What is the limit of $\frac{n^2}{2^n}$ as $n$ approaches infinity?

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SUMMARY

The limit of the expression $\frac{n^2}{2^n}$ as $n$ approaches infinity is definitively 0. This conclusion is reached by applying L'Hôpital's rule twice, which simplifies the limit to $\frac{2}{2^n \ln(2)^2}$, ultimately leading to a limit of 0 as $n$ approaches infinity. Additionally, it is essential to prove that $2^n$ grows faster than $n^2$ for large $n$, which can be established using mathematical induction.

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$\displaystyle
L_b=\lim_{x \to \infty}
\left\{\frac{n^2}{2^n}\right\} \implies\frac{\infty}{\infty} \\
\text{take natural log of both sides} \\
\ln\left(L_b{}\right)=\lim_{x \to \infty}
\left\{\frac{2\ln\left({n}\right)}{n\ln\left({2}\right)}\right\} \\
\text{not sure?? } $
 
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You need to prove that $2^n > n^2$ for large $n$.
 
Why take logs? Why not simply apply L'Hopital's rule to the original limit twice?
 
greg1313 said:
Why take logs? Why not simply apply L'Hopital's rule to the original limit twice?

$\text{thusly..}$
$$\displaystyle
L_b=\lim_{x \to \infty}
\left\{\frac{n^2}{2^n}\right\} $$

$$\displaystyle
L'_b=\lim_{x \to \infty}
\left\{\frac{2n}{2^{n}\ln\left({2}\right)}\right\} $$

$$\displaystyle
L''_b=\lim_{x \to \infty}
\left\{\frac{2}{2^n\ln\left({2}\right)^2}\right\} $$
$x \to \infty$
$$L_b=0$$

- - - Updated - - -

ZaidAlyafey said:
You need to prove that $2^n > n^2$ for large $n$.

Prove?
 
Last edited:
You can use the mathematical induction.
 
whatever that is?
 
karush said:
$\displaystyle
L_b=\lim_{x \to \infty}
\left\{\frac{n^2}{2^n}\right\} \implies\frac{\infty}{\infty} \\
\text{take natural log of both sides} \\
\ln\left(L_b{}\right)=\lim_{x \to \infty}
\left\{\frac{2\ln\left({n}\right)}{n\ln\left({2}\right)}\right\} \\
\text{not sure?? } $
The logarithm of \frac{n^2}{2^n} is not \frac{2ln(n)}{nln(2)}. It is 2ln(n)- n ln(2).
 

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