allowing for simplification that leads to the conclusion that the limit is 2.
  • One participant shares their attempts to apply L'Hôpital's Rule but indicates they are encountering repetitive results that do not resolve the limit.
  • Another participant corrects the previous attempt by stating that limits should be differentiated separately rather than rearranging them into a product.
  • A later reply acknowledges a misunderstanding of L'Hôpital's Rule and expresses gratitude for the clarification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct application of L'Hôpital's Rule and the simplifications involved in evaluating the limit. There is no consensus on the resolution of the limit, as some participants assert it approaches 2 while others focus on the method of evaluation.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention potential confusion regarding the application of L'Hôpital's Rule and the handling of logarithmic expressions, indicating that there may be unresolved mathematical steps in the discussion.

rostbrot
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[tex]lim_{i\rightharpoonup\infty}[/tex] [tex]\frac{ln(4^{i}-1)}{ln(2^{i})}[/tex]

If I set this up right it should go to 2, but I'm pretty rusty and every time I try to work this out I end up getting garbage or repeating behaviors that I can't do anything with... Anyone know what exactly to do with it?

edit:
Ack, since this isn't homework I posted it here, but since it's such a basic level could someone move it to the calculus homework forum? Sorry guys :/.
 
Last edited:
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Have u tried L'Hopitals Rule?
 
and it goes to 2. another way to reason about it is, that ln(4^i-1) for i large behaves similarly with ln(4^i), so it means you can replace one with the other. THen using logarithmic rules you get as a rezult 2.
 
...I must be missing something...

This is what I've been doing:
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3658/loglimj.jpg

After taking the derivative and simplifying it down I end up with a similar case to what I had before (lines 3 and 9).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You can't rearrange a limit problem into a product and differentiate using the product rule; you need to differentiate the numerator and denominator separately
[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow c}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \lim_{x\rightarrow c}\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}[/tex] (when f(c) and g(c) make the form 0/0 or ∞/∞)
 
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Wow, I can't believe I completely forgot how to use L'Hopital's rule properly...
Thanks guys!
 

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