Math Problem Statement

Evaluate \( \lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{a^{x+1} - b^{x+1} - c^{x+1}}{a+b+c} \cdot \frac{1}{x} \right) \).

Solution

The given expression is:

limx0(ax+1bx+1cx+1a+b+c1x)\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{a^{x+1} - b^{x+1} - c^{x+1}}{a + b + c} \cdot \frac{1}{x} \right)

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Focus on the numerator ax+1bx+1cx+1a^{x+1} - b^{x+1} - c^{x+1}:

    • When x0x \to 0, all terms ax+1,bx+1,cx+1a^{x+1}, b^{x+1}, c^{x+1} tend to their respective values at x=0x=0, which are aa, bb, and cc. However, we will expand them to capture the effect of xx using the exponential approximation: a^{x+1} = a \cdot a^x \approx a \cdot (1 + x \ln a), \quad \text{(since a^x \approx 1 + x \ln a)} Similarly: bx+1b(1+xlnb),cx+1c(1+xlnc)b^{x+1} \approx b \cdot (1 + x \ln b), \quad c^{x+1} \approx c \cdot (1 + x \ln c)
    • Substituting these approximations: ax+1bx+1cx+1a(1+xlna)b(1+xlnb)c(1+xlnc)a^{x+1} - b^{x+1} - c^{x+1} \approx a (1 + x \ln a) - b (1 + x \ln b) - c (1 + x \ln c) Simplify: ax+1bx+1cx+1(abc)+x(alnablnbclnc)a^{x+1} - b^{x+1} - c^{x+1} \approx (a - b - c) + x (a \ln a - b \ln b - c \ln c)
  2. Substitute this result into the limit: Substitute the numerator and divide by (a+b+c)(a + b + c): ax+1bx+1cx+1a+b+c(abc)+x(alnablnbclnc)a+b+c\frac{a^{x+1} - b^{x+1} - c^{x+1}}{a + b + c} \approx \frac{(a - b - c) + x (a \ln a - b \ln b - c \ln c)}{a + b + c}

  3. Multiply by 1x\frac{1}{x}: After multiplying by 1x\frac{1}{x}, the term abca+b+c\frac{a - b - c}{a + b + c} vanishes as x0x \to 0, and the remaining term becomes: 1xax+1bx+1cx+1a+b+calnablnbclnca+b+c\frac{1}{x} \cdot \frac{a^{x+1} - b^{x+1} - c^{x+1}}{a + b + c} \approx \frac{a \ln a - b \ln b - c \ln c}{a + b + c}

  4. Final Limit: limx0(ax+1bx+1cx+1a+b+c1x)=alnablnbclnca+b+c\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{a^{x+1} - b^{x+1} - c^{x+1}}{a + b + c} \cdot \frac{1}{x} \right) = \frac{a \ln a - b \ln b - c \ln c}{a + b + c}


Final Answer:

alnablnbclnca+b+c\boxed{\frac{a \ln a - b \ln b - c \ln c}{a + b + c}}


Would you like further clarification or a detailed explanation of any specific part? 😊


Related Questions:

  1. What is the approximation axa^x for small xx?
  2. How does L'Hôpital's Rule apply to exponential functions in limits?
  3. Can this problem be solved without logarithmic expansion?
  4. How would the answer change if c=0c = 0?
  5. What happens if a=b=ca = b = c in the given limit?

Tip: When solving exponential limits, approximations like ex1+xe^x \approx 1 + x (for small xx) often simplify calculations.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Logarithmic Approximation
Exponential Functions

Formulas

a^x \approx 1 + x \ln(a) \text{ for small } x
Limit definition: \( \lim_{x \to 0} f(x) \)

Theorems

Exponential Approximation for small x
Limit Properties
L'Hôpital's Rule (if alternative approach is used)

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 / College Level