Quiz 2

1. Prove that the equation cos x = x3 has a real root. (Hint: State the Intermediate Value Theorem.)
Solution: Recall the IVT:
Let f ∈ C[a, b] and N between a and b. Then ∃c ∈ [a, b] such that f (c) = N.
Define f := cos x − x3 , and let N = 0, a = 0, b = π.
Since f (a) ≡ f (0) = 1 > 0, and f (b) ≡ f (π) = −1 − π 3 < 0, and also N = 0 is between f (b) and f (a),
the IVT implies that there exists c ∈ [0, π] such that f (c) = 0.

2. For what value of the constant c is the function f continuous on (−∞, ∞)?

cx2 + 3

if x < 3,
f (x) =
x3 − cx2 if x ≥ 3,

Solution: For the function f to be continuous on (−∞, ∞) it is sufficient to have continuity at x = 3, which
holds provided

lim f (x) = lim f (x) = f (x),

x→3− x→3+

which holds if and only if

9c + 3 = 27 − 9c,

namely if c = 43 .
3. Find the limit
√
t −t 3 t
lim 4 .
t→∞ 3t 3 + 3t − 5

Solution: This is a “limit at infinity”, so we factor out in both the nominator and denominator by the
4
monomial at the largest power, namely t 3 , obtaining sequentially:
4
√ 1


4 4 t 3 −1+
t −t 3 t t −t 3 −t 3 + t 1
t3
lim 4 = lim 4 = lim 4 = lim
t→∞ t→∞ t→∞ t→∞ t 43 1 1


3t 3 + 3t − 5 3t 3 + 3t − 5 3t 3 + 3t − 5 3+3 1 −5 4
t3 t3
4 1

1
t3 − 1 + 1 −1 + 1

t3 t3 1
= lim 4
= t→∞
lim 1 1
=− .
t→∞ 
3t 3+3 1
−5 1 3+3 1 −5 4
3
 1 4
t3 t3 t3 t3

4. Find limx→∞ f (x) if, for all x ≥ 5,

4x − 1 4x2 + 3x
< f (x) < .
x x2

Solution: Note that

4x − 1 4 − 1x
lim = lim = 4,
x→∞ x x→∞ 1

and also

4x2 + 3x 4 + 3 1x
lim = lim = 4,
x→∞ x2 x→∞ 1
therefore using the Squeeze Theorem we have

lim f (x) = 4.
x→∞