Math Problem Statement

Evaluate \( \lim_{x \to 0} x^2 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \)

Solution

The problem is to evaluate the following limit:

limx0x2cos(1x)\lim_{x \to 0} x^2 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)

Solution:

  1. Analyze the behavior of cos(1x)\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) as x0x \to 0:

    • The function cos(1x)\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) oscillates between 1-1 and 11 as x0x \to 0.
    • This oscillation is unbounded in frequency as x0x \to 0, meaning it oscillates infinitely fast near zero.
  2. Examine x2x^2 as x0x \to 0:

    • The term x2x^2 approaches zero as x0x \to 0.
    • So, the entire expression is the product of x2x^2 (which tends to zero) and cos(1x)\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) (which oscillates between 1-1 and 11).
  3. Applying the Squeeze Theorem:

    • We know that 1cos(1x)1-1 \leq \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \leq 1 for all xx.
    • Therefore, x2x2cos(1x)x2-x^2 \leq x^2 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \leq x^2
    • As x0x \to 0, both x2-x^2 and x2x^2 approach 00.
    • By the Squeeze Theorem, it follows that limx0x2cos(1x)=0.\lim_{x \to 0} x^2 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = 0.

Final Answer:

limx0x2cos(1x)=0\lim_{x \to 0} x^2 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = 0

Would you like further explanation on any part of this solution?

Here are some related questions:

  1. What is the Squeeze Theorem and how does it apply to limits involving oscillating functions?
  2. How does xncos(1x)x^n \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) behave as x0x \to 0 for different powers nn?
  3. What happens if we change x2x^2 to xx in the limit limx0xcos(1x)\lim_{x \to 0} x \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)?
  4. Can the Squeeze Theorem be used to evaluate limx0x3cos(1x)\lim_{x \to 0} x^3 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)?
  5. How does the behavior of sin(1x)\sin\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) compare to cos(1x)\cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) in such limit problems?

Tip: When dealing with limits involving oscillating functions multiplied by terms that go to zero, consider using the Squeeze Theorem as a useful tool.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Oscillating Functions
Squeeze Theorem

Formulas

\( -1 \leq \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \leq 1 \)
\( -x^2 \leq x^2 \cos\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) \leq x^2 \)

Theorems

Squeeze Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 or early college calculus