Math Problem Statement

Solve

Solve the given mathematical limit problems.

Solution

Here is the step-by-step solution for the provided problems:


a) limx2(1x24x24)\lim_{x \to 2} \left( \frac{1}{x-2} - \frac{4}{x^2-4} \right)

Step 1: Factorize x24x^2 - 4

x24=(x2)(x+2)x^2 - 4 = (x-2)(x+2)

Rewrite the second term: 4x24=4(x2)(x+2)\frac{4}{x^2-4} = \frac{4}{(x-2)(x+2)}

So the expression becomes: limx2(1x24(x2)(x+2))\lim_{x \to 2} \left( \frac{1}{x-2} - \frac{4}{(x-2)(x+2)} \right)

Step 2: Combine terms under a common denominator

The common denominator is (x2)(x+2)(x-2)(x+2): 1x24(x2)(x+2)=(x+2)4(x2)(x+2)=x2(x2)(x+2)\frac{1}{x-2} - \frac{4}{(x-2)(x+2)} = \frac{(x+2) - 4}{(x-2)(x+2)} = \frac{x-2}{(x-2)(x+2)}

Simplify: x2(x2)(x+2)=1x+2,for x2.\frac{x-2}{(x-2)(x+2)} = \frac{1}{x+2}, \quad \text{for } x \neq 2.

Step 3: Evaluate the limit as x2x \to 2

Substitute x=2x = 2 into 1x+2\frac{1}{x+2}: limx21x+2=12+2=14\lim_{x \to 2} \frac{1}{x+2} = \frac{1}{2+2} = \frac{1}{4}

Answer: 14\frac{1}{4}


b) limx0xlnx\lim_{x \to 0} x \ln x

Step 1: Rewrite using substitution

Let x=etx = e^{-t}, so as x0+x \to 0^+, tt \to \infty. Then: xlnx=etln(et)=et(t)=tetx \ln x = e^{-t} \ln(e^{-t}) = e^{-t}(-t) = -t e^{-t}

Step 2: Evaluate the limit

We need: limttet\lim_{t \to \infty} -t e^{-t}

Using L'Hôpital's Rule, rewrite tet-t e^{-t} as: limttet\lim_{t \to \infty} \frac{-t}{e^t}

Apply L'Hôpital's Rule (differentiate numerator and denominator): limttet=limt1et=0\lim_{t \to \infty} \frac{-t}{e^t} = \lim_{t \to \infty} \frac{-1}{e^t} = 0

Answer: 00


c) limx0cos(2x)1x2\lim_{x \to 0} \cos(2x)^{\frac{1}{x^2}}

Step 1: Rewrite the expression

Let y=cos(2x)1x2y = \cos(2x)^{\frac{1}{x^2}}. Take the natural logarithm: lny=1x2ln(cos(2x))\ln y = \frac{1}{x^2} \ln(\cos(2x))

So: lny=limx0ln(cos(2x))x2\ln y = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\ln(\cos(2x))}{x^2}

Step 2: Expand cos(2x)\cos(2x) using a Taylor series

For small xx, cos(2x)12x2\cos(2x) \approx 1 - 2x^2. So: ln(cos(2x))ln(12x2)\ln(\cos(2x)) \approx \ln(1 - 2x^2)

Using ln(1u)u\ln(1 - u) \approx -u for small uu: ln(cos(2x))2x2\ln(\cos(2x)) \approx -2x^2

Step 3: Simplify the limit

Substitute ln(cos(2x))2x2\ln(\cos(2x)) \approx -2x^2 into ln(cos(2x))x2\frac{\ln(\cos(2x))}{x^2}: limx0ln(cos(2x))x2=limx02x2x2=2\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\ln(\cos(2x))}{x^2} = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{-2x^2}{x^2} = -2

So: lny=2    y=e2\ln y = -2 \implies y = e^{-2}

Answer: e2e^{-2}


Summary of Answers:

a) 14\frac{1}{4}
b) 00
c) e2e^{-2}


Would you like more detailed explanations for any of the steps?

Follow-up Questions:

  1. How do Taylor series expansions help in evaluating limits?
  2. Why is L'Hôpital's Rule valid for indeterminate forms?
  3. Can we solve limx0xlnx\lim_{x \to 0} x \ln x using numerical approximations?
  4. What happens if cos(2x)\cos(2x) is replaced with sin(2x)\sin(2x) in part (c)?
  5. How does substitution simplify complicated limit problems?

Tip: For logarithmic and exponential limits, rewrite the function to isolate indeterminate forms and apply series expansions or L'Hôpital's Rule!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Limits
Algebraic Simplification
Logarithms
Exponential Functions
Taylor Series Expansion

Formulas

Limit of a rational function: \( \lim_{x \to a} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} \)
Logarithmic expansion: \( \ln(1 - u) \approx -u \) for small \( u \)
Taylor Series: \( \cos(x) \approx 1 - \frac{x^2}{2} \) for small \( x \)

Theorems

L'Hôpital's Rule for indeterminate forms
Limit Laws
Continuity in trigonometric functions

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Mathematics