Limits of trigonometric functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating limits of trigonometric functions, specifically as x approaches 0. Participants are examining various limit problems involving tangent, sine, and cosine functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to evaluate limits using substitutions and algebraic manipulations, while also expressing confusion about certain steps and results. Some participants suggest using L'Hôpital's rule and question the correctness of the original poster's calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have clarified their understanding of the first three questions, while uncertainty remains regarding the fourth question. There is recognition of differing interpretations of the limit in question four, and guidance has been offered to address the confusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the use of certain methods or require specific approaches to problem-solving. There is also a noted discrepancy in the evaluation of limits, particularly in the context of direct substitution versus limit evaluation.

lamerali
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Hello,
i'm having some trouble with evaluating limits if anyone could help me out a bit i would appreciate it. thanks in advance

evaluate the following limits:

Question 1:
lim
x -> 0 [tex]\frac{2tan^{2}x}{x^{2}}[/tex]

my answer:
u = x[tex]^{2}[/tex]
as x -> 0 u-> 0

= lim
u->0 [tex]\frac{2sin u}{u cos u}[/tex]

= 2 lim
u -> 0 [tex]\frac{sin u}{u}[/tex] (lim u-> 0) [tex]\frac{1}{cos u}[/tex]

= 2 (1) [tex]\frac{1}{cos (0)}}[/tex]
= 2 (1)(1/1)
= 2

question 2:

lim
x->0 [tex]\frac{1- cosx}{x sinx }[/tex]

my answer:
lim
x ->0 [tex]\frac{sinx}{x}[/tex] (lim x-> 0 [tex]\frac{1}{1 + cosx}[/tex]

(1)(1/2)

= 1/2

question 3:

lim
x -> 0 [tex]\frac{sin 7x}{sin 4x}[/tex]

my answer:
[tex]\frac{7sin 7x}{4 sin 4x}[/tex]

i'm not sure where to go from here on this one...i know the resulting limit will be equal to 7/4 but i don't know how to come up with this answer...i'm getting really confused

question 4:

lim
x->0 [tex]\frac{sin(cosx)}{sec x}[/tex]

= [tex]\frac{sin(cosx)}{1/cosx}[/tex]
= sin(cos) x . (cos x)
= sin(cosx[tex]^{2}[/tex])
= sin(cos (0)[tex]^{2}[/tex])
= 0.84


I am really unsure of what i am doing here...i know its a lot to look at, i really appreciate the help. Thank you!
 
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Hello lamerali! :smile:

Question 2 is fine.

In Question 1, putting u = x2 makes tan2x tan2(x2).

You should have used L'Hôpital's rule instead (or just tan2 = sin2/cos2)

In Question 3, you did use L'Hôpital's rule, but you differentiated wrong … try again! :smile:

In Question 4, sin(cos x) . (cos x) = sin(cosx2) is completely wrong … and where ever did 0.84 come from? :confused:

You should just have put x = 0 … no limit is involved. :wink:
 
Thannnnnnnk you tiny tim!
question 1, 2, and 3 are completely clear, i believe i came up with the correct answer. :D

However I'm still unsure of question 4. Even if you plug in x = 0 into [tex]\frac{sin cosx}{sec x}[/tex] where sec x is equal to [tex]\frac{1}{cos x}[/tex] my answer comes to 0.84147, also if you graph the function there appears to be a limit. i don't know where i am going wrong in my calculations on this one! have any ideas?

thanks again for the help! :)
 
lamerali said:
However I'm still unsure of question 4. Even if you plug in x = 0 into [tex]\frac{sin cosx}{sec x}[/tex] where sec x is equal to [tex]\frac{1}{cos x}[/tex] my answer comes to 0.84147, also if you graph the function there appears to be a limit. i don't know where i am going wrong in my calculations on this one! have any ideas?

Hi lamerali! :smile:

Your technique for Question 4 seems fine now.

sin(1) = 0.84147 … you've now got the right result for the right reason! :wink:
 
Great! :D thank you tiny tim!
 

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