Limit of another trigonometric function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of a trigonometric function as \( x \) approaches \( \frac{\pi}{4} \). Participants explore the application of L'Hôpital's rule in resolving an indeterminate form arising from the limit expression.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the limit expression and applies L'Hôpital's rule, leading to an indeterminate form due to \( \cos(x) + \sin(x) = 0 \) at \( x = \frac{\pi}{4} \).
  • Another participant suggests re-evaluating the application of L'Hôpital's rule, indicating a possible error in the sign of the derivative.
  • A later reply confirms the application of L'Hôpital's rule but emphasizes the need for careful simplification of the resulting expression.
  • Participants discuss the simplification of the limit result, leading to the conclusion that the final answer is \( -\sqrt{2} \), although the process to reach this conclusion involves several steps and clarifications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the application of L'Hôpital's rule and the simplification process, but there is some back-and-forth regarding the correctness of intermediate steps and the final expression.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the application of L'Hôpital's rule, particularly concerning the handling of indeterminate forms and the simplification of trigonometric expressions.

tmt1
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$$\lim_{{x}\to{\pi/4}} \frac{1-\tan(x)}{\sin(x)-\cos(x)}$$

So using, L'Hospital's rule, I get:

$$\lim_{{x}\to{\pi/4}} \frac{\sec^2(x)}{\cos(x)+\sin(x)}$$

But $\cos(x)+\sin(x) = 0$ when $x = \dfrac{\pi}{4}$ which is an indeterminate form, so how do I go from here?
 
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tmt said:
$$\lim_{{x}\to{\pi/4}} \frac{1-\tan(x)}{\sin(x)-\cos(x)}$$

So using, L'Hospital's rule, I get:

$$\lim_{{x}\to{\pi/4}} \frac{\sec^2(x)}{\cos(x)+\sin(x)}$$

But $\cos(x)+\sin(x) = 0$ when $x = \dfrac{\pi}{4}$ which is an indeterminate form, so how do I go from here?

Using L'Hôpital's rule, you should get:

$$\lim_{{x}\to{\pi/4}} \frac{-\sec^2(x)}{\cos(x)+\sin(x)}$$

Rethink:

$$\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)$$...:D
 
MarkFL said:
Using L'Hôpital's rule, you should get:

$$\lim_{{x}\to{\pi/4}} \frac{-\sec^2(x)}{\cos(x)+\sin(x)}$$

Rethink:

$$\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)$$...:D

Thanks,

I get

$-\frac{2}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}+\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}$

which is equal to

$-\frac{1}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}$

.

$-\frac{1}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}$

$- \frac{2}{\sqrt{2}}$

But the answer is just $-\sqrt{2}$
 
$$-\frac{2}{\sqrt{2}}=-\frac{\sqrt{2}\cdot\cancel{\sqrt{2}}}{\cancel{\sqrt{2}}}=-\sqrt{2}$$

You had the correct answer, it could just be further simplified. :D
 

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