Limits of Trig Functions: How to Solve Using L'Hopital's Rule?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of the expression (1-cos(14x))/(xsin(18x)) as x approaches 0, which involves the application of L'Hôpital's Rule due to the indeterminate form 0/0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of L'Hôpital's Rule multiple times, with some questioning the correctness of factoring out constants in the expressions. There is also an exploration of the calculations leading to different limit results.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the steps taken in applying L'Hôpital's Rule, with one participant acknowledging a calculation error after receiving feedback. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the factoring process and its impact on the limit evaluation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a limit problem that involves trigonometric functions and are adhering to the rules of L'Hôpital's Rule. The initial indeterminate form prompts the need for careful application of calculus techniques.

DeathWish
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Homework Statement


lim(x -->0) (1-cos(14x))/(xsin(18x))

Homework Equations


None?

The Attempt at a Solution


The hint tells me to use L'hopital's rule through which I got

lim(x-->0) (sin(14x))/(18xcos(18x)+sin(18x)) (I factored out the 14 in the numerator)

That gave me a 0/0 so I did L'hopital's rule again, through which I got

lim(x-->0) (cos(14x))/(cos(18x)-9xsin(18x)) (I factored out 14/2)

This gives me 98, which is wrong. (As x-->0, the function becomes 1, leaving what I factored out as 98)

I'm not sure what to do here. Help? :(
 
Last edited:
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I think it's the things you are factoring out. I don't think you factor out 14/2 to get the expression you showed at the end. Can you show how you did that? Try showing your expressions without the 'factoring out'.
 
Last edited:
lim(x-->0) (1-cos14x)/(xsin(18x)), this gives 0/0

L'hopital's

lim(x-->0) (14sin14x)/(sin(18x) + 18x(cos(18x))), Gives 0/0

L'hopital's

lim(x-->0) (196cos(14x))/(36cos(18x)-324xsin(18x)) This gives 49/9 which is right...

Thanks, it seems I just screwed up the calculations. Sorry for the bother
 
DeathWish said:
lim(x-->0) (1-cos14x)/(xsin(18x)), this gives 0/0

L'hopital's

lim(x-->0) (14sin14x)/(sin(18x) + 18x(cos(18x))), Gives 0/0

L'hopital's

lim(x-->0) (196cos(14x))/(36cos(18x)-324xsin(18x)) This gives 49/9 which is right...

Thanks, it seems I just screwed up the calculations. Sorry for the bother

You are welcome. No problem.
 

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