Limit of $\sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x}$ as $x \to \infty$

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the limit $$ \lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} \left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right) $$, which falls under the subject area of calculus, specifically limits and asymptotic behavior of functions as they approach infinity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the manipulation of the expression by rationalizing the numerator and express concerns about encountering an undefined form as x approaches infinity. They explore the behavior of the numerator and denominator separately as x increases.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with multiple participants providing similar approaches to the limit. Some participants question the necessity of using l'Hospital's rule, while others suggest that it may not be beneficial in this context. There is no clear consensus on the best method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

One participant explicitly states a restriction against using l'Hospital's rule, which may influence the direction of the discussion and the methods considered.

Rectifier
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The problem
$$ \lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} \left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right) $$

The attempt
## \left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right) = \frac{\left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right)\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) }{\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) } = \frac{x+1 - x }{\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) } = \frac{1 }{x \left( \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{x^2}} + \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}} \right) } = \frac{1}{x} \frac{1 }{ \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{x^2}} + \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}} } \\ \rightarrow 0 \cdot \frac{1}{0 + 0} ## for ## x \rightarrow \infty ## division with 0 is undefined. Can someone help me calculate this limit.

And no, I can't use l'hospital's rule so please don't mention it in this thread.
 
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Rectifier said:
The problem
$$ \lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} \left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right) $$

The attempt
## \left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right) = \frac{\left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right)\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) }{\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) } = \frac{x+1 - x }{\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) } = \frac{1 }{x \left( \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{x^2}} + \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}} \right) } = \frac{1}{x} \frac{1 }{ \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{x^2}} + \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}} } \\ \rightarrow 0 \cdot \frac{1}{0 + 0} ## for ## x \rightarrow \infty ## division with 0 is undefined. Can somone help me calculate this limit.

And no, I can't use l'Hopitals rule so please don't mention it in this thread.

## \left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right) = \frac{\left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right)\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) }{\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) } = \frac{1 }{\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) } ##.

Until here, what you do leads to the answer. When you fill in infinity right now, you don't get an undetermined form, so the answer is ...?
 
Rectifier said:
The problem
$$ \lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} \left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right) $$

The attempt
## \left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right) = \frac{\left( \sqrt{x+1} - \sqrt{x} \right)\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) }{\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) } = \frac{x+1 - x }{\left( \sqrt{x+1} + \sqrt{x} \right) } = \frac{1 }{x \left( \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{x^2}} + \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}} \right) } = \frac{1}{x} \frac{1 }{ \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{x^2}} + \sqrt{\frac{1}{x}} } \\ \rightarrow 0 \cdot \frac{1}{0 + 0} ## for ## x \rightarrow \infty ## division with 0 is undefined. Can someone help me calculate this limit.

And no, I can't use l'hospital's rule so please don't mention it in this thread.

Note that
\frac{x+1-x}{\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x+1}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x+1}}
In the second form, what happens to the numerator when ##x \to +\infty##? What happens to the denominator?

What dictator forbids you from using l'Hospital's rule?
 
Ray Vickson said:
What dictator forbids you from using l'Hospital's rule?
I haven't worked this problem, but sometimes L'Hopital's rule doesn't get you anywhere. I've seen similar problems where two applications of L'H gets you right back to where you started.
 

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