Solving Limits that can't be rationalized (i think)

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Homework Statement


[tex] \lim_{x\to 4}\left(\frac{2-\sqrt{x}}{3-\sqrt{2x+1}}\right)[/tex]

[tex] \lim_{x\to 0}\left(\frac{2^2^x {-2^x}}{2^x{-1}}\right)[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



I tried rationalizing but doesn't really help in evaluating these limits.


If a limit cannot be factored, what other ways are there of evaluating limits?
 
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For the first I can't seem to figure it out either. The denominator can be rationalised of course, but what comes after that I'm unsure.

As for the second, notice that [tex]2^{2x}=(2^x)^2[/tex] since [tex](a^b)^n=a^{bn}[/tex]
From there you can factorise and simplify :wink:
 
Mentallic said:
For the first I can't seem to figure it out either. The denominator can be rationalised of course, but what comes after that I'm unsure.

As for the second, notice that [tex]2^{2x}=(2^x)^2[/tex] since [tex](a^b)^n=a^{bn}[/tex]
From there you can factorise and simplify :wink:

Ah, okay, I see how to solve the 2nd one now, thanks =).

Hopefully someone knows how to solve the 1st one
 
We have not learned L'Hopital's rule or derivatives yet =(
 
hoaver said:
We have not learned L'Hopital's rule or derivatives yet =(

In that case try multiplying both the numerator and denominator by [itex](2+\sqrt{x})(3+\sqrt{2x+1})[/itex] and then simplify...this should remove that pesky 0/0.
 
gabbagabbahey said:
In that case try multiplying both the numerator and denominator by [itex](2+\sqrt{x})(3+\sqrt{2x+1})[/itex] and then simplify...this should remove that pesky 0/0.

note I am not thread stater
when i apply l'Hôpital's i will get 0.75
however if i don't i get infinity
 
icystrike said:
note I am not thread stater
when i apply l'Hôpital's i will get 0.75
however if i don't i get infinity

0.75=3/4 is corrrect. You shouldn't be getting infinity using my method...what is [tex]\left(\frac{(2-\sqrt{x})(2+\sqrt{x})}{(3-\sqrt{2x+1})(3+\sqrt{2x+1})}\right) \left( \frac{3+\sqrt{2x+1}}{2+\sqrt{x}} \right)[/tex]? :wink:
 
gabbagabbahey said:
0.75=3/4 is corrrect. You shouldn't be getting infinity using my method...what is [tex]\left(\frac{(2-\sqrt{x})(2+\sqrt{x})}{(3-\sqrt{2x+1})(3+\sqrt{2x+1})}\right) \left( \frac{3+\sqrt{2x+1}}{2+\sqrt{x}} \right)[/tex]? :wink:

opps. my bad. miscalculated
 
[tex]\lim_{x \to 4}\left(\frac{2-\sqrt{x}}{3-\sqrt{2x+1}}\right)*\frac{2+\sqrt{x}}{3+\sqrt{2x+1}}*\frac{3+\sqrt{2x+1}}{2+\sqrt{x}}[/tex]

Or:

[tex]\lim_{x \to 4}\left(\frac{2-\sqrt{x}}{3-\sqrt{2x+1}}\right)*\frac{2+\sqrt{x}}{3+\sqrt{2x+1}}*\frac{3}{2}[/tex]

Regards.
 
Thanks for the help everyone.

Later, I also found it to work with using this:
[tex] \lim_{x \to 4}\left(\frac{2-\sqrt{x}}{3-\sqrt{2x+1}}\right)*\frac{3+\sqrt{2x+1}}{3+\sqrt{2x+1}}[/tex]
Simplifies to
[tex] \lim_{x \to 4}\left(\frac{(2-\sqrt{x})(3+\sqrt{2x+1})}{8-2x}}\right)[/tex]
to
[tex] \lim_{x \to 4}\left(\frac{(2-\sqrt{x})(3+\sqrt{2x+1})}{2(2-\sqrt{x})(2+\sqrt{x})}}\right)[/tex]

dividing out the 2-sqrt(x) results in:
[tex] \lim_{x \to 4}\left(\frac{3+\sqrt{2x+1})}{2(2+\sqrt{x})}\right)[/tex]

after which I just subbed in 4 for the answer 3/4

edit: does anyone know what this method is called? multiplying by the ______ (what i did to the original equation)
 
Last edited:
You did rationalization of the denominator.

Regards.
 
hoaver said:
edit: does anyone know what this method is called? multiplying by the ______ (what i did to the original equation)

You multiplied by its conjugate.
 
Mentallic said:
You multiplied by its conjugate.

Thats the one. Thanks =)