Math Problem Statement

Compute \( \lim_{{x \to 6}} \frac{{\sqrt{x + 3} - 3}}{{x - 6}} \).

Solution

The given limit is:

limx6x+33x6\lim_{x \to 6} \frac{\sqrt{x + 3} - 3}{x - 6}

To evaluate this limit, let's use algebraic manipulation by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the numerator to eliminate the square root.

  1. Multiply the expression by x+3+3x+3+3\frac{\sqrt{x + 3} + 3}{\sqrt{x + 3} + 3}:

x+33x6x+3+3x+3+3=(x+33)(x+3+3)(x6)(x+3+3)\frac{\sqrt{x + 3} - 3}{x - 6} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{x + 3} + 3}{\sqrt{x + 3} + 3} = \frac{(\sqrt{x + 3} - 3)(\sqrt{x + 3} + 3)}{(x - 6)(\sqrt{x + 3} + 3)}

  1. Simplify the numerator using the difference of squares:

(x+33)(x+3+3)=(x+3)9=x6(\sqrt{x + 3} - 3)(\sqrt{x + 3} + 3) = (x + 3) - 9 = x - 6

Now, the expression simplifies to:

x6(x6)(x+3+3)\frac{x - 6}{(x - 6)(\sqrt{x + 3} + 3)}

  1. Cancel the common factor (x6)(x - 6):

1x+3+3\frac{1}{\sqrt{x + 3} + 3}

  1. Substitute x=6x = 6:

16+3+3=19+3=13+3=16\frac{1}{\sqrt{6 + 3} + 3} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{9} + 3} = \frac{1}{3 + 3} = \frac{1}{6}

Therefore, the limit is:

16\boxed{\frac{1}{6}}

Would you like further details or have any questions? Here are some related problems to explore:

  1. What happens if the limit is taken as x0x \to 0 instead of x6x \to 6?
  2. How can you evaluate limits involving other types of indeterminate forms?
  3. How would the result change if the expression were x3\sqrt{x - 3} instead of x+3\sqrt{x + 3}?
  4. What are other methods to simplify limits involving square roots?
  5. How can L'Hopital's Rule be applied to this problem?

Tip: Multiplying by the conjugate is a common technique to simplify expressions with square roots when direct substitution leads to an indeterminate form.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Algebra
Square Roots

Formulas

\( \lim_{{x \to a}} \frac{{f(x) - f(a)}}{{x - a}} \)

Theorems

Difference of squares
Limit laws

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12