L-Hospital's Rule: Limit Calculation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of L'Hôpital's Rule to evaluate the limit of the expression \(\left(\frac{5x+3}{5x-1}\right)^{2x}\) as \(x\) approaches infinity. Participants explore various methods for solving the limit, including direct application of L'Hôpital's Rule, logarithmic transformations, and alternative limit identities.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using L'Hôpital's Rule to evaluate the limit and derives \(\ln(L_{4b}) = \frac{8}{5}\).
  • Another participant questions the application of L'Hôpital's Rule and suggests expanding the denominator instead.
  • A different approach is introduced involving the identity \(\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(1+\frac{a}{x}\right)^x=e^a\) to evaluate the limit, leading to a different conclusion of \(e^{20}\).
  • Several participants express confusion regarding the differing answers of \(e^{8/5}\) and \(e^{20}\), seeking clarification on the source of these results.
  • There are discussions about the clarity of mathematical notation and the presentation of equations, with suggestions for improvement.
  • One participant mentions that the identity can be proven using L'Hôpital's Rule, indicating a potential area for further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct limit value, as there are competing views regarding the application of L'Hôpital's Rule and the use of the limit identity. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple interpretations of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the assumptions underlying the different approaches, particularly regarding the conditions for applying L'Hôpital's Rule and the validity of the limit identity used.

karush
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L-Hopital's rule

$\tiny{4b}$
$$\displaystyle
\begin{align}
L_{4b}&
=\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}}\left(\frac{5x+3}{5x-1}\right)^{2 x}
=e^{\frac{8}{5}}\\
\textbf{steps} \\
\ln\left({L}\right)
& =\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}}(2x)\ln\left[{\frac{5x+3}{5x-1}}\right]
=\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}} \frac{2\ln{(5x+3)}-2\ln{(5x-1)}}{{x}^{-1}} \\
\end{align} \\
\textbf{next?}$$
 
Last edited:
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What prevents you from applying L'Hopital's rule again?
 
Re: L-Hopital's rule

$\tiny{4b}$
$$\displaystyle
\begin{align}%-----------------------------------------------------
L_{4b}&
=\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}}\left(\frac{5x+3}{5x-1}\right)^{2 x}
=e^{\frac{8}{5}}\\
\textit{Multiply both sides by $\ln\left({x}\right)$} \\
\ln\left({L_{4b}}\right)
& =\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}}(2x)\ln\left[{\frac{5x+3}{5x-1}}\right]
=\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}} \frac{2\ln{(5x+3)}-2\ln{(5x-1)}}{{x}^{-1}} \\
\textit{L'Hopital's Rule} \\
\ln'\left({L_{4b}}\right)&=\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}}\frac{40{x}^{2}}{(5x-1)(5x+3)}
=\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}}\left[\frac{18}{5(5x-1)}+\frac{2}{5(5x-1)}+\frac{8}{5}\right] \\
\textit{${x}\to{\infty}$} \\
\ln\left({L_{4b}}\right)& =\frac{8}{5} \\
\textit{e both sides} \\
e^{\ln\left({L_{4b}}\right)}& =L_{4b}=e^{\frac{8}{5}}
\end{align} \\ %---------------------------------------------------
$$
$\text{suggestions?}$
 
Last edited:
Multiply both sides by ln(x)? Don't you mean take the natural log of both sides?

When you reach

$$\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{40x^2}{(5x-1)(5x+3)}$$

expand the denominator and take the limit. ;)

$$\frac{40}{25}=\frac85$$

Assuming we don't have to use L'Hopital's rule and that we're given the identity

$$\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(1+\frac ax\right)^x=e^a$$

we may proceed as follows:

$$\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(\frac{5x+3}{5x-1}\right)^{2x}=\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(1+\frac{4}{5x-1}\right)^{2x}$$

$$u=5x-1,\quad x=\frac{u+1}{5}$$

$$\lim_{u\to\infty}\left(1+\frac4u\right)^{2(u+1)/5}=\left(\lim_{u\to\infty}\left(1+\frac4u\right)^{u+1}\right)^{2/5}$$

$$=\left(e^4\right)^{2/5}=e^{8/5}$$
 
Mega Mahalo..

I didn't know about the identity

$$\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(1+\frac ax\right)^x=e^a$$

The worksheet said the answer was $e^{20}$ ?
 
karush, in post #3 your formulas extend past the right edge of my window. It's better to start them further to the left by not having text like "Multiply both sides..." left of the = sign or by breaking the align environment into several parts.

karush said:
I didn't know about the identity

$$\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(1+\frac ax\right)^x=e^a$$

The worksheet said the answer was $e^{20}$ ?
The answer to what: the problem in post #1? Then why did you write from the start that the answer was $e^{8/5}$ even before you knew how to finish the solution? Or do you mean the answer to $$\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(1+\frac ax\right)^x$$? Then how can this be if this formula uses an unknown $a$?
 
I generally always post the answer in the OP, mostly the book answer or from the TI Nspire CAS. the handout example gave $e^{20}$
$a$ can be determined from the given as was shown
 
Sorry, I don't understand what you are saying.

karush said:
I generally always post the answer in the OP, mostly the book answer or from the TI Nspire CAS. the handout example gave $e^{20}$
So where did the answer $e^{8/5}$ to the original problem come from: the book, TI Nspire or the handout? Is there a problem because there are two different answers: $e^{8/5}$ and $e^{20}$?

karush said:
$a$ can be determined from the given
What do you mean by given?

karush said:
as was shown
Shown where?
 
it was shown in post 4
given is a common word meaning the original information
there were to answers one from handout and one from calculator which was the same as the one derived here
also when $$ is used it centers the text
 
  • #10
I am just saying that writing your thoughts more explicitly and answering all questions addressed to you would help the readers.

karush said:
also when $$ is used it centers the text
That's not true, at least in my browser.

$$
\text{Equation: } (x+1)^2=x^2+2x+1
$$

gives
$$
\text{Equation: } (x+1)^2=x^2+2x+1
$$
which is closer to the left edge.
 
  • #11
there is a \begin{align} \end{align} in the lateX which is commonly used here.
I mostly use tablets I did not see clipping
 
  • #12
To prove

$$\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(1+\frac ax\right)^x=e^a$$

try using L'Hopital's rule.
 
  • #13
If I was going to work this problem, here's what I'd do:

$$L=\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(\left(\frac{5x+3}{5x-1}\right)^{2x}\right)$$

We have the indeterminate form $1^{\infty}$, and so I would take the natural log of both sides and end up with:

$$\ln(L)=2\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(\frac{\ln\left(\dfrac{5x+3}{5x-1}\right)}{\dfrac{1}{x}}\right)$$

Now we have the indeterminate for $\dfrac{0}{0}$, and so we may use L'Hôpital's Rule:

$$\ln(L)=2\lim_{x\to\infty}\left(\frac{20x^2}{25x^2+10x-3}\right)=\frac{8}{5}$$

Hence:

$$L=e^{\frac{8}{5}}$$
 

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