Prove that arctanx has to be less than x

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the limits of the functions arctan(x) and sin(x) as x approaches 0. Participants clarify that the limits are actually equal to 1, specifically stating that lim (x→0) (tan^(-1)x)/x = 1 and lim (x→0) (sin^(-1)x)/x = 1. The assertion that arctan(x) is less than x for positive x is confirmed, while it is greater for negative x. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding limits and the behavior of these functions near zero.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of limits in calculus
  • Familiarity with the functions arctan(x) and sin(x)
  • Knowledge of L'Hôpital's Rule for evaluating limits
  • Ability to analyze function behavior through graphing
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of L'Hôpital's Rule in limit evaluation
  • Explore the graphical behavior of arctan(x) and sin(x) near x=0
  • Investigate the properties of inverse trigonometric functions
  • Learn about the Taylor series expansions for arctan(x) and sin(x)
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focused on limits and inverse trigonometric functions, as well as educators seeking to clarify common misconceptions in limit proofs.

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Homework Statement



Prove that :
$$\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}<1$$
And
$$\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}>1$$

Homework Equations



None

The Attempt at a Solution



I have to prove that arctanx has to be lesser than x.
It's derivative is 1 at x=0 and keeps decreasing as x increases. So it's slope decreases from 1.
Also, at x=0, arctanx=x. So the curve which initially touched y=x goes below it. So arctanx<x.
Is this correct?
 
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Why not think about tan(x) and sin(x)?
 
I know that sinx<x.
So x<arcsinx... By taking arcsin on LHs and RHS.
Thank you.
Is my method in post 0 correct?
 
It might be neater to consider the functions

f(x) = x - arcsin(x)

g(x) = x - arctan(x)

Shouldn't the limits be ##\le## and ##\ge##?

Why not use L'hopital to calculate them?
 
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AdityaDev said:

Homework Statement



Prove that :
$$\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}<1$$
And
$$\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}>1$$
You can't prove these because they're false. The limit is a single number, i.e.,
$$\lim_{x \to 0}\frac{\tan^{-1}x}{x} = 1.$$
 
AdityaDev said:

Homework Statement



Prove that :
$$\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}<1$$
And
$$\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}>1$$

Homework Equations



None

The Attempt at a Solution



I have to prove that arctanx has to be lesser than x.
It's derivative is 1 at x=0 and keeps decreasing as x increases. So it's slope decreases from 1.
Also, at x=0, arctanx=x. So the curve which initially touched y=x goes below it. So arctanx<x.
Is this correct?

The statements you are trying to show are both false. If you think ##\lim_{x \to 0} \arctan(x)/x < 1##, how much < 1 do you think it is? Is it < 0.9? Is it < 0.99?

Also: arctan(x) is not < x; in fact:
\arctan(x) \begin{cases} &lt; x,&amp; x &gt; 0\\ &gt; x, &amp; x &lt; 0<br /> \end{cases}
Just plot the two functions to see that this is true.

You should likewise check ##\sin(x)## against ##x## for small ##x## of both signs, + and -.
 
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Ray Vickson said:
The statements you are trying to show are both false. If you think ##\lim_{x \to 0} \arctan(x)/x < 1##, how much < 1 do you think it is? Is it < 0.9? Is it < 0.99?

Also: arctan(x) is not < x; in fact:
\arctan(x) \begin{cases} &lt; x,&amp; x &gt; 0\\ &gt; x, &amp; x &lt; 0<br /> \end{cases}
Just plot the two functions to see that this is true.

You should likewise check ##\sin(x)## against ##x## for small ##x## of both signs, + and -.
sorry... its x->0+
 
so you can prove it for x->0+ by using LH rule directly and substituting 0+.
 
AdityaDev said:
so you can prove it for x->0+ by using LH rule directly and substituting 0+.
Look at Post #5 from vela .

The limits you are referring to are all exactly equal to zero one .

(Thanks to RGV !)
 
Last edited:
  • #10
SammyS said:
Look at Post #5 from vela .

The limits you are referring to are all exactly equal to zero.

Actually, exactly equal to one.
 
  • #11
SammyS said:
Look at Post #5 from vela .

The limits you are referring to are all exactly equal to zero one .

(Thanks to RGV !)
No. its x->0+. Using graph, the arctanx curve starts coming below y=x.
 
  • #12
AdityaDev said:
No. its x->0+. Using graph, the arctanx curve starts coming below y=x.
Do you understand limits ?
 
  • #13
yes. its a homework question to prove that $$\lim_{x\to 0}\sqrt{\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}-\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}}$$ does not exist and its given in the solution that ##\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}<1## while ##\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}>1##, when x->0.
If it is wrong, even then ##\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}<\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}## when x->0 (actually 0+).
 
  • #14
AdityaDev said:
yes. its a homework question to prove that $$\lim_{x\to 0}\sqrt{\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}-\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}}$$ does not exist and its given in the solution that ##\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}<1## while ##\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}>1##, when x->0.
If it is wrong, even then ##\frac{tan^{-1}x}{x}<\frac{sin^{-1}x}{x}## when x->0 (actually 0+).
That's quite different from the original post.

For 0 < x ≤ 1 , ## \displaystyle\ \frac{\tan^{-1}x}{x}-\frac{\sin^{-1}x}{x} <0##

Taking the square root gives an imaginary result.
 

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