# Is there a non-geometic proof of this inequality

1. May 27, 2010

### Mu naught

sinx ≤ x ≤ tanx

You need the above inequality to prove that lim x-> 0 of sinx/x = 1, but I've only ever seen it derived geometrically. Is there an analytical proof of the above inequality, from which you can continue the sinx/x proof as normal?

2. May 28, 2010

### tauon

that limit is elegantly proved using the series definition of the sin function. no need for that inequality.

3. May 28, 2010

### HallsofIvy

As tauon suggests, it depends upon how you define the trig functions. You can define sine and cosine in terms of their McLaurin series (lots of fun proving periodicity from that!). You can also define "y= sin(x)" as the solution to the differential equation y"= -y with y(0)= 0, y'(0)= 1, and define "y= cos(x)" as the solution to the differential equation y"= -y with y(0)= 1, y'(0)= 0.

In either case, you don't need that inequality nor that limit to derive the derivatives of sine and cosine.

4. May 28, 2010

### Jerbearrrrrr

(lots of fun proving periodicity from that!)
All the horrible, horrible memories. None of it even came up in the Analysis paper.

If you just want the inequalities, without being too fussy about "how much we know" at this point:
Integrate cosx<1 for the first bit.
Integrate 1<(1/cos^2 x) for the second bit.

(We have to assume we know the derivatives of trig functions, and a few properties of integration. From the proofs involved, we probably know enough to do the sinx/x anyway, but...there it is if you need to check the result in an exam or something).