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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${\lim_{x\to \infty} (\frac{3x-1}{3x+1})^{4x}}$ =?

${\lim_{x\to \infty} (\frac{3x-1}{3x+1})^{4x}}$ = ? P.S. - I tried reducing it to some form like $\lim_{n\to \infty} (1 - \frac1n)^n$, the value of which is $e^{-1}$. Was I correct?
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How do we calculate the Right and Left Hand Limit of 1/x?

I am confused regarding one sided limits and how to calculate it. For Example: $$\lim_{x\to 0}\frac{1}{x}\quad\text{does not exist}$$ How can I validate that $\lim\limits_{x\to 0^+}\frac{1}{x}$ or $\lim\limits_{x\to 0^-}\frac{1}{x}$ exists? I am…
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Find limit $y+\frac{x^2}{y}$ when $(x,y) \to 0$

Find the limit of $y+\frac{x^2}{y}$ when $(x,y) \to 0$. I did polar coordinates, and got $\frac{r}{\sin(\theta)} \to0$ when $r \to 0$ since $-1 \le \sin(\theta)\le1$.
jacob
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Limit involving exponentials

Being bored, I recently started trying to prove the exponential derivative formula by difference quotient: $\dfrac{d}{dx}n^x=\lim\limits_{\Delta x \to 0}\dfrac{n^{x+\Delta x}-n^x}{\Delta x} = n^x\log n$ Simple algebraic manipulation (exponent rule…
theage
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What is $\lim_{x \to +\infty} \frac{(x+1)^x}{x^x}$?

What is $$\lim_{x \to +\infty} \dfrac{(x+1)^x}{x^x}$$ and why? I believe it is $1$ because it is equal to $$\lim_{x \to +\infty}\dfrac{x^x}{x^x}$$ Wolfram|Alpha tells a different tale... I know that the solution is $e$ and why, but what is wrong…
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Limit involving greatest integer function

I can't work out this. The answer given is $1$, though I am getting infinity. Please help me out $$\lim_{x\rightarrow\infty}\frac{x^n+nx^{n-1}+1}{[x]}=?$$
Abhijit
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Have some trouble with limits

Find the following limits, do not use L’Hopital’s Rule. If the limit does not exist, explain why. $$\lim_{x\to 2}\frac{\left | x-2 \right |}{x^2-3x+2}$$ solution: $\lim_{x\to 2}\frac{\left | x-2 \right |}{(x-1)(x-2)}$,does this mean that when…
user136877
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How to prove that a supreme is infinite

I need to prove that $\lim_{n \to \infty} \sup \{2^k : 2^k \leq n\} = \infty$. I know that the supreme exists, the set is non-empty ($\forall n \geq 1$ : $2^{-1} \in \{2^k : 2^k \leq n\}$). I also know that the set is bounded by aboven (by $n$). But…
user54297
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Show $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 0} \Bigl(\ln \sum_{k=0}^r x^k \Bigr)\biggl/\Bigl( \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{x^k}{k!}\Bigr) = 1.$

Consider any finite integer $r \geq 2$. Then show $$\lim_{x \to 0} \dfrac{\ln\displaystyle \sum_{k=0}^r x^k }{\displaystyle \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{x^k}{k!}} = 1.$$ I can't understand how is it derived. I can see that denominator is $e^x-1$, and…
Silent
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The limit of $n^2 \log^n(1 - \frac{c \log n}{n})$

Maple tells me that $\lim_{n \to \infty} n^2 \log^n(1 - \frac{c \log n}{n}) = 0$ for any constant $c$, but I can't find a way to prove it. Any suggestions?
hakos
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Limit of inverse function

I need some help with the following question. Let $f$ be a real-valued one-to-one function with domain $(a-1, a+1)$. Let $\lim_{x\to a} f(x) = L$. Prove or disprove: $\lim_{y \to L} f^{-1}(y)=a$.
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Where is the mistake in this limit calculation?

I got this limit: $$\lim_{x\to1}\frac{\sqrt[3]{x}-1}{\sqrt[4]{x}-1} \implies \lim_{x\to1}\frac{\frac{x-1}{\sqrt[3]{x²}+\sqrt[3]{x}+1}}{\sqrt[4]{x}-1} \implies…
Rogers
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Compute limit of sequence

Let $(x_n)$ be real sequences such that $x_{1}=\dfrac{1}{3}, x_{2n}=\dfrac{1}{3}x_{2n-1}, x_{2n+1}=\dfrac{1}{3}+x_{2n}, n=1,2,\cdots $. Compute $$\lim_{x \to \infty} \sup x_{n} \text{ and } \lim_{x \to \infty} \inf x_{n}. $$
Babymath
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Limit of a function, not using L'Hospital's Rule

I have encountered this problem and I don't know how to approach it, mainly because we can't use L'Hospital's Rule. The limit is as follows: $$\lim_{x\to a} {x^x-a^a \over x-a}$$ Thanks for any suggestions. edit: Solved, thanks for the responses.
David
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Finding the limit when one part goes to infinity and the other part goes to zero

Let's say you have a function $$f(x) = h(x)g(x)$$. You know that $h(x) \to \infty$ as $x \to \infty$, and $g(x) \to 0$ as $x \to \infty$. How can you go about finding the limit of $f(x)$ as $x \to \infty$
Angada
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