Math Problem Statement

lim (x → ∞) x * (sqrt(4 + 1/x) - 2)

Solution

We are given the limit expression:

limxx(4+1x2)\lim_{x \to \infty} x \left( \sqrt{4 + \frac{1}{x}} - 2 \right)

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Simplify the expression inside the square root: As xx \to \infty, the term 1x\frac{1}{x} approaches 0. So, we can analyze the behavior of the square root term: 4+1x4=2\sqrt{4 + \frac{1}{x}} \to \sqrt{4} = 2 However, we need to calculate the behavior of the expression more carefully for large values of xx, so we'll expand it using a binomial approximation.

  2. Use binomial approximation: For large xx, we can use the binomial approximation for square roots: 1+z1+z2for small z\sqrt{1 + z} \approx 1 + \frac{z}{2} \quad \text{for small } z Here, z=14xz = \frac{1}{4x}, so: 4+1x=21+14x2(1+18x)=2+14x\sqrt{4 + \frac{1}{x}} = 2 \sqrt{1 + \frac{1}{4x}} \approx 2 \left(1 + \frac{1}{8x}\right) = 2 + \frac{1}{4x}

  3. Substitute into the original expression: Now substitute this approximation into the limit expression: x(4+1x2)x(2+14x2)=x(14x)x \left( \sqrt{4 + \frac{1}{x}} - 2 \right) \approx x \left( 2 + \frac{1}{4x} - 2 \right) = x \left( \frac{1}{4x} \right) Simplifying further: x×14x=14x \times \frac{1}{4x} = \frac{1}{4}

  4. Take the limit: Since the expression simplifies to a constant value 14\frac{1}{4}, the limit is: limxx(4+1x2)=14\lim_{x \to \infty} x \left( \sqrt{4 + \frac{1}{x}} - 2 \right) = \frac{1}{4}

Final Answer:

14\boxed{\frac{1}{4}}

Would you like further details on any step, or have more questions? Here are some related problems you could explore:

  1. What if the limit was limx0x(4+1x2)\lim_{x \to 0} x \left( \sqrt{4 + \frac{1}{x}} - 2 \right)?
  2. How does the binomial approximation apply in different contexts for small values of zz?
  3. What would happen if the term inside the square root was more complex, like 4+1x2\sqrt{4 + \frac{1}{x^2}}?
  4. Can you find an alternative method for solving this limit, such as L'Hopital's Rule?
  5. How can we use Taylor series to approximate square roots more generally?

Tip: Binomial expansions are very useful for approximating functions for large or small values of variables. Familiarize yourself with these expansions for common functions!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Binomial Approximation
Asymptotic Behavior

Formulas

lim (x → ∞) x * (sqrt(4 + 1/x) - 2)
Binomial approximation for square roots: sqrt(1 + z) ≈ 1 + z/2 for small z

Theorems

Limit Theorem
Binomial Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

College/University Calculus