The Limit of (sinx+1)/(x) - 1 or Infinity?

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter anemone
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Infinity Limit
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the limit of the expression (sin(x) + 1)/x as x approaches zero. Participants explore whether this limit is equal to 1, infinity, or does not exist, engaging in a technical examination of the mathematical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the limit as x approaches zero of (sin(x) + 1)/x is infinity.
  • Others reference the limit of sin(x)/x as x approaches zero, which is known to be 1, suggesting that the original limit may not be straightforward.
  • One participant proposes that the limit does not exist due to the differing one-sided limits as x approaches zero from the positive and negative sides.
  • Another participant clarifies that if the limit existed, it would involve the sum of limits, leading to a contradiction due to the behavior of 1/x as x approaches zero.
  • There is a suggestion to clarify the expression with brackets to avoid ambiguity in interpretation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the limit's value, with some claiming it is infinity, others suggesting it does not exist, and no consensus is reached on the correct interpretation.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the assumptions made about the limit and the need for clarity in notation. The discussion highlights the importance of one-sided limits in determining the existence of the overall limit.

anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Someone told me that the limit as x goes to zero of (sinx+1)/(x) is 1 but I think it's quite obvious that its limit is infinity. I hope you can tell me which is the correct answer? 1 or infinity? Many thanks in advance for replying.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
$\displaystyle \lim_{x\to 0}\frac{\sin x+1}{x}=\infty$
 
Last edited:
anemone said:
Someone told me that the limit as x goes to zero of (sinx+1)/(x) is 1 but I think it's quite obvious that its limit is infinity. I hope you can tell me which is the correct answer? 1 or infinity? Many thanks in advance for replying.
misread the OP
 
Last edited:
anemone said:
Someone told me that the limit as x goes to zero of (sinx+1)/(x) is 1 but I think it's quite obvious that its limit is infinity. I hope you can tell me which is the correct answer? 1 or infinity? Many thanks in advance for replying.

Are you sure that you have typed that correctly? Can you add brackets to remove any possible ambiguity?

But yes, as it stands the limit:

\[ \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin(x)+1}{x}=\infty \]

but note:

\[ \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin(x)}{x}=1 \]

CB
 
Alexmahone said:
$\displaystyle \lim_{x\to 0}\frac{\sin x+1}{x}=\infty$

"Someone" may have been referring to $\displaystyle \lim_{x\to 0}\frac{\sin(x+1)}{x}$, which is 1.

Since \(\displaystyle \lim_{x\to 0} [\sin(x+1)]=\sin(1)\ne 0 \) your limit

\[ \lim_{x\to 0}\frac{\sin(x+1)}{x} =\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{\sin(1)}{x} =\infty \]
 
CaptainBlack said:
Since \(\displaystyle \lim_{x\to 0} [\sin(x+1)]=\sin(1)\ne 0 \) your limit

\[ \lim_{x\to 0}\frac{\sin(x+1)}{x} = \infty \]

Oops...
 
Thanks to all!

CaptainBlack said:
Are you sure that you have typed that correctly? Can you add brackets to remove any possible ambiguity?

OK and I'm sorry. I meant to ask:
\[ \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)+1}{x} \]
Now you all have made it very clear that
\[ \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)+1}{x}=\infty \]
That's my answer too!
Thanks. I think I had better learn Latex if I want to ask more question(s) on this site.:)
 
Last edited:
anemone said:
Thanks to all!
OK and I'm sorry. I meant to ask:
\[ \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)+1}{x} \]
Now you all have made it very clear that
\[ \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)+1}{x}=\infty \]
That's my answer too!
Thanks. I think I had better learn Latex if I want to ask more question(s) on this site.:)

To anemone,
the limit \[\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)+1}{x}\] does not exist! Reason: supose the limit existed, then \[ \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)+1}{x}=\lim_{x\to 0}( \frac{sin(x)}{x}+\frac{1}{x})=\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)}{x}+\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{1}{x}=1+\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{1}{x}\].

But, \(\displaystyle\lim_{x\to 0^+} \frac{1}{x}=\infty\), whereas \(\displaystyle\lim_{x\to 0^-} \frac{1}{x}=-\infty\); the point you should notice is the distinction of one-sided limits.

It follows that the two one-sided limits exits, but they're different, and that means no limit at \(x=0\).
 
melese said:
to anemone,
the limit \[\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)+1}{x}\] does not exist! Reason: Supose the limit existed, then \[ \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)+1}{x}=\lim_{x\to 0}( \frac{sin(x)}{x}+\frac{1}{x})=\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{sin(x)}{x}+\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{1}{x}=1+\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{1}{x}\].

But, \(\displaystyle\lim_{x\to 0^+} \frac{1}{x}=\infty\), whereas \(\displaystyle\lim_{x\to 0^-} \frac{1}{x}=-\infty\); the point you should notice is the distinction of one-sided limits.

It follows that the two one-sided limits exits, but they're different, and that means no limit at \(x=0\).

The one-sided limits do not exist!

Cb
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
1K