Limit Algebra: Solving Tricky Limits Using Factoring and Case Work

In summary, the conversation discusses various limit problems and how to approach them algebraically. The key steps involved dividing by the highest power of x in the denominator and replacing instances of (1/x) with 0 since x is tending towards negative infinity. In the fourth problem, it is necessary to approach the limit from both the left and right sides to determine if it exists. Lastly, the fifth problem involves approaching the limit from the negative side.
  • #1
courtrigrad
1,236
2
Limits

(1)[tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow -\infty} \frac{x-2}{x^{2} + 2x + 1} [/tex]. I factored it as [tex] \frac{x-2}{(x+1)^{2}} [/tex]. Then what?
(2) [tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow -\infty} \frac{\sqrt{5x^{2}-2}}{x+3} [/tex]. For this one would I just multiply both sides by the numerator? I am not sure what to do with this one.
(3) [tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow -\infty} \frac{\sqrt{3x^{4}+x}}{x^{2}-8} [/tex]. Would I do the same thing and multiply both sides by the numerator?
(4) [tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow 3} \frac{x}{x-3} [/tex]. Is there any way I can separate this?
(5) [tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow 4-} \frac{3-x}{x^{2}-2x-8} [/tex]. Would I just factor both the numerator and denominator?
(6) [tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow\infty} \frac{7-6x^{5}}{x+3} [/tex]. For this one would I also factor? Not sure how to do it.
(7)[tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow 0-} \frac{x}{|x|} [/tex]. This would just be -1?
(8) [tex] \lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \frac{\sin 2\theta}{\theta^{2}} [/tex]. This wouldn't exist? [tex] \frac{\sin 2\theta}{\theta^{2}} = 2\cos\theta(\frac{\sin\theta}{\theta})(\frac{1}{\theta}) [/tex]. How would I show this algebraically?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
Alrighty, ill help you with as much as i have time for right now.
For the first 3, what you need to do is do divide top and bottom by your highest power of x in the denominator. ill show you the first one and you can do the other 2.

if i divide by x^2 on top and bottom, i get
(1/x) - (2/x^2) divided by (1 + 2/x + 1/x^2)

now, your x is tending to negative infinity, but here the sign is irrelevant. think about it. if i divided a constant by a number that's getting bigger and bigger, itll become closer to 0 right? so replace any instance of (1/x) and those things, with 0.
so your numerator will tend towards 0. and therefore your entire limit will be 0.

in 2 and 3 its the same concept, just you need to square the power of x and you divided by in the numberator to be able to insert it into the root. the minus infinity will thus become important because you might need a sign change. (because -infinity= -root of infinity squared).
try and work it out and tell me what you find.

for the 4th one, you can't factor it. so you must so a 2 case workout of the possibilities. one where you approach the limit from the left, and another where you approach it from the right and you compare the two limits and see if they are equal. if they are not, you can say that the limit does not exist. (when i say left, i mean negative) so replace x by something very very close (like, +0.000001 difference) and another time with ( -0.000001) difference, and see what you notice.

5) the full limit doesn't exist, even if you do factor it, but it says to approach x as 3-. that means from the negative side. and see what kind of infinity you get.

thats all i have time for, please write back if you have questions so far. i didnt really want to give you the answers so much as give you something to think about.

have fun!
Bobo
 

1. What is a limit?

A limit is a mathematical concept that describes the behavior of a function as its input approaches a certain value. It represents the value that the function is approaching, but may never actually reach.

2. How do you find the limit of a function?

To find the limit of a function, you can either use algebraic techniques such as factoring and simplifying, or you can use graphical methods such as plugging in values and observing the behavior of the function as the input approaches the desired value.

3. What is a derivative?

A derivative is a mathematical concept that represents the rate of change of a function at a specific point. It can be thought of as the slope of the tangent line to the function at that point.

4. How do you calculate a derivative?

To calculate a derivative, you can use the formula f'(x) = lim (h->0) [f(x+h) - f(x)]/h, where h represents a small change in the input. You can also use differentiation rules such as the power rule, product rule, and quotient rule to find the derivative of more complex functions.

5. What is the relationship between limits and derivatives?

Limits and derivatives are closely related, as the derivative of a function at a specific point is equal to the limit of the function as the input approaches that point. In other words, the derivative can be thought of as the "instantaneous" rate of change, while the limit represents the overall behavior of the function.

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