Math Problem Statement

Evaluate \( \lim_{\theta \to 0} \frac{1}{\theta} \left( \frac{1}{\sin \theta} - \frac{1}{\tan \theta} \right) \).

Solution

To solve the given limit problem, we need to carefully analyze the expression:

limθ01θ(1sinθ1tanθ)\lim_{\theta \to 0} \frac{1}{\theta} \left( \frac{1}{\sin \theta} - \frac{1}{\tan \theta} \right)

Let’s break it down step-by-step.

Step 1: Simplify the Expression Inside the Parentheses

Rewrite 1sinθ1tanθ\frac{1}{\sin \theta} - \frac{1}{\tan \theta}: 1sinθ1tanθ=1sinθcosθsinθ\frac{1}{\sin \theta} - \frac{1}{\tan \theta} = \frac{1}{\sin \theta} - \frac{\cos \theta}{\sin \theta} This simplifies to: =1cosθsinθ= \frac{1 - \cos \theta}{\sin \theta}

Step 2: Substitute This Back into the Limit

The expression now becomes: limθ01θ1cosθsinθ=limθ01cosθθsinθ\lim_{\theta \to 0} \frac{1}{\theta} \cdot \frac{1 - \cos \theta}{\sin \theta} = \lim_{\theta \to 0} \frac{1 - \cos \theta}{\theta \sin \theta}

Step 3: Apply L'Hôpital's Rule if Necessary

Since 1cosθθsinθ\frac{1 - \cos \theta}{\theta \sin \theta} is an indeterminate form 00\frac{0}{0} as θ0\theta \to 0, we can use L'Hôpital's Rule by differentiating the numerator and the denominator with respect to θ\theta.

  1. Differentiate the numerator 1cosθ1 - \cos \theta: ddθ(1cosθ)=sinθ\frac{d}{d\theta} (1 - \cos \theta) = \sin \theta

  2. Differentiate the denominator θsinθ\theta \sin \theta: ddθ(θsinθ)=sinθ+θcosθ\frac{d}{d\theta} (\theta \sin \theta) = \sin \theta + \theta \cos \theta

Thus, the limit becomes: limθ0sinθsinθ+θcosθ\lim_{\theta \to 0} \frac{\sin \theta}{\sin \theta + \theta \cos \theta}

Step 4: Substitute θ=0\theta = 0 in the Simplified Form

As θ0\theta \to 0, sinθ0\sin \theta \to 0 and θcosθ0\theta \cos \theta \to 0, so the expression simplifies to: limθ0sinθsinθ+θcosθ=00+0=0\lim_{\theta \to 0} \frac{\sin \theta}{\sin \theta + \theta \cos \theta} = \frac{0}{0 + 0} = 0

Therefore, the final answer is:

0\boxed{0}

Would you like further details or explanations on any part of this process?

Related Questions:

  1. How does L'Hôpital's Rule apply to trigonometric functions in limits?
  2. Why do we get an indeterminate form in this limit problem?
  3. What are common techniques for simplifying limits involving trigonometric functions?
  4. How can we use Taylor series to approximate trigonometric functions near zero?
  5. What other methods exist for solving limits if L'Hôpital’s Rule is not applicable?

Tip:

When working with trigonometric limits as θ0\theta \to 0, remember that using small-angle approximations (like sinθθ\sin \theta \approx \theta and 1cosθθ221 - \cos \theta \approx \frac{\theta^2}{2}) can often simplify calculations significantly.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Trigonometric Functions
Indeterminate Forms
L'Hôpital's Rule

Formulas

Difference of trigonometric expressions: \( \frac{1}{\sin \theta} - \frac{1}{\tan \theta} \)
L'Hôpital's Rule for indeterminate forms
Trigonometric limits as \( \theta \to 0 \): \( \sin \theta \approx \theta \), \( 1 - \cos \theta \approx \frac{\theta^2}{2} \)

Theorems

L'Hôpital's Rule

Suitable Grade Level

College Calculus or Advanced High School Calculus