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

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The discussion focuses on finding the limit of the function ratio $\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}$ as $x$ approaches 0 using L'Hôpital's Rule, applied twice. The correct derivatives are identified, leading to the limit expression $\lim_{x \to 0}\frac{e^x + \cos{x}}{12x-6}$, which simplifies to $-\frac{1}{3}$. There is a clarification on the arbitrary constants in the functions, noting that an infinite number of functions can satisfy the conditions, provided they vanish as $x$ approaches 0. The participants also discuss the need to choose constants appropriately to ensure the derivatives align with the limit requirements. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of proper constant selection for the functions to meet the limit conditions.
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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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