Limit problem / l'hopital's rule

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the limit as n approaches infinity for the expression \(\frac{n \cdot \log^{5}(n)}{n^{2}}\). Participants are discussing the application of L'Hôpital's rule and the behavior of logarithmic functions in limits.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants explore the simplification of the limit to \(\frac{\log^{5}(n)}{n}\) and question the validity of concluding that it approaches zero. Others suggest repeatedly applying L'Hôpital's rule to see if the logarithmic term can be eliminated.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, questioning the assumptions behind the behavior of logarithmic functions as n increases. There is a recognition of the need to apply L'Hôpital's rule multiple times, and some express confidence in the eventual outcome of the limit.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the nuances of applying L'Hôpital's rule, particularly regarding the treatment of logarithmic terms and the implications of derivatives in the context of limits. Some participants express uncertainty about the initial simplifications and the reasoning behind them.

gr3g1
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The limit n->infinity I have to compute is:[itex]\frac{n\cdot \log ^{5}(n)}{n^{2}}[/itex]Should I use L'hopital's rule? If I do, I have a problem:

First I simplify and get:

[itex]\frac{ \log ^{5}(n)}{n}[/itex]

Taking the derivative of the top, and the bottom leads to:

[itex]\frac{\frac{ 5\log ^{4}(n)}{n}}{1}[/itex]

At this point, we can see that the numerator is approaching 0, as n increases.

There 0/1 = 0

Is this correct?

Thanks
 
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gr3g1 said:
The limit n->infinity I have to compute is:


[itex]\frac{n\cdot \log ^{5}(n)}{n^{2}}[/itex]


Should I use L'hopital's rule? If I do, I have a problem:

First I simplify and get:

[itex]\frac{ \log ^{5}(n)}{n}[/itex]

Taking the derivative of the top, and the bottom leads to:

[itex]\frac{\frac{ 5\log ^{4}(n)}{n}}{1}[/itex]

At this point, we can see that the numerator is approaching 0, as n increases.

There 0/1 = 0

Is this correct?

Thanks
Why is it "obvious" (since you state it without proof) that [itex]5log^4(n)/n[/itex] goes to 0 when it was not obvious for [itex]log^5(n)/n[/itex]?

What do you get if you use L'Hopital again? And Again?
 
I just plugged in very large numbers and saw that it will approach zero. I guess I could have done that with the initial function as well.
 
The conclusion is correct. But I don't see why [itex]\frac{ \log ^{4}(n)}{n} \rightarrow 0[/itex] is any more obvious than [itex]\frac{ \log ^{5}(n)}{n} \rightarrow 0[/itex]. Why don't you keep applying l'Hopital until the log disappears?
 
Since the denominator becomes one, should I just continue taking the derivative of the numerator, until log disappears?

Thanks

Dick said:
The conclusion is correct. But I don't see why [itex]\frac{ \log ^{4}(n)}{n} \rightarrow 0[/itex] is any more obvious than [itex]\frac{ \log ^{5}(n)}{n} \rightarrow 0[/itex]. Why don't you keep applying l'Hopital until the log disappears?
 
gr3g1 said:
Since the denominator becomes one, should I just continue taking the derivative of the numerator, until log disappears?

Thanks

You applied l'Hopital to [itex]\frac{ \log ^{5}(n)}{n}[/itex] correctly. The original denominator of n became 1 but now you get a new denominator of n coming from the derivative of the log.
 
I think I see where this is going. I'll keep taking the derivative and eventually end up with a constant over n. Correct?

Dick said:
You applied l'Hopital to [itex]\frac{ \log ^{5}(n)}{n}[/itex] correctly. The original denominator of n became 1 but now you get a new denominator of n coming from the derivative of the log.
 
gr3g1 said:
I think I see where this is going. I'll keep taking the derivative and eventually end up with a constant over n. Correct?

Yessss.
 
Thank you so much!
 

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