Limit of n/(n+1)^3 as n Approaches Infinity | Quick Homework Question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around evaluating the limit of the expression n/(n+1)^3 as n approaches infinity, which involves concepts from calculus related to limits and polynomial degrees.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the degrees of the numerator and denominator polynomials, questioning whether this leads to a conclusion about the limit being zero. Various methods are suggested, including factoring, using L'Hopital's rule, and transforming the variable.

Discussion Status

Multiple approaches to the problem have been presented, with some participants offering techniques for evaluating the limit and others discussing the necessity of demonstrating the result mathematically. There is no explicit consensus on a single method, but several productive directions have been explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of demonstrating results rather than relying solely on calculators, emphasizing the need for a mathematical justification in the context of limits.

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Homework Statement


limit of n/(n+1)^3 as n approaches infinity


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



The degree of the polynomial in the denominator is greater than the degree of the polynomial in the numerator. Is it correct to conclude that the limit of this sequence, as n approaches infinity is zero?

I appreciate your help
 
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Yes.
 
michonamona said:

Homework Statement


limit of n/(n+1)^3 as n approaches infinity


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



The degree of the polynomial in the denominator is greater than the degree of the polynomial in the numerator. Is it correct to conclude that the limit of this sequence, as n approaches infinity is zero?

I appreciate your help
Yes.
You can do this by factoring n^3 out of the denominator, to get:
[tex]\lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{n}{(n + 1)^3} = \lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{n}{n^3(1 + 1/n)^3}[/tex]
 
Hi !

When you have a problem with a limit.

It's necessary to think of factorizing, it's the method !

You factorise numerator, denominator and you simplify !

Sorry for my english level, I'm new and french !
 
Ksitov said:
Hi !

When you have a problem with a limit.

It's necessary to think of factorizing, it's the method !

You factorise numerator, denominator and you simplify !

That's a good method when you have the ratio of two polynomials and they are of the form 0/0. eg If you had [tex]\lim_{x\to 2}\frac{x^2-4}{x-2}[/tex], then when you put in x=2, it is 0/0, so to get that limit, you could use your method. But with limits as x goes to infinity, you should dividing top and bottom by the highest power of x, as Mark44 did.

Sorry for my english level, I'm new and french !

Welcome to PF, and your English is fine :)
 
Another technique, you can verify with calculator the result.

But it's necessary to demonstrate with the calcul !

Good Bye
 
Another one:
put t=n+1
Clearly, t goes to infinity as n goes to infinity,
so the limit will be :
lim of (t-1)/t^3 as t goes to infinity
Devide top and bottom by t:
lim of (1 - (1/t) )/t^2 as t goes to infinity = (1-0)/infinity=1/infinity=0
 
Another one:

Use L'Hopital rule.
 
Ksitov said:
Another technique, you can verify with calculator the result.

But it's necessary to demonstrate with the calcul !
Of course a calculator can't verify this, only make it plausible, but I don't think you meant that.
 
  • #10
One more approach:

[tex] 0 < \frac n {(n+1)^3} < \frac n {n^3} = \frac 1 {n^2}[/tex]

and your sequence is trapped between 0 and another sequence that converges to zero.
 

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