Limit of an unknown constant expression

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To find the limit of sqrt(x^2 + ax) - sqrt(x^2 + bx) as x approaches infinity, the expression can be simplified by eliminating the square roots. By factoring out x from the square roots, the limit can be expressed as (ax - bx) / (sqrt(1 + a/x) + sqrt(1 + b/x)). As x approaches infinity, the terms a/x and b/x approach zero, making the limit dependent on the coefficients a and b. The conclusion is that the limit can be determined if a and b are known, otherwise it remains unsolvable. Understanding the manipulation of the expression is crucial for evaluating the limit correctly.
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Homework Statement


find limit of x as it approaches infinite sqrt(x^2+ax)-sqrt(x^2+bx)
a and b are not given

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Looking at this equation I first eliminated the square roots. After simplifying i ended up with ax-bx/sqrt(x^2+ax)+sqrt(x^2+bx) I think that this problem cannot be solved b/c a and b are not given. Is this right or is there another way of solving this?
 
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You can't have ax-bx because that basically turns out to be ∞-∞. So you need to pull out x from the square roots so you can cancel out the x's in the numerator.

\frac{ax - bx}{\sqrt{x^2 + ax} + \sqrt{x^2 + bx}} = \frac{ax - bx}{\sqrt{x^2(1 + \frac{ax}{x^2})} + \sqrt{x^2(1 + \frac{bx}{x^2})}} = \frac{ax - bx}{x\sqrt{1 + \frac{a}{x}} + x\sqrt{1 + \frac{b}{x}}}

See where you can go from there.
 
thank you
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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