Limits - Prove that xsin1/x approaches 0 near 0

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The discussion focuses on proving that the limit of \( x \sin(1/x) \) approaches 0 as \( x \) approaches 0. Participants reference the Squeeze Theorem and the epsilon-delta definition of limits to establish that for any \( \epsilon > 0 \), if \( |x| < \epsilon \), then \( |x \sin(1/x)| < \epsilon \). Additionally, they explore the limit of \( x^2 \sin(1/x) \) and confirm that it also approaches 0 under similar conditions. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between \( |x| \) and \( \epsilon \) in limit proofs.

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  • Epsilon-delta definition of limits
  • Squeeze Theorem
  • Basic properties of trigonometric functions
  • Understanding of limits in calculus
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  • Explore the power series expansion of trigonometric functions
  • Learn about uniform continuity and its implications in limit proofs
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Students and educators in calculus, particularly those focusing on limits and continuity, as well as anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of epsilon-delta proofs and the Squeeze Theorem.

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limits -- Prove that xsin1/x approaches 0 near 0

Prove that xsin1/x approaches 0 near 0.

similar Proof from book
|sin1/x| ≤ 1
| xsin1/x | ≤ |x| for all x not equal to 0, so we can make |xsin1/x|< ε by requiring that |x| < ε and not equal to 0.

MY QUESTION: Prove x2sin1/x approaches 0 near 0.

According to the book, if ε>0, to ensure that |x2sin1/x |< ε we need only require that |x| < ε and not equal to 0.

shouldnt |x| be less that √ε? Hence |x2 | < ε and |x|< √ε.
 
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Use the Pinching theorem.
-x \le x\sin \frac{1}{x} \le x
 


sharks said:
Use the Pinching theorem.
-x \le x\sin \frac{1}{x} \le x

Ok how does that tell me that |x2sin1/x|< ε for |x|< ε??
 


Miike012 said:
Prove that xsin1/x approaches 0 near 0.

similar Proof from book
|sin1/x| ≤ 1
| xsin1/x | ≤ |x| for all x not equal to 0, so we can make |xsin1/x|< ε by requiring that |x| < ε and not equal to 0.

MY QUESTION: Prove x2sin1/x approaches 0 near 0.

According to the book, if ε>0, to ensure that |x2sin1/x |< ε we need only require that |x| < ε and not equal to 0.

shouldnt |x| be less that √ε? Hence |x2 | < ε and |x|< √ε.

Are you supposed to use a δ - ε proof, or can you use such things as the "squeeze theorem" ?
 


SammyS said:
Are you supposed to use a δ - ε proof, or can you use such things as the "squeeze theorem" ?

delta epsilon proof
 


Miike012 said:
Prove that x^2sin1/x approaches 0 near 0.


According to the book, if ε>0, to ensure that |x2sin1/x |< ε we need only require that |x| < ε and not equal to 0.

shouldnt |x| be less that √ε? Hence |x2 | < ε and |x|< √ε.

all I am doing is quoting from the book... and I want to know how they decided that |x|<ε
 


Well, for small enough \epsilon, 0&lt;\epsilon &lt; \sqrt{\epsilon}.

In fact, we only need 0&lt;\epsilon&lt;1 for this to be true.

Oh and also for a more fundamental reason. In Spivak's book, (I don't know for other books) the proof that this limit is 0 using delta-epsilon comes before the proof that every positive number has a square root (which requires the least upper bound property). So the existence of such a number \sqrt{\epsilon}. cannot be assumed.
 
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This is a common hangup for people doing ##\epsilon-\delta## proofs for the first time.

You don't need to find the "best" ##\delta##; you just need to find one that works.
 


If \displaystyle |x| &lt; 1\,,\ \text{ then (multiplying by }|x| \text{ gives } |x^2|&lt;|x|\,,\text{ and } |x| &lt; 1\, \text{ ) } |x^2|&lt;1 \ .

So let δ = min(1,√ε) .
 
  • #10


There is a general theorem:
If f(x) \rightarrow 0, \ x \rightarrow a, and \vert g(x) \vert \le M, \ \forall x \in U(a), where U(a) is some neighborhood of the point a, then:
<br /> \mathrm{\lim}_{x \rightarrow a} f(x) \, g(x) = 0<br />

Can you prove it?
 
  • #11


I just learned the δε definition myself and am very shaky on it. Since |x|< δ can we not turn |x2sin(\frac{1}{x})|< ε into |x|<\frac{ε}{xsin(\frac{1}{x})}. And now we have our δ=\frac{ε}{xsin(\frac{1}{x})} and use this in the proof.

Miike012 said:
all I am doing is quoting from the book... and I want to know how they decided that |x|<ε


Because it's part of the εδ definition that |x2sin(1/x)|<ε and it's just the nature of the function that |x| ≤ |xsin(1/x)|
 
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  • #12


e^(i Pi)+1=0 said:
I just learned the δε definition myself and am very shaky on it. Since |x|< δ can we not turn |x2sin(\frac{1}{x})|< ε into |x|<\frac{ε}{xsin(\frac{1}{x})}. And now we have our δ=\frac{ε}{xsin(\frac{1}{x})} and use this in the proof.


No, this way our δ would depend on x.

The ε-δ definition tells us that "For all ε, there must exist a δ, such that for all x, ...". This means that our δ must work for all x. Your proposed δ does not work for all x.
 
  • #13


For 0&lt; \epsilon&lt; 1, \epsilon&lt; \sqrt{\epsilon} so "&lt;\epsilon" is sufficient.
 
  • #14


micromass said:
No, this way our δ would depend on x.

The ε-δ definition tells us that "For all ε, there must exist a δ, such that for all x, ...". This means that our δ must work for all x. Your proposed δ does not work for all x.

You've got your quantifiers mixed up an have given the definition of uniform continuity.
 
  • #15


gopher_p said:
You've got your quantifiers mixed up an have given the definition of uniform continuity.

No, I didn't...

Uniform continuity would be "Forall ε>0, there is a δ>0, such that for all x,y..."
Here, I'm holding 0 fixed and I say " "Forall ε>0, there is a δ>0, such that for all x..."

OK, it might be confusing though that I did not write the definition fully.
 
  • #16


SammyS said:
If \displaystyle |x| &lt; 1\,,\ \text{ then (multiplying by }|x| \text{ gives } |x^2|&lt;|x|\,,\text{ and } |x| &lt; 1\, \text{ ) } |x^2|&lt;1 \ .

So let δ = min(1,√ε) .
I must have had a brain cramp!

It looks like you could use either of the following for δ :
δ = √ε

δ = min(1, ε)​
 
  • #17
micromass said:
No, I didn't...

Uniform continuity would be "Forall ε>0, there is a δ>0, such that for all x,y..."
Here, I'm holding 0 fixed and I say " "Forall ε>0, there is a δ>0, such that for all x..."

OK, it might be confusing though that I did not write the definition fully.

Yes. You are correct. I misread your yada-yada. Though I probably shouldn't have given the context.

My bad.
 
  • #18


If you want to be fancy, the power series expansion of sinx is:

sinx = x - x3/6 + ...

It follows that sin(1/x) = 1/x - (1/x)3/6 + ...

and x2sin(1/x) = x - (1/x)/6 + ...

so, lim x -> ∞ x2sin(1/x) = 0
 

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