Show (x^3+2x)/(2x+1) < x^2 as x -> infinite

  • Thread starter RogerDodgr
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In summary, by manipulating the original inequality and using the fact that x approaches infinity, we can see that (x^3+2x)/(2x+1) < x^2 as x --> infinite, assuming x > 1.
  • #1
RogerDodgr
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Show (x^3+2x)/(2x+1) < x^2 as x --> infinite

Homework Statement


Show (x^3+2x)/(2x+1) < x^2 as x --> infinite


Homework Equations


This is not a formal proof. I just need to reduce the left side of the inequality to the point it is fairly obvious that it is less than x^2 as x-->infinite.


The Attempt at a Solution



so far I turned it into
(x^3-1)/(2x+1) + 1 but it is still not broken down enough to be obvious. I'm not sure what to do next.
 
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  • #2


I'm not sure how "obvious" you want it to be, but this should do if it isn't going to be a formal proof -

[tex]\frac{x^{3}+2x}{2x+1}-x^{2}<0[/tex]

[tex]\frac{x^{3}+2x-2x^{3}-x^{2}}{2x+1}<0[/tex]

[tex]\frac{-x^{3}-x^{2}+2x}{2x+1}<0[/tex]

[tex]\frac{-x(x+2)(x-1)}{2x+1}<0[/tex]

The polynomial of x with degree 3 in the numerator dominates the linear polynomial in the denominator, so from here it can be seen that as [tex]x\rightarrow\infty[/tex], the value of the fraction [tex]\rightarrow\infty[/tex] and since the highest degree of x is negative, the value will approach [tex]-\infty[/tex] which is < 0
 
  • #3


Since [tex] x \to \infty [/tex] you can assume that [tex] x > 1 [/tex] so that [tex] 2x < x^3 [/tex]

then, for such [tex] x [/tex]
[tex]
\frac{x^3 + 2x}{2x+1} < \frac{x^3 + x^3}{2x} = \frac{2x^3}{2x} = x^2
[/tex]
 

1. What does the notation "x -> infinite" mean in this context?

The notation "x -> infinite" means that we are looking at the behavior of the expression as x approaches infinity.

2. How do you interpret the expression "Show (x^3+2x)/(2x+1) < x^2 as x -> infinite"?

This expression is asking us to prove that the ratio of the polynomial (x^3+2x) to the polynomial (2x+1) is always less than the polynomial x^2 as x approaches infinity.

3. How can we show that (x^3+2x)/(2x+1) < x^2 as x -> infinite?

We can use the limit definition to evaluate the limit of the expression as x approaches infinity. If the limit is less than the polynomial x^2, then we have proven that (x^3+2x)/(2x+1) < x^2 as x -> infinite.

4. What is the necessary condition for the expression to hold true?

The necessary condition for the expression to hold true is that the degree of the numerator (x^3+2x) must be less than the degree of the denominator (2x+1).

5. Can this expression be proven using algebraic manipulation?

Yes, this expression can be proven using algebraic manipulation by dividing both the numerator and denominator by the highest power of x, and then evaluating the limit as x approaches infinity.

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