Math Problem Statement

If g is the function defined by g(x) = (cos(x) - sin(x)) / (1 - 2sin^2(x)), what is lim(x→π/4) g(x)?

Solution

We are given the function:

g(x)=cosxsinx12sin2xg(x) = \frac{\cos{x} - \sin{x}}{1 - 2\sin^2{x}}

and we are asked to find:

limxπ4g(x)\lim_{x \to \frac{\pi}{4}} g(x)

Step 1: Substitute x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4}

First, substitute x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4} directly into the function to see if we encounter any indeterminate forms:

g(π4)=cosπ4sinπ412sin2π4g\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{\cos{\frac{\pi}{4}} - \sin{\frac{\pi}{4}}}{1 - 2\sin^2{\frac{\pi}{4}}}

We know: cosπ4=sinπ4=22\cos{\frac{\pi}{4}} = \sin{\frac{\pi}{4}} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}

Substituting this into the expression:

g(π4)=222212(22)2g\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}{1 - 2\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right)^2}

This simplifies to:

g(π4)=01212=011=00g\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{0}{1 - 2 \cdot \frac{1}{2}} = \frac{0}{1 - 1} = \frac{0}{0}

So, we have an indeterminate form 00\frac{0}{0}, which suggests we need to apply L'Hopital's Rule.

Step 2: Apply L'Hopital's Rule

Since we have the indeterminate form 00\frac{0}{0}, we can differentiate the numerator and the denominator separately and then evaluate the limit.

Differentiate the numerator:

ddx(cosxsinx)=sinxcosx\frac{d}{dx} \left(\cos{x} - \sin{x}\right) = -\sin{x} - \cos{x}

Differentiate the denominator:

ddx(12sin2x)=4sinxcosx\frac{d}{dx} \left(1 - 2\sin^2{x}\right) = -4\sin{x}\cos{x}

Now, the limit becomes:

limxπ4sinxcosx4sinxcosx\lim_{x \to \frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{-\sin{x} - \cos{x}}{-4\sin{x}\cos{x}}

Step 3: Substitute x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4} again

At x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4}, we know:

sinπ4=cosπ4=22\sin{\frac{\pi}{4}} = \cos{\frac{\pi}{4}} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}

Substitute these values into the new expression:

limxπ4222242222\lim_{x \to \frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}{-4 \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}

Simplifying:

=2412=22=22= \frac{-\sqrt{2}}{-4 \cdot \frac{1}{2}} = \frac{-\sqrt{2}}{-2} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}

Final Answer:

limxπ4g(x)=22\lim_{x \to \frac{\pi}{4}} g(x) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}

Would you like any further clarification or details on this solution?

Here are five related questions you might find useful:

  1. What are the conditions for applying L'Hopital's Rule?
  2. How do you differentiate trigonometric functions like sin(x)\sin(x) and cos(x)\cos(x)?
  3. What other methods can be used to evaluate limits that result in indeterminate forms?
  4. How can we simplify trigonometric expressions before applying limits?
  5. What are some real-world applications of limits and indeterminate forms?

Tip: Always check for indeterminate forms like 00\frac{0}{0} or \frac{\infty}{\infty} before applying L'Hopital's Rule to avoid incorrect assumptions about the limit's value.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
L'Hopital's Rule
Trigonometric Functions
Indeterminate Forms

Formulas

g(x) = (cos(x) - sin(x)) / (1 - 2sin^2(x))
L'Hopital's Rule: lim x→c f(x)/g(x) = lim x→c f'(x)/g'(x) when f(x)/g(x) is indeterminate
Trigonometric values: cos(π/4) = sin(π/4) = √2/2

Theorems

L'Hopital's Rule

Suitable Grade Level

College Level Calculus