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LESSON 11 L’HOPITAL’S RULE AND THE SANDWICH THEOREM

Theorem (Cauchy’s Formula) If the functions f and g are continuous on the


closed interval [ a , b ] and differentiable on the open interval ( a , b ) and if
g ( x )  0 for all x in ( a , b ) , then there is a number c in ( a , b ) such that

f (b)  f (a ) f ( c )
 .
g( b )  g( a ) g ( c )

Proof Note that g ( b )  g ( a )  0 . For if g ( b )  g ( a )  0 , then g ( a )  g ( b ) .


Thus, by Rolle’s Theorem, there exists a number w in the open interval ( a , b )
such that g ( w )  0 . This would contradict the fact that g ( x )  0 for all x in
(a, b) .

Define the function h on the closed interval [a, b] by

h( x )  [ f ( b )  f ( a ) ] g ( x )  [ g ( b )  g ( a ) ] f ( x ) .

Note that f ( b )  f ( a ) and g ( b )  g ( a ) are fixed numbers. Since the functions


f and g are continuous on the closed interval [ a , b ] , then the function h is
continuous on [ a , b ] . Since the functions f and g are differentiable on the open
interval ( a , b ) , then the function h is differentiable on ( a , b ) .

Note that h( a )  [ f ( b )  f ( a ) ] g ( a )  [ g ( b )  g ( a ) ] f ( a ) =

f ( b ) g( a )  f ( a ) g( a )  g( b ) f ( a )  g( a ) f ( a ) = f ( b ) g( a )  g( b ) f ( a )
and

h( b )  [ f ( b )  f ( a ) ] g ( b )  [ g ( b )  g ( a ) ] f ( b ) =

f ( b ) g( b )  f ( a ) g( b )  g( b ) f ( b )  g( a ) f ( b ) = g( a ) f ( b )  f ( a ) g( b )

Thus, by Rolle’s Theorem, there exists a number c in the open interval ( a , b )


such that h( c )  0 . Since h( x )  [ f ( b )  f ( a ) ] g ( x )  [ g ( b )  g ( a ) ] f ( x )
and f ( b )  f ( a ) and g ( b )  g ( a ) are constants, then
h( x )  [ f ( b )  f ( a ) ] g ( x )  [ g ( b )  g ( a ) ] f ( x ) .

Thus, h( c )  [ f ( b )  f ( a ) ] g ( c )  [ g ( b )  g ( a ) ] f ( c ) and h( c )  0 

[ f ( b )  f ( a ) ] g ( c )  [ g ( b )  g ( a ) ] f ( c )  0 
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f (b)  f (a ) f ( c )
[ f ( b )  f ( a ) ] g ( c )  [ g ( b )  g ( a ) ] f ( c )  
g( b )  g( a ) g ( c )

NOTE: Cauchy’s Formula is a generalization of the Mean Value Theorem. If


g ( x )  x , then g ( a )  a , g ( b )  b , and g ( x )  1 for all x. Thus,
f (b)  f (a ) f ( c ) f (b)  f (a ) f ( c )
    f ( b )  f ( a )  f ( c ) ( b  a )
g( b )  g( a ) g ( c ) b  a 1
.

Theorem (L’Hopital’s Rule) Suppose the functions f and g are differentiable on


f ( x)
a deleted neighborhood of the number a. If g ( x )  0 for all x  a and if g( x )
0
has the indeterminate form 0
or 
 , then

f ( x) f ( x )
lim  lim .
x  a g( x ) x  a g ( x )

f ( x ) f ( x )
provided that lim exists or lim   .
x  a g ( x ) x  a g ( x )

Proof Let { x : 0  x  a   } = ( a   , a )  ( a , a   ) be a deleted


neighborhood of the number a on which the functions f and g are differentiable.
f ( x) 0
Suppose that g( x ) has the indeterminate form 0
at x  a . Then we have that
lim f ( x )  0 lim g ( x )  0 . f ( x )
and Suppose that lim  L for some
x  a x  a x  a g ( x )
f ( x)
number L. We want to show that lim  L. Let’s defined the following two
x  a g( x )
functions F and G on the open interval (a   , a   ) .

 f ( x) , x  a  g( x ) , x  a
F( x)   and G( x )  
 0 ,xa  0 ,xa
Since F ( x )  f ( x ) for all x  a in ( a   , a   ) , then the function F is
differentiable on the deleted neighborhood ( a   , a )  ( a , a   ) . Thus, the
function F is continuous on the deleted neighborhood ( a   , a )  ( a , a   ) .
Since xlim F ( x )  lim f ( x )  0 = F ( a ) , then the function F is continuous at
 a x  a

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x  a. Thus, the function F is continuous on the interval ( a   , a   ) .
Similarly, the function G is continuous on ( a   , a   ) . Thus, for each x in
the deleted neighborhood ( a   , a )  ( a , a   ) , we can apply Cauchy’s
Formula to the interval [ x , a ] if x  a or to the interval [ a , x ] if x  a for the
functions F and G. Thus, by Cauchy’s Formula, there exists a number c x

between a and x such that

F( x )  F(a ) F ( c x )

G( x )  G( a ) G ( c x )

Since x  a , then we have that F ( x )  f ( x) and G( x )  g ( x ) . Since cx  a

, then we have that F ( c x )  f ( c x ) and G ( c x )  g ( c x ) . Also, F( a )  0 and


G ( a )  0 . Thus,

F( x )  F(a ) F ( c x ) f (x)  0 f ( c x ) f ( x) f ( c x )
     .
G( x )  G( a ) G ( c x ) g( x )  0 g ( c x ) g( x ) g ( c x )

Since cx is between a and x, then as x  a, we have that cx  a . Thus,

f ( x) f ( c x ) f ( c x )
lim  lim  lim  L.
x  a g( x ) x  a g ( c ) c x  a g ( c )
x x

f ( x)
This argument would also be true if lim   . The argument for the
x  a g( x )
indeterminate form 
 is more difficult and can be found in texts on advanced
calculus.

COMMENT: One common mistake, which is made by students applying


L’Hopital’s Rule, is using the Quotient Rule instead of differentiating the numerator
and denominator. The other mistake is applying L’Hopital’s Rule without verifying
0
that you have the indeterminate form 0
or 
 .

Examples Find the following limits, if they exist.

sin x
1. lim
x  0 x

sin x sin 0 0
lim
x  0 x
= 0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form
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Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

sin x cos x lim cos x


lim
x  0 x
= lim
x  0 1
= x  0 = 1

Answer: 1

NOTE: The calculation of this limit was needed in order to calculate the
derivative of the sine function.

sin 3 t
2. lim
t  0 5t

sin 3 t sin 0 0
lim
t  0 5t = 0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

sin 3 t 3 cos 3 t 3 3
lim
t  0 5t = lim
t  0 5
= lim cos 3 t
5 t  0
= 5

3
Answer: 5

sin 2 x
3. lim
x  0 5x

sin 2 x 1 sin 2 x
Since 5x  5 x , then lim = lim .
x  0 5x 5 x  0 x

sin 2 x 0
lim =  Indeterminate Form
x  0 x 0

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

1 2 cos 2 x
sin 2 x 1 sin 2 x lim 
lim = lim = 5 x  0 1 =
x  0 5x 5 x  0 x
2 x

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1 4 4
lim 4 x cos 2 x = lim x cos 2 x = (0) = 0
5 x  0 5 x  0 5

Answer: 0

cos h  1
4. lim
h  0 h

cos h  1 cos 0  1 1  1 0
lim
h  0 h
= 0
= 0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

cos h  1  sin h  lim sin h   1 ( 0 )  0


lim
h  0 h
= lim
h  0 1
= h  0

Answer: 0

NOTE: The calculation of this limit was also needed in order to calculate the
derivative of the sine function.

1  cos 6 x
5. lim
x  0 4x2

1  cos 6 x 1  cos 0 1  1 0
lim
x  0 4x2 = 0
= 0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

1  cos 6 x  (  6 sin 6 x ) 6 sin 6 x 3 sin 6 x


lim
x  0 4x2 = lim
x  0 8x = lim
x  0 8x = lim
4 x  0 x

sin 6 x 0
lim
x  0 x
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

3 sin 6 x 3 3 9
lim
4 x  0 x
= lim 6 cos 6 x
4 x  0
= 4
(6) = 2

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9
Answer: 2

1  cos t
6. lim 
t  0 t3

1  cos t 1  cos 0 1  1 0
lim 
t  0 t3
= 0
= 0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

1  cos t  (  sin t ) 1 sin t


lim  = lim 2 = lim 
t  0 t 3 t  0 3t 3

t  0 t2
sin t 0
t
lim 
 0 t 2 = 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

1 sin t 1 cos t 1 cos t


lim  = 3
lim 
2t = lim 
3 t  0 t2 t  0
6 t  0 t

cos t 1
lim  = 0
 This is NOT an indeterminate form.
t  0 t

Sign of y 
cos t
t
: 
 


2
0

cos t 1 sin t 1 cos t


Thus, lim     . Since lim  = lim  by
t  0 t 3 t0 t2 6 t  0 t
1 sin t
L’Hopital’s Rule, then lim    .
3 t0 t2

1  cos t 1 sin t
Thus, lim  = lim    .
t  0 t3 3 t  0 t2

Answer:  

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tan 4 x
7. lim 
x  0 x

tan 4 x tan 0 0
lim 
x  0 x
= 0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

tan 4 x 4 sec 2 4 x
lim 
x
= lim  = 4 sec 2 0 = 4 (1) 4
x  0 x  0 1

Answer: 4

tan (  6 x )
8. lim
x  0 3
x5

Since the tangent function is an odd function, then we may write tan (  6 x )
=
 tan 6 x . Thus, we have that

tan (  6 x )  tan 6 x tan 6 x


lim = lim =  lim
5
x  0 3
x 5 x  0 3
x x  0 3
x5

tan 6 x tan 0 0
lim = =  Indeterminate Form
x  0 3
x5 0 0

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

tan 6 x 6 sec 2 6 x
 lim  lim 18 sec 2 6 x
x  0 3
x5 = x  0 5 2/3
x
=  lim
5 x  0 x 2/3
3

sec 2 6 x 1
lim = 0
 This is NOT an indeterminate form.
x  0 x 2/3

sec 2 6 x
Sign of y  : + +
x 2/3

0
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sec 2 6 x sec 2 6 x sec 2 6 x
Thus, lim    and lim   . Thus, lim  .
x  0 x 2/3 x  0 x 2/3 x  0 x 2/3

tan 6 x 18 sec 2 6 x
Since  lim =  lim by L’Hopital’s Rule, then
x  0 5
3
x 5 x  0 x 2/3
tan 6 x
 lim  .
x  0 3
x5

tan (  6 x ) tan 6 x
Thus, lim =  lim  .
x  0 3
x 5 x  0 3
x5

Answer:  

sec 5  1
9. lim
  0 7 2

sec 5  1 sec 0  1 1  1 0
lim
  0 7 2 = 0
= 0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

sec 5  1
Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that lim
  0 7 2 =

5 sec 5 tan 5
lim
  0 14 

5 sec 5 tan 5
Now, using Properties of Limits, we have that lim
  0 14  =

5 sec 5 tan 5 5  tan 5 


lim = ( lim sec 5 )  lim 
14   0  14   0   0  

lim sec 5  1 , 5  tan 5 


Since then ( lim sec 5 )  lim  =
  0
14   0
   0  

5  tan 5  5 tan 5
14
( 1 )  lim

 = lim

  0  14   0

tan 5 0
lim
  0 
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

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Applying L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

5 tan 5 5 25 25 25
lim = lim 5 sec 2 5 = lim sec 2 5 = sec 2 0 =
14   0  14  0
 14  0
 14 14

sec 5  1 5 sec 5 tan 5 5 tan 5 25


Thus, lim
  0 7 2 = lim
  0 14  = lim
14   0 
= 14
.

25
Answer: 14

4 x 2  3x  6
10. lim
x   5  2 x  3x 2

4 x 2  3x  6 
lim
x   5  2 x  3x 2
=  

Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

4 x 2  3x  6 8x  3 
lim
x   5  2 x  3x 2
= lim
x   2  6x =  

Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

8x  3 8 4
lim
x   2  6x = lim
x   6 = 
3

4
Answer: 
3

6t  7
11. lim
t    t2  9

6t  7  
lim
t    t2  9 = 
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

6t  7 6 1
lim = lim = 3 lim = 3 (0)  0
t    t2  9 t    2t t    t
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Answer: 0

5x  3x 2
12. lim
x    4 x  11

5x  3x 2 
lim =  Indeterminate Form
x    4 x  11 

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

5x  3x 2 5  6x 1
lim
x    4 x  11
= lim
x    4
= 4
lim
x   
(5  6 x ) = 

Answer: 

12  8 w 6  3 w 10
13. lim
w    ( 4 w 2  5 ) 3 ( 2 w 4  3)

12  8 w 6  3 w 10  
lim
w    ( 4 w 2  5 ) 3 ( 2 w 4  3)
= 
 Indeterminate Form

You can apply L’Hopital’s Rule to this limit. However, it much easier to use
the methods of the MATH-1850 course to evaluate this limit.

1
12  8 w  3 w
6 10
12  8 w 6  3 w 10 10
lim = lim  w =
w    ( 4 w 2  5 ) 3 ( 2 w 4  3) w    ( 4 w  5) ( 2 w  3)
2 3 4
1
w 10

12 8
10
  3
w w4
lim
w    1 1 =
6
( 4 w 2  5) 3 4 ( 2 w 4  3)
w w
12 8
10
 4  3
lim w w
3  =
3
w   
 1  3 
 2  ( 4 w  5)  2  4 
2

 w   w 

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12 8 12 8
10
 4  3 10
 4  3
lim w w lim w w
w   
 1
3
  3  = w   
 5
3
  3  =
 2 ( 4 w 2
 5 )  2  4  4  2  2  4 
 w   w   w   w 

0  0  3 3 3
=  = 
( 4  0) 3 ( 2  0) 64 ( 2 ) 128

3
Answer: 
128

NOTE: I will let you do the TEN applications of L’Hopital’s Rule in order to
produce this answer.

5 x  11  3
14. lim
x  4 x  2

5 x  11  3 9  3 0
lim
x  4 x  2
= 4  2
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

1
( 5 x  11 )  1 / 2 5
5 x  11  3 5 x 1/ 2
lim = lim 2 = lim =
x  4 x  2 x  4 1  1/ 2 x  4 ( 5 x  11 ) 1 / 2
x
2
5 (2)
3
=

10
3

10
Answer: 3

NOTE: To calculate this limit, without using L’Hopital’s Rule, would require
the algebra of rationalizing both the numerator and the denominator.

3
t 2  49  2 3 3
15. lim
t   5 t  5

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3
t 2  49  2 3 3 3  24  2 3 3 2 3 3  2 3 3
lim
t   5 t  5
= 0
= 0
=

0
0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

3
t 2  49  2 3 3 1 2 t
lim = lim ( t 2  49 )  2 / 3 2 t = lim
t   5 t  5 t   5 3 3 t   5 (t 2
 49 ) 2 / 3
=

2 5 10 10 ( 24 ) 1 / 3 10 ( 2 ) 3 3 53 3
 =  =  =  = 
3 (  24 ) 2 / 3 3 ( 24 ) 2 / 3 3 ( 24 ) 3 ( 24 ) 3 (6)
=

5 33

18

5 3 3
Answer: 
18

NOTE: This is the limit which is required to calculate the value of the
derivative of the function f ( t )  t  49 at t   5 using the definition3 2

of derivative. It is ironic that we used the value of the derivative of this


function at t   5 in order to calculate this limit. To calculate this limit,
without using L’Hopital’s Rule, would require the algebra of rationalizing the
numerator. Since a 3  b 3  ( a  b ) ( a 2  a b  b 3 ) , then in order to
rationalize the numerator of t  49  2 3 in the fraction3 2 3

3
t 2  49  2 3 3
t  5
, we would need to multiply the numerator and
denominator of the fraction by
( 3 t 2  49 ) 2  ( 3 t 2  49 ) ( 2 3 3 )  (2 3
=
3 )2
3
(t 2
 49 ) 2
 2 3
3 (t 2
 49 )  4 3 9 . Thus, we would have that

3
t 2  49  2 3 3
lim
t   5 t  5
=

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3
t 2  49  2 3 3 3
( t 2  49 ) 2  2 3
3 ( t 2  49 )  4 3 9
lim  =
t   5 t  5 3
(t 2
 49 ) 2
 2 3
3 (t 2
 49 )  4 3 9

( 3 t 2  49 ) 3  ( 2 3 3 )3
lim =
t   5
( t  5 ) ( 3 ( t 2  49 ) 2  2 3
3 ( t 2  49 )  4 3 9 )

t 2  49  24
lim =
t   5
( t  5 ) ( 3 ( t 2  49 ) 2  2 3
3 ( t 2  49 )  4 3 9 )

t 2  25
lim =
t   5
( t  5 ) ( 3 ( t 2  49 ) 2  2 3
3 ( t 2  49 )  4 3 9 )

( t  5) ( t  5)
lim =
t   5
( t  5) ( 3
(t 2
 49 ) 2  2 3
3 ( t 2  49 )  4 3 9 )

t  5
lim =
t   5 3
(t 2
 49 ) 2
 2 3
3 ( t 2  49 )  4 3 9

 10  10
3
(  24 ) 2
 2 3 3 (  24 )  4 3 9 = 3
24 2
 2 3 3 ( 24 )  4 3 9 =

 10  10
( 3 24 ) 2
 2 3 ( 8  3)  4
3 3 9 = (2 3 3) 2
 43 9  4 3 9 =

 10 10 5 5 3 3 53 3
=  =  =  = 
4 3 9  43 9  4 3 9 12 3 9 6 3 9 6 3 27 6 ( 3)
=

5 33

18
L’Hopital’s Rule was definitely easier.

4x  9  21
16. lim
x  3 3
5x 2
 19  4

4x  9  21 21  21 0
lim
x  3 3
5x 2
 19  4
= 3 64  4
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

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1
4x  9  21
( 4 x  9 )  1/ 2 4
2
lim
x  3 3
5 x 2  19  4
= lim
x  3 1 =
( 5 x 2  19 )  2 / 3 10 x
3

2 ( 4 x  9 )  1/ 2
lim 6 ( 4 x  9 )  1/ 2
x  3 10
x ( 5 x 2  19 )  2 / 3
= lim
x  3 10 x ( 5 x 2  19 )  2 / 3
=
3
3 ( 5 x 2  19 ) 2 / 3
lim
5 x  3 x ( 4 x  9 ) 1/ 2
=
3 64 2 / 3 1 16 16 16 21
 =  = =
5 3 21 5 21 5 21 105

16 21
Answer: 105

sin 3 y  cos 5 y  e 3 y
17. lim
y  0 y2

sin 3 y  cos 5 y  e 3 y 0  1  1 0
lim
y  0 y2
= 0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

sin 3 y  cos 5 y  e 3 y 3 cos 3 y  5 sin 5 y  3 e 3 y


lim
y  0 y2
= lim
y  0 2y
=

3  0  3 0
0
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

3 cos 3 y  5 sin 5 y  3 e 3 y
lim
y  0 2y =
3 (  3 sin 3 y )  5  5 cos 5 y  3  3 e 3 y
lim =
y  0 2

 9 sin 3 y  25 cos 5 y  9 e 3 y 0  25  9  34
lim
y  0 2
= 2
= 2
=  17

Answer:  17

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ln x 3
18. lim 
x  0 cot 6 x

ln x 3  
lim 
x  0 cot 6 x
= 
 Indeterminate Form

ln x 3 3 ln x
Since lim 
x  0 cot 6 x
= lim
x  0 cot 6 x , then applying L’Hopital’s Rule to the
last limit, we have that

3
3 ln x 1 sin 2 6 x
lim 
x  0 cot 6 x = lim x =  lim
x  0  6 csc 2 6 x 2 x  0 x

sin 2 6 x 0
lim  = 0
 Indeterminate Form
x  0 x

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

1 sin 2 6 x 1  3 lim  sin 12 x


 lim  =  lim 2 sin 6 x ( cos 6 x ) 6 = x  0 =
2 x  0 x 2 x  0

 3 (0)  0

NOTE: By the double angle formula for sine, which is sin 2  =


2 sin  cos  , then 2 sin 6 x cos 6 x  sin 12 x .

Answer: 0

sin 2 4 t
19. lim
t  0 3t 2

sin 2 4 t 0
lim
t  0 3t 2
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

sin 2 4 t 1 sin 2 4 t
Since lim
3t 2
= lim , then applying L’Hopital’s Rule to the
t  0
3 t 0 t2
last limit, we have that
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1 sin 2 4 t 1 2 sin 4 t ( cos 4t ) 4 2 2 sin 4 t cos 4t
lim = 3
lim
2t
= 3
lim
t
=
3 t 0 t2 t  0 t  0

2 sin 8 t
lim
3 t  0 t

NOTE: By the double angle formula for sine, 2 sin 4 t cos 4 t  sin 8 t .

sin 8 t 0
lim
t  0 t
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

2 sin 8 t 2 16 16 16
3 t
lim
 0 t
= lim 8 cos 8 t
3 t  0
= lim cos 8 t
3 t  0
= 3
cos 0 = 3
(1)
16
= 3

sin 2 4 t 1 2 sin 4 t ( cos 4t ) 4 2 sin 8 t


Thus, lim
t  0 3t 2
= lim
3 t  0 2t
= 3 t
lim
 0 t
=

16 16
lim cos 8 t
3 t  0
= 3

16
Answer: 3

tan 3
lim 
20.    
ln sin
2

tan 3 tan 3
lim  tan  0
    =  = =  Indeterminate Form
ln sin ln sin ln 1 0
2 2

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

3 sec 2 3
lim 
tan 3 1  3 sec 2 3
lim    
cos lim  
    = 2 2 =    1  = 6 lim  tan sec 2 3
ln sin cot    2
2  2 2
sin
2
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 lim  sec 2 3
Since lim  tan    and    = sec 2 3 = sec 2  =
   2
(  1) 2 =


1, then 6 lim  tan sec 2 3    .
   2

tan 3
lim   
Thus, by L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that     .
ln sin
2

Answer:  

y3  8
21. lim
y   2 ln ( 4 y 2  15 )

y3  8 0 0
lim
y   2 ln ( 4 y 2  15 )
= ln 1 = 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

3y2
y3  8 lim 4 y 2  15
lim
y   2 ln ( 4 y 2  15 )
= y   2 8y = lim
y   2
3y2 
8y =
4 y  15
2

3 3 3
lim y ( 4 y 2  15 ) = (  2 ) ( 1) = 
8 y   2 8 4

3
Answer: 
4

ln ( 7  2 x )
22. lim
x  3 x2  6x  9

ln ( 7  2 x ) ln 1 0
lim
x  3 x2  6x  9 = 9  18  9 = 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

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 2 2
ln ( 7  2 x )
lim = 7  2x = 2x  7 =
x  3 x2  6x  9 lim
x  3 2 x  6
lim
x  3 2 ( x  3)

1
lim
x  3 ( x  3) ( 2 x  7 )

1
Sign of y  : + 
( x  3) ( 2 x  7 )
 
7
3 2

ln ( 7  2 x )
NOTE: The domain of the function y  is the set of numbers
x2  6x  9
 7 
given by (   , 3 )   3, .
 2 

ln ( 7  2 x ) ln ( 7  2 x )
Thus, lim    and lim   .
x  3 x 2  6x  9 x  3 x2  6x  9

ln ( 7  2 x )
Thus, lim = DNE.
x  3 x2  6x  9

Answer: DNE

Now, we will study the indeterminate forms of 0   , 1  , 0 0 ,  0 , and    .


Using algebra, we may write the indeterminate form 0   as either the
0
indeterminate form 0
or the indeterminate form 
 .

Using logarithmic functions, we may write the indeterminate forms 1  , 00 , and


 0 as the indeterminate form 0   .

Examples Find the following limits, if they exist.

1. lim x 2 e 5x
x   

Since lim e 5x  0 , then lim x 2 e 5x = 0  Indeterminate Form


x    x   

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e 5x lim x 2 e 5x e 5x
Since x 2 e 5x = , then we could write x    = lim .
x2 x    x2
0
The indeterminate form of this last limit is 0
.

x2 lim x 2 e 5x x2
Since x 2 e 5x = , then we could write x    = lim .
e  5x x    e  5x
The indeterminate form of this last limit is 
 .

e 5x
Applying L’Hopital’s Rule to lim , we have that
x    x2

e 5x 5e 5 x 5 5e 5 x
lim = lim
 2x3
=  lim
x    x2 x   
2 x    x3

5e 5 x 0
Since lim = , then we can apply L’Hopital’s Rule again.
x    x3 0
However, since the exponent on the x in the denominator will always stay
negative and the numerator will always contain the exponential function, we
will not be able to determine an answer for the limit.

x2
Let’s apply L’Hopital’s Rule to lim , which has the indeterminate
x    e  5x
form 
 . Thus, we have that

x2 2x 2 x
lim = lim =  lim
x    e  5x x     5e  5 x 5 x    e  5x

x  
lim
x    e  5x = 
 Indeterminate Form

Apply L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

2 x 2 1 2 1
 lim =  lim = lim =
5 x    e  5x 5 x     5e  5 x 25 x    e  5x

2
25
lim
x   
e 5x =

2
(0)  0
25

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lim x 2 e 5x x2 2 x
Thus, x    = lim  5x =  lim  5x =
x    e 5 x    e
2
lim e 5x  0
25 x   

Answer: 0

5t
2. lim
t  (   / 2) 
sec t ln tan
2

lim sec t    5t  5 
Since t  (   / 2)  and lim ln tan  ln tan    =
t  (   / 2) 
2  4 
5t
ln 1 = 0, then lim
t  (   / 2) 
sec t ln tan
2
= 0  Indeterminate
Form

5t
ln tan 5t
5t 2 ln tan
Since sec t ln tan
2 = 1 = 2 , then we can write
cos t
sec t
5t
5t ln tan
lim
t  (   / 2) 
sec t ln tan
2
= lim
2 , which has an
t  (   / 2) 
cos t
0
indeterminate form of 0
.

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

5 5t
sec 2 5t
5t 2 2 sec 2
ln tan 5 2
2 = 5t =  lim =
lim tan 2 t  (  / 2)  5t
t  (   / 2) 
cos t lim 2 sin t tan
2
t  (  / 2)   sin t

 5 
sec 2   
5  4  5 ( 2 )2 5
  =   =  (2) = 5
2     5  2 (  1) (  1) 2
sin    tan   
 2   4 

Answer: 5

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3. lim sin 3 x ln x 2
x  0

Since lim  ln x 2   
and x lim 
sin 3 x  0 , then lim  sin 3 x ln x 2 =
x  0  0 x  0

0   Indeterminate Form

ln x 2
2 ln x
Since sin 3 x ln x 2 = 1 = csc 3 x , then we can write
sin 3 x

2 ln x
lim sin 3 x ln x 2 = lim , which has an indeterminate form of
 
x  0 x  0 csc 3 x 

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that


2
2 ln x 2 1
lim  = x =  lim  =
x  0 csc 3 x lim 3 x  0 x csc 3 x cot 3 x
x  0  3 csc 3 x cot 3 x

2 sin 3 x tan 3 x 2 sin 3 x   


 lim  =   lim    lim  tan 3 x 
3 x  0 x 3x0 x x 0 

sin 3 x 0
lim 
x  0 x
= 0
 Indeterminate Form

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule again, we have that

sin 3 x lim 3 cos 3x  3


lim 
x  0 x
= x  0

lim tan 3 x  tan 0  0 , 2 sin 3 x   


Since x  0 then   lim    lim tan 3 x  =
3x0 x   x  0 
2
 ( 3) ( 0 )  0
3

Answer: 0

4. lim  cot 
  0

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Since lim cot    , then lim  cot  = 0  Indeterminate Form
  0   0


 lim  cot 
Since  cot  = 1 = , then we can write =
tan    0
cot 
 0
lim 
  0 tan  , which has an indeterminate form of 0
.

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

 1
lim cos 2   1
lim
  0 tan  = lim
  0 sec 2  =   0

Answer: 1

 6 
5. lim x 3 sin  3 
x  
 x 

 6   6   6 
Since lim sin  3  = sin  lim 3  = sin 0  0 , then lim x 3 sin  3 
x  
 x  x x  x  
 x 
= 0  Indeterminate Form

 6 
sin  3 
 6   x ,  6 
Since x 3 sin  3  = then we can write lim x 3 sin  3  =
 x  1 x  
 x 
x3
 6 
sin  3 
 x , 0
lim
x   1
which has an indeterminate form of 0
.
x3

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

 6   6   6   6   1 
sin  3  cos  3   D x  3  cos  3   6 D x  3 
 x   x   x   x   x 
lim = lim = lim =
x   1 x    1  x    1 
Dx  3  Dx  3 
x3  x   x 

 6   6 
6 lim cos  3  = 6 cos  lim  = 6 cos 0  6 ( 1 )  6
x   x3
x  
 x   

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Answer: 6

6. lim ( sec 3 y  tan 3 y )


y  (   / 2) 

Since lim sec 3 y    and lim tan 3 y    , then


y  (   / 2)  y  (   / 2) 

lim ( sec 3 y  tan 3 y ) =    ( ) =     Indeterminate


y  (   / 2) 

Form

lim ( sec 3 y  tan 3 y )  1 sin 3 y 


y  (   / 2)  = lim 

cos 3 y

cos 3y
 =
y  (   / 2)
 

1  sin 3 y
lim
y  (   / 2)  cos 3 y

 3 
Since lim sin 3 y  sin     1 and
y  (   / 2)
 2 
 3  1  sin 3 y 0
lim  cos 3 y  cos     0 , then lim = 
y  (   / 2)  2  y  (   / 2) 
cos 3 y 0
Indeterminate Form

1  sin 3 y
Applying L’Hopital’s Rule to lim , we have that
y  (   / 2) 
cos 3 y

1  sin 3 y  3 cos 3 y lim cot 3 y  0


lim = lim =
y  (   / 2) 
cos 3 y y  (   / 2) 
 3 sin 3 y y  (   / 2) 

Answer: 0

7. lim [ ln ( 2 x  3 )  ln (5 x  4 ) ]
x  

Since lim ln ( 2 x  3 )   and lim ln (5 x  4 )   , then


x   x  

lim [ ln ( 2 x  3 )  ln (5 x  4 ) ] =     Indeterminate Form


x  

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2x  3  2x  3 
lim [ ln ( 2 x  3 )  ln (5 x  4 ) ] = lim ln = ln 
 x lim 

x   x   5x  4    5x  4 
=

 2 2
ln  lim
x   5
 = ln
  5

2x  3
NOTE: Since lim
x   5x  4 has an indeterminate form of 
 , then we can
apply L’Hopital’s Rule.

2
Answer: ln
5

8. lim ( 6x2  7x  9  6 x 2  11 )
x   

Since lim 6x2  7x  9   and lim 6 x 2  11   , then


x    x   

lim ( 6x2  7x  9  6 x 2  11 ) =     Indeterminate Form


x   

lim ( 6x2  7x  9  6 x 2  11 ) =
x   

6x2  7x  9  6 x 2  11
lim
x   
( 6x2  7x  9  6 x 2  11 ) 
6x2  7x  9  6 x 2  11
=

6 x 2  7 x  9  ( 6 x 2  11 )
lim =
x   
6x2  7x  9  6 x 2  11
 7 x  20
lim =
x  
6x2  7x  9  6 x 2  11

1

 7 x  20 x
lim  =
x   
6x2  7x  9  6x2  11 1

x

20
7 
lim x
x    1 1
=
2
(6 x 2  7 x  9)  2
( 6 x 2  11 )
x x

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20
7 
x 7  0 7
lim = = =
x    7 9 11 6  0  0  6  0 6  6
6   2  6 
x x x2

7 7 6
2 6 = 12

7 6
Answer: 12

9. lim ( t 2  ln t 2 )
t   

Since lim t 2   and t lim ln t 2


 , then lim ( t 2  ln t 2 ) =
t      t   

    Indeterminate Form

lim ( t 2  ln t 2 )  ln t 2 
= lim t 2  1  
t    t   
 t2 

ln t 2
Now, consider lim = 


Indeterminate Form
t    t2

ln t 2 2 ln t
Since lim = lim
t2
, then applying L’Hopital’s Rule to this last
t    t2 t   

limit, we have that

2
2 ln t 1
lim = lim t = lim  0
t    t2 t    2t
t    t2

ln t 2 2 ln t
Thus, lim = lim  0.
t    t2 t    t2

 ln t 2 
Thus, lim  1   = 1  0  1.
t   
 t2 

 ln t 2 
Since lim t 2   and lim  1    1 , then
t    t   
 t2 
 ln t 2 
lim t 2  1     .
t   
 t2 
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lim ( t 2  ln t 2 )  ln t 2 
Thus, = lim t 2  1    
t    t   
 t2 

Answer: 

1 
10. lim    log 3 (  y ) 
y  0
 y 

1 lim log 3 (  y )    ,
Since lim    and then
y  0 y y  0

1 
lim    log 3 (  y )  =     Indeterminate Form
y  0
 y 

1  1
lim   log 3 (  y )  = lim  [ 1  y log 3 (  y ) ]
y  0
 y  y  0 y

Now, consider lim y log 3 (  y ) = 0    Indeterminate Form


y  0

log 3 (  y )
lim  y log 3 (  y ) lim 
Since y  0 = y  0 1 , then applying L’Hopital’s
y
Rule to this last limit, we have that

1
log 3 (  y )
lim  y ln 3 1 1
y  0 1 = lim =  lim y =  (0)  0
y  0 1 ln 3 y  0 ln 3
y  2
y

Thus, lim y log 3 (  y )  0 . Thus, lim [1  y log 3 (  y ) ] =


y  0 y  0

1  0  1.

1 lim [1  y log 3 (  y ) ]
Since lim    and = 1, then
y  0 y y  0

1
lim [1  y log 3 (  y ) ]    .
y  0 y

1  1
Thus, lim    log 3 (  y )  = lim  [1  y log 3 (  y ) ]   
y  0
 y  y  0 y

Copyrighted by James D. Anderson, The University of Toledo


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Answer:  

Guidelines for evaluating xlim f ( x ) g ( x ) if the indeterminate form is 1  , 00 , and


 a

0.

1. Let y  f ( x ) g( x )

2. Take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation:


ln y  g ( x ) ln f ( x )
Of course, you can use any base for the logarithm. The natural logarithm is
the easiest to use.

3. Find lim ln y if it exists.


x  a

4. If lim ln y  L , then xlim f ( x ) g( x ) = lim y = eL.


x  a  a x  a

NOTE: Since the natural exponential function y  e is continuous for all x

real numbers and e  y for all positive real numbers, then xlim
ln y
 a
y =

lim e ln y
= e
lim ln y
x  a
= exp ( lim ln y ) = exp ( L ) = eL.
x  a x  a

Examples Find the following limits, if they exist.


2

1. lim ( 9 x 2  1 ) 1 / x
x  0

lim ( 9 x 2  1 )  1 1 lim ( 9 x 2  1 ) 1 / x
2

Since x  0 and lim  , then =


x  0 x2 x  0

1  Indeterminate Form.

1 ln ( 9 x 2  1 )
Let . Then ln y  ln ( 9 x 2  1 ) = .
2
y  ( 9 x 2  1) 1 / x
x2 x2

ln ( 9 x 2  1 ) 0
Now, find lim , which has an indeterminate form of 0
.
x  0 x2

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

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18 x
ln ( 9 x 2  1 ) 9x 2  1
18 x

1
lim = lim = lim
x  0 9x  1 2 x
2 =
x  0 x2 x  0 2x
9
lim  9
x  0 9x 2
 1

lim ln y ln ( 9 x 2  1 )
Thus, x  0 = lim  9
x  0 x2

Thus, lim y
x  0 = lim ( 9 x 2  1 ) 1 / x = e9
x  0

Answer: e9

2. lim  ( 1  tan 5 t ) csc 3 t


t  0

Since lim ( 1  tan 5 t )  1 and lim csc 3 t    , then


t  0 t  0

lim ( 1  tan 5 t ) csc 3 t = 1   Indeterminate Form.


t  0

Let y  ( 1  tan 5 t ) csc 3 t . Then ln y  csc 3 t ln ( 1  tan 5 t ) =


ln ( 1  tan 5 t )
sin 3 t .

ln ( 1  tan 5 t ) 0
Now, find lim  , which has an indeterminate form of .
t  0 sin 3 t 0

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

 5 sec 5 t
ln ( 1  tan 5 t ) 5 sec 5 t
lim  = 1  tan 5 t =  lim 
t  0 sin 3 t lim 3 t  0 ( 1  tan 5 t ) cos 3 t
t  0 3 cos 3 t
=

5 1 5
  = 
3 ( 1  0 ) ( 1) 3

lim ln y ln ( 1  tan 5 t ) 5
Thus, = lim  = 
t  0 sin 3 t
t  0 3

Thus, lim y = lim ( 1  tan 5 t ) csc 3 t = e  5/3


t  0 t  0
Copyrighted by James D. Anderson, The University of Toledo
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Answer: e  5/ 3

x
 1 
3. lim  1  
x 
x  

x
 1 
lim  1  
x 
= 1  Indeterminate Form.
x  

 1
x ln  1  
 1   1   x
Let y  1   . Then ln y  x ln  1   = .
 x   x  1
x

 1
ln  1  
 x  0
Now, find lim
x   1
, which has an indeterminate form of 0
.
x

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

 1
Dx  1  
 1  x  1
ln  1   Dx  
 x   1  x
lim = 1   = lim
x   
=
x   1  x 1 1
lim 1   Dx  
x x    1  x  x
Dx  
 x

1
lim 1
 1
x  
1 
1 = 1  0
x

lim ln y  1 
Thus, x   = lim x ln  1    1
x  
 x 

x
lim y  1 
Thus, x   = lim  1  
x 
= e
x  

Answer: e

Copyrighted by James D. Anderson, The University of Toledo


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x
 1 
NOTE: Since lim  1  
x 
= e , then we can use the expression
x  

x
 1 
1  
x 
to generate approximations for the number e . You can use your

1, 000, 000
 1 
calculator to verify that 1 


1,000,000 
 2.71828 .

2t
 4 
4. lim 1  
t 
t   

2t
 4 
lim 1  
t 
= 1   Indeterminate Form.
t   

 4
2t 2 ln  1  
 4   4   t 
Let y  1   . Then ln y  2 t ln  1   = .
 t   t  1
t

 4
2 ln  1  
 t  0
Now, find lim
t    1
, which has an indeterminate form of 0
.
t

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

 4
Dt  1  
 4  t   4
2 ln  1   Dt   
 t   4  t 
lim = 1   = 2 lim =
t    1  t  t     4 1
2 lim 1   Dt  
t t    1  t   t 
Dt  
 t 

1
 4 Dt   1
 t  8 lim 8 
1
2 lim
t     4  1
= t   
1 
4 = 1  0 =  8
1   Dt   t
 t   t 

lim ln y  4 
Thus, x   = lim 2 t ln  1    8
x  
 t 

2t
lim y  4 
Thus, x   = lim 1  
t 
= e8
t   

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1
Answer: e8 or e8

5. lim x x
x  0

lim x x = 00  Indeterminate Form.


x  0

ln x
Let y  x x
. Then ln y  x ln x = 1 .
x

ln x
lim   
Now, find x  0 1 , which has an indeterminate form of  .
x

Applying L’Hopital’s Rule, we have that

1
ln x
lim x 1  lim  x  0
x  0 1 = lim =  lim   x2 =
x  0 1 x  0 x x  0
x  2
x

Thus, lim ln y = lim x ln x  0


x   x  0

Thus, lim y = lim x x = e0  1


x   x  0

Answer: 1

 5 
tan  
6. lim ( e ) 3t  t 
t   

lim e 3 t  0  5
Since t    and lim tan   = tan 0  0 , then
t   
 t 
 5 
tan  
lim ( e ) 3t  t  = 00  Indeterminate Form.
t   

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 5   5  5
Let tan  
. Then ln y  tan   ln e 3 t = 3 t tan   .
y  (e 3t
)  t 
 t   t 

 5
Now, find lim
t   
3 t tan   ,
 t 
which has an indeterminate form of    0.

5
tan  
 5  t 
Since lim
t   
3 t tan  
 t 
= 3 lim
t    1
, which has an indeterminate
t
0
form of 0
, then we can applying L’Hopital’s Rule to this last limit. Thus,

5 5 5 5 1


tan   sec 2   D t   sec 2   5 D t  
 t   t   t   t   t 
3 lim
t    1
= 3 lim
t    1
= 3 lim
t    1
=
Dt   Dt  
t  t   t 

 5  5
15 lim sec 2   = 15 sec 2  lim  = 15 sec 2 0  15
t   
 t  t   t 

lim ln y  5
Thus, t    = lim 3 t tan    15
t   
 t 

 5 
tan  
Thus, lim y = 3t  t  = e 15
t    lim ( e )
t   

Answer: e 15

 a 
sin  6 
7. lim ( e x6
)  x  , where a is a constant
x  

 a 
lim e x
6
   a  sin  6 
Since x  
and lim sin  6  = sin 0  0 , then lim ( e ) x6  x 
x  
 x  x  

= 0  Indeterminate Form.

 a   a  6  a 
Let x6
sin  6 
. Then ln y  sin  6  ln e x = x 6 sin  6  .
y  (e )  x 
 x   x 

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 a 
Now, find lim x 6 sin  6  , which has an indeterminate form of   0.
x  
 x 
 a 
sin  6 
 a   x ,
Since lim x 6 sin  6  = lim which has an indeterminate form
x  
 x  x   1
x6
0
of 0
, then we can applying L’Hopital’s Rule to this last limit. Thus,

 a   a   a   a   1 
sin  6  cos  6  D x  6  cos  6  a D x  6 
 x   x   x   x   x 
lim = lim = lim =
x   1 x    1  x    1 
Dx  6  Dx  6 
x6  x   x 

 a   a 
a lim cos  6  = a cos  lim  = a cos 0  a ( 1 )  a
x   x6
x  
 x   

lim ln y  a 
Thus, x   = lim x 6 sin  6   a
x  
 x 

 a 
sin  6 
Thus, lim y = lim ( e ) x6  x  = ea
x  
x  

Answer: ea

Theorem (The Sandwich Theorem) If xlim g ( x )  L and lim h( x )  L and if


 a x  a

g ( x )  f ( x )  h ( x ) for all x in a deleted neighborhood of x  a , then


lim f ( x )  L .
x  a

Proof Let   0. In order to show that lim f ( x )  L , we need to show that


x  a

there exists a   0 such that f ( x )  L   whenever 0  x  a   .

Let { x : 0  x  a   } = ( a   , a )  ( a , a
a a  a) be a deleted
neighborhood of x  a for which g ( x )  f ( x )  h ( x ) . Thus,
g ( x )  f ( x )  h ( x ) whenever 0  x  a   a

Since xlim g ( x )  L , then there exists a  g  0 such that g ( x)  L  


 a

whenever 0  x  a   . Since g ( x )  g L       g ( x)  L   

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L    g ( x)  L   , then L    g ( x)  L   whenever 0  x  a   g .
Thus, L    g ( x) whenever 0  x  a   g .

Since xlim h( x )  L , then there exists a   0 such that h ( x )  Lh  


 a

whenever 0  x  a   . Since h( x )  L       h( x )  L
h   
L    h ( x )  L   , then L    h ( x )  L   whenever 0  x  a  h.

Thus, h( x )  L   whenever 0  x  a   . h

Let  = min { a , g ,  h }. Then   a,   g, and   h.

Since   a, then {x : 0  x  a   }  {x : 0  x  a   a }. Since


g ( x )  f ( x )  h( x ) whenever 0  x  a  a, then g ( x )  f ( x )  h( x )
whenever 0  x  a   .

Since   g, then { x : 0  x  a   }  {x : 0  x  a   g }.Since


L    g ( x) whenever 0  x  a   g , then L    g ( x) whenever
0  x  a   .

Since   h, then { x : 0  x  a   }  {x : 0  x  a   h}.Since


h( x )  L   whenever 0  x  a  h, then h( x )  L   whenever
0  x  a   .

Thus, L    g ( x )  f ( x )  h( x )  L   whenever 0  x  a   . Thus,


L    f ( x)  L   whenever 0  x  a   . Since L    f ( x )  L  

    f ( x)  L    f ( x)  L   . Thus, f ( x )  L   whenever

0  x  a   . Thus, lim f ( x )  L .
x  a

COMMENT: Some people use the phrase Squeeze Theorem instead of Sandwich
Theorem.

Examples Find the following limits, if they exist.

sin x
1. lim
x   x

Since  1  sin x  1 for all x and x  0 (since x is approaching


1 sin x 1
positive infinity), then 
x

x

x
for all x  0.

Copyrighted by James D. Anderson, The University of Toledo


www.math.utoledo.edu/~anderson/1860
 1  1 sin x
Since lim     0 and lim  0, then lim  0 by the
x  
 x  x   x x   x
Sandwich Theorem.

Answer: 0

cos 2 t
2. lim
t    3t2

cos 2 t 1 cos 2 t
lim
t    3t2 = 3
lim
t    t2

Since  1  cos 2 t  1 for all t and t2  0 for t approaching negative


1 cos 2 t 1
infinity, then  2
 2
 2 for all t  0.
t t t

 1  1 cos 2 t
Since lim   2   0 and lim  0, then lim  0 by the
t   
 t  t    t2 t    t2
Sandwich Theorem.

cos 2 t 1 cos 2 t 1
Thus, lim
t    3t2 = 3
lim
t    t2
= 3
(0)  0

Answer: 0

 3 
 5 sin  
3.   x 
lim
x    7x3

 3   3 
 5 sin   sin  
 x  =   x 
lim   5  
3  lim
x    7x 7 x    x3

 3 
NOTE: sin   is defined for all x  0 and is undefined if x  0.
  x 
 

Copyrighted by James D. Anderson, The University of Toledo


www.math.utoledo.edu/~anderson/1860
 3 
Since  1  sin    1 for all x  0 and x3  0 (since x is
  x 
 
 3 
sin  
approaching negative infinity), then  
1
 3    x   1 
x x3 x3
 3 
sin  
  for all x  0.
1
   x    1
3
x x3 x3

 3 
1  1  sin  
Since lim  0 and lim   3   0 , then   x  by
x   x3 x  
 x  lim   0
3
x    x
the Sandwich Theorem.

 3   3 
 5 sin   sin   5
Thus,   x  = 5 
  x 
 =  (0)  0
lim  lim 7
x    7x3 7 x    x3

Answer: 0

 4
cos 2  
4. lim  
   5

 4   4 
NOTE: cos   and hence cos 2   is defined for all   0.
   

 4   4 
Since  1  cos    1 for all   0, then 0  cos 2    1. Since
   
 4
cos 2  
 5
 0 for  approaching positive infinity, then    1 for all
0 
5 5
  0.

 4
lim 0  0 1 cos 2  
Since and lim  0, then    0 by the
       5 lim
   5
Sandwich Theorem.

Answer: 0
Copyrighted by James D. Anderson, The University of Toledo
www.math.utoledo.edu/~anderson/1860
Copyrighted by James D. Anderson, The University of Toledo
www.math.utoledo.edu/~anderson/1860

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