Limit of (1 - cosh(2x)) / 4x^3 + x^2

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SUMMARY

The limit of the expression (1 - cosh(2x)) / (4x^3 + x^2) as x approaches 0 evaluates to 2, contrary to the initial calculation that yielded 0. The correct approach involves using the identity cosh(2x) = 2sinh^2(x) + 1 and applying L'Hôpital's rule to resolve the 0/0 indeterminate form. By differentiating the numerator and denominator appropriately, the limit can be simplified to achieve the correct result.

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Homework Statement



\mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0 } \frac{1 - cosh(2x)}{{4x^3 + x^2}}


Homework Equations



Product, sum, quotient laws


The Attempt at a Solution



\mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0 } \frac{1 - cosh(2x)}{{4x^3 + x^2}} = <br /> \mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0 } \frac{\lim 1 - \lim cosh(2x)}{{\lim 4 + \lim x^3 + \lim x^2}}<br /> = <br /> \mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0 } \frac{1 - \lim cosh(2x)}{{4 + 0 + 0}} <br /> = <br /> \mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0 } \frac{1 - cosh(\lim 2x)}{{4}}<br /> = <br /> \frac{1 - cosh(0)}{{4}}<br /> = \frac{1 - 1}{{4}}<br /> = 0<br />

However the answer is supposed to be 2.

I was sure the denominator should be 4, but not sure how to get 8 in the numerator :confused:
 
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Okay well, You seem to have changed that 4x^3 to 4 + x^3, which is how you got your zero denominator to be 4.

Firstly, do you know \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{ \sinh x}{x} ? That is a good thing to know and is easy to find.

Also, can you express \cosh 2x in terms of sinh^2 x ? That will help.
 
Gib Z said:
Okay well, You seem to have changed that 4x^3 to 4 + x^3, which is how you got your zero denominator to be 4.

Firstly, do you know \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{ \sinh x}{x} ? That is a good thing to know and is easy to find.

sinh(0) = 0 so use LHopitals rule :
\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{ \sinh x}{x} = \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{ \cosh x}{1} = \frac{cosh 0}{1} = \frac{1}{1} = 1

Gib Z said:
Also, can you express \cosh 2x in terms of sinh^2 x ? That will help.
I don't know what you mean, sorry.
 
Ok well, have you seen the identity

\cosh 2x = 2\sinh^2 x +1
?
 
Gib Z said:
Ok well, have you seen the identity

\cosh 2x = 2\sinh^2 x +1
?

I tried subbing x = 0 into the above in the original equation and get:

\frac{1 - 2e^2 + 4 - \frac{2}{e^2}}{16x^3 + 4x^2}

Now should I divide each term by x^3?

Can someone please show me the method? I am getting confused now.
 
Directly substitute that identity into your limit, and apply the other limit you worked out.
 
You mean into this? \mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0 } \frac{\lim 1 - \lim cosh(2x)}{{\lim 4 + \lim x^3 + \lim x^2}}

so, \mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to 0 } \frac{\lim 1 - \lim 2 + \lim sinh^2(x+1)}{{\lim 4 + \lim x^3 + \lim x^2}} = \frac{1 - 2 + \lim sinh^2(x+1)}{4}

I can't get that to equal 2.
 
Hey dude apply l-hospital rule when there is 0/0 form after putting x=0 in the original equation , now differentiate the equation not in u/v form differentiate upper equation and lower equation differently until u got the equation not in the form 0/0 after putting the value
 
First use L'Hopital's rule with the original problem and keep using it until you're done. You probably want to use an identity to make differentiation a little easier after one step.
 
  • #10
Best answer I can get is 1/2 or -1/2.

Anyway test on this starts in 45 minutes so just hope this question doesn't come up.
 

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