Skip to main content
Ch. 7 - Transcendental Functions
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Non è quello che usi tu?Cambia libro di testo
Capitolo 7, Problema 7.5.1

In Exercises 1–6, use l’Hôpital’s Rule to evaluate the limit. Then evaluate the limit using a method studied in Chapter 2.
1. lim (x → -2) (x + 2) / (x² - 4)

Guida verificata passo dopo passo
1
First, identify the form of the limit by substituting \(x = -2\) into the expression \(\frac{x + 2}{x^{2} - 4}\). Check if it results in an indeterminate form like \(\frac{0}{0}\) or \(\frac{\infty}{\infty}\), which allows the use of l'Hôpital's Rule.
Since direct substitution gives \(\frac{0}{0}\), apply l'Hôpital's Rule by differentiating the numerator and denominator separately with respect to \(x\). The derivative of the numerator \(x + 2\) is \(1\), and the derivative of the denominator \(x^{2} - 4\) is \$2x$.
Rewrite the limit using these derivatives: \(\lim_{x \to -2} \frac{1}{2x}\). Now, substitute \(x = -2\) into this new expression to find the limit.
To verify the result using a method from Chapter 2, factor the denominator \(x^{2} - 4\) as \((x - 2)(x + 2)\). Then simplify the original expression \(\frac{x + 2}{(x - 2)(x + 2)}\) by canceling the common factor \((x + 2)\), keeping in mind the domain restrictions.
After simplification, evaluate the limit of the simplified expression as \(x\) approaches \(-2\) by direct substitution, confirming the result obtained using l'Hôpital's Rule.

Risposta video verificata per un problema simile:

Questa soluzione video è stata consigliata dai nostri tutor come utile per risolvere questo problema.
Durata del video:
1m

Concetti chiave

Ecco i concetti essenziali che devi comprendere per rispondere correttamente alla domanda.

Limits and Indeterminate Forms

Limits describe the behavior of a function as the input approaches a particular value. When direct substitution results in an indeterminate form like 0/0, special techniques such as l’Hôpital’s Rule are needed to evaluate the limit.
Video consigliato:
05:50
One-Sided Limits

l’Hôpital’s Rule

l’Hôpital’s Rule provides a method to evaluate limits that yield indeterminate forms 0/0 or ∞/∞ by differentiating the numerator and denominator separately and then taking the limit of their quotient.
Video consigliato:
5:50
Power Rules

Algebraic Simplification of Limits

Before applying advanced methods, limits can often be evaluated by algebraic manipulation such as factoring and canceling common terms. This approach, studied in earlier chapters, can simplify the expression to avoid indeterminate forms.
Video consigliato:
05:21
Finding Limits by Direct Substitution