Solving a limit by l'hopital's rule

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit as x approaches infinity of the expression involving square roots: squareroot( x^2 + x ) - squareroot( x^2 - x). Participants are exploring the application of L'Hôpital's rule and other mathematical properties related to logarithms in the context of this limit problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods for simplifying the limit expression, including multiplying by the conjugate. There are questions about the validity of certain logarithmic properties and how they apply to the problem at hand.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on transforming the expression into a suitable form for applying L'Hôpital's rule. There is an acknowledgment of errors in the original poster's reasoning regarding logarithmic properties, and further questions about the correct application of these properties are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the use of logarithmic identities and the necessity of adhering to the homework template. Participants are also navigating the implications of using L'Hôpital's rule in this context.

iwantcalculus
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Member warned about not using the homework template
So, according to answer sheet, the answer is 1...

The question is :

limit as x approaches infinity of : squareroot( x^2 + x ) - squareroot( x^2 - x)

I tried to put it in a limit calculator, but the steps shown are very complex and don't even involve l'hopital's rule...

I think the solution is by making e (natural number) to the power of natural logarithim of the function, but it's not working with me.. when I do that, I get the final answer e, but the final answer should be 1, as shown by answer sheet and limit calculator... please help...
 
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You need to show us what you actually did, not just describe it in words. How else are we going to see where you go wrong? Also, please do not delete the homework template. It is provided for a reason.
 
Orodruin said:
You need to show us what you actually did, not just describe it in words. How else are we going to see where you go wrong? Also, please do not delete the homework template. It is provided for a reason.

I thought you were supposed to read the template and then remove it, but I did the stuff in the template... Now I hope mods don't remove it...

And this is my solution :
tpNdDrQ.jpg

please help!
 
An error in your calculation: ##\log(a-b) \neq \frac{\log(a)}{\log(b)}##

(A correct equation is ##\log(\frac {a}{b})=\log(a)-\log(b)##.)

What happens when you multiply and divide ##(\sqrt{x²+x}-\sqrt{x²-x})## with ##(\sqrt{x²+x}+\sqrt{x²-x})##?
 
Please don't attach images like that, type it out in the forum! There are several reasons for this, one being that it is difficult to read, another that it is impossible to quote.

You seem to have used ##\ln(x-y) = \ln(x)/\ln(y)##. This is not true, what is true is ##\ln(x/y) = \ln(x) - \ln(y)##.
 
Samy_A said:
An error in your calculation: ##\log(a-b) \neq \frac{\log(a)}{\log(b)}##

(A correct equation is ##\log(\frac {a}{b})=\log(a)-\log(b)##.)

What happens when you multiply and divide ##(\sqrt{x²+x}-\sqrt{x²-x})## with ##(\sqrt{x²+x}+\sqrt{x²-x})##?

Orodruin said:
Please don't attach images like that, type it out in the forum! There are several reasons for this, one being that it is difficult to read, another that it is impossible to quote.

You seem to have used ##\ln(x-y) = \ln(x)/\ln(y)##. This is not true, what is true is ##\ln(x/y) = \ln(x) - \ln(y)##.

Sorry, so how do you solve these questions correctly if that property is not true? I am stuck there now...
 
iwantcalculus said:
Sorry, so how do you solve these questions correctly if that property is not true? I am stuck there now...
Samy_A also asked you a direct question in his post. Try to answer that.
 
iwantcalculus said:
Sorry, so how do you solve these questions correctly if that property is not true? I am stuck there now...
L'Hôpital's rule applies to a fraction. So you have to transform ##(\sqrt{x²+x}-\sqrt{x²-x})## into a fraction.
One way to do this is what I suggested in my previous post:
Samy_A said:
What happens when you multiply and divide ##(\sqrt{x²+x}-\sqrt{x²-x})## with ##(\sqrt{x²+x}+\sqrt{x²-x})##?
 
Samy_A said:
L'Hôpital's rule applies to a fraction. So you have to transform ##(\sqrt{x²+x}-\sqrt{x²-x})## into a fraction.
One way to do this is what I suggested in my previous post:
Thanks a lot... problem solved! turns out there was no need for e and ln...\Edit: a new question came to my mind,

about the natural log, when we take natural log of both sides

like imagine : x+x = x^2 +x -2 or anything you can make up
if i take natural log of both sides

is it ln(x+x) = ln(x^2 +x -2)

or

lnx+lnx = lnx^2 + ln x - ln2
 
Last edited:
  • #10
iwantcalculus said:
Thanks a lot... problem solved! turns out there was no need for e and ln...\
about the natural log, when we take natural log of both sides

like imagine : x+x = x^2 +x -2 or anything you can make up
if i take natural log of both sides

is it ln(x+x) = ln(x^2 +x -2)

or

lnx+lnx = lnx^2 + ln x - ln2
The first one.
Some basic and useful properties of the logarithm (to any base) are:
##\log(ab)=\log(a)+\log(b)##
##\log(\frac {a}{b})=\log(a)-\log(b)##
##\log(a^b)=b\log(a)##
 

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