Math Problem Statement

Suppose that f is a continuous function on (-infinity, infinity) and further suppose that limx->infinity f(x)=infinity. Which of the following statements are TRUE? Select ALL correct answers. Hint: Remember a statement is true in this context if it is true for any function satisfying the above assumptions. A. The limit limx->infinity (f(x)-x) exists. B. The limit limx->0 1/f(x) exists. C. The limit limx->infinity 4f(x) does not exist. D. The limit limx->infinity 4sin(4x)/5f(x) exists. E. The limit limx->0 3f(x) exists.

Solution

Let's analyze each of the statements carefully, based on the fact that ff is continuous on (,)(-\infty, \infty) and that limxf(x)=\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \infty.


Statement A: limx(f(x)x)\lim_{x \to \infty} (f(x) - x) exists.

  • We know that limxf(x)=\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \infty, but this gives no information on how fast f(x)f(x) grows compared to xx. The expression f(x)xf(x) - x could behave in many ways depending on the nature of f(x)f(x).
  • For example, if f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2, then f(x)x=x2xf(x) - x = x^2 - x \to \infty. In this case, the limit does not exist. However, if f(x)=x+1f(x) = x + 1, then f(x)x=1f(x) - x = 1, and the limit exists.

Since f(x)f(x) can grow faster or slower than xx, the limit does not necessarily exist for every continuous function satisfying the given conditions.

Conclusion: False.


Statement B: limx01f(x)\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{1}{f(x)} exists.

  • This limit depends on the behavior of f(x)f(x) as x0x \to 0. There is no information provided about the behavior of f(x)f(x) at x=0x = 0, only as xx \to \infty.
  • For some functions, f(x)f(x) could be zero at x=0x = 0 (for example, f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2), making 1f(x)\frac{1}{f(x)} undefined at x=0x = 0. For others, the limit could exist if f(x)f(x) behaves well around x=0x = 0.

Since we don't have any information about the behavior of f(x)f(x) near 00, we cannot conclude that this limit always exists.

Conclusion: False.


Statement C: limx4f(x)\lim_{x \to \infty} 4f(x) does not exist.

  • Given that limxf(x)=\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \infty, multiplying f(x)f(x) by a constant (in this case, 4) will still tend to infinity.
  • Thus, limx4f(x)=4=\lim_{x \to \infty} 4f(x) = 4 \cdot \infty = \infty.

Since the limit goes to infinity, it does not "exist" in a finite sense.

Conclusion: True.


Statement D: limx4sin(4x)5f(x)\lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{4\sin(4x)}{5f(x)} exists.

  • Since limxf(x)=\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \infty, as xx \to \infty, the denominator 5f(x)5f(x) \to \infty.
  • The numerator 4sin(4x)4\sin(4x) is bounded because sin(4x)\sin(4x) oscillates between -1 and 1. Therefore, 4sin(4x)4\sin(4x) oscillates between -4 and 4.
  • A bounded numerator divided by an unbounded denominator tends to 0.

Thus, the limit of this expression as xx \to \infty is 00.

Conclusion: True.


Statement E: limx03f(x)\lim_{x \to 0} 3f(x) exists.

  • As with Statement B, we do not have any information about the behavior of f(x)f(x) as x0x \to 0. The value of 3f(x)3f(x) as x0x \to 0 depends entirely on the behavior of f(x)f(x) near 0.
  • If f(x)f(x) \to \infty or f(x)0f(x) \to 0 as x0x \to 0, the limit may or may not exist.

Since we cannot guarantee the behavior of f(x)f(x) near 0, we cannot assert that this limit exists.

Conclusion: False.


Final Answers:

  • A: False
  • B: False
  • C: True
  • D: True
  • E: False

Would you like further explanation or more details?

Here are five related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How would the behavior of f(x)f(x) change if we knew f(x)f(x) was monotonic?
  2. What are some common examples of continuous functions that grow faster than xx?
  3. How does L'Hopital's Rule apply when evaluating limits of oscillatory functions?
  4. Can the function f(x)f(x) approach infinity more slowly than xx?
  5. What is the behavior of limits involving trigonometric functions over infinity?

Tip: When evaluating limits involving oscillatory functions like sine or cosine, remember that bounded oscillations tend to become negligible when divided by functions that grow without bound.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Continuity
Asymptotic Behavior
Trigonometric Functions

Formulas

lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \infty
lim_{x \to \infty} 4\sin(4x) / 5f(x) = 0

Theorems

Limit Properties
Squeeze Theorem
Behavior of Oscillatory Functions

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Calculus