# Homework Help: Show a limit = infinity

1. Sep 28, 2010

### kathrynag

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Show lim $$n^{1/2}$$=$$\infty$$ using the definition of lim $$x_{n}$$=$$\infty$$.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
We want to show $$\left|x^{1/2}-\infty\right|$$,$$\epsilon$$. I get this far and i hit a blank.

2. Sep 28, 2010

### Staff: Mentor

No, you can't use this $$|x^{1/2}-\infty|$$. The definition for the limit of an unbounded function doesn't use infinity or epsilon. Do you know what that definition is?

3. Sep 28, 2010

### kathrynag

Well, I was supposed to supply the definition of lim $$x_{n}$$=$$\infty$$.

I guess I wasn't so sure on how to do that.

4. Sep 28, 2010

### Staff: Mentor

No, you're supposed to use the definition of $$\lim_{n \to \infty} x_n = \infty$$. That's different.

$$\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \infty$$ is defined this way:
$$\forall M \exists N > 0 \ni \forall x > N, f(x) > M$$

In other words, no matter how large an M someone chooses, there is some number N so that if x > N, then f(x) > M. In other, other words, if you want to get a larger value for f(x), take a larger value for x.

The definition is similar for your sequence.

5. Sep 28, 2010

### kathrynag

Sorry, I was just using what my book stated and the book didn't include that extra part.

6. Sep 29, 2010

### Staff: Mentor

Do you still have a question? I can't tell.

7. Sep 29, 2010

### kathrynag

I guess my question is how to use the definition to prove the limit of my original sequence?

8. Sep 29, 2010

### Staff: Mentor

You work backward. Assuming for the moment that n1/2 > M, can you find some other number N so that when n > N, then n1/2 > M? That's basically what I said in post #4.