Math Problem Statement

lim_{x → 0} (cos 2x)^{cot x / sin x}

Solution

The limit expression you provided is:

limx0(cos(2x))cot(x)sin(x)\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \cos(2x) \right)^{\frac{\cot(x)}{\sin(x)}}

To solve this, we'll break it down step by step.

Step 1: Simplifying the base

The base of the expression is cos(2x)\cos(2x). Since cos(2x)cos(0)=1\cos(2x) \to \cos(0) = 1 as x0x \to 0, we have:

cos(2x)1 as x0.\cos(2x) \to 1 \text{ as } x \to 0.

Step 2: Analyzing the exponent

The exponent is cot(x)sin(x)\frac{\cot(x)}{\sin(x)}, where cot(x)=cos(x)sin(x)\cot(x) = \frac{\cos(x)}{\sin(x)}. So, the exponent becomes:

cot(x)sin(x)=cos(x)sin2(x).\frac{\cot(x)}{\sin(x)} = \frac{\cos(x)}{\sin^2(x)}.

As x0x \to 0, we know that cos(0)=1\cos(0) = 1 and sin(0)=0\sin(0) = 0. To deal with this limit, we apply the standard small-angle approximations for trigonometric functions near zero:

  • sin(x)x\sin(x) \approx x,
  • cos(x)1\cos(x) \approx 1.

Thus, near zero:

cos(x)sin2(x)1x2.\frac{\cos(x)}{\sin^2(x)} \approx \frac{1}{x^2}.

Step 3: Revisiting the limit

Now, we can rewrite the expression as:

limx0(cos(2x))1x2.\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \cos(2x) \right)^{\frac{1}{x^2}}.

Since cos(2x)1\cos(2x) \to 1 as x0x \to 0, and we're raising 1 to a power that becomes very large, this simplifies to:

1.1^{\infty}.

This is an indeterminate form, so we need to apply L'Hopital's Rule or logarithmic methods to resolve it.

Step 4: Applying logarithms

Take the natural logarithm of the expression:

y=limx0(cos(2x))1x2,y = \lim_{x \to 0} \left( \cos(2x) \right)^{\frac{1}{x^2}}, lny=limx01x2ln(cos(2x)).\ln y = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{1}{x^2} \ln (\cos(2x)).

Now, use the approximation cos(2x)12x2\cos(2x) \approx 1 - 2x^2 for small xx:

ln(cos(2x))ln(12x2)2x2.\ln (\cos(2x)) \approx \ln(1 - 2x^2) \approx -2x^2.

Thus, the limit becomes:

lny=limx01x2(2x2)=2.\ln y = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{1}{x^2} (-2x^2) = -2.

Finally, exponentiate both sides to get yy:

y=e2.y = e^{-2}.

Final Answer:

limx0(cos(2x))cot(x)sin(x)=e2.\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \cos(2x) \right)^{\frac{\cot(x)}{\sin(x)}} = e^{-2}.

Would you like further clarification on any step, or additional details?

Here are 5 related questions you could explore:

  1. How does L'Hopital's Rule work for indeterminate forms?
  2. Why is the small-angle approximation useful for solving limits?
  3. How do we handle limits involving trigonometric functions raised to exponents?
  4. Can logarithmic differentiation be used to simplify other types of limits?
  5. What are other common indeterminate forms, and how are they resolved?

Tip: Always remember to apply the small-angle approximations for trigonometric functions when dealing with limits as x0x \to 0, as they simplify many complex expressions.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Limits
Trigonometric Functions
Exponential Functions

Formulas

lim_{x → 0} (cos 2x)^{cot x / sin x} = e^{-2}
cot(x) = cos(x) / sin(x)
sin(x) ≈ x (small-angle approximation)
ln y = lim_{x → 0} (1/x^2) ln(cos(2x))

Theorems

L'Hopital's Rule
Small-angle approximation

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Calculus