Limit $\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}$: Solve w/ L'H Rule

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the limit of the ratio of two functions, \( \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} \), as \( x \) approaches 0, using L'Hôpital's Rule. Participants explore the necessary derivatives and forms of the functions involved, addressing potential typos and the role of constants in the functions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a limit calculation using L'Hôpital's Rule, suggesting that the limit evaluates to \( \frac{1}{3} \), but later acknowledges uncertainty regarding potential typos and the treatment of constants in antiderivatives.
  • Another participant corrects the limit evaluation, stating it should be \( -\frac{1}{3} \) instead of \( \frac{1}{3} \), and notes that there are infinitely many functions \( f \) and \( g \) that can satisfy the conditions of the limit.
  • It is mentioned that for L'Hôpital's Rule to apply, the constants in the functions must be chosen such that the functions vanish as \( x \) approaches 0.
  • One participant suggests using 0 as a placeholder for the constants to simplify the functions.
  • A later reply elaborates on the choice of constants, indicating that specific values must be chosen to ensure the derivatives vanish at \( x=0 \), leading to a proposed form for \( f(x) \) that satisfies this condition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the existence of multiple valid functions \( f \) and \( g \) but disagree on the correct evaluation of the limit and the treatment of constants in the functions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the treatment of constants in the antiderivatives and the implications for the limit evaluation. The discussion does not resolve these uncertainties.

karush
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Consider the following limit where L'H Rule was correctly applied twice
Determine the functions f'(x), g'(x), f(x), and g(x) needed to result in the limit given.
\begin{align*}\displaystyle
\lim_{x \to 0}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}
\overset{\text{L'H}}=&
\lim_{x \to 0}\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}\\
\overset{\text{L'H}}=&
\lim_{x \to 0}\frac{f''(x)}{g''(x)}\\
\overset{\text{}}=&
\lim_{x \to 0}\frac{e^x + \cos{x}}{12x-6}\\
\overset{\text{}}=&
\lim_{x \to 0}\frac{e^0 + \cos{0}}{12(0)-6}
=\frac{1+1}{-6}=\frac{1}{3}\\
\end{align*}
$ \textit{using}$
$$\displaystyle \int \cos{x} \, dx = \sin{x}+c
,\quad
\displaystyle \int \sin{x} \, dx=-\cos{x}+c
,\quad
\displaystyle \int e^x \, dx = e^x+c
,\quad
\displaystyle \int x^n \, dx =\frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}+c$$
$\textit{then}$
\begin{align*}\displaystyle
\frac{f'(x)}{g'(x)}
&=\frac{e^x-\sin{x}}{6x^2-6x}\\
\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}
&=\frac{e^x + \cos{x}}{2x^3-3x^2}
\end{align*}ok not sure if there are typos in this
but was not sure how deal with the constant c with anti-direvatives
 
Last edited:
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There is one typo: \frac{1+ 1}{-6}= -\frac{1}{3}, not \frac{1}{3}.

As for the constants, there are an infinite number of functions, f and g, that will work here.

With f''(x)= e^x+ sin(x), f'(x)= e^x- cos(x)+ A and, integrating again, f(x)= e^x- sin(x)+ Ax+ B where A and B are arbitrary constants. With g''(x)= 12x- 6, g'(x)= 6x^2- 6x+ C and, g(x)= 2x^3- 2x^2+ Cx+ D where C and D are arbitrary constants.
 
Country Boy said:
As for the constants, there are an infinite number of functions, f and g, that will work here.
But in order for the L'H rule to apply, the constants must be chosen so that the functions vanish when $x\to0$.
 
how about just using 0 for placeholder constant
 
Last edited:
karush said:
how about just using 0 for placeholder constant
In your example, if $f''(x) = e^x + \cos x$ then $f'(x) = e^x + \sin x + \text{const.}$ To ensure that $f'(x) = 0$ you need to take the constant to be $-1$. So $f'(x) = e^x + \sin x -1$ and then $f(x) = e^x - \cos x - x + \text{const.}$ That vanishes when $x=0$ if the constant is $0$, so the conclusion is that $f(x) = e^x - \cos x - x$.
 

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