Rewrite the given limit expression: \( \lim_{x \to 5} \frac{x - 5}{\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{5}} \). Notice that the denominator contains a square root, which suggests rationalizing the denominator might be helpful.
Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator, \( \sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5} \), to eliminate the square root in the denominator. This gives: \( \frac{(x - 5)(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5})}{(\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{5})(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5})} \).
Simplify the denominator using the difference of squares formula: \( (\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{5})(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5}) = x - 5 \). The expression now becomes: \( \frac{(x - 5)(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5})}{x - 5} \).
Cancel the common factor \( x - 5 \) in the numerator and denominator (valid as long as \( x \neq 5 \)). The simplified expression is: \( \sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5} \).
Finally, evaluate the limit as \( x \to 5 \) by substituting \( x = 5 \) into the simplified expression: \( \sqrt{5} + \sqrt{5} = 2\sqrt{5} \). This is the value of the limit.