Limits question L'Hopitals rule

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the limit of the expression (sin(x)/x)^(1/X^2) as x approaches 0, which is situated within the context of limits and L'Hôpital's rule.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss taking the logarithm of the expression and applying L'Hôpital's rule. There are attempts to clarify the steps taken, particularly regarding the differentiation process and the manipulation of terms.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the application of L'Hôpital's rule and have pointed out potential errors in differentiation. There is a recognition of differing results, with one participant asserting the correctness of e^(-1/6) while another consistently arrives at e^(-1/2).

Contextual Notes

There is an indication of confusion regarding the application of L'Hôpital's rule and the differentiation of trigonometric functions, as well as the handling of logarithmic expressions. Participants are encouraged to clarify their steps for better understanding.

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Homework Statement


lim (sin(x)/x)^(1/X^2)
x->0


Homework Equations


for the life of me i cannot get the correct solution


The Attempt at a Solution


Ive tried taking the log of both sides etc and working from there then applying l'hospital's rule until i get a result but the answer i always get is e^(-1/2) but the answer is e^(-1/6) any help would be much appreciated
 
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e^(-1/6) is correct. And that's the way to do it alright. But there is no way to tell why you get e^(-1/2) unless you show us what you did.
 
sorry ill give more info
lim (sin(x)/x)^(1/X^2)
x->0

let y = (sin(x)/x)^(1/X^2)
ln y = (ln(sin(x)/x))^(1/X^2)
ln y = (ln(sin(x)/x))/(X^2)
ln y = (ln sin(x) - ln(x))/(X^2)
apply l'hopital's rule
= (cos(x)/sin(x) - 1/y)/2X
apply l'hotital's rule again
= (-sin(x)/cos(x) -1/1)/2
and from there i get
= -1/2
then
y = e^(-1/2)
 
Last edited:
Sags said:
sorry ill give more info
lim (sin(x)/x)^(1/X^2)
x->0

let y = (sin(x)/x)^(1/X^2)
ln y = (ln(sin(x)/x))^(1/X^2)
ln y = (ln(sin(x)/x))/(X^2)
ln y = (ln sin(x) - ln(x))/(X^2)
apply l'hopital's rule
= (cos(x)/sin(x) - 1/y)/2X
How did y get over on the right side?
Applying L'Hopital's rule gives you
[tex]\frac{\frac{cos(x)}{sin(x)}- 1/x}}{2x}[/tex]
so I assume the "1/y" was "1/x". That reduces to
[tex]\frac{xcos(x)- sin(x)}{2x^2sin(x)[/tex]
apply l'hotital's rule again
= (-sin(x)/cos(x) -1/1)/2
You are also differentiating incorrectly. The derivative of cos(x)/sin(x) is NOT (cos(x))'/(sin(x))' and the derivative of 1/x is NOT1/(x)'!


and from there i get
= -1/2
then
y = e^(-1/2)
 

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