Questions tagged [limits]

Questions on the evaluation and properties of limits in the sense of analysis and related fields. For limits in the sense of category theory, use the tag “limits-colimits” instead.

In mathematics, a limit is the value that a function or sequence "approaches" as the input or index approaches some value. Limits are essential to (and mathematical analysis in general) and are used to define continuity, derivatives, and integrals.

The formal $\varepsilon$-$\delta$ definition of a finite limit at a point $a\in \mathbb{R}$ is:

$$\Big(\lim_{x\rightarrow a} f(x) = L \Big)\iff \Big(\forall \varepsilon >0\, \exists \delta > 0: \forall x\in D\quad 0<\vert x-a\vert <\delta \implies \vert f(x)-L\vert <\varepsilon \Big).$$

The concept of a limit of a sequence is further generalized to the concept of a limit of a topological net, and is closely related to the concepts of limit and direct limit in category theory.

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Finding derivative of $\sqrt[3]{x}$ using only limits

I need to finding derivative of $\sqrt[3]{x}$ using only limits So following tip from yahoo answers: I multiplied top and bottom by conjugate of numerator $$\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sqrt[3]{(x+h)} - \sqrt[3]{x}}{h} \cdot \frac{\sqrt[3]{(x+h)^2} +…
Jiew Meng
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Why is this sum wrong?

$$\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\sum_{r=1}^n \sin\left(\frac{r}{n} \right)=\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} \left[\sin\frac{1}{n}+\sin\frac{2}{n}+\cdots+\sin(1)\right]=0+0+\cdots+\sin(1)=1$$ Could anybody explain why this is wrong? I've tried to see why this…
Redding
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Limit of (sin(1/n)^2)/n^2

$$\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \dfrac{(sin(\dfrac{1}{n}))^2}{n^2})$$ Steps I have taken: Getting rid of the square through the limit of a product is the product of it's limit so I will square the limit at the end. $\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}…
Bee
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Limit $\lim \limits_{x \to 2}{\frac{\sqrt{x^3 - 3x^2 + 4}-x +2}{x^2 - 4}}$

I try to calculate $\lim \limits_{x \to 2}{\frac{\sqrt{x^3 - 3x^2 + 4}-x +2}{x^2 - 4}}$. So, $\frac{\sqrt{x^3 - 3x^2 + 4}-x +2}{x^2 - 4} = \frac{(x-2)x}{(x+2)(x+\sqrt{(x-2)^2(x+1)}-2)}$ but I don't know what to do next.
alex
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What's wrong with this limit?

Let's say we have this limit: $$\lim\limits_{x\to \infty} \frac{1}{x}$$ which is clearly $$\lim\limits_{x\to \infty} \frac{1}{x} = 0.$$ From there, to prove it we should: $$\left\lvert \frac{1}{x} - 0 \right\rvert < \epsilon$$ (with $\epsilon > 0$…
user9209
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Why is $x(\sqrt{x^2+1} - x )$ approaching $1/2$ when $x$ becomes infinite?

Why is $$\lim_{x\to \infty} x\left( (x^2+1)^{\frac{1}{2}} - x\right) = \frac{1}{2}?$$ What is the right way to simplify this? My only idea is: $$x((x²+1)^{\frac{1}{2}} - x) > x(x^{2^{0.5}}) - x^2 = 0$$ But 0 is too imprecise.
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Epsilon delta of recursively defined function

I was wondering if the following can be proved with the definition of limits: $$a_0=1$$ $$a_{n+1}=a_n-\frac{(a_n)^2-5}{2a_n}$$ The thing to prove is $$\lim_{n\to\infty}a_n=\sqrt5$$
Alice Ryhl
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What are the limitations of the limit product rule?

Consider the limit product rule: $$\lim_{x\rightarrow c} (f(x)⋅g(x))=[\lim _{x\rightarrow c} f(x)]⋅[\lim_{x\rightarrow c} g(x)]$$ Now consider, for the sake of the argument, $f(x) = x, g(x) = (e/x)$ Clearly, the limit is e. However, by the product…
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Find $\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{\arcsin x}{x}$

Do I have to use L'hoptial's rule? How can this be used in this instance?
RobChem
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Find $\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} {\frac{n!}{n^n}}^\frac{1}{n} $

The denominator dominates the numerator so the term $\displaystyle \frac {n!}{n^n}$ definitely tends to $0$, and so does the power $\displaystyle\frac {1}{n}$. So, overall it is $\displaystyle0 ^ 0$ form. I proceeded by taking its $log$ and then I…
Gaurav
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How to compute $\lim_{x \to \infty} \sqrt{x}(e^{-1/x}-1)$?

I need to compute $$\lim_{x \to \infty} \sqrt{x}(e^{-1/x}-1)$$ using L'Hôpital's rule. Please hint me how to do it. Thanks!
jack
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Limits from the right and left

Evaluate the limits below, $$\lim_{x\to2^+}\frac{x-2}{x^2-4} $$ and $$\lim_{x\to2^-}\frac{x-2}{x^2-4} $$ Alright, I know that the limit from the right will equal positive infinity and the left will equal the negative infinity, by graphing. Now, how…
didgocks
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Finding the limit without L'Hopital's rule

$$\lim_{h\to 0}\frac{\cos(x_0+h)-\cos(x_0)}h \quad\text{as } x_0\in(0,\pi)$$ I did actually do it without L'Hopital rule as I just multiplied the top and bottom of the conjugate of the top of the fraction and just went from there, using the addition…
snowman
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How to show this $\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} {\sqrt[n]{1+n^2}} =1$

$$ \lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} {\sqrt[n]{1+n^2}} =1$$ I know that this is true for n but for this expression I dont know.
GorillaApe
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How do I prove the maximum of this function

I have the function $$y = x - \sqrt{x^2 - 1}$$ which must have a maximum of $1$ at $x = 1$, as after that you're taking $x$ and subtracting something slightly smaller than $x$, tending to $0$ as $x$ tends to infinity, however its derivative of $$1…
Qiri
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