§4.

7 L’Hôpital’s Rule, Page 1

Definitions / Theorems

Definition: Indeterminate Form

f (x)
• If we have a limit of the form lim where both f (x) → 0 and g(x) → 0 as x → a, then this
x→a g(x)
limit may or may not exist and is called an indeterminate form of type 0/0.
f (x)
• If we have a limit of the form lim where both f (x) → ∞ (or −∞) and g(x) → ∞ (or −∞)
x→a g(x)
as x → a, then this limit may or may not exist and is called an indeterminate form of type ∞/∞.

L’Hôpital’s Rule Suppose f and g are differentiable and g 0 (x) 6= 0 on an open interval I
containing a (except possibly at a). Suppose that lim f (x) = lim g(x) = 0 or that
x→a x→a
lim f (x) = lim g(x) = ±∞. (In other words, we have an indeterminate form of the type 0/0 or
x→a x→a
f (x) f 0 (x)
∞/∞.) Then lim = lim 0 , provided the limit on the right side exists (or is either ±∞).
x→a g(x) x→a g (x)
The rule also applies if x → a is replaced with x → a+ , x → a− , or x → ±∞.

Related Indeterminate Forms

• Indeterminate Product: If a limit has the form 0 · ∞, a common technique that converts this form
to either 0/0 or ∞/∞ is to divide by the reciprocal.

• Indeterminate Difference: If a limit has the form ∞ − ∞, a common technique is to convert the
difference into a quotient so that we have an indeterminate form of type 0/0 or ∞/∞.

• Indeterminate Powers: Several indeterminate forms arise from the limit lim [f (x)]g(x) .
x→a
0
Type 0 : lim f (x) = lim g(x) = 0
x→a x→a
0
Type ∞ : lim f (x) = ∞, lim g(x) = 0
x→a x→a
∞
Type 1 : lim f (x) = 1, lim g(x) = 0
x→a x→a

Procedure Analyze L = lim g(x) ln(f (x)) by writing it in the form 0/0 or ∞/∞.
x→a
If L is finite, then lim [f (x)]g(x) = eL .
x→a
If L = ∞, then lim [f (x)]g(x) = ∞.
x→a
If L = −∞, then lim [f (x)]g(x) = 0.
x→a
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Common Pitfalls to Watch Out for When Using L’Hôpital’s Rule

• Don’t confuse L’Hôpital’s Rule with the Quotient Rule.

• Verify the limit is an indeterminate form 0/0 or ∞/∞ before applying L’Hôpital’s Rule.
• When using L’Hôpital’s Rule repeatedly, be sure to simplify as much as possible as you go.
Evaluate the limit when your result is no longer an indeterminate form.
• Be sure the limit produced by L’Hôpital’s Rule exists (or is ±∞).

Lecture Examples
2x − 1
1. Identify the indeterminate form of the limit lim , then show that this limit is ln 2.
x→0 x

ln x
2. Identify the indeterminate form of the limit lim √ , then show that limit is equal to 0.
x→∞ 3 x

ex − x − 1
3. Identify the indeterminate form of the limit lim , then calculate this limit.
x→0 x2
§4.7 L’Hôpital’s Rule, Page 3

ln(5x − 9)
4. Compute lim .
x→2 x3 − 8

sin x
5. We want to find lim− . Explain why we cannot use L’Hôpital’s Rule. Then use an
x→π 1 − cos x
appropriate method to calculate this limit.

6. Compute lim x ln x.
x→0+
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7. Compute lim xx .
x→0+

8. Compute lim (sec x − tan x).

x→(π/2)−
§4.7 L’Hôpital’s Rule, Page 5

8
9. Compute lim+ (x − sin x) .
x→0 x3

x3 − 3x2 + 4
10. Compute lim .
x→2 x4 − 4x3 + 7x2 − 12x + 12