Limit of x/[Sqrt(x^2+r^2)*r^2]

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the limit of the expression x/[Sqrt(x^2+r^2)*r^2] as x approaches infinity. Participants explore analytical methods to demonstrate this limit and discuss the behavior of the function in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to analytically show that the limit approaches 1/r^2 as x approaches infinity, noting that plotting the function suggests this behavior.
  • Another participant argues that as x goes to infinity, Sqrt(x^2+r^2) approaches x, allowing for simplification of the expression to 1/r^2 after canceling x's in the numerator and denominator.
  • A third participant suggests changing the numerator to sqrt(x^2) and multiplying the top and bottom by sqrt(1/(x^2)) as a potential approach to analyze the limit.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present different methods and perspectives on how to approach the limit, but there is no consensus on a single analytical method or resolution of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the relative sizes of x and r are implied, particularly that r^2 is negligible compared to x^2 as x approaches infinity.

Repetit
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Can someone tell me how to show that the value of

x/[Sqrt(x^2+r^2)*r^2]

approaches 1/r^2 when x approaches infinity? Cant figure out how to show this analytically, but by plotting the function it is obvious.

Btw, how do I get latex graphics to work?? It doesn't really work when I preview the post.

Thanks!
 
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to use latex use [tex][tex]and[/tex][/tex].
and as for the limit.. as x goes to infinity, [tex]\sqrt{x^2+r^2}[/tex] goes to x, because [tex]r^2[/tex] is much smaller and can be neglected.
so you get [tex]\frac{x}{xr^2}[/tex]
and as you can see the x's are canceled out giving [tex]\frac{1}{r^2}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
Change the x in the numerator to sqrt(x^2) the multiply top and bottom by sqrt(1/(x^2))
 
Thank you for the quick answers! I see it clearly now :-)
 

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