Proof of the L'Hôpital Rule for the Indeterminate Form

In summary, the L'Hôpital rule for the indeterminate form \frac{\infty}{\infty} can be proved by using the rule for the form \frac{0}{0}. This theorem states that if two differentiable functions, f and g, satisfy certain conditions such as having a limit of positive infinity at a specific point, then the limit of their derivatives exists and is finite. This can be used to deduce the limit of the original functions. An alternative version of this theorem is also proposed, which states that the limit of the integral of f divided by the integral of g is equal to the ratio of their limits as x approaches infinity. This can be easily proven using the mean value theorem.
  • #1
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I ask for the Proof of the L'Hôpital Rule for the Indeterminate Form [tex]\frac{\infty}{\infty}[/tex] utilising the Rule for the form [tex]\frac{0}{0}[/tex]

The Theorem: Let [tex]f,g:(a,b)\to \mathbb{R}[/tex] be two differentiable functions such as that:
[tex]\forall x\in(a,b)\ \ g(x)\neq 0\text{ and }g^{\prime}(x)\neq 0[/tex] and [tex]\lim_{x\to a^+}f(x)=\lim_{x\to a^+}g(x)=+\infty[/tex]
If the limit $$\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{f^{\prime}(x)}{g^{\prime}(x)}$$ exists and is finite, then
$$\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{f^{\prime}(x)}{g^{\prime}(x)}$$


My attempt:
Since [tex]\lim_{x\to a^+}f(x)=+\infty[/tex], $$\exists \delta>0:a<x<a+\delta<b\Rightarrow f(x)>0\Rightarrow f(x)\neq 0$$
Let [tex]F,G:(a,a+\delta)[/tex] [tex]F(x)=\frac{1}{f(x)}[/tex], [tex]G(x)=\frac{1}{g(x)}[/tex] Then by the hypothesis [tex]\lim_{x\to a^+}F(x)=\lim_{x\to a^+}G(x)=0[/tex] $$\forall x\in(a,b)\ \ G(x)\neq 0\text{ and }G^{\prime}(x)=-\frac{1}{g^2(x)}g^{\prime}(x)\neq 0$$
The question is, does the limit $$\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{F^{\prime}(x)}{G^{\prime}(x)}=\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{-\frac{1}{f^2(x)}f^{\prime}(x)}{-\frac{1}{g^2(x)}g^{\prime}(X)}=\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{g^2(x)f^{\prime}(x)}{f^2(x)g^{\prime}(x)}$$ exist?

The limit $$\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{f^{\prime}(x)}{g^{\prime}(x)}$$ exists by the hypothesis but we don't know if the limit $$\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{g^2(x)}{f^2(x)}$$ exists to deduce that the limit $$\lim_{x\to a^+}\frac{F^{\prime}(x)}{G^{\prime}(x)}$$ exists and use the L'Hôpital Rule for the form [tex]\frac{0}{0}[/tex]
 
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  • #3
I would propose the following version of this theorem. Let ##f,g## be two continuous in ##[0,\infty)## functions (this condition can be relaxed) such that
$$\lim_{x\to\infty} f(x)=f_0,\quad \lim_{x\to\infty}g(x)=g_0\ne 0.$$
Then
$$\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{\int_0^xf(s)ds}{\int_0^xg(s)ds}=\frac{f_0}{g_0}.$$
It directly follows from a fact about the mean value:
$$\lim_{x\to\infty} f(x)=f_0\Longrightarrow \lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{1}{x}\int_0^xf(s)ds=f_0$$ which is nice by itself and easy to proof.

Some special cases are remained to think about
 

1. What is the L'Hôpital Rule?

The L'Hôpital Rule is a mathematical theorem that allows us to find the limit of a function that takes on an indeterminate form, such as 0/0 or ∞/∞. It is named after the French mathematician Guillaume de l'Hôpital, who first published it in 1696.

2. How does the L'Hôpital Rule work?

The L'Hôpital Rule states that if we have a limit of the form f(x)/g(x) where both f(x) and g(x) approach 0 or as x approaches a certain value, then the limit of the entire expression can be found by taking the derivative of both f(x) and g(x) and then evaluating the limit again. This process can be repeated until a non-indeterminate form is obtained.

3. What is an indeterminate form?

An indeterminate form is an expression that does not have a definite value when evaluated. This can happen when we have, for example, 0/0 or ∞/∞, as the numerator and denominator both approach 0 or respectively. In these cases, we cannot simply substitute the value of x and get a meaningful answer. This is where the L'Hôpital Rule comes in to help us find the limit.

4. What are some common indeterminate forms that the L'Hôpital Rule can be applied to?

Some common indeterminate forms that the L'Hôpital Rule can be applied to include 0/0, ∞/∞, 1^∞, ∞-∞, 0*∞, and ∞/0. There are also some more complex indeterminate forms, but the L'Hôpital Rule can still be applied as long as we can write the expression in the form f(x)/g(x).

5. Are there any limitations to the L'Hôpital Rule?

Yes, there are some limitations to the L'Hôpital Rule. It can only be applied to limits of the form f(x)/g(x), where f(x) and g(x) are differentiable functions. It also does not work for limits that involve trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions, or exponential functions. In these cases, other techniques, such as L'Hôpital's Rule for indeterminate forms involving trigonometric functions, may be used to find the limit.

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