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L’Hôpital’s Rule
Recognize when to apply L’Hôpital’s rule.
Applying L’Hôpital’s Rule
L’Hôpital’s rule can be used to evaluate limits involving the quotient of two functions. Consider
\[\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}.\]If \(\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)={L}_{1}\ \text{and}\ \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)={L}_{2}\ne 0,\) then
\[\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\frac{{L}_{1}}{{L}_{2}}.\]However, what happens if \(\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=0\) and \(\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)=0?\) We call this one of the indeterminate forms, of type \(\frac{0}{0}.\) This is considered an indeterminate form because we cannot determine the exact behavior of \(\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\) as \(x\to a\) without further analysis. We have seen examples of this earlier in the text. For example, consider
\[\underset{x\to 2}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}-4}{x-2}\ \text{and}\ \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x}{x}.\]For the first of these examples, we can evaluate the limit by factoring the numerator and writing
\[\underset{x\to 2}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}-4}{x-2}=\underset{x\to 2}{\text{lim}}\frac{(x+2)(x-2)}{x-2}=\underset{x\to 2}{\text{lim}}(x+2)=2+2=4.\]For \(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x}{x}\) we were able to show, using a geometric argument, that
\[\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x}{x}=1.\]Here we use a different technique for evaluating limits such as these. Not only does this technique provide an easier way to evaluate these limits, but also, and more important, it provides us with a way to evaluate many other limits that we could not calculate previously.
The idea behind L’Hôpital’s rule can be explained using local linear approximations. Consider two differentiable functions \(f\) and \(g\) such that \(\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=0=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)\) and such that \({g}^{'}(a)\ne 0\) For \(x\) near \(a,\) we can write
\[f(x)\approx f(a)+{f}^{'}(a)(x-a)\]\[g(x)\approx g(a)+{g}^{'}(a)(x-a).\]\[\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\approx \frac{f(a)+{f}^{'}(a)(x-a)}{g(a)+{g}^{'}(a)(x-a)}.\]\[\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{{f}^{'}(x)(x-a)}{{g}^{'}(x)(x-a)}=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{{f}^{'}(x)}{{g}^{'}(x)}.\]Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Calculus Volume 1.
Other Indeterminate Forms
L’Hôpital’s rule is very useful for evaluating limits involving the indeterminate forms \(\frac{0}{0}\) and \(\infty \text{/}\infty .\) However, we can also use L’Hôpital’s rule to help evaluate limits involving other indeterminate forms that arise when evaluating limits. The expressions \(0\cdot \infty ,\) \(\infty -\infty ,\) \({1}^{\infty },\) \({\infty }^{0},\) and \({0}^{0}\) are all considered indeterminate forms. These expressions are not real numbers. Rather, they represent forms that arise when trying to evaluate certain limits. Next we realize why these are indeterminate forms and then understand how to use L’Hôpital’s rule in these cases. The key idea is that we must rewrite the indeterminate forms in such a way that we arrive at the indeterminate form \(\frac{0}{0}\) or \(\infty \text{/}\infty .\)
Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Calculus Volume 1.
Growth Rates of Functions
Suppose the functions \(f\) and \(g\) both approach infinity as \(x\to \infty .\) Although the values of both functions become arbitrarily large as the values of \(x\) become sufficiently large, sometimes one function is growing more quickly than the other. For example, \(f(x)={x}^{2}\) and \(g(x)={x}^{3}\) both approach infinity as \(x\to \infty .\) However, as shown in the following table, the values of \({x}^{3}\) are growing much faster than the values of \({x}^{2}.\)
| \(x\) | \(10\) | \(100\) | \(1000\) | \(10,000\) |
| \(f(x)={x}^{2}\) | \(100\) | \(10,000\) | \(1,000,000\) | \(100,000,000\) |
| \(g(x)={x}^{3}\) | \(1000\) | \(1,000,000\) | \(1,000,000,000\) | \(1,000,000,000,000\) |
In fact,
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{3}}{{x}^{2}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}x=\infty .\ \text{or, equivalently,}\ \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{{x}^{3}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{x}=0.\]As a result, we say \({x}^{3}\) is growing more rapidly than \({x}^{2}\) as \(x\to \infty .\) On the other hand, for \(f(x)={x}^{2}\) and \(g(x)=3{x}^{2}+4x+1,\) although the values of \(g(x)\) are always greater than the values of \(f(x)\) for \(x>0,\) each value of \(g(x)\) is roughly three times the corresponding value of \(f(x)\) as \(x\to \infty ,\) as shown in the following table. In fact,
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{3{x}^{2}+4x+1}=\frac{1}{3}.\]| \(x\) | \(10\) | \(100\) | \(1000\) | \(10,000\) |
| \(f(x)={x}^{2}\) | \(100\) | \(10,000\) | \(1,000,000\) | \(100,000,000\) |
| \(g(x)=3{x}^{2}+4x+1\) | \(341\) | \(30,401\) | \(3,004,001\) | \(300,040,001\) |
In this case, we say that \({x}^{2}\) and \(3{x}^{2}+4x+1\) are growing at the same rate as \(x\to \infty .\)
More generally, suppose \(f\) and \(g\) are two functions that approach infinity as \(x\to \infty .\) We say \(g\) grows more rapidly than \(f\) as \(x\to \infty\) if
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{g(x)}{f(x)}=\infty ;\ \text{or, equivalently,}\ \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=0.\]On the other hand, if there exists a constant \(M\ne 0\) such that
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=M,\]we say \(f\) and \(g\) grow at the same rate as \(x\to \infty .\)
| \(x\) | \(5\) | \(10\) | \(15\) | \(20\) |
| \({x}^{3}\) | \(125\) | \(1000\) | \(3375\) | \(8000\) |
| \({x}^{4}\) | \(625\) | \(10,000\) | \(50,625\) | \(160,000\) |
| \({e}^{x}\) | \(148\) | \(22,026\) | \(3,269,017\) | \(485,165,195\) |
| \(x\) | \(10\) | \(100\) | \(1000\) | \(10,000\) |
| \(\text{ln}(x)\) | \(2.303\) | \(4.605\) | \(6.908\) | \(9.210\) |
| \(\sqrt[3]{x}\) | \(2.154\) | \(4.642\) | \(10\) | \(21.544\) |
| \(\sqrt{x}\) | \(3.162\) | \(10\) | \(31.623\) | \(100\) |
Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Calculus Volume 1.
Key Concepts
- L’Hôpital’s rule can be used to evaluate the limit of a quotient when the indeterminate form \(\frac{0}{0}\) or \(\infty \text{/}\infty\) arises.
- L’Hôpital’s rule can also be applied to other indeterminate forms if they can be rewritten in terms of a limit involving a quotient that has the indeterminate form \(\frac{0}{0}\) or \(\infty \text{/}\infty .\)
- The exponential function \({e}^{x}\) grows faster than any power function \({x}^{p},\) \(p>0.\)
- The logarithmic function \(\text{ln}\ x\) grows more slowly than any power function \({x}^{p},\) \(p>0.\)
L’Hôpital’s Rule
For the following exercises, evaluate the limit.
For the following exercises, determine whether you can apply L’Hôpital’s rule directly. Explain why or why not. Then, indicate if there is some way you can alter the limit so you can apply L’Hôpital’s rule.
For the following exercises, evaluate the limits with either L’Hôpital’s rule or previously learned methods.
For the following exercises, use a calculator to graph the function and estimate the value of the limit, then use L’Hôpital’s rule to find the limit directly.
Practice (40)
Try each one on paper first. Reveal the answer to check; verified ones can be opened in the solver for every step.
-
Evaluate each of the following limits by applying L’Hôpital’s rule.
- \(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{1-\text{cos}\ x}{x}\)
- \(\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}(\pi x)}{\text{ln}\ x}\)
- \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{1\text{/}x}-1}{1\text{/}x}\)
- \(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x-x}{{x}^{2}}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
- Since the numerator \(1-\text{cos}\ x\to 0\) and the denominator \(x\to 0,\) we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate this limit. We have
\[\begin{array}{ll}\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{1-\text{cos}\ x}{x} & =\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\frac{d}{dx}(1-\text{cos}\ x)}{\frac{d}{dx}(x)} \\ & =\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x}{1} \\ & =\frac{\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}(\text{sin}\ x)}{\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}(1)} \\ & =\frac{0}{1}=0.\end{array}\] - As \(x\to 1,\) the numerator \(\text{sin}(\pi x)\to 0\) and the denominator \(\text{ln}(x)\to 0.\) Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. We obtain
\[\begin{array}{ll}\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}(\pi x)}{\text{ln}\ x} & =\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{\pi \ \text{cos}(\pi x)}{1\text{/}x} \\ & =\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}(\pi x)\text{cos}(\pi x) \\ & =(\pi \cdot 1)(-1)=\text{-}\pi .\end{array}\] - As \(x\to \infty ,\) the numerator \({e}^{1\text{/}x}-1\to 0\) and the denominator \((\frac{1}{x})\to 0.\) Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. We obtain
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{1\text{/}x}-1}{\frac{1}{x}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{1\text{/}x}(\frac{-1}{{x}^{2}})}{(\frac{-1}{{x}^{2}})}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{e}^{1\text{/}x}={e}^{0}=1.\] - As \(x\to 0,\) both the numerator and denominator approach zero. Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. We obtain
\[\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x-x}{{x}^{2}}=\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{cos}\ x-1}{2x}.\]
Since the numerator and denominator of this new quotient both approach zero as \(x\to 0,\) we apply L’Hôpital’s rule again. In doing so, we see that
\[\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{cos}\ x-1}{2x}=\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{-}\text{sin}\ x}{2}=0.\]
Therefore, we conclude that
\[\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x-x}{{x}^{2}}=0.\]
-
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{x}{\text{tan}\ x}.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(1\)
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Evaluate each of the following limits by applying L’Hôpital’s rule.
- \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3x+5}{2x+1}\)
- \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{\text{cot}\ x}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
- Since \(3x+5\) and \(2x+1\) are first-degree polynomials with positive leading coefficients, \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(3x+5)=\infty\) and \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(2x+1)=\infty .\) Therefore, we apply L’Hôpital’s rule and obtain
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3x+5}{2x+1}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3}{2}=\frac{3}{2}.\]
Note that this limit can also be calculated without invoking L’Hôpital’s rule. Earlier in the chapter we showed how to evaluate such a limit by dividing the numerator and denominator by the highest power of \(x\) in the denominator. In doing so, we saw that
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3x+5}{2x+1}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3+5\text{/}x}{2+1\text{/}x}=\frac{3}{2}.\]
L’Hôpital’s rule provides us with an alternative means of evaluating this type of limit. - Here, \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{ln}\ x=\text{-}\infty\) and \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{cot}\ x=\infty .\) Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule and obtain
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{\text{cot}\ x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{\text{-}{\text{csc}}^{2}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{\text{-}x\ {\text{csc}}^{2}x}.\]
Now as \(x\to {0}^{+},\) \({\text{csc}}^{2}x\to \infty .\) Therefore, the first term in the denominator is approaching zero and the second term is getting really large. In such a case, anything can happen with the product. Therefore, we cannot make any conclusion yet. To evaluate the limit, we use the definition of \(\text{csc}\ x\) to write
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{\text{-}x\ {\text{csc}}^{2}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{{\text{sin}}^{2}x}{\text{-}x}.\]
Now \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{\text{sin}}^{2}x=0\) and \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}x=0,\) so we apply L’Hôpital’s rule again. We find
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{{\text{sin}}^{2}x}{\text{-}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{2\ \text{sin}\ x\ \text{cos}\ x}{-1}=\frac{0}{-1}=0.\]
We conclude that
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{\text{cot}\ x}=0.\]
-
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{5x}.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(0\)
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Consider \(\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+5}{3x+4}.\) Show that the limit cannot be evaluated by applying L’Hôpital’s rule.
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
Because the limits of the numerator and denominator are not both zero and are not both infinite, we cannot apply L’Hôpital’s rule. If we try to do so, we get
\[\frac{d}{dx}({x}^{2}+5)=2x\]and
\[\frac{d}{dx}(3x+4)=3.\]At which point we would conclude erroneously that
\[\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+5}{3x+4}=\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{2x}{3}=\frac{2}{3}.\]However, since \(\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}({x}^{2}+5)=6\) and \(\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}(3x+4)=7,\) we actually have
\[\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+5}{3x+4}=\frac{6}{7}.\]We can conclude that
\[\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+5}{3x+4}\ne \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{\frac{d}{dx}({x}^{2}+5)}{\frac{d}{dx}(3x+4)}.\] -
Explain why we cannot apply L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{cos}\ x}{x}.\) Evaluate \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{cos}\ x}{x}\) by other means.
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{cos}\ x=1.\) Therefore, we cannot apply L’Hôpital’s rule. The limit of the quotient is \(\infty\)
-
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}x\ \text{ln}\ x.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
First, rewrite the function \(x\ \text{ln}\ x\) as a quotient to apply L’Hôpital’s rule. If we write
\[x\ \text{ln}\ x=\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{1\text{/}x},\]we see that \(\text{ln}\ x\to \text{-}\infty\) as \(x\to {0}^{+}\) and \(\frac{1}{x}\to \infty\) as \(x\to {0}^{+}.\) Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule and obtain
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{1\text{/}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\frac{d}{dx}(\text{ln}\ x)}{\frac{d}{dx}(1\text{/}x)}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{-1\text{/}{x}^{2}}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\text{-}x)=0.\]We conclude that
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}x\ \text{ln}\ x=0.\] -
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}x\ \text{cot}\ x.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(1\)
-
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\frac{1}{{x}^{2}}-\frac{1}{\text{tan}\ x}).\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
By combining the fractions, we can write the function as a quotient. Since the least common denominator is \({x}^{2}\text{tan}\ x,\) we have
\[\frac{1}{{x}^{2}}-\frac{1}{\text{tan}\ x}=\frac{(\text{tan}\ x)-{x}^{2}}{{x}^{2}\text{tan}\ x}.\]As \(x\to {0}^{+},\) the numerator \(\text{tan}\ x-{x}^{2}\to 0\) and the denominator \({x}^{2}\text{tan}\ x\to 0.\) Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. Taking the derivatives of the numerator and the denominator, we have
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{(\text{tan}\ x)-{x}^{2}}{{x}^{2}\text{tan}\ x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{({\text{sec}}^{2}x)-2x}{{x}^{2}{\text{sec}}^{2}x+2x\ \text{tan}\ x}.\]As \(x\to {0}^{+},\) \(({\text{sec}}^{2}x)-2x\to 1\) and \({x}^{2}{\text{sec}}^{2}x+2x\ \text{tan}\ x\to 0.\) Since the denominator is positive as \(x\) approaches zero from the right, we conclude that
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{({\text{sec}}^{2}x)-2x}{{x}^{2}{\text{sec}}^{2}x+2x\ \text{tan}\ x}=\infty .\]Therefore,
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\frac{1}{{x}^{2}}-\frac{1}{\text{tan}\ x})=\infty .\] -
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\frac{1}{x}-\frac{1}{\text{sin}\ x}).\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(0\)
-
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}x}.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
Let \(y={x}^{1\text{/}x}.\) Then,
\[\text{ln}y=\text{ln}({x}^{1\text{/}x})=\frac{1}{x}\ \text{ln}\ x=\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{x}.\]We need to evaluate \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{x}.\) Applying L’Hôpital’s rule, we obtain
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\text{ln}\ y=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{x}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{1}=0.\]Therefore, \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\text{ln}\ y=0.\) Since the natural logarithm function is continuous, we conclude that
\[\text{ln}(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}y)=0,\]which leads to
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}y={e}^{\ln (y)}=\text{lim}{e}^{0}=1.\text{(All limits}x\ge \infty \text{.)}\]Hence,
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}x}=1.\] -
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}\text{ln}(x)}.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(e\)
-
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{\text{sin}\ x}.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
Let
\[y={x}^{\text{sin}\ x}.\]Therefore,
\[\text{ln}\ y=\text{ln}({x}^{\text{sin}\ x})=\text{sin}\ x\ \text{ln}\ x.\]We now evaluate \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{sin}\ x\ \text{ln}\ x.\) Since \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{sin}\ x=0\) and \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{ln}\ x=\text{-}\infty ,\) we have the indeterminate form \(0\cdot \infty .\) To apply L’Hôpital’s rule, we need to rewrite \(\text{sin}\ x\ \text{ln}\ x\) as a fraction. We could write
\[\text{sin}\ x\ \text{ln}\ x=\frac{\text{sin}\ x}{1\text{/}\text{ln}\ x}\]or
\[\text{sin}\ x\ \text{ln}\ x=\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{1\text{/}\text{sin}\ x}=\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{\text{csc}\ x}.\]Let’s consider the first option. In this case, applying L’Hôpital’s rule, we would obtain
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{sin}\ x\ \text{ln}\ x=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x}{1\text{/}\text{ln}\ x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{cos}\ x}{-1\text{/}(x{(\text{ln}\ x)}^{2})}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\text{-}x{(\text{ln}\ x)}^{2}\text{cos}\ x).\]Unfortunately, we not only have another expression involving the indeterminate form \(0\cdot \infty ,\) but the new limit is even more complicated to evaluate than the one with which we started. Instead, we try the second option. By writing
\[\text{sin}\ x\ \text{ln}\ x=\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{1\text{/}\text{sin}\ x}=\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{\text{csc}\ x},\]and applying L’Hôpital’s rule, we obtain
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{sin}\ x\ \text{ln}\ x=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{\text{csc}\ x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{\text{-}\text{csc}\ x\ \text{cot}\ x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{-1}{x\ \text{csc}\ x\ \text{cot}\ x}.\]Using the fact that \(\text{csc}\ x=\frac{1}{\text{sin}\ x}\) and \(\text{cot}\ x=\frac{\text{cos}\ x}{\text{sin}\ x},\) we can rewrite the expression on the right-hand side as
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{-}{\text{sin}}^{2}x}{x\ \text{cos}\ x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}[\frac{\text{sin}\ x}{x}\cdot (\text{-}\text{tan}\ x)]=(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x}{x})\cdot (\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\text{-}\text{tan}\ x))=1\cdot 0=0.\]We conclude that \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{ln}\ y=0.\) Therefore, \(\text{ln}(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}y)=0\) and we have
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}y=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{\text{sin}\ x}={e}^{0}=1.\]Hence,
\[\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{\text{sin}\ x}=1.\] -
Evaluate \(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{x}.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(1\)
-
For each of the following pairs of functions, use L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}).\)
- \(f(x)={x}^{2}\ \text{and}\ g(x)={e}^{x}\)
- \(f(x)=\text{ln}(x)\ \text{and}\ g(x)={x}^{2}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
- Since \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{2}=\infty\) and \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{e}^{x}=\infty ,\) we can use L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}[\frac{{x}^{2}}{{e}^{x}}].\) We obtain
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{{e}^{x}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{2x}{{e}^{x}}.\]
Since \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}2x=\infty\) and \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{e}^{x}=\infty ,\) we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule again. Since
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{2x}{{e}^{x}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{2}{{e}^{x}}=0,\]
we conclude that
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{{e}^{x}}=0.\]
Therefore, \({e}^{x}\) grows more rapidly than \({x}^{2}\) as \(x\to \infty\) (See and ).
\(x\) \(5\) \(10\) \(15\) \(20\) \({x}^{2}\) \(25\) \(100\) \(225\) \(400\) \({e}^{x}\) \(148\) \(22,026\) \(3,269,017\) \(485,165,195\) - Since \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\text{ln}\ x=\infty\) and \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{2}=\infty ,\) we can use L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{{x}^{2}}.\) We obtain
\[\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{{x}^{2}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{2x}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{2{x}^{2}}=0.\]
Thus, \({x}^{2}\) grows more rapidly than \(\text{ln}\ x\) as \(x\to \infty\) (see and ).
\(x\) \(10\) \(100\) \(1000\) \(10,000\) \(\text{ln}(x)\) \(2.303\) \(4.605\) \(6.908\) \(9.210\) \({x}^{2}\) \(100\) \(10,000\) \(1,000,000\) \(100,000,000\)
-
Compare the growth rates of \({x}^{100}\) and \({2}^{x}.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
The function \({2}^{x}\) grows faster than \({x}^{100}.\)
-
Evaluate the limit \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}}{x}.\)
-
Evaluate the limit \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}}{{x}^{k}}.\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(\infty\)
-
Evaluate the limit \(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}\ x}{{x}^{k}}.\)
-
Evaluate the limit \(\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-a}{{x}^{2}-{a}^{2}},\ a\ne 0\).
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(\frac{1}{2a}\)
-
Evaluate the limit \(\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-a}{{x}^{3}-{a}^{3}},\ a\ne 0\).
-
Evaluate the limit \(\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-a}{{x}^{n}-{a}^{n}},\ a\ne 0\).
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(\frac{1}{n{a}^{n-1}}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{2}\text{ln}\ x\)
-
\(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}x}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
Cannot apply directly; use logarithms
-
\(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}{x}^{2\text{/}x}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{1\text{/}x}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
Cannot apply directly; rewrite as \(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}{x}^{3}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}}{x}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 3}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}-9}{x-3}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(6\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 3}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}-9}{x+3}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{(1+x)}^{-2}-1}{x}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(-2\)
-
\(\underset{x\to \pi \text{/}2}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{cos}\ x}{\frac{\pi }{2}-x}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to \pi }{\text{lim}}\frac{x-\pi }{\text{sin}\ x}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(-1\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-1}{\text{sin}\ x}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{(1+x)}^{n}-1}{x}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(n\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{(1+x)}^{n}-1-nx}{{x}^{2}}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{sin}\ x-\text{tan}\ x}{{x}^{3}}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(-\frac{1}{2}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\sqrt{1+x}-\sqrt{1-x}}{x}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}-x-1}{{x}^{2}}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(\frac{1}{2}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{tan}\ x}{\sqrt{x}}\)
-
\(\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-1}{\text{ln}\ x}\)
ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ
\(1\)
Symbols used here
The non-negative number whose square (n-th power) is x.
Not a number: "grows without bound" in limits and intervals.
Ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, 3.14159…
Equal to the precision shown, not exactly.
The two sides are different.
Least upper bound, greatest lower bound.
2.71828…, the base whose exponential is its own derivative.
Ratios of sides in a right triangle; coordinates on the unit circle.
The exponent b must be raised to for x; ln uses base e.
Add a_k for k = 1 up to n.
The value f(x) approaches as x approaches a.
Instantaneous rate of change; slope of the graph.
Antiderivative (indefinite) or signed area from a to b (definite).
Prime notation for derivatives with respect to x (or t).
Constants of integration fixed by initial conditions.
How to: L’Hôpital’s Rule
- Recognize when to apply L’Hôpital’s rule.
- Identify indeterminate forms produced by quotients, products, subtractions, and powers, and apply L’Hôpital’s rule in each case.
- Describe the relative growth rates of functions.
- Since the numerator
- As
- As
- As
- Since
Questions people ask
What is a derivative in one sentence?
The slope of the graph at a point — the rate at which the output is changing there. Speed is the derivative of position.
What is an integral in one sentence?
The accumulated total of a rate — the area under the curve. Distance travelled is the integral of speed.
Why are derivatives and integrals opposites?
That is the fundamental theorem of calculus: accumulating a rate and then measuring how fast the accumulation grows gets you back the rate. Integration undoes differentiation up to a constant.
When do I use substitution and when integration by parts?
Substitution when part of the integrand is the derivative of another part (u and du both present). Parts when the integrand is a product of two unrelated kinds of function — a polynomial times an exponential, log or trig function.
ନିଜେ ଚେଷ୍ଟାକରନ୍ତୁ
Parts of this page are adapted from OpenStax Calculus Volume 1 (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Condensed and re-explained here; errors are ours.
ଅଧିକ Calculus
LimitsDerivativesIntegralsDefinite integralsTaylor seriesSeries and sumsMaxima and minimaThe chain ruleImplicit differentiationRelated rates and optimisationIntegration techniques: substitution, parts, partial fractionsApplications of integration: area, volume, arc lengthInfinite series and convergence tests