Math Problem Statement

solve this

Evaluate the limit: lim(x→0) x^6 cos(8/x)

Solution

We are tasked with evaluating the limit:

limx0x6cos(8x)\lim_{x \to 0} x^6 \cos\left(\frac{8}{x}\right)

Step-by-Step Analysis:

  1. Oscillatory Nature of cos(8x)\cos \left( \frac{8}{x} \right): The function cos(8x)\cos \left( \frac{8}{x} \right) oscillates between -1 and 1 as x0x \to 0 because the cosine function is periodic. Even though 8x\frac{8}{x} grows without bound as xx approaches 0, cos\cos remains bounded by [-1, 1].

  2. Behavior of x6x^6 near x=0x = 0: The term x6x^6 tends to 0 as x0x \to 0. Specifically, since x6x^6 shrinks to 0 much faster than cos(8x)\cos \left( \frac{8}{x} \right) oscillates, the entire product x6cos(8x)x^6 \cos\left(\frac{8}{x}\right) should tend to 0.

  3. Squeeze Theorem Application: Since cos(8x)\cos \left( \frac{8}{x} \right) is bounded by -1 and 1, we can apply the Squeeze Theorem: x6x6cos(8x)x6-x^6 \leq x^6 \cos\left(\frac{8}{x}\right) \leq x^6 As x60x^6 \to 0 when x0x \to 0, both bounds x6-x^6 and x6x^6 tend to 0. By the Squeeze Theorem, the limit of x6cos(8x)x^6 \cos\left(\frac{8}{x}\right) as x0x \to 0 is also 0.

Conclusion:

limx0x6cos(8x)=0\lim_{x \to 0} x^6 \cos\left(\frac{8}{x}\right) = 0

Would you like more details on any of the steps? Here are 5 related questions for further exploration:

  1. How does the Squeeze Theorem work in determining limits of oscillatory functions?
  2. What are other cases where the cosine function causes oscillation, and how are they handled in limits?
  3. Can the behavior of xnx^n as x0x \to 0 always dominate oscillations like this?
  4. What would happen to the limit if the exponent of xx were smaller than 6 (e.g., x2x^2)?
  5. How would the limit change if the function inside the cosine were different, like cos(1x)\cos\left( \frac{1}{x} \right)?

Tip: In many limit problems with oscillating functions, bounding the oscillatory part can help simplify the problem using the Squeeze Theorem.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Oscillatory Functions
Trigonometry

Formulas

Squeeze Theorem

Theorems

Squeeze Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 or College-level Calculus