How to Solve Limit Problems Involving Trigonometric Functions and Square Roots?

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The discussion focuses on solving limit problems involving trigonometric functions and square roots. For the first limit, the transformation to (sin(x)/x) * (sqrt(x^2 + 1) leads to a limit of 1 as x approaches 0, but the behavior differs when considering limits from the left and right. The second limit requires careful handling of the square root and sign changes, particularly noting that the expression behaves differently for x > 0 and x < 0. To find the limit from the left, one can rewrite the expression for negative x values or substitute x with -t, where t is positive. The conversation also touches on the use of LaTeX for mathematical symbols, particularly square roots.
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Homework Statement



1. Lim x→0 Sin(x) * sqrt(1 + 1/x^2) Picture: https://i.gyazo.com/2f61c3c09d32447d4190fbdcd3f2f1e5.png

2. Limx→0 Sin(x)/sqrt(x^2 + x^3) Picture: https://i.gyazo.com/b50081d459ed61bcf1d4ae5baecfa7fa.png

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



What I did with the first was turn it into: (sin(x)/x) * (x*sqrt(1 + 1/x^2) which results in (sin(x)/x) * (sqrt(x^2 + 1)

The limit of that is 1 * sqrt(0+1) = 1*1 = 1

Is that correct? Doesn't the lim from right and left give different results?
With the second one, I'm not sure what to do after: Sin(x) * (x^2 + x^3)^-1/2

If I multiply and divide by x I'll get 1 * 0/0 which is undefined, right?
 
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Yes the limit should be negative when approaching from the left. The thing is when you have ##x\sqrt{1+\frac{1}{x^2}} = \sqrt{x^2+1}## that's only true for ##x> 0##.
The second one can be rewritten in two part (if you again take care of the sign). One of them being ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+x}}## which has a limit as ##x\to 0##.
 
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Okay, so what do I do to find the limit from the left?

Also, how do you use the sqrt signs? I didn't find it under the symbols.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
NooDota said:
Okay, so what do I do to find the limit from the left?

Also, how do you use the sqrt signs? I didn't it under the symbols.

Thanks.
You did it correctly. It's just that you have to remember that for
##x> 0## we have ##x\sqrt{1+\frac{1}{x^2}} = \sqrt{x^2+1}## and for
##x < 0## we have ##x \sqrt{1+\frac{1}{x^2}} = -\sqrt{x^2+1}##.
You could also write this as ##x\sqrt{1+\frac{1}{x^2}} = \text{sign} (x) \sqrt{x^2+1}## which always is true.
Because the square-root of a number is always positive, that's the definition.
For example when you solve ##x^2=1## you write ##x=\pm \sqrt{1}## since the ##\sqrt{1}## only refers to the positive root. (Sorry If this wasn't what you were confused about, just guessed it may be.)

Do you mean how I write them I text? I use the latex envirement.You can read more about it here https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/introducing-latex-math-typesetting.8997/ . For the sqrt you use that by typing \sqrt{x} inside two # at the start an two # at the end (sorry don't know how to post the code for it, check out the thread i linked!).
 
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NooDota said:
Okay, so what do I do to find the limit from the left?

Also, how do you use the sqrt signs? I didn't it under the symbols.

Thanks.

You can find the limit from the left by writing a correct form that applies when ##x < 0##, then take the limit. The form (in (1)) that you wrote (with ##\sqrt{x^2+1}##) applies when ##x > 0##. Make a change for ##x < 0## and you are almost done. Alternatively, if ##x < 0## you can write ##x = -t##, where ##t > 0##, then take the limit from the right as ##t \to 0##.
 
Last edited:
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Okay, thank you both for your help.

I've always dealt with getting x out of the square root, this is the first time I run into a problem where I have to bring it inside instead, hence the confusion.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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