Series expansion of xln((x+1)/x)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the limit of the expression \( x \ln\left(\frac{x+1}{x}\right) \) as \( x \) approaches infinity. Participants are exploring the use of series expansions, particularly the Maclaurin series, to analyze the behavior of the function in this limit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the Maclaurin series to the logarithmic expression and question how to properly define the series at different limits. There is confusion regarding the behavior of the function as \( x \) approaches infinity versus the behavior near zero.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants attempting to clarify the steps involved in using the Maclaurin series. Some guidance has been offered regarding the behavior of the logarithmic function near zero, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of defining the logarithmic expression at \( x = 0 \) while focusing on the limit as \( x \) approaches infinity. There is an emphasis on understanding the implications of the series expansion in this context.

damoj
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basically i have to check if
[tex]xln\frac{(x+1)}{x}[/tex]→ 1 as x→∞


the first term is 0 as x→∞

in the answers they say they used maclaurin series and got

[tex]x(\frac{1}{x} + O\frac{1}{1^{2}})[/tex]

but don't show how they did it.

would the first term in the series be

[tex]a(ln(\frac{a+1}{a}))[/tex]

there a = 0, but then the ln function is defined?

im getting a little confused about have a=0 but we want to figure out where the function goes to as x→∞
 
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Looks to me it should be:

[tex]1/x(x+O(k))[/tex]

if instead of taking the limit at infinity, we take the limit at zero of the expression:

[tex]1/x\ln\left(\frac{1+1/x}{1/x}\right)[/tex]

Now we can express the log expression as a MacLaurin series.
 
sorry i don't understand what you mean.

are you rewriting our original expression?

how can i write the ln(1+(1/x)) expression so that its defined for x=0
 
Why is jackmell's suggestion useful?

[itex]\displaystyle \frac{1+1/x}{1/x}=x+1[/itex]
 
damoj said:
sorry i don't understand what you mean.

are you rewriting our original expression?

how can i write the ln(1+(1/x)) expression so that its defined for x=0

You should not care what happens near x = 0; after all, the question is asking about what happens as x --> infinity. So, if x is large, y = 1/x is small, and surely you know how ln(1+y) behaves near y = 0.

RGV
 

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