Are there more solutions than this? Limit Problem

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In summary,- $\sin(x)/x$ does not always equal 1- Taylor's theorem allows one to take limits consecutively
  • #1
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  • #2
The answer is correct, but I have a couple of remarks. First, you wrote two times that $\sin(x)/x$ literally equals 1. In fact, $\sin(x)/x\ne1$ for all $x\in\mathbb{R}$. The familiar relationship between $\sin(x)/x$ and 1 always involves limits.

Second, in the last line you seem you use the fact that \[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(x_0,y_0)} f(x,y)=\lim_{y\to y_0} f\left(\lim_{x\to x_0} f(x,y), y\right)
\]
i.e., that you can take limits consecutively. I believe this is not even true in general when $f$ is continuous at $(x_0,y_0)$.
 
  • #3
Evgeny.Makarov said:
The answer is correct, but I have a couple of remarks. First, you wrote two times that $\sin(x)/x$ literally equals 1. In fact, $\sin(x)/x\ne1$ for all $x\in\mathbb{R}$. The familiar relationship between $\sin(x)/x$ and 1 always involves limits.

Second, in the last line you seem you use the fact that \[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(x_0,y_0)} f(x,y)=\lim_{y\to y_0} f\left(\lim_{x\to x_0} f(x,y), y\right)
\]
i.e., that you can take limits consecutively. I believe this is not even true in general when $f$ is continuous at $(x_0,y_0)$.
So, how would I rewrite this? I'm not really sure =/
 
  • #4
If you want to justify $\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x$ using Taylor series, then you say that by Taylor's theorem,
\[
\sin x=x+\alpha(x)x
\]
where $\alpha(x)\to0$ as $x\to0$. Then $\sin(x)/x=1+\alpha(x)$, so
\[
\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x= \lim_{x\to0}(1+\alpha(x)) =\lim_{x\to0}1+ \lim_{x\to0}\alpha(x)=1
\]
Using small-o notation,
\[
\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x= \lim_{x\to0}(x+o(x))/x
=\lim_{x\to0}(1+o(1))=1
\]

Concerning the last line, I just wasn't sure what fact you relied on. You can split the limit into the product of limits because both of them exist.
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y\sin x}{x(y+1)} =
\left(\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{\sin x}{x}\right) \left(\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y}{y+1}\right)
\]
Now since both functions depend on only one argument, we can use
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(x_0,y_0)}f(x) =\lim_{x\to x_0}f(x)
\]
and similarly for $y$, which follow easily from the definition of limits. So,
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{\sin x}{x}= \lim_{x\to0}\frac{\sin x}{x}=1
\]
and
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y}{y+1}= \lim_{x\to1}\frac{y}{y+1}=\frac{1}{2}
\]

All in all,
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y\sin x}{x(y+1)} =
1\cdot\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{2}
\]
 
  • #5
Evgeny.Makarov said:
If you want to justify $\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x$ using Taylor series, then you say that by Taylor's theorem,
\[
\sin x=x+\alpha(x)x
\]
where $\alpha(x)\to0$ as $x\to0$. Then $\sin(x)/x=1+\alpha(x)$, so
\[
\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x= \lim_{x\to0}(1+\alpha(x)) =\lim_{x\to0}1+ \lim_{x\to0}\alpha(x)=1
\]
Using small-o notation,
\[
\lim_{x\to0}\sin(x)/x= \lim_{x\to0}(x+o(x))/x
=\lim_{x\to0}(1+o(1))=1
\]

Concerning the last line, I just wasn't sure what fact you relied on. You can split the limit into the product of limits because both of them exist.
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y\sin x}{x(y+1)} =
\left(\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{\sin x}{x}\right) \left(\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y}{y+1}\right)
\]
Now since both functions depend on only one argument, we can use
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(x_0,y_0)}f(x) =\lim_{x\to x_0}f(x)
\]
and similarly for $y$, which follow easily from the definition of limits. So,
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{\sin x}{x}= \lim_{x\to0}\frac{\sin x}{x}=1
\]
and
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y}{y+1}= \lim_{x\to1}\frac{y}{y+1}=\frac{1}{2}
\]

All in all,
\[
\lim_{(x,y)\to(0,1)}\frac{y\sin x}{x(y+1)} =
1\cdot\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{2}
\]
That makes perfect sense ! Awesome thank you so much.
 

FAQ: Are there more solutions than this? Limit Problem

What is a limit problem in mathematics?

A limit problem in mathematics refers to the concept of finding the value that a function approaches as its input approaches a certain value. It is used to describe the behavior of a function near a specific point, rather than at that point itself.

How do you know if there are more solutions to a limit problem?

The existence of additional solutions to a limit problem can be determined by evaluating the limit of the function at the given point and comparing it to the function's behavior on either side of that point. If the limit is different from both the left-hand and right-hand behavior, there may be more solutions to the problem.

Can a limit problem have an infinite number of solutions?

No, a limit problem can only have a finite number of solutions. This is because a limit is a unique value, and if there were an infinite number of solutions, the limit would not be well-defined.

Are there any techniques for finding additional solutions to a limit problem?

Yes, there are several techniques that can be used to identify additional solutions to a limit problem. These include using algebraic manipulation, graphing the function, and using the intermediate value theorem.

How do limit problems relate to real-world applications?

Limit problems are used in a variety of real-world applications, such as calculating the maximum capacity of a container, determining the speed of an object at a specific point in time, and predicting the growth of a population over time. They also play a crucial role in calculus and other areas of mathematics.

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