What Are the Limits of Simple Functions as x Approaches Infinity?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating limits and integrals involving exponential functions and polynomial expressions, specifically focusing on the behavior of simple functions as x approaches infinity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to evaluate limits of the form \(\lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{x^2}{e^x}\) and integrals such as \(\int_0^\infty x^2 e^{-x} dx\). There are discussions about the correctness of integration steps and the implications of the integrand's behavior.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the evaluation process, while others have raised questions about the assumptions made regarding the integrand and its implications for the integral's value. There is acknowledgment of corrections made to earlier posts, indicating an ongoing refinement of understanding.

Contextual Notes

There are references to potential errors in calculations and the importance of careful integration by parts. The discussion also highlights the non-negativity of the integrand and its relevance to the integral's convergence.

chwala
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Homework Statement
see attached.
Relevant Equations
understanding of the l'hopital rule
1647927972699.png


Refreshing..i will attempt part (a) first ...of course this is easy...
$$\displaystyle{\lim_{x \to \infty}}\frac{x^2}{e^x} $$
$$\displaystyle{\lim_{x \to \infty}}\frac{2x}{e^x} $$
$$\displaystyle{\lim_{x \to \infty}}\frac{2}{e^x} =0$$
 
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Now to part (b);

##\int_0^∞ x^2e^{-x} dx##=##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\int_0^t x^2e^{-x} dx##
having indicated this then we shall have;

##\int x^2e^{-x} dx####=\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}##+##\int 2xe^{-x} dx##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-2xe^{-x}##+##\int e^{-x} dx##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-2xe^{-x}-e^{-x}##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-\dfrac{2x}{e^x}-\dfrac{1}{e^x}##
=##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\dfrac{-t^2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2t}{e^t}-\dfrac{1}{e^t}-[0-0-1]## =##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\dfrac{-2t}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}-\dfrac{1}{e^t}-[0-0-1]##
##={\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\dfrac{-2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}-\dfrac{1}{e^t}-[0-0-1]=[0-0-1]-[0-0-1]=-1+1=0##
thus converges and its value is ##0##.

your thoughts guys:cool:
 
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Have you looked at the plot for ##x^2 e^{-x}##. Would it make sense that the integral would be 0?
 
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DrClaude said:
Have you looked at the plot for ##x^2 e^{-x}##. Would it make sense that the integral would be 0?
Let me check...
 
Let me amend my post; it ought to be

Now to part (b);

##\int_0^∞ x^2e^{-x} dx##=##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\int_0^t x^2e^{-x} dx##
having indicated this then we shall have;

##\int x^2e^{-x} dx####=\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}##+##\int 2xe^{-x} dx##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-2xe^{-x}##+##2\int e^{-x} dx##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-2xe^{-x}-2e^{-x}##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-\dfrac{2x}{e^x}-\dfrac{2}{e^x}##...therefore on taking limits as required we shall have;

=##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\left[\dfrac{-t^2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2t}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}\right]####-[0-0-2]##
##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\left[\dfrac{-2t}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}\right]####-[-0-0-2]##

##={\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\left[\dfrac{-2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}\right]####-[0-0-2]=[-0-0-0]-[-0-0-2]=0+2=2##

thus converges and its value is ##2##.

your thoughts guys:cool:
 
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chwala said:
Let me amend my post; it ought to be

Now to part (b);

##\int_0^∞ x^2e^{-x} dx##=##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\int_0^t x^2e^{-x} dx##
having indicated this then we shall have;

##\int x^2e^{-x} dx####=\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}##+##\int 2xe^{-x} dx##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-2xe^{-x}##+##2\int e^{-x} dx##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-2xe^{-x}-2e^{-x}##
=##\dfrac{-x^2}{e^x}-\dfrac{2x}{e^x}-\dfrac{2}{e^x}##...therefore on taking limits as required we shall have;

=##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\left[\dfrac{-t^2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2t}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}\right]####-[0-0-1]##
##{\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\left[\dfrac{-2t}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}\right]####-[-0-0-2]##

##={\lim_{t \to \infty}}####\left[\dfrac{-2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}-\dfrac{2}{e^t}\right]####-[0-0-2]=[-0-0-0]-[-0-0-2]=0+2=2##

thus converges and its value is ##2##.

your thoughts guys:cool:
I checked the result, which is correct. So either you made a mistake twice in different directions, or it is ok.
 
fresh_42 said:
I checked the result, which is correct. So either you made a mistake twice in different directions, or it is ok.
I had made a mistake earlier by missing the ##'2'## ...after integration by parts...i.e in my post ##2## ...I amended that in my post ##5##...I didn't want to interfere with the post so as to make it easier for people to follow...
Just amended post ##5## ...latex typo...
 
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The integrand is non-negative, so the integral can be zero only if the integrand is zero almost everywhere. Clearly, that is not the case. The result you arrived at later is correct.
 

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