Limit Definition and 999 Threads

In mathematics, the limit inferior and limit superior of a sequence can be thought of as limiting (i.e., eventual and extreme) bounds on the sequence. They can be thought of in a similar fashion for a function (see limit of a function). For a set, they are the infimum and supremum of the set's limit points, respectively. In general, when there are multiple objects around which a sequence, function, or set accumulates, the inferior and superior limits extract the smallest and largest of them; the type of object and the measure of size is context-dependent, but the notion of extreme limits is invariant.
Limit inferior is also called infimum limit, limit infimum, liminf, inferior limit, lower limit, or inner limit; limit superior is also known as supremum limit, limit supremum, limsup, superior limit, upper limit, or outer limit.

The limit inferior of a sequence




x

n




{\displaystyle x_{n}}
is denoted by





lim inf

n





x

n




or





lim
_



n






x

n


.


{\displaystyle \liminf _{n\to \infty }x_{n}\quad {\text{or}}\quad \varliminf _{n\to \infty }x_{n}.}
The limit superior of a sequence




x

n




{\displaystyle x_{n}}
is denoted by





lim sup

n





x

n




or





lim
¯



n






x

n


.


{\displaystyle \limsup _{n\to \infty }x_{n}\quad {\text{or}}\quad \varlimsup _{n\to \infty }x_{n}.}

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  1. K

    MHB Limit of (n^2+n)^(1/2)-(n^3+n^2)^(1/3)

    How could I calculate: $\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow + \infty}{(\sqrt(n^2+n) - \sqrt[3](n^3+n^2))}$ Everything that I tried I always got infinite forms or 0 in denominator. I don't have any idea what else should I try here.
  2. U

    MHB What is the more appropriate method to solve for the limit in this scenario?

    I've got another limit question here, but I don't suppose you use the same method as last time for sure (rational). I essentially got (infinity)^0 and just assumed that to be equal to 1 which made sense to me. However, in my textbook and notes, (infinity) to the power of 0 is one type of an...
  3. U

    MHB Find the limit as x goes to infinity

    Hi, I am having trouble with these kind of questions where we have to use L'Hospital's Rule. I took the ln of the function to get the x out of the exponent, and then followed the Rule by taking the derivative of the top and bottom (using a shortcut we learned: lim x --> infty f(x)g(x) = lim x...
  4. Erenjaeger

    Canceling x and |x| in a Limit: Understanding the Solution

    Homework Statement can you cancel the x and the |x|[/B] lim x→0 ( x(1-(cos(x))/|x| ) 2. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution At first i thought the limit would just be undefined as x approaches 0 but the answer to the problem is actually 0, so can you just cancel the x with the...
  5. I

    How to Approach Finding the Limit of an Equation as n Approaches Infinity?

    Homework Statement Find the limes of the equation, so lim n -> ∞ Homework Equations [/B] The Attempt at a Solution I tried to solve this by using the third binomial formula and formed this to I wanted to show that it's <= 1/n, but then I checked wolfram alpha and it seems like it actually...
  6. gkamal

    Evaluate the limit of the sequence

    Homework Statement [/B]Homework Equations delta(x) = [b-a]/n xi=a+delta(x)i The Attempt at a Solution So, it is said that i have to use riemann sums to solve this one. what i did is i took the 1/12k out thus getting 1/12k[1/[1+1/12k] + 1/[1+2/12k] + 1/{1+19k/12k]] I found that xi =...
  7. A

    Understanding the algebra behind these limit problems

    Homework Statement $$\lim_{x \to -∞}{\sqrt{x^2 + bx + c} - x}.$$Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution So in problem 1, once I got to a point where I am to divide by the highest power in the denominator(x) I get something like: $$\lim_{x \to -∞}\frac{bx+c}{\sqrt{x^2+bx+c}+x}$$ Now what I...
  8. Austin Chang

    I Limit of a product with bounded function

    Q's Let f,g ℝ→ℝ. Suppose that g is bounded. This means that its image is bounded or in other words there exists a positive real number B s.t. |g(x)| ≤ B ∀ x. Prove that if lim x→c f(x) = 0, then lim x→c f(x)g(x) = 0. Work. See the picture. I am really confused I can't seem to understand the idea...
  9. J

    I On the invariant speed of light being the upper speed limit

    Hello! I have a question that has been bothering me since I first started learning about Special Relativity: Given only the Minskowskian metric and/OR the spacetime interval, how can one reach the conclusion that the speed of light is invariant for every observer and how can one conclude that it...
  10. Trance-

    Is there a maximum limit to voltage for a conductor?

    This question comes from the equation E = vB (moving conductor in a magnetic field -- E = electric intensity, v= speed of the conductor's movement, and B = magnetic field strength). Say B is constant, so the only thing we have to rely on to vary the electric intensity in the conductor is its...
  11. Stephanus

    Calculating Acceleration Limit Near 10 Solar Mass Object

    Dear PF Forum, What is the limit of acceleration? I've been reading old threads, and I found this. G = 6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2 Solar mass = 1.989 * 1030kg And I tried to plug in some numbers... In a distance 30 km from a 10 solar mass object the acceleration is... ##a =...
  12. S

    I Differentiability of multivariable functions

    What does it mean for a ##f(x,y)## to be differentiable at ##(a,b)##? Do I have to somehow show ##f(x,y)-f(a,b)-\nabla f(a,b)\cdot \left( x-a,y-b \right) =0 ##? To show the function is not though, it's enough to show, using the limit definition, that the partial derivative approaching in one...
  13. evinda

    MHB Show that limit is equal to zero

    Hello! (Wave)Suppose that $B_{\epsilon}=\{ |x- \xi|< \epsilon\}$ and $E(|x- \xi|)=\left\{\begin{matrix} \frac{1}{(2-n)w_n}|x-\xi|^{2-n} &, n \geq 3 \\ \\ \frac{1}{2 \pi} \ln{|x-\xi|} &, n=2 \end{matrix}\right.$ So when $ |x- \xi|=\epsilon $ then $$E(|x- \xi|)=\left\{\begin{matrix}...
  14. C

    I Deep inelastic scattering and the Q^2 large limit

    I am reading through Bailin and Love's argument (see P.151-152 of 'Introduction to Gauge Field Theory') that as ##Q^2 \rightarrow \infty##, we probe the product of the two electromagnetic currents appearing in the hadronic tensor for DIS on the lightcone. I will write out the argument here and...
  15. GeorgeDishman

    B Observational limit from the super-horizon mode spectrum

    In making cosmological measurements, we are limited to the region within the particle horizon, the 'observable universe'. However, it is reasonable to assume that even if the universe is finite, it is much larger than that volume. If, for example, we measure the curvature ##\Omega_K##, the value...
  16. B

    I How is the Limit of This Sequence Determined?

    $$x_n = (-1)^n {2n\over n+1} \sin n $$ it is given that , $$|x_n| = |(-1)^n| {2n\over n+1} |\sin n| < {2n\over n+1} < 2$$ thus bounded, but what i did not get is how did we find ##\lim_{n \to \infty} |(-1)^n| {2n\over n+1} |\sin n| = 2##. I checked with wolfram alpha and it says ##\lim_{n \to...
  17. T

    MHB Find the Slope of a Curve y=f(x) at (a,f(a)) - Determine a f

    The limit below represents the slope of a curve y=​f(x) at the point​ (a,f(a)). Determine a​ f After finding the f(x) and a, I did this:8(3^2+3h(3)+3h(3)+h^2)-72 dividing by h getting h(8h^2+144) dividing by h; canceling the h's and the plugging in the limit h --> 0 getting 144. But I am...
  18. T

    MHB How do evaluate this limit because i will get 2.6667 and divide by -144

    My Work: How do evaluate this limit because i will get 2.6667 and divide by -144 it will get me 55.38446... I know that the answer is WRONG but I can't figure it out. Then after that i have to plug in into tangent line y-f(a) = Mtan(x-a) what i am doing wrong. The Problem:
  19. Genilson

    I Limit with integral and absolute value

    Hello good evening to all, I was studying here and got stuck with this. I solved the integral and got [x+sin(x) -1] and that´s the farthest that I got. I would appreciate the help.
  20. dexterdev

    A Can a molecular dynamics simulation enter a limit cycle?

    In my rough understanding Molecular Dynamics using Classical Newtonian mechanics is a 6N dimensional non linear system. 6N dimension because you have 3 position vectors and 3 momentum vectors for each N particles. Nonlinearity because of the terms in force fields. In principle this system can...
  21. R

    MHB Probability & Central Limit Theorem

    The population mean and standard deviation are given below. Find the required probability and determine whether the given sample mean would be considered unusual. μx̄ = μ = 12,749 σ = 1.2 n = 35 For the given sample n = 35, the probability of a sample mean being less than 12,749 or greater...
  22. S

    Find the limit of the function

    Homework Statement Find the limit of the function ( attached) Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Is the limit infinity. Found the integral as (-1/(2t))*e^-2t from 0 to 0. Isn't the integral of a function that is 0 to 0, 0. The lim of 1/x approaching zero infinity.
  23. Z

    Limit switches to control motor direction

    I am trying to use two limit switches(this one) and two DPDT relays to control the direction of the motor. When the power is applied the motor should rotate one direction (direction for this question isn't important). Also, at this point (initialization) neither switch will be energized. The...
  24. Monoxdifly

    MHB Solve [ASK] Limit of Cosine: How to?

    How to solve \lim_{x\rightarrow\frac{\pi}{2}}\frac{\cos{x}}{x-\frac{\pi}{2}}? At first I tried to convert cos x to \frac{\tan{x}}{\sin{x}} but then realized that \lim_{x\rightarrow c}\frac{\tan{x}}{x} only applies if c = 0. So, how?
  25. C

    Limit of a Function at a Specific Value

    Homework Statement Algebraically solve the following limit, show all work: $$\lim_{x\to0^-} \frac{e^x\cos(x)}{x}$$ Homework Equations I don't know exactly how to go about doing this, but I think I can use the Squeeze Theorem somewhere in here: ##g(x) \leq f(x) \leq h(x)## If ##\lim_{x\to a}...
  26. D

    I Limit to the max size of a Nucleus

    Hi Everybody, I've seen that one of the reasons that elements past 137 can't be created is because any element past 137 would require electrons in inner orbitals to go faster than the speed of light, and past 137 they would have to. I have also heard that electrons don't literally orbit the...
  27. karush

    MHB Thanks for catching that! I will make the corrections.

    $\tiny{242.ws8.d}$ $$\displaystyle L_d=\lim_{x \to \infty} \left[\frac{\arctan{(n)}}{\pi +\arctan{(n)}}\right] =\frac{1}{3}$$ $\text{L' didn't work}$ ☕
  28. karush

    MHB Exploring the Limit of $\displaystyle \frac{\infty}{\infty}$

    $\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?? } $
  29. LazuRazvan

    How Do I Apply Stolz-Cesaro Theorem to Find the Limit of a Sequence?

    Homework Statement hello, i have to find the limit of the next array (xn)=(cos (π/n+1) + cos (π/n+2) + ...+ cos ( π/2n))/n when n goes to infinity. Homework Equations I was told to apply stolz cesaro and that is where i ended up : the limit is : limit of cos ( π/2n+1) + cos (π/2n+2) -cos...
  30. A

    Solving limit with squareroot -- how can i simplify

    Homework Statement http://prntscr.com/cpbr3f Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution If I were to simply plug in 25 into the limit, i would get ((25)^(1/3) - 5)/25 Apparently the answer is 2/5. How the heck can you come to this conclusion?
  31. Destroxia

    Planck's Law: Low, and High Frequency Limit

    Homework Statement a) Derive the Rayleigh-Jeans distribution by taking the low-frequency limit of Planck's distribution. b) Derive the Wien distribution by taking the high-frequency limit of Planck's Distribution. Homework Equations ## u(f) = \frac {8 \pi f^2} {c^3} \frac {hf} {e^{\frac...
  32. P

    What Is the Approximation for the Roche Limit?

    1. Homework Statement Show that d=(9M/(4*pi*p))^1/3 is an approximation for the roche limit. Note that x/d <<1 with M = mass of the primary p = density of the secondary x= distance of a test particle from the center of the secondary (in part a) of the task one should give the motion equation...
  33. toforfiltum

    Evaluating limit for this function

    Homework Statement Function is ##lim_{(x,y,z) \rightarrow (0,\sqrt\pi,1)} \ e^{xz} \cos y^2 - x## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution As ##x \rightarrow 0## along ##y= \sqrt \pi, z=1##, ##f(x,y,z)= -1## As ##y \rightarrow 0## along ##x=0, z=1##, ##f(x,y,z) = -1## As ##z \rightarrow...
  34. toforfiltum

    Does this function have a limit at (0,0)?

    Homework Statement This is the function: ##\lim_{(x,y) \rightarrow (0,0)} \frac{(x+y)^2}{x^2+y^2}## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution So for ##x \rightarrow 0## along ##y=0##, ##f(x,y)=1## For ##y \rightarrow 0## along ##x=0##, ##f(x,y)=1## also. But the answer says there is no...
  35. A

    Arctan limit (without L'Hopital's Rule)

    Homework Statement Limx-->positive infty arctan(1+x)/(1-x) Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I just need to know if my answer is right. Knowing that when the leading coefficients of the x when its the same, then the answer is just the ratio. So it would be -1. Then in my calculator...
  36. C

    Finding the limit of a quotient as x goes to minus infinity

    Homework Statement Find the limit $$\lim_{x\to-\infty} \frac{\sqrt{9x^6 - x}}{x^3 + 9}$$ Homework Equations N/A The Attempt at a Solution To solve this, I start off by dividing everything by ##x^3##: Numerator becomes ##\frac{\sqrt{9x^6 - x}}{x^3} = \sqrt{\frac{9x^6 - x}{x^6}} = \sqrt{9 -...
  37. A

    Inifinity limit with natural log

    Homework Statement Limx--> ∞ Ln(x^2-1) -Ln(2x^2+3) Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Ln(x^2-1)/(2x^2+3) Then I divided the top and bottom by x^2 so in the end I got (1/2). Is this right?
  38. A

    Limit at infinity with radicals

    Homework Statement lim as x tends to -∞ (x)^3/5 - (x)^1/5 Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution The first thing I did was convert it into a radical so it becomes fifthroot√x^3 - fifthroot√x. Then I rationalized to get ( x^3-x)/(fifthrt√x^3+fifthroot√x) . I then divided the top by x^3...
  39. T

    I What is the Limit of This Complex Function as z Approaches i?

    I am trying to find the limit of ## \frac {z^2 + i}{z^4 - 1} ## as ## z ## approaches ##i##. I've broken the solution down to: ##\frac {(z + \sqrt{i})(z - \sqrt{i})}{(z+1)(z-1)(z+i)(z-i)} ## but this does not seem to get me anywhere. The solution says ## -0.5 ## but I don't quite understand how...
  40. C

    Limit of Multivariable Function: Does it Exist Despite Undefined Simplification?

    Homework Statement Is it true that e find that the function is undefined and we can't simplify them, then the limit of multivariable function is surely doesn't exist http://imgur.com/a/cihXu Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Is it possible that we already try many different of y...
  41. K

    Does a limit exist on a graph at (-1,0) if the point

    Does a limit exist on a graph at (-1,0) if the point is solid, and has a right sided limit, but there is nothing left of the point? I understand that if the left sided limit and the right sided limit are different then it doesn't exist, but on my graph it shows a line coming from the right...
  42. M

    Name For (Limit) Points In An Electric Field Plot ....

    Homework Statement I'm looking at an electric field plot around four (4) + and - point charges in free space. There are several points where the electric fields come together and make right-angled turns (in the limit). Is there a name for these points? Especially is there a traditional name for...
  43. S

    I Proving Theorem 1 in Spivak's Calculus: Tips & Tricks

    Hello I am struggling with proving theorem 1, pages 98-99, in Spivak's Calculus book: "A function f cannot approach two different limits near a." I understand the fact that this theorem is correct. I can easily convince myself by drawing a function in a coordinate system and trying to find two...
  44. K

    How Do You Solve Limits Involving Square Roots as h Approaches Zero?

    Homework Statement limit h goes to 0 sqrt(73-2(x+h))-sqrt(73-2x)/h Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I am not too sure how to cancel out the "h" in the denominator. just need some hints for me to start
  45. S

    How to make functions right-continuous

    Homework Statement Given r(t)=\left< \frac { sint }{ t } ,\frac { { e }^{ 2t }-1 }{ t } ,{ t }^{ 2 }ln(t) \right> Re-define r(t) to make it right continuous at t=0 Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution This is probably the simplest problem ever, but I don't even know what it's asking...
  46. L

    Limit case of integral with exp and modified Bessel function

    Homework Statement How to integrate this? ##\int_{0}^{A} x e^{-a x^2}~ I_0(x) dx## where ##I_0## is modified Bessel function of first kind? I'm trying per partes and looking trough tables of integrals for 2 days now, and I would really really appreciate some help. This is a part of a...
  47. M

    Prove a limit using epsilon-delta definition

    Homework Statement Proof that: ##\lim_{x \to 1} \frac{1}{1+x} = \frac{1}{2}## using the epsilon-delta definition of a limit. (Problem below) Homework Equations ##\lim_{x \to 1} \frac{1}{1+x} = \frac{1}{2} \iff \forall ε>0, \existsδ>0, \forall x ∈ \mathbb{R}\backslash\{-1\}: 0 < |x-1| < δ...
  48. W

    Limit of x as it approaches a variable

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  49. G

    I Malus' law in the limit of infinitely many polarizers

    Hi. How can I prove $$\lim_{n\to\infty} \cos(\alpha/n)^{2n}=1$$ for all ##\alpha\in\mathbb{R}##? The physical background is Malus' law for perfect linear polarizers, I'd like to show that one can losslessly rotate a linearly polarized wave by any angle by stacking an infinite number of...
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