Math Problem Statement

lim_{x -> 0} (sin(x) - sin(3x)) / sin(x)

Solution

The given limit problem is:

limx0sinxsin3xsinx\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{\sin x - \sin 3x}{\sin x}

Step-by-step Solution:

  1. Use the trigonometric identity for the difference of sines: sinAsinB=2cos(A+B2)sin(AB2)\sin A - \sin B = 2 \cos\left(\frac{A + B}{2}\right) \sin\left(\frac{A - B}{2}\right) Let A=xA = x and B=3xB = 3x, then: sinxsin3x=2cos(x+3x2)sin(x3x2)\sin x - \sin 3x = 2 \cos\left(\frac{x + 3x}{2}\right) \sin\left(\frac{x - 3x}{2}\right) Simplifying: sinxsin3x=2cos(2x)sin(x)\sin x - \sin 3x = 2 \cos(2x) \sin(-x) Since sin(x)=sinx\sin(-x) = -\sin x, we get: sinxsin3x=2cos(2x)sinx\sin x - \sin 3x = -2 \cos(2x) \sin x

  2. Substitute this expression into the limit: limx02cos(2x)sinxsinx\lim_{{x \to 0}} \frac{-2 \cos(2x) \sin x}{\sin x} Simplifying the expression: limx02cos(2x)\lim_{{x \to 0}} -2 \cos(2x)

  3. Evaluate the limit: As x0x \to 0, cos(2x)cos(0)=1\cos(2x) \to \cos(0) = 1. Therefore: limx02cos(2x)=2×1=2\lim_{{x \to 0}} -2 \cos(2x) = -2 \times 1 = -2

Thus, the value of the limit is:

2\boxed{-2}


Would you like further details or explanations on any step?

Here are five related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How can the difference of two sine functions be derived using trigonometric identities?
  2. What is the significance of the small angle approximation for limits involving trigonometric functions?
  3. How does L'Hopital's Rule apply to limits of the form 00\frac{0}{0}?
  4. How would the solution change if the sine terms in the numerator involved different multiples of xx?
  5. How can this type of limit be evaluated graphically or numerically?

Tip: When solving limits involving trigonometric functions near zero, trigonometric identities and small-angle approximations are often very useful!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Trigonometric Identities

Formulas

sin(A) - sin(B) = 2 cos((A + B)/2) sin((A - B)/2)
sin(-x) = -sin(x)

Theorems

Trigonometric Limit Theorems
Standard Trigonometric Identities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 (Advanced High School Calculus)