Understanding the Limit of 1/x as x Approaches 0: Uncovering the Error

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the limit of the function 1/x as x approaches 0, particularly examining the use of Taylor series to analyze this limit. Participants explore the implications of applying Taylor series to functions that diverge and the continuity of these functions at x=0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about their approach to finding the limit of 1/x using a Taylor series expansion of 1/x^2, suggesting they believe they have made an error.
  • Another participant advises checking the radius of convergence of the Taylor series and notes that the limit of 1/x^2 as x approaches 0 does not yield a finite value.
  • A different participant points out that the limit of 1/x^2 approaches infinity as x approaches 0, which aligns with their understanding of the function's behavior.
  • One participant emphasizes that the limit cannot simply be evaluated by substituting 0 into the function due to discontinuity at that point.
  • Another participant suggests that visualizing the function with a graph could aid in understanding the limit behavior.
  • Further clarification is provided that the Taylor series for 1/x^2 diverges at x=0, indicating that multiplying it by x does not yield a valid limit evaluation.
  • One participant acknowledges the misunderstanding and confirms that it is unreasonable to conclude that a product of a diverging expression and a variable approaching zero results in zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the limit of 1/x as x approaches 0 is problematic due to the function's discontinuity at that point. However, there is no consensus on the correct method to analyze the limit using Taylor series, with multiple viewpoints on the implications of convergence and divergence.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the assumptions about the continuity of functions and the behavior of Taylor series at points of divergence. There are unresolved mathematical steps regarding the application of series and limits.

coldboyqn
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I am doing something that I sure that I'm wrong, but I cannot realize the error. See as below:
[tex] \frac{1}{x}=x\times\frac{1}{(x^2)} ________\(1\)[/tex]

Taylor Series of [tex]\frac{1}{x^2}[/tex]:
[tex] \frac{1}{x^2}=\frac{1}{\alpha}+\sum_{k=1}^\infty g(k)(x-\alpha)^k[/tex]

In which
k is from 1 to infinity,
[tex] g(k)=(-1)^k\times\frac{(k+1)!}{\alpha^{(k+2)}k!}\\\\<br /> =\frac{(-1)^k\times(k+1)}{\alpha^{(k+2)}}[/tex]

Substitute Taylor Series of 1/x^2 into (1), we obtain:
[tex]\frac{1}{x}=\frac{x}{\alpha}+\sum_{k=1}^\infty g(k)(x-\alpha)^k[/tex]
So: [tex]\lim_{\substack{x\rightarrow 0}} \frac{1}{x}=\lim_{\substack{x\rightarrow 0}} (\frac{x}{\alpha}+\sum_{k=1}^\infty x\times g(k)(x-\alpha)^k)=0 (??!?)[/tex]
Can anyone show me, please?
 
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You need to check the radius of convergence of the taylor series. Note if you don't multiply by x, you get the limit as x->0 of 1/x^2 to be 1/a^2, where a is arbitrary. (I'm assuming alpha=a^2)
 
I see that if using the Taylor series above to determine the value of [tex]\lim_{\substack{x\rightarrow 0}}\frac{1}{x^2}[/tex] we will obtain infinity, which is according?
 
You're right. Sorry, I should have read your question more carefully. The problem is that the last limit isn't 0. You can't just plug in 0 to get the limit, as the function isn't continuous at x=0. More careful calculation should show that limit diverges as well.
 
Wouldn't it be best to draw a graph? Especially when it's possible.
 
StatusX said:
The problem is that the last limit isn't 0. You can't just plug in 0 to get the limit, as the function isn't continuous at x=0.
Surely the last limit isn't 0. But my problem is that the strange result I obtain when
I treat [tex]\frac{1}{x}[/tex] as [tex]x\times TaylorSeries\_of(\frac{1}{x^2})[/tex].
I wonder where is my error when I calculate the limit by this method!
 
It isn't hard to check the series converges precisely in (0,2a), and in this region it converges to 1/x^2. If you multiply it termwise by x, you get a series that converges in [0,2a). But there's no reason to expect that series evaluated at x=0 to give you the same thing as (1/x^2)*x evaluated at 0, since the taylor series did not converge at x=0. You can prove the limit diverges explicitly, and the easiest way to do this is just to prove the series does converge to 1/x in (0,2a).
 
Oh, yes, I see. As the Taylor Series of [tex]\frac{1}{x^2}[/tex] diverges at 0, I cannot simply multiply it with x to evaluate 1/x at 0, right? And it is unreasonable to multiply an expression that diverges (to [tex]\infty[/tex]) with a variable that come to zero and conclude that the multiplied expression come to zero, right?
Thanks for explanation, I understand now.
 

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