Math Problem Statement

Use the Squeeze Theorem to show that lim (x→0) x^4 cos(1/x^2) = 0

Solution

To solve the limit

limx0x4cos(1x2)=0\lim_{x \to 0} x^4 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x^2}\right) = 0

using the Squeeze Theorem, we need to apply the theorem based on how the cosine function behaves. The Squeeze Theorem states that if f(x)g(x)h(x)f(x) \leq g(x) \leq h(x) for all xx in some interval, and if limxaf(x)=limxah(x)=L\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = \lim_{x \to a} h(x) = L, then limxag(x)=L\lim_{x \to a} g(x) = L.

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Bound the cosine function: We know that for all xx, cos(θ)\cos(\theta) is always between -1 and 1, regardless of the value of θ\theta. Thus, we have: 1cos(1x2)1-1 \leq \cos\left(\frac{1}{x^2}\right) \leq 1

  2. Multiply by x4x^4: Multiply the entire inequality by x4x^4 (note that x40x^4 \geq 0 for all real xx) to get: x4x4cos(1x2)x4-x^4 \leq x^4 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x^2}\right) \leq x^4

  3. Take the limit as x0x \to 0: Now, we take the limit of the outer bounds as x0x \to 0: limx0(x4)=0andlimx0x4=0\lim_{x \to 0} (-x^4) = 0 \quad \text{and} \quad \lim_{x \to 0} x^4 = 0

    Therefore, by the Squeeze Theorem: limx0x4cos(1x2)=0\lim_{x \to 0} x^4 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x^2}\right) = 0

Conclusion:

By the Squeeze Theorem, we have shown that the limit of x4cos(1x2)x^4 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x^2}\right) as x0x \to 0 is indeed 0.

Would you like further details or explanations?

Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How is the Squeeze Theorem applied to more complex functions?
  2. What happens to the limit if we replace x4x^4 with x2x^2 in the given expression?
  3. Can you use the Squeeze Theorem when dealing with oscillating functions like sine and cosine?
  4. How do we know that multiplying by x4x^4 preserves the bounds in this problem?
  5. What other methods (besides the Squeeze Theorem) could be used to evaluate this limit?

Tip: When dealing with trigonometric functions in limits, bounding the function between known values is often a useful strategy for applying the Squeeze Theorem.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Trigonometric Functions
Squeeze Theorem

Formulas

lim (x→0) f(x) = L
cos(θ) between -1 and 1

Theorems

Squeeze Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

College Calculus