Math Problem Statement

lim (x -> 0) (3 - 3cos^2(x)) / (6tan^2(x))

Solution

The given problem is a limit:

limx033cos2(x)6tan2(x)\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{3 - 3 \cos^2(x)}{6 \tan^2(x)}

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Rewrite the trigonometric functions in simpler terms: The expression involves cos2(x)\cos^2(x) and tan2(x)\tan^2(x). Using the identity tan(x)=sin(x)cos(x)\tan(x) = \frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)}, we can rewrite tan2(x)\tan^2(x) as:

    tan2(x)=sin2(x)cos2(x)\tan^2(x) = \frac{\sin^2(x)}{\cos^2(x)}

    So the limit becomes:

    limx033cos2(x)6sin2(x)cos2(x)\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{3 - 3 \cos^2(x)}{6 \cdot \frac{\sin^2(x)}{\cos^2(x)}}

  2. Simplify the denominator: The denominator becomes:

    6sin2(x)cos2(x)=6sin2(x)cos2(x)6 \cdot \frac{\sin^2(x)}{\cos^2(x)} = \frac{6 \sin^2(x)}{\cos^2(x)}

    Hence, the limit expression is now:

    limx03(1cos2(x))6sin2(x)cos2(x)\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{3(1 - \cos^2(x))}{\frac{6 \sin^2(x)}{\cos^2(x)}}

  3. Use the identity 1cos2(x)=sin2(x)1 - \cos^2(x) = \sin^2(x): Applying this trigonometric identity, the numerator becomes:

    3(1cos2(x))=3sin2(x)3(1 - \cos^2(x)) = 3 \sin^2(x)

    The limit expression is now:

    limx03sin2(x)6sin2(x)cos2(x)\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{3 \sin^2(x)}{\frac{6 \sin^2(x)}{\cos^2(x)}}

  4. Simplify the fraction: Cancel out sin2(x)\sin^2(x) from both the numerator and the denominator:

    limx036cos2(x)=limx03cos2(x)6\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{3}{\frac{6}{\cos^2(x)}} = \lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{3 \cos^2(x)}{6}

    Simplifying this further:

    limx0cos2(x)2\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{\cos^2(x)}{2}

  5. Evaluate the limit: As x0x \to 0, cos(x)1\cos(x) \to 1. Therefore, the limit becomes:

    122=12\frac{1^2}{2} = \frac{1}{2}

Final Answer:

limx033cos2(x)6tan2(x)=12\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{3 - 3 \cos^2(x)}{6 \tan^2(x)} = \frac{1}{2}

Would you like more details on any step, or have any questions?

Follow-up Questions:

  1. What are other common trigonometric identities used in limits?
  2. How does L'Hopital's Rule help in solving indeterminate limits like 00\frac{0}{0}?
  3. Can this limit be solved using Taylor series expansion?
  4. What other forms of limits result in 00\frac{0}{0} indeterminate forms?
  5. How do small-angle approximations simplify limits involving trigonometric functions?

Tip:

For limits involving trigonometric functions as x0x \to 0, it's often helpful to apply small-angle approximations, such as sin(x)x\sin(x) \approx x and cos(x)1\cos(x) \approx 1.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Trigonometry

Formulas

tan(x) = sin(x) / cos(x)
1 - cos^2(x) = sin^2(x)

Theorems

Limit Theorem
Trigonometric Identities

Suitable Grade Level

Grade 11-12 or Introductory Calculus