(x_n)->0 and lim(x_n)sin(1/(x_n))=0 help?

1. Oct 12, 2008

Unassuming

(x_n)-->0 and lim(x_n)sin(1/(x_n))=0 ...help?

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Let $$x_n$$ be a sequence in R with $$x_n \rightarrow 0$$ and $$x_n \neq 0$$ for all n. Prove that $$lim (x_n) sin \frac{1}{x_n} = 0$$.

3. The attempt at a solution

I think I might have a solution if I say that if $$x_n \rightarrow 0$$, then $$\frac{1}{x_n} \rightarrow \infty$$.

Then $$sin \frac{1}{x_n} \times (x_n) \rightarrow 0$$. This might or might not be a good method.

Anyway, ... I am required to use the squeeze thrm to prove this. Could somebody give me a hint on which two outer limits to use?

2. Oct 12, 2008

e(ho0n3

Re: (x_n)-->0 and lim(x_n)sin(1/(x_n))=0 ...help?

Are you sure that xn converges to 0? Suppose the sequence is 1, 1/2, 1/3, ... which converges to 0. The sine sequence is sin 1, sin 2, sin 3, ... which I highly doubt converges to 0.

3. Oct 12, 2008

Unassuming

Re: (x_n)-->0 and lim(x_n)sin(1/(x_n))=0 ...help?

The problem states that "if" x_n approaches 0 then the limit of (x_n)sin(1/x_n) approaches 0. I assume we have to use that information.

4. Oct 12, 2008

gabbagabbahey

Re: (x_n)-->0 and lim(x_n)sin(1/(x_n))=0 ...help?

Hint: try to show that $-abs(x_n) \leq x_nsin \left(\frac{1}{x_n} \right) \leq abs(x_n)$ for all n. If you can do that, then just apply the squeeze theorem and your done.

Edit- you can't just say that lim x_n ->0 of x_nsin(1/x_n) is zero because x_n goes to zero....the limit of sin(1/x_n) does not exist so $\lim ( x_n sin(1/x_n)) \neq (\lim (x_n))(\lim (sin(1/x_n)))$

5. Oct 12, 2008

Unassuming

Re: (x_n)-->0 and lim(x_n)sin(1/(x_n))=0 ...help?

Please let me know if I need more rigor on this...

"Proof"

Since $$sin\frac{1}{x_n}$$ is always between -1 and 1,

$$x_nsin\frac{1}{x_n} \leq x_n$$

Using similar logic,

$$x_n \leq x_nsin\frac{1}{x_n} \leq x_n$$

Since both negative and positive $$x_n \rightarrow 0$$

we know by the squeeze theorem that

$$x_nsin\frac{1}{x_n} \rightarrow 0$$

EDIT: How do I incorporate the abs?

6. Oct 12, 2008

gabbagabbahey

Re: (x_n)-->0 and lim(x_n)sin(1/(x_n))=0 ...help?

abs means absolute value (x_n could be negative for some n, so you must take the absolute value...suppose that there were a value of n for which x_n=-2 and sin(1/x_n)=+0.5, clearly x_n sin(1/x_n)=-1 which is not less that x_n=-2, but it is less than |-2|=2 )

$$\Rightarrow -|x_n| \leq x_nsin\frac{1}{x_n} \leq |x_n|$$

not

$$-x_n \leq x_nsin\frac{1}{x_n} \leq x_n$$

If x_n ->0, then so do Abs(x_n) and -Abs(x_n)

Last edited: Oct 12, 2008
7. Oct 14, 2008

Unassuming

Re: (x_n)-->0 and lim(x_n)sin(1/(x_n))=0 ...help?

Okay, so here is what I have...

Proof

Since

$$\sin\frac{1}{x_n}$$

is always between -1 and 1,

$$x_n\sin\frac{1}{x_n} \leq |x_n|$$

Using similar logic,

$$-|x_n| \leq x_n\sin\frac{1}{x_n} \leq |x_n|$$

Since

$$-|x_n| \to 0$$

and

$$|x_n| \to 0$$

, we know by the squeeze theorem that

$$x_n\sin\frac{1}{x_n} \rightarrow 0$$

Last edited: Oct 14, 2008