Limit involving non-indeterminate form

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit $$\lim_{x\to0} (1 - \cos(x))^{1/x}$$, focusing on its behavior as x approaches zero from both the left and the right. Participants explore various techniques for solving this limit, including logarithmic transformations and substitutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Bueno presents the limit and expresses uncertainty about how to evaluate it, noting it approaches 0 from the left.
  • Another participant clarifies how to express one-sided limits in LaTeX and suggests that the limit has the form $$0^{-\infty}$$.
  • One participant states that the limit approaches infinity as x approaches zero from the left and proposes checking the limit from the right.
  • A mathematical transformation using logarithms is presented, leading to the conclusion that $$\lim_{x\to0^{+}}(1-\cos(x))^{\frac{1}{x}}=0$$.
  • Another participant suggests a substitution method to rewrite the limit in terms of T, indicating that it may simplify the evaluation process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the limit's value as x approaches zero from the left, with differing views on its behavior. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall limit.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the behavior of the limit as x approaches zero from both sides, and the implications of the transformations used in the evaluation process.

Bueno
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I've been studying this kind of limits today and most of them were solved by the technique I mentioned in my previous topic, except for the one you just showed me how to solve and this one:

$$\lim_{x->0} (1 - cos(x))^{1/x}$$

(It approaches 0 from the left, but I don't know how to write it here)

I've tried some techniques, without success.
If you could show me a way, I'd be glad.

Thank you again,

Bueno
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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While we do allow two questions to be posted in a topic, usually the two questions are given in the first post, and so I decided for clarity to move this question to its own topic for clarity of discussion. :D

To express one-sided limits in $\LaTeX$, append either ^{-} or ^{+} to the value at which the variable is approaching, e.g.

$$\lim_{x\to0^{-}}(1-\cos(x))^{\frac{1}{x}}$$

This has the form $$0^{-\infty}=\frac{1}{0^{\infty}}$$ and so what is the end result?
 
As Mark said the limit as x approaches zero from the left it is infinite. So you will have to check what happens as x approaches zero from the right.

$$\lim_{x\to 0^{+}}\left(1-\cos(x)\right)^{\frac{1}{x}}=\lim_{x\to0^{+}}e^{log\left(\left(1-\cos(x)\right)^{\frac{1}{x}}\right)}=\lim_{x\to0^{+}}e^{\frac{log(1-\cos(x))}{x}}$$

and $$\lim_{x\to0^{+}}\frac{\log(1-\cos(x))}{x}=-\infty$$ so $$\lim_{x\to0^{+}}(1-\cos(x))^{\frac{1}{x}}=e^{-\infty}=\frac{1}{\infty}=0$$.
 
Last edited:
Bueno said:
I've been studying this kind of limits today and most of them were solved by the technique I mentioned in my previous topic, except for the one you just showed me how to solve and this one:

$$\lim_{x->0} (1 - cos(x))^{1/x}$$

(It approaches 0 from the left, but I don't know how to write it here)

I've tried some techniques, without success.
If you could show me a way, I'd be glad.

Thank you again,

Bueno
Hello Bueno,
as MarkFL and ZardoZ have helped you there is 'another' method to solve this
if we subsitute $$T=\frac{1}{x}$$ notice that we need to remake the limit
$$T=\frac{1}{0^-}=-\infty$$, $$T=\frac{1}{0^+}=\infty$$
so you can rewrite your limit
$$\lim_{T->\infty}(1-\cos(\frac{1}{T}))^T$$
$$\lim_{T->-\infty}(1-\cos(\frac{1}{T}))^T$$
does this make it easy?Can you continue? I hope that you understand my explain!

PS. Thanks for posting good problem :)
Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 

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