What is the limit of the given expression when n goes to infinity?

  • Thread starter Thread starter quasar987
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Limit
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on evaluating the limit of the expression (√(n+7) - √(n+5)) / (√(n+2) - √(n)) as n approaches infinity. Participants suggest using conjugates to simplify the expression, but initial attempts lead to confusion and indeterminate forms. A clearer approach involves multiplying by appropriate conjugates and dividing by √n, which helps clarify the limit. Ultimately, the limit is confirmed to be 1. The conversation highlights the importance of careful manipulation of expressions in limit evaluations.
quasar987
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Messages
4,796
Reaction score
32
I've tried multiplicating by the conjugate of the denominator and of the numerator but this leads to nothing I can see. How can this limit be evaluated? (the limit is to be taken when n goes to infinity)

\frac{\sqrt{n+7}-\sqrt{n+5}}{\sqrt{n+2}-\sqrt{n}}

The answer is 1.

Thanks for helping.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I've tried multiplicating by the conjugate of the denominator and of the numerator but this leads to nothing I can see.

Show us what you got when you did this.
 
Divide the numerator and the denominator by \sqrt{n}.
 
Hurkyl said:
Show us what you got when you did this.
Will do tomorrow. I got to go to bed urgent.

Leong said:
Divide the numerator and the denominator by \sqrt{n}.
If you mean "take \sqrt{n} out of the num and denom", when you take the limit you get the undeterminate form 0/0. If that's not what you mean, I don't know what you mean. :smile:
 
Ok, so

\frac{\sqrt{n+7}-\sqrt{n+5}}{\sqrt{n+2}-\sqrt{n}} \frac{\sqrt{n+2}+\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{n+2}+\sqrt{n}} = \frac{\sqrt{n+7}\sqrt{n+2}+\sqrt{n+7}\sqrt{n}-\sqrt{n+5}\sqrt{n+2}-\sqrt{n+5}\sqrt{n}}{2}

which may be factorised into...

\frac{(\sqrt{n+7}-\sqrt{n+5})(\sqrt{n+2}+\sqrt{n})}{2}


If we multiply by the other conjugate, we get

\frac{\sqrt{n+7}-\sqrt{n+5}}{\sqrt{n+2}-\sqrt{n}} \frac{\sqrt{n+7}+\sqrt{n+5}}{\sqrt{n+7}+\sqrt{n+5}} = \frac{12}{\sqrt{n+2}\sqrt{n+7}+\sqrt{n+2}\sqrt{n+5} -\sqrt{n+7}\sqrt{n}-\sqrt{n+5}\sqrt{n}}

which may be factorised into

\frac{12}{(\sqrt{n+2}-\sqrt{n})(\sqrt{n+5}+\sqrt{n+7})}
 
You've made quite a few errors here
Multiply with 1*1 in this manner:
\frac{\sqrt{n+7}-\sqrt{n+5}}{\sqrt{n+2}-\sqrt{n}}=\frac{\sqrt{n+7}+\sqrt{n+5}}{\sqrt{n+7}+\sqrt{n+5}}*\frac{\sqrt{n+7}-\sqrt{n+5}}{\sqrt{n+2}-\sqrt{n}}*\frac{\sqrt{n+2}+\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{n+2}+\sqrt{n}}
Hence, we get:
\frac{\sqrt{n+7}-\sqrt{n+5}}{\sqrt{n+2}-\sqrt{n}}=\frac{\sqrt{n+2}+\sqrt{n}}{\sqrt{n+7}+\sqrt{n+5}}
 
Last edited:
And THEN...
Leong said:
Divide the numerator and the denominator by \sqrt{n}.
:-p

Ok I get it now. Thanks everyone!
 
Back
Top