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}.}

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. Steve Turchin

    Limit of Sum: Understanding the Equation and Correcting Common Mistakes

    Homework Statement ## lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}{\frac{1}{n^2} \sum_{k=1}^{n} ke^{\frac{k}{n}}} ## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution ## lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}{\frac{1}{n^2} \sum_{k=1}^{n} ke^{\frac{k}{n}}} \\ = lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}{\frac{1}{n^2}...
  2. Daniel Lobo

    Finding a limit using power series expansion

    Homework Statement The problem wants me to find the limit below using series expansion. ##\lim_{x \to 0}(\frac{1}{x^2}\cdot \frac{\cos x}{(\sin x)^2})## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution (1) For startes I'll group the two fractions inside the limit together ##\lim_{x...
  3. W

    Proving the Limit of n(a1/n-1) for a > 0

    Homework Statement I have to prove that the limit as n ⇒ ∞ of: n(a1/n-1) = log(a) -> For every a >0 Homework Equations I have no idea what to use The Attempt at a Solution This was an exam question i left it blank, because i had (and have) no idea on where to even start, I've tried using...
  4. MathematicalPhysicist

    Adding restrictive conditions to a limit calculation

    I have the following limit to calculate under the assumption that ##\Re(x+y)>1##: Limit[Integrate[ 1/((1 + t^2)^n*(1 + I*t)^x (1 - I*t)^y), {t, -Infinity, Infinity}], n -> Infinity] I want to add the above assumption for integral, how to do it? does it even converge? Thanks.
  5. Drakkith

    Limit of and Sin(9x)/x and 1/Cos(9x)

    In a homework problem I had to find the limit as x goes to 0 of the function: sin(7x)/[x+tan(9x)] Substituting sin(9x)/cos(9x) in for tan(9x) then dividing the top and bottom by x and finding the limit supposedly yields 7/1+(9)(1), giving an answer of 7/10. What I don't get is why the limit as...
  6. F

    Infinite series as the limit of its sequence of partial sums

    In my book, applied analysis by john hunter it gives me a strange way of stating an infinite sum that I'm still trying to understand because in my calculus books it was never described this way. It says: We can use the definition of the convergence of a sequence to define the sum of an...
  7. karush

    MHB Limit x to o: $\lim_{h\to 0}=-\frac{1}{5}$

    $#46p60$ $$\lim_{{h}\to{0}}\frac{\frac{1}{5+h}-\frac{1}{5}}{h}=-\frac{1}{5}$$ Multiply numerator and denomator by $\frac{1}{h}$ $$\frac{-1}{5h+25}$$ $$h\to 0$$ thus $\frac{-1}{25}$ I hope anyway
  8. A

    Discover the Limit of x^2 as x Approaches Infinity | Calculate with Ease

    What is the ##\lim_{x \to \infty} x^2##? What I get is: ##\lim_{x \to \infty} x^2## ##= \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{\frac{1}{x^2}}{\frac{1}{x^2}} x^2## ##= \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{\frac{x^2}{x^2}}{\frac{1}{x^2}}## ##= \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{1}{\frac{1}{x^2}}## ##=...
  9. AutumnWater

    Epsilon Delta proof of a 2variable limit. Is my proof valid?

    Homework Statement Use the epsilon delta definition to show that lim(x,y) -> (0,0) (x*y^3)/(x^2 + 2y^2) = 0 Homework Equations sqrt(x^2) = |x| <= sqrt(x^2+y^2) ==> |x|/sqrt(x^2+y^2) <= 1 ==> |x|/(x^2+2y^2)? The Attempt at a Solution This limit is true IFF for all values of epsilon > 0, there...
  10. Matejxx1

    What Values of x Allow Convergence in a Geometric Sequence of Sine Functions?

    Homework Statement given a geometric sequence sin(x),sin(2x), . . . c) find for which values of x∈(0,π) this sequence converges and calculate its limit Homework Equations |q|<1 or -1<q<1The Attempt at a Solution Ok so in part a) and b) i calculated the quotient and found out that...
  11. karush

    MHB Limit of (sqrt(16x^4+64x^2)) /(2x^2_4)

    $$\lim_{{x}\to{\infty}}\frac{\sqrt{16{x}^{4}+64 {x}^{2} }+x^2}{2x^{2} - 4}=\frac{5}{2}$$ I tried to solve this by dividing all terms by$x^4$ but then the denomator will go zero.
  12. F

    Unusual Limit: Understanding the Discrepancy in the Integral of xe^-x

    This was just very basic, I have accepted it in just a heartbeat, but when I tried to chopped it and examined one by one, somethings fishy is happening, this just involved \int_{0}^{\infty}x e^{-x}dx=1. Well, when we do Integration by parts we will have let u = x du = dx dv = e^{-x}dx v =...
  13. kostoglotov

    Need help understanding how these limits were evaluated

    Homework Statement Hi, the problem is imply to show the following \lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} 10^n e^{-t} \sinh{10^{-n}t} = \lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} 10^n e^{-t} \sin{10^{-n}t} = te^{-t} How can I do this? Just a hint or a first step would be great, thanks :) Homework EquationsThe Attempt...
  14. loreberto911

    What is the oblique limit of a function with a hard limit to infinity?

    Hi everybody, I have this function to study ##\frac{(x+1)}{arctan(x+1)}## I need the limit to infinity,it's oblique and I have to find q,from y=mx+q. so q=lim(x->inf) ##\frac{(x+1)}{arctan(x+1)} -2x/\pi## I don't know how to solve it.the limit gives infinity to me.but calculators online give...
  15. A

    How to Solve Limits Involving Square Roots and Infinity?

    How to find the ## \lim_{x \to \infty} (\sqrt{ax^2 + bx + c} - \sqrt{ax^2 + px + q}) = \frac{b - p}{2 \sqrt{a}} ## ? Here is what I get ## \lim_{x \to \infty} (\sqrt{ax^2 + bx + c} - \sqrt{ax^2 + px + q}) ## ## = \sqrt{\lim_{x \to \infty} ax^2 + \lim_{x \to \infty} bx + \lim_{x \to \infty}...
  16. T

    Expansion of the universe, acceleration limit

    So if the universe expansion is accelerating due to dark energy, does that mean that (assuming there is) one end of the universe relative to the other end of the universe will see it moving away at speeds greater than the speed of light? Or is the expansion capped by relativity? Or does the...
  17. Alpharup

    Is the Limit of a Function at a Point Always Unique?

    Spivak proves that limit of function f (x) as x approaches a is always unique. ie...If lim f (x) =l x-> a and lim f (x) =m x-> a Then l=m. This definition means that limit of function can't approach two different values. He takes definition of both the limits. He...
  18. L

    I can't seem to find this limit

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I tried using the rule of multiplying with the "conjugate", for example what's above multiplied by (√n^3+3n)+(√n^3+2n^2+3)/(√n^3+3n)+(√n^3+2n^2+3). But I'm left with a huge mess :( I also tried dividing the top and the bottom by...
  19. M

    Limit of function with two variables

    I have a question for determining the limit of a function with two variables. My textbook says that the limit (x,y)->(0,0) of 4xy^2/(x^2+y^2)=0. This is true if we evaluate the limit if it approaches along the x-axis (y=0) or the y-axis (x=0) or any line on the plane y=kx. I am wondering if...
  20. G

    MHB Calculating $\displaystyle \lim_{x\to 0}$ Complex Limit

    $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x^2-\sin^2{x}}{\tan(3x^4)}$ How do you calculate this one? L'hopital gives me $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{2x\cos^2(3x^4)-\sin{2x}\cos^2(3x^4)}{12x^3}$
  21. Q

    What is the Limit of the Sequence b_n = n - sqrt(n^2 + 2n)?

    Homework Statement Consider the sequence given by b_{n} = n - \sqrt{n^{2} + 2n}. Taking (1/n) \rightarrow 0 as given, and using both the Algebraic Limit Theorem and the result in Exercise 2.3.1 (That if (x_n) \rightarrow 0 show that (\sqrt{x_n}) \rightarrow 0), show \lim b_{n} exists and find...
  22. G

    MHB Calculating the Limit of $\displaystyle \frac{5^{\sin{h}}-1}{\tan{h}}$

    With this one I don't know where to start $\displaystyle \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{5^{\sin{h}}-1}{\tan{h}}$
  23. G

    MHB Calculating Hyperbolic Limit of $\frac{x}{\cosh{x}}$

    How do you calculate the limit $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to \infty}\frac{x}{\cosh{x}}$
  24. G

    MHB Limit as x goes to 5 from below

    Dividing by the highest power for $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 5^{-}}\frac{x^{100}-4x^{99}}{x-5}$ I get $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 5^{-}}\frac{x^{100}-4x^{99}}{x-5}= \lim_{x \to 5^{-}}\frac{1-4/x}{1/x^{99}-5/x^{100}}$ However the denominator goes to $0$ whereas the numerator goes to $1-4/5$ Why...
  25. G

    MHB Show $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{50x^{10}+100}{x^{11}+x^6+1}=0$

    How do you show that $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{50x^{10}+100}{x^{11}+x^6+1}=0$ What I tried: $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{50x^{10}+100}{x^{11}+x^6+1} =\lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{50+100/x^{11}}{1+1/x^{5}+1/x^{11}} = \frac{50+0}{1+0+0} = 50.$ But this is wrong. (Angry)
  26. G

    MHB Calculating Limit as x Approaches Infinity

    I'm trying to find $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 20^{+}}\frac{5x^3+1}{20x^3-8000x}$ $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 20^{+}}\frac{5x^3+1}{20x^3-8000x} =\lim_{x \to 20^{+}}\frac{5+1/x^3}{20-8000/x^2} = \frac{5+\lim_{x \to 20^{+}}1/x^3}{20-\lim_{x \to 20^{+}}8000/x^2} =...
  27. J

    Limit of a continuous time Markov chain

    Homework Statement Calculate the limit $$lim_{s,t→∞} R_X(s, s+t) = lim_{s,t→∞}E(X(s)X(s+t))$$ for a continuous time Markov chain $$(X(t) ; t ≥ 0)$$ with state space S and generator G given by $$S = (0, 1)$$ $$ G= \begin{pmatrix} -\alpha & \alpha \\ \beta & -\beta\...
  28. ognik

    MHB Why is $U_n$ greater than $\frac{A}{n}$ for large enough values of $n$?

    Hi, my book says that $\lim_{{n}\to{\infty}} {n}^{p}U_n \rightarrow A \lt \infty, p \gt 1 $ means that $U_n \lt \frac{A}{{n}^{p}} $, which I can see But apparently $ \lim_{{n}\to{\infty}}n U_n = A \gt 0 $ means that $ U_n \gt \frac{A}{n} $ I know this is going to sound like a stupid...
  29. Odious Suspect

    Curl as the limit vol->0 of a surface integral

    Joos asserts on page 31 https://books.google.com/books?id=btrCAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&pg=PA31#v=onepage&q&f=false that $$\nabla \times \mathfrak{v} = \lim_{\Delta \tau \to 0} \frac{1}{\Delta \tau }\oint d\mathfrak{S}\times \mathfrak{v}$$ I tried to demonstrate this, and neglected to place the surface...
  30. Odious Suspect

    Divergence as the limit of a surface integral a volume->0

    The following is my interpretation of the development of the divergence of a vector field given by Joos: $$dy dz dv_x=dy dz\left(v_x(dx)-v_x(0)\right)=dy dz\left(v_x(0)+dx\frac{\partial v_x}{\partial x}(0)- v_x(0)\right)$$ $$=dy dz dx\frac{\partial v_x}{\partial x}(0)=d\tau \frac{\partial...
  31. qq545282501

    Why is the limit for theta = pi/2 instead of 2pi?

    Homework Statement use cylindrical coordinates to find the volume of the solid which is under z=xy, above xy-plane and inside the cylinder x^2+y^2=2x Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution \int_{0}^{pi/2} \int_{0}^{2cos\theta} \int_{0}^{r^2\cos\theta\sin\theta} r\, dz \, dr \, d\theta...
  32. S

    Decoherence in the long time limit of density matrix element

    For a state |\Psi(t)\rangle = \sum_{k}c_k e^{-iE_kt/\hbar}|E_k\rangle , the density matrix elements in the energy basis are \rho_{ab}(t) = c_a c^*_be^{-it(E_a -E_b)/\hbar} How is it that in the long time limit, this reduces to \rho_{ab}(t) \approx |c_a|^2 \delta_{ab} ? Is there some...
  33. C

    Find Limit of an in Series with a0,a1 & n

    Homework Statement If we have a number sequence such that: a0, a1 are given, and every other element is given as ##a_n=\frac{(a_{n-1} + a_{n-2})}{2} then express an in terms of a0, a1 and n , and fin the limit of an Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution If i try to express a3 in terms of...
  34. F

    Multivalued limit of (i + i/n)^n

    I realized that (i + i/n)n approaches 4 discrete values (e, ei, -e and -ei) as n approaches infinity (if n is integer). (If I take that i2 = 1, then it approaches two discrete values (e and ei)). Does this kind of "multivalued limit" have some other name so I can learn more about it or where it...
  35. P

    Find the limit cycle for this dynamical system

    Homework Statement Consider the dynamical system: $$\dot{r}=-ar^4+ar^3+r^6-r^5+r^2-r~;~~\dot{\theta}=1$$ Find all fixed points and limit cycles for: a) ##~~a=2## b)##~~a<2## c)##~~2<a<2\sqrt{2}## Homework Equations Not applicable. The Attempt at a Solution For all three values/ranges...
  36. Justice Hunter

    Limit of Wind Speed on Planets: Factors and Upper Bound Explanation

    Besides solar wind, what is the limit of a natural wind on planets? I know it's based on rotation and atmospheric pressure differences, but is there an upper limit to how fast wind can get on a planetary scale? I would imagine that the speed of sound would justify a limit, but that doesn't...
  37. iwantcalculus

    Solving a limit by l'hopital's rule

    So, according to answer sheet, the answer is 1... The question is : limit as x approaches infinity of : squareroot( x^2 + x ) - squareroot( x^2 - x) I tried to put it in a limit calculator, but the steps shown are very complex and don't even involve l'hopital's rule... I think the solution...
  38. S

    Current limit through solar cell (forward bias)

    How much current can be forced through a photovoltaic (solar) cell before its performance starts to deteriorate? In certain accelerated lifetime testing 1.25xIsc is forced through a solar module while it sits inside a chamber (no incident light). Is there a theoretical limit to the amount of...
  39. T

    Derivative of Axial Resolution from Rayleigh's Limit

    I am currently studying optical microscope and discover that the axial resolution is limited as r(z) = 2pi / (NA)^2. However, while I got hints that it is due to the Rayleigh's limit, I can't derivative the equation using numerical method. It would be huge thanks if anyone can help me on the...
  40. astrololo

    Using L'Hospital's Rule to Find the Limit of (1+1/n)^n as n Approaches Infinity

    Homework Statement I have lim of n > infinity (1+1/n)^n Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I know that I must use l'hospital rule and setting ln y = n ln (1+1/n) And after lim n ln (1+1/n) as n approaches infinity. After what do I do ?
  41. A

    Radiation reaction in the classical limit of QED?

    The classical problem of radiation reaction classical electrodynamics seems to be a huge mess with no good answer. There is no even consensus of the very form of the Newton law "predicted" theory. So, the question of this thread is: Does the classical limit of QED say something about this...
  42. W

    I think this is about the Central Limit Theorem

    Homework Statement An engineer is measuring a quantity q. It is assumed that there is a random error in each measurement, so the engineer will take n measurements and reports the average of the measurements as the estimated value of q. Specifically, if Yi is the value that is obtained in the...
  43. O

    MHB Limit of Absolute Values and Metric Spaces

    Let $\lim_{{k}\to{\infty}}d\left({x}_{m\left(k\right)},{x}_{m\left(k\right)-1}\right)=\varepsilon$ and $\lim_{{k}\to{\infty}}d\left({x}_{n\left(k\right)},{x}_{m\left(k\right)}\right)=\varepsilon$...Can we say that...
  44. N

    Relativistic momentum (Lorentz boost) low velocity limit

    Hello, If I have a momenta pμ=(E,px,py,pz) and transform it via lorentz boost in x-direction with velocity v I'll get for the new 0th component E′=γE+γvpx why is this in the limit of low velocities the same as transforming the energy by a galilei transformation with velocity v? For γvpx i get...
  45. M

    The limit of random variable is not defined

    Let ##X_i## are i.i.d. and take -1 and +1 with probability 1/2 each. How to prove ##\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}{\sum_{i=1}^{n}{X_i} }##does not exsits (even infinite limit) almost surely. My work: I use cauchy sequence to prove it does not converge to a real number. But I do not how to prove it...
  46. P

    When does the limit become quantized?

    so a quick Q. the equation for charging a capacitor seems to indicate that charge (watts) will always be charging the capacitor, but is it true that as t⇒∞ the charging actually stops and the state of equilibrium is quantized?
  47. Avatrin

    Epsilon delta definition of limit

    I am struggling to properly understand the \varepsilon-\delta definition of limits. So, f(x) gets closer to L as x approaches a. That is okay. However, taking the leap from there to the \varepsilon-\delta definition is something I have never really been able to do. Why is the formulation we...
  48. Z

    Proof: A point is a limit point of S is a limt of a sequence

    Hi guys, I attempted to prove this theorem, but just wanted to see if it a valid proof. Thanks! 1. Homework Statement Prove that x is an accumulation point of a set S iff there exists a sequence ( s n ) of points in S \ {x} that converges to x Homework Equations N * ( x; ε ) is the x -...
  49. Q

    What is the Limit of the Partition Function in the Low Temperature Regime?

    Homework Statement Ground state energy is set at 0. E_n=\left(1-\frac{1}{n+1}\right)\in with no degeneracy (\Omega(n)=1); (n=0,1,2...) Write down the partition function and look for its limit when kt \gg \in\\ kt \ll \in Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Partition function for this...
  50. R

    MHB Using Continuity to evaluate limit of a trig function

    Hello! I was wondering if anyone could expand upon and help me with this as I'm struggling "Use continuity to evalute \lim_{{x}\to{\pi}}\cos(x+\sin(x))" I do remember faintly how to do limits of "normal" numbers, but with trig I did not learn at all so I'm confused. This is same as finding the...
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