Math Problem Statement

Evaluate the limit: lim (h → 0) [(√(h² + 13h + 10) - √10) / h] and identify the correct choice among the given options.

Solution

We are tasked with solving the following limit:

limh0h2+13h+1010h.\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} - \sqrt{10}}{h}.

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Multiply and Divide by the Conjugate: To eliminate the square roots in the numerator, we multiply and divide by the conjugate of the numerator:

    h2+13h+1010hh2+13h+10+10h2+13h+10+10.\frac{\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} - \sqrt{10}}{h} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} + \sqrt{10}}{\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} + \sqrt{10}}.

    This simplifies the numerator using the difference of squares:

    (h2+13h+10)2(10)2h(h2+13h+10+10).\frac{\left(\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10}\right)^2 - \left(\sqrt{10}\right)^2}{h \cdot \left(\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} + \sqrt{10}\right)}.

  2. Simplify the Numerator: Expand the squares in the numerator:

    (h2+13h+10)2=h2+13h+10,(10)2=10.\left(\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10}\right)^2 = h^2 + 13h + 10, \quad \left(\sqrt{10}\right)^2 = 10.

    Subtracting these gives:

    h2+13h+1010=h2+13h.h^2 + 13h + 10 - 10 = h^2 + 13h.

    So the fraction becomes:

    h2+13hh(h2+13h+10+10).\frac{h^2 + 13h}{h \cdot \left(\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} + \sqrt{10}\right)}.

  3. Factor and Cancel hh in the Numerator: Factor hh out of the numerator:

    h2+13h=h(h+13).h^2 + 13h = h(h + 13).

    This allows cancellation of hh from the numerator and denominator (valid as h0h \neq 0):

    h+13h2+13h+10+10.\frac{h + 13}{\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} + \sqrt{10}}.

  4. Evaluate the Limit as h0h \to 0: As h0h \to 0, the numerator h+13h + 13 approaches 1313, and the square root in the denominator simplifies as follows:

    h2+13h+1010.\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} \to \sqrt{10}.

    Thus, the denominator becomes:

    h2+13h+10+1010+10=210.\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} + \sqrt{10} \to \sqrt{10} + \sqrt{10} = 2\sqrt{10}.

    Therefore, the limit is:

    limh0h+13h2+13h+10+10=13210.\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{h + 13}{\sqrt{h^2 + 13h + 10} + \sqrt{10}} = \frac{13}{2\sqrt{10}}.

  5. Simplify the Final Expression: Rationalizing the denominator is optional, but the answer matches choice II in the provided options:

    13210.\boxed{\frac{13}{2\sqrt{10}}}.


Would you like more details or have any questions?


Related Questions:

  1. How do you multiply and divide by a conjugate in limits?
  2. What are the properties of square roots that simplify limits?
  3. How do you determine the dominant term in a binomial expansion near zero?
  4. How can you rationalize the denominator in expressions involving square roots?
  5. Why is canceling hh valid when h0h \neq 0?

Tip:

When dealing with limits involving square roots, multiplying by the conjugate is a powerful technique to simplify the expression.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Algebraic manipulation
Conjugates
Square roots

Formulas

Difference of squares: (a² - b²) = (a - b)(a + b)

Theorems

Limit properties
Continuity of square roots

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12