Section 3.

7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010

Kiryl Tsishchanka

Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

THEOREM (LHospitals Rule): Suppose f and g are differentiable and g(x) =

0 near a
(except possibly at a). Suppose that
lim f (x) = 0

and

lim g(x) = 0

or that
xa
xa
lim f (x) =
and
lim g(x) =
xa
xa
0

(In other words, we have an indeterminate form of type

0
.) Then

lim
f (x)
= lim
f (x)
xa g(x)
xa g(x)
if the limit on the right side exists (or is or ).
Indeterminate Forms of Type 0
0

and

EXAMPLES:
1. Find lim 5x 2 .
x 7x + 3
Solution 1: We have

or

5x 2

5x2

5x

5 2

5
lim
= h
x
x
x

x
x
7 +
x

i = lim
= lim x
= lim
x
7x + 3
x 7x+3
7x + 3
7 + 3
0
7

5x 2

(5x 2)
(5x) 2
5x 2
lim
x 7x + 3
= h
i = lim

x (7x + 3)
= lim
x (7x) + 3
= lim
x 7x + 3
= lim 5 1 0

In short,

Solution 2: We have

5
5
= lim

x 7 1 + 0

x 7

lim
5x 2
= lim
(5x 2)
5
5
= lim
=
x 7x + 3
x (7x + 3)
x 7
7
2. Find lim
x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1
.
x 2x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
2. Find lim
x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1
.
x 2x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1
Solution 1: We have

lim
x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1
= h
i = lim
x +x +x +x +x+1
x5
5
4
3
2
x 2x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1
x 2x +x +x +x +x+1
x5

Kiryl Tsishchanka

x5
1

x4
1

x2

= lim
x5 + x5
= lim
1 + x +
x 2x5
x4
1
1
x5
+
2 + x +

x3

+ x5
x2

+ x5

+ x3

1
+ x5

+ x4

+ x5

+ x5

x3

x2

x
1
x5
x2

1
+ x5
+ x4

+ x5
+ x3

1 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0
=
2 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0

+ x5
+ x5

+ x5

1
=
2

Solution 2: We have
x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1 lim
= h
i = lim
(x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1)
x 2x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1
5x4 + 4x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 1
= lim
x 10x4 + 4x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 1

= h

x (2x5 + x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1)
i
(5x4 + 4x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 1)
x (10x4 + 4x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 1)
= lim
20x3 + 12x2 + 6x + 2
= h
i = lim
(20x3 + 12x2 + 6x + 2)
x 40x3 + 12x2 + 6x + 2

x (40x3 + 12x2 + 6x + 2)
= lim
60x2 + 24x + 6
= h
i = lim
(60x2 + 24x + 6)
x 120x2 + 24x + 6

x (120x2 + 24x + 6)

= lim

120x + 24
= h
i = lim
(120x + 24)
= lim
120
120
1
=
=
x 240x + 24
x + 2

x (240x + 24)
x 240
240
2
3. Find lim
x2 ln(x + 3)

Solution: We have
lim
x + 2
0
=
= lim
(x + 2)
=
lim
(x + 2)
= lim
x + 2
x2 ln(x + 3)
0
x2 (ln(x + 3))
x2
1

x2
1
1 + 0
x + 3 (x + 3)
1 (x + 3)
x + 3 (x
x + 3
+ 3 )
= lim
x2

In short,
1
x + 3 (1
= lim
x2
1
x + 3
= lim
x2
1
x + 3 (x
= lim
x2
= lim (x +
x2

+ 0)

+ 3)
1
3)

= 2 + 3 = 1
lim
x + 2
= lim
(x + 2)
= lim
1
= lim (x + 3) = 1
x2 ln(x + 3)
x2 (ln(x + 3))
x2 (x + 3)1
x2
3
4. Find lim
x x2 + x 1

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
3x
4. Find lim
x x2 + x 1
Solution: We have
3x
.
h i

Kiryl Tsishchanka

(3x )

3x ln 3

(3x ln
lim
x x2
= lim

= lim
x 2x
= h

3)
=
+ x 1
x (x + x 1)
+ 1
i = lim
x (2x + 1)

5. Find lim
x

ln x
x .
= lim
x
ln 3 (3x)
2
= lim
x
ln 3 3x ln 3
2
= (D.N.E.)
Solution: We have
ln x

(ln x)
x1
x1 x
lim
x
x

= h
i = lim

x (x1/2 )
= lim
x 1
1/2
= lim
x 1
1/2
= lim
x 1

= 0

6. Find lim
x0
5x tan 5x . x3
2 x
2 x1/2

2 x

Solution 1: We have
5x tan 5x
0
(5x tan 5x)
5 sec2
5x (5x)
5 sec2
5x 5
lim
x0
=
= lim
0
x0
(x3)
= lim
x0
3x2
= lim
x0
3x2
= lim
5(1 sec2 5x)
5

x3

= lim
1 sec2 5x
1 sec2 5x
x0
3x2
0
3 x0
x2
Since lim
x0
x2
is an indeterminate form of type
, we can use LHospitals Rule again.
0
But it is easier to do trigonometry instead. Note that 1 sec2 5x = tan2 5x. The
refore
5
lim
1 sec2 5x
5
= lim
tan2 5x
5
=

lim

tan2 5x
5
= lim
sin2 5x
cos2 5x
5
= lim
sin2 5x
1
3 x0
x2
3 x0
x2
3 x0
x2
3 x0
x2
3 x0
x2
5
= 3 lim
sin2 5x
0

lim
sin 5x
=
lim
sin 5x
5
5

=
5 lim
sin 5x 2
x0
x2
0
3 x0
3 x0
5x
3
x0
5x
5
sin 5x 2
sin u
5
2
5
125
= 3
In short,
5 lim
5x0
5x
= lim
u0
u
= 1

3 (5 1)

2
=

3 25 = 3

lim
5x tan 5x
= lim
(5x tan 5x)
5
= lim
1 sec
5x
5
=
lim
tan
5x
=

lim
sin 5x
x0
x0
(x3 )
3 x0
5
x2
sin 5x
3 x0
5
3 x0

x3

2
x2
2
x2

125
=
lim 5
x0
= 3 (5 1) =

5x
3

Solution 2??? (WRONG!): We have

sin 5x
sin 5x
lim
x0
5x tan 5x x3
0
=
0

= lim
x0
5x cos 5x
x3
?=?? lim
x0
5x
1
x3
= lim
x0

5x sin 5x x3
0
=
0
= lim
x0
(5x sin 5x)
(x3 )
= lim
x0
5 5 cos 5x
3x2
0
=
0
= lim
x0
(5 5 cos 5x)
(3x2)
= lim
x0
25 sin 5x

6x
125
6

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
x + sin x
7. Find lim
x x + cos x
Solution 1: We have

lim
x + sin x
= h
i = lim
x+sin x x
= lim
sin x x

= lim
1 + sin x
x x + cos x

x x+cos x
x x + cos x
x 1 + cos x
sin x
x
x
x
cos x
It is easy to show that lim
x
x
= 0 and lim
x
x
= 0 by the Squeeze Theorem. Therefore
lim
x + sin x
= lim
1 + sin
1 + 0
=
x x +
x 1 +
1 + 0

x
= 1
cos x
cos x

Solution 2(???): We have

x + sin x

(x + sin x)

Kiryl Tsishchanka

x + (sin x)
1 + cos x
lim
x x + cos x
= h
i = lim

x (x + cos x)
1 + cos x
= lim
x x + (cos x)
= lim
x 1 sin x
One can show, however, that lim
x 1 sin x
does not exist. In fact, we first note that 1 + cos x
1 + cos x
and 1 sin x may attain any value between 0 and 2. From this one can deduce that
1
sin x
attains any nonnegative value infinitely often as x . This means that lim
1 + cosx
does
not exist, so LHospitals Rule cant be applied here.
x 1 sin x
8. Find lim
sin x
.
x 1 cos x
Solution(???): We have
lim

sin x

= lim

(sin x)

= lim

cos x

=
x 1 cos x
x (1 cos x)
x sin x

This is WRONG. In fact, although the numerator sin x 0 as x

, notice that the
denominator (1 cos x) does not a roach 0, so LHos itals Rule cant be a lied here
. The
required limit is easy to find, because the function is continuous at and the d
enominator is
nonzero here:
lim
sin x
sin
=
=
x 1 cos x
1 cos
1 (1)

9. Find lim
x0
sin x . x
Solution(???): We have
sin x
lim

0
=

= lim
(sin x)

= lim

= 0

cos x
=

cos 0

1
= = 1
x0
x
0
x0
x0
1

x
1

The answer is correct, but the solution is WRONG. Indeed, the above roof is bas
ed on the
formula (sin x) = cos x. But this result was deduced from the fact that lim
sin x
= 1 (see
x0
x
A endix A). So, the solution is wrong because it is based on Circular Reasoni
ng which is a
logical fallacy. However, one can a ly LHos itals Rule to modifications of th
is limit (see
A endix B).
4

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHos itals Rule

2010

EXAMPLES:
Indeterminate Forms of Ty e and 0
10. Find lim (x
x

ln x).

Solution 1: We have
lim (x ln x) = [ ] = lim

x 1 x

Kiryl Tsishchanka

ln x

= lim x

ln x
Note that
x
x

1
lim
ln x
= h
i = lim
(ln x)
x
= lim
1
= lim

= 0

therefore
x
x

x
x
ln x
x 1
x x
lim (x ln x) = lim x 1
= lim x (1 0) = (D.N.E.)
x
x
x
x
Solution 2: We have
lim (x ln x) = [ ] = lim (ln(ex ) ln x) = lim ln

ex
x
= ln

lim
ex
= h i = ln
x
lim
(ex )

= ln
x
ex
lim
x
= (D.N.E.)
x x
x
x
x 1

11. Find lim

x1
1
ln x
1
. x 1

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
11. Find lim
x1
1
ln x
1
. x 1
Solution: We have
1

1 (x 1)

ln x 1
lim
x1
ln x
x 1
= [
] = lim
x1
ln x (x 1)

ln x (x 1)
= lim
x1
x 1 ln x
ln x(x 1)
0
=
0

Kiryl Tsishchanka

= lim
x1
(x 1 ln x)
(ln x(x 1))
1
= lim
x 1 (ln x)
= lim
1 x
x1 (ln x) (x 1) + ln x (x 1)
x1 x
1
x
+ ln x
1
= lim
x1
1 x
x 1

= lim
x1
1 x x x x 1
= lim
x
+ ln x
x 1
x
0
=
x
x + ln x x
(x
1)
= lim
= lim
x 1
x1 x 1 + x ln x
0
x1 (x 1 + x ln x)
x1 x 1 + x ln x + x(ln x)
= lim
1 0
1
= lim
x1

1
=

In short,
1
1 0 + 1 ln x + x x
x1 2 + ln x
2 + 0
2

1
1

1 lim

= lim
x 1 ln x
= lim
(x 1 ln x)
= lim
x
x1
ln x
x 1
x1 ln x (x 1)
x 1
x1 (ln x (x 1))
(x 1)

x
1
x
+ ln x
1
1
= lim
x1 x 1 + x ln x
= lim
x1 (x 1 + x ln x)
= lim
=
x1 2 + ln x
2
12. Find
x0+

lim (sin x ln x).

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
12. Find
x0+

lim (sin x ln x).

Solution 1: We have
lim (sin x ln x) = [0 ] =

lim

sin x ln x

= lim

(sin x)1 sin x ln x

= lim

ln x

= h i
x0+
x0+
= lim
1
(ln x)

Kiryl Tsishchanka

x0+
= lim
(sin x)1 1
x1
x0+ (sin x)1

x1
= lim
x0+ ((sin x)1 )
x0+ (sin x)2 (sin x)
x0+ (sin x)2 cos x
= lim
x1 x sin2 x
= lim
sin2 x
x0+ (sin x)2 cos x x sin2 x
We can now proceed in two different ways. Either
x0+ x cos x
lim
sin2 x
0
=
= lim
sin x

sin x
x0+ x cos x

or
0
=
lim
x0+
x
sin x x
cos x
sin x
lim
x0+ cos x

x0+

= 1
sin 0 cos 0
0
= 1 1 = 0
lim
sin2 x
0
=
= lim
(sin2 x)
= lim
2 sin x cos x
x0+ x cos x
x0+ (x cos x)

2 sin x cos x
x0+ x cos x + x(cos x)
2 sin 0 cos 0
2 0 1
In short,
= lim
x0+ cos x x sin x
=
cos 0 0 sin 0

=
1 0 0

= 0

1
lim (sin x ln x) = lim
ln x
= lim
(ln x)
x
= lim
x0+
x0+ (sin x)1
sin2 x
x0+ ((sin x)1 )
sin x
x0+ (sin x)2 cos x

sin x
=
lim
x0+ x cos x
=
lim
x0+
x
cos x
= 1 0 = 0
Solution 2: We have
lim (sin x ln x) = [0 ] =

lim
sin x ln x

= lim
sin x ln x l 1 x
1

= lim
sin x
1
0
=
x0+
x0+
x0+
1 ln
x
x0+ ln
x
= lim
(sin x)
= lim
cos x
2
= lim
cos x
= lim
ln2 x cos x
x0+ ln1 x
x0+

1
0

 ln
x (ln x)
x0+
ln
x
x1
x0+
ln2 x
ln
x

x1
= lim
ln2 x cos x
= lim
ln2 x
lim
cos x = lim
ln2 x
= h
i = lim
ln2 x

x0+
x1
x0+ x1

x0+
1
x0+ x1

1
x0+ (x1 )
= lim
x0+
2 ln x (ln x)
x2

(2 ln x)
= lim
x0+
2x1
2 ln x x
x2
= lim
x0+
2x1 x2
2 ln x x
x2 x

2x
= lim
x0+
2 0
2 ln x
x1
= h i

= lim
x0+
(x1 )
= lim
x0+ x
= lim
x0+ x
= lim
x0+ 1

x
=
1

= 0

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010

Kiryl Tsishchanka

Indeterminate Forms of Type

, 00
and 1
13. Find lim x1/x .
x
Solution (version 1): Note that lim x1/x is
m. Put
x
y = x1/x
then
ln y = ln x1/x = 1 ln x = ln x
We have

lim

0 type of an indeterminate for

ln x

= h

i = lim
x
(ln x)

= lim
x
x1

1
= lim

= 0

Therefore
x
x

x
x
x 1
x x
lim x1/x = e0 = 1
x
Solution (version 2): We have
ln x
(ln x)
x1
1
lim x1/x = lim eln x1/x = lim e ln x
lim
x
lim
x
x
= e lim
lim
x
x = e0 = 1
x
x
x
14. Find

lim

(tan x)2x .
x/2

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHos itals Rule

2010
14. Find lim
(tan x)2x .
x/2
Solution: Note that lim
(tan x)2x is 0 ty e of an indeterminate form. Put

then
x/2
y = (tan x)2x
ln y = ln (tan x)2x = (2x ) ln(tan x)

Kiryl Tsishchanka

(2x ) ln(tan x) =

(2x )

(2x ) ln(tan x)

ln(tan x)
We have lim

ln(tan x)

= h

i = lim
1

[ln(tan x)]

= lim
(2x )1 1
tan x
(2x
x/2

x/2

(tan x)
)1
(2x )1
x/2 [(2x )1 ]
(1)(2x )2 (2x )

= lim
tan x sec x
1
=

lim

1 sin x cos x
1
cos2 x

=
1
lim
1
sin x
2 cos x
x/2 (1)(2x )2 2
2 x/2 (2x )2
2 x/2 (2x )2
1

sin x cos x

sin x cos x sin x cos x(2x )

1
(2x )2
= 2 x lim 2 (2x
)2 = 2 x lim 2 (2x
=
lim
2 x/2 sin x cos x

)2

1
= 2 x lim 2
(2x )2

1
=
lim
(2x )2
0
1
=
=
lim
[(2x )2]

/
sin
2
cos x
2 x/2

cos x
0
(cos x)

2 x/2

2 2
2
1
= 2 x lim 2
2(2x ) (2x )
sin x
=
lim
2(2x ) 2
1
=
/

sin x cos x(2x

)2

2 x/2
sin x
2
sin 2
1 2 0 2
Therefore

lim

(tan x)2x = e0 = 1
= 2
= 0
In short,
x/2
y = (tan x)2x

We have
ln(tan x)

[ln(tan x)]

1
sec2 x
(2x )1
1

(2x )2
lim
= lim
= lim
tan x
=
lim
x/2 (2x )1
x/2 [(2x )1]
x/2 (1)(2x )2 2
2 x/2 sin x cos x

1
= 2 x lim 2
(2x
)2
=
cos x

ln y = (2x ) ln(tan x) = ln(tan

=
0
lim
[(2x )2]
/
2 x/2
(cos x)

1
2(2x ) 2
1 2
2 2 2

Therefore

lim

(tan x)2x = e0 = 1.
= 2 x lim 2
sin x
= 2

= 0
sin 2
x/2
9

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHos itals Rule

2010
15. Find
x0+
xx .

lim

Solution: Note that lim

x0+

then
xx is 00 ty e of an indeterminate form. Put
y = xx
1
ln y = ln xx = x ln x =
x ln x
= ln x
We have

x ln x = x

Kiryl Tsishchanka

lim

ln x

= h

i = lim

(ln x)
1

= lim

x1
x1
x1
x0+

x0+

1
x1
x0+
x2

x1 x2
= lim

= lim
x
=

0
= 0

Therefore

In short,

(x1 )

lim
x0+
x0+ x2 x2
xx = e0 = 1
x0+ 1
1

ln x
We have
y = xx

ln y = x ln x =

x1
lim
ln x
= lim
(ln x)
= lim
x1
= lim
x = 0
Therefore
x0+ x1
x0+ (x1 )
lim
x0+
x0+ x2
xx = e0 = 1
x0+
16. Find
x0+

lim (tan 5x)x .

10

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHos itals Rule

2010
16. Find
x0+

Kiryl Tsishchanka

lim (tan 5x)x .

Solution: Note that lim (tan 5x)x

x0+

is 00 ty e of an indeterminate form. Put

y = (tan 5x)x
then
ln y = ln(tan 5x)x = x ln(tan 5x) =
x ln(tan 5x)

= ln(tan 5x)

We have
1

x1
lim
x0+
ln(tan 5x)
x1
= h

x ln(tan 5x) = x

x1 1

i = lim
x0+
(ln(tan 5x))
(x1 )
= lim
x0+
tan 5x (tan 5x)
x2
= lim
tan 5x sec
5x (5x)
= lim
tan 5x sec
5x 5
x0+
1
x2
2
x0+
1
x2
2
= lim
x0+
sin 5x
cos 5x
1
sec
x2
5x 5
= lim
x0+
1
sin 5x
cos 0
2
sec
x2
0 5
= lim

sin 5x 5 = lim
sin 5x 5 x
sin 5x
x0+
= lim
x2
5x2
x0+
0
=
x2 x2 sin 5x
(5x2)
= lim
x0+ sin 5x
10x
= lim
0

x0+ ( sin 5x)

10x
= lim
10 0

=
= 0

Therefore
x0+ cos 5x (5x)
x0+ cos 5x 5
cos 0 5
In short, We have
lim (tan 5x)x = e0 = 1
x0+
y = (tan 5x)x

ln(tan 5x)
x1
lim
ln(tan 5x)
= lim
(ln(tan 5x))
= lim

ln y = x ln(tan 5x) =

1 tan 5x
sec2 5x 5
= lim
1 sin 5x cos 5x
sec2
5x 5
x0+
x1
x0+
(x1)
1
x0+
2
x2
x0+
2
x2
= lim
sin 5x 5 = lim

5x

= lim
(5x )
= lim
10x
= 0
Therefore
x0+
x2
x0+ sin 5x
x0+ ( sin 5x)
x0+ cos 5x 5
lim (tan 5x)x = e0 = 1
x0+

11

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
17. Find
x0+

Kiryl Tsishchanka

lim (sin 2x)tan 3x .

Solution: Note that lim (sin 2x)tan 3x is 00 type of an indeterminate form.

Put
x0+

then

We have
y = (sin 2x)tan 3x
ln y = ln (sin 2x)tan 3x
cos 3x

= tan 3x ln(sin 2x) = sin 3x ln(sin 2x)

lim
sin 3x ln(sin 2x)
lim (sin 3x ln(sin 2x))
= x0+
= lim (sin 3x ln(sin 2x)) = [0

x0+
cos 3x
lim
x0+
cos 3x
x0+
=

lim

sin 3x ln(sin 2x)

= lim
(sin 3x)1 sin 3x ln(sin 2x)
= lim
ln(sin 2x)
= h i
x0+
x0+
(sin 3x)1 1
x0+ (sin 3x)1
= lim
[ln(sin 2x)]

= lim
sin1 2x (sin 2x)
= lim
sin1
x0+
x0+
x0+

2x cos 2x
((sin 3x)1
(sin 3x)2
(sin 3x)2

(2x)
)
(sin 3x)
cos 3x (3x)

= lim
sin1 2x cos 2x 2
2
=
lim
sin1 2x
lim
cos 2x
=

lim
sin1 2x
x0+ (sin 3x)2 cos 3x 3
3 x0+ (sin 3x)2
x0+ cos 3x
3 x0+ (sin 3x)2
2
= 3 lim
sin1 2x sin 2x sin2 3x
2
=

lim

sin2 3x
0
=

2
=

lim
(sin2 3x)
x0+ (sin 3x)2 sin 2x sin2 3x

3 x0+
sin 2x

3 x0+
(sin 2x)
2
= 3 lim

2 sin 3x (sin 3x)

2
=
lim
2 sin 3x cos 3x (3x)
x0+
cos 2x (2x)
3 x0+
cos 2x 2
2
=
x0+

lim

Therefore
2 sin 3x cos 3x 3
cos 2x 2
2
= 3
2 sin 0 cos 0 3
cos 0 2
2
= 3
2 0 1 3 = 0
1 2
In short, We have
lim (sin 2x)tan 3x = e0 = 1
x0+
y = (sin 2x)tan 3x

sin 3x ln(sin 2x)

cos 3x
lim
sin 3x ln(sin 2x)
= lim (sin 3x ln(sin 2x)) = lim
ln(sin 2x)
= lim
[ln(sin 2x)]
x0+
cos 3x
x0+
x0+ (sin 3x)1
x0+ ((sin 3x)1 )
= lim
sin1 2x cos 2x 2
2
=
lim
sin1 2x
2
=
lim
sin2 3x
2

ln y = tan 3x ln(sin 2x) =

=
lim
(sin2 3x)
x0+ (sin 3x)2 cos 3x 3
3 x0+ (sin 3x)2
3 x0+
sin 2x
3 x0+
(sin 2x)
2
=
lim
x0+
2 sin 3x cos 3x 3
cos 2x 2
2
= 3
2 sin 0 cos 0 3 = 0 cos 0 2
Therefore
x0+

lim (sin 2x)tan 3x = e0 = 1.

12

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
x + 1 x
18. Find lim
x
x + 2
.
x + 1

x + 1

Solution 1: Note that lim

x
x + 2
is 1 type of an indeterminate form. Put y =
, x + 2
then
x
x ln

Kiryl Tsishchanka

x + 1
x1
x ln
x + 1

x + 1
ln
ln y = ln
x + 2

x + 1

We have
x + 1
= x ln
x + 2
x + 2
1

x + 2
x1 1

=
=

x + 2
x1
lim
x + 1
ln
x + 2
0
=
= lim
x + 1
ln
x + 2
= lim
1
x+1

x+2
x + 1
x + 2
x
x1
0
x
(x1 )
x
x2

= lim
x
x + 2
x + 1
(x + 1)(x + 2) (x + 1)(x + 2)
(x + 2)2
x2

= lim
x
x + 2
x + 1
1 (x + 2) 1 (x + 1) (x + 2)2
x2

=
x
x
x

lim
+ 2
+ 1
+ 2 x 1 (x + 2)2

=
x
x
1

lim
+ 2
+ 1
(x + 2)2

= lim
1
(x + 1)(x + 2)
x
x2
1
x
x2 (x + 1)(x + 2)
x2

x
2
x2
2
= lim
(x + 1)(x + 2)
x
= lim
= h i =
x
lim
x
x2 x2 (x + 1)(x + 2)
x2
2
x (x + 1)(x + 2)
1

1
=
=
=
=
x
x
x
1 +

x x2 + 3x + 1

lim
lim
lim

x
= 1

x2 + 3x + 1
x2
3x
3
0 + 0

x2
Therefore
x2 + x2 + x2
x + 1 x
lim
1 + x + x2
= e1
In short,

We have

y =

x + 1

1
1

x2
2

x + 2
x

=
x + 2

ln y = x ln
x + 2

x
ln
x +
x1
x

x + 1

+ 1
2
+ 1
+ 1

x + 2
ln
lim

x + 2
= lim
ln
x + 2
= lim
x + 1 (x + 2)2
x2
= lim
x
x1
x
(x1 )
x
x2
x (x + 1)(x + 2)
x2

Therefore lim
x
x + 1
x + 2

= e1 .
=
lim
x x2 + 3x + 1
= 1
13

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
Solution 2: We have

lim
x
x + 1
x + 2

= lim
x
x + 2 1
x + 2
= lim
x
= lim
x + 2
x + 2
1
1
1
x
x + 2
x
x
= lim
x
x + 2
1
x 2

1 +

Kiryl Tsishchanka

(x2) x

1
"

= lim
x

1 +

1
x 2
x
x2# x2

x2
Since lim
u
1 + u
= e, it follows that lim
x
1
1 +
x 2
= e. Therefore
x
lim
x
x + 1
x + 2
"

= lim
1 +
x
1
x 2
x2# x2
x
= lim e x2
x
lim
x
x
x2

lim
x
= ex (x2)
= e1
COMPARE: We have

since
lim
x
x + 1
= 0
3x + 2

lim
x + 1
=
and
1
= 0

1
lim
x

Similarly,
x 3x + 2
x
3

since
lim
x
3x + 1
3x + 1
x + 2

= (D.N.E.)
lim
x
x + 2
= 3 and
x
19. Find lim
x
1 x
. x
14

lim 3x =

1 +

(D.N.E.)

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
19. Find lim
x
1 x
. x

Kiryl Tsishchanka

1 +

Solution: We have
lim
x

1 +

1 x
x
= e
by definition of e. Note, that we cant use the approach described in Example 13,
since it is based
x
of the formula (ln x) = 1 . But this result was deduced from the fact that lim
+ 1
= e
x
x
1
x
(see Appendix A). This is Circular Reasoning which is a logical fallacy. However
, one can apply
LHospitals Rule to modifications of this limit.
20. Find
x0+

lim (1 + sin 7x)cot 5x .

Solution: Note that lim (1 + sin 7x)cot 5x is 1 type of an indeterminate form

. Put
x0+
y = (1 + sin 7x)cot 5x
then

We have
ln y = ln (1 + sin 7x)cot 5x
sin 5x
lim
x0+
cos 5x ln(1 + sin 7x)
sin 5x
= lim
x0+
cos 5x
x0+

lim

= cot 5x ln(1 + sin 7x) = cos 5x ln(1 + sin 7x)

ln(1 + sin 7x)

sin 5x
= lim
x0+
ln(1 + sin 7x)
sin 5x
1
0
=
0

= lim
x0+
[ln(1 + sin 7x)]
(sin 5x)
1
= lim
x0+
1
1+sin 7x (1 + sin 7x)
cos 5x (5x)
= lim
1+sin 7x cos 7x (7x)
= lim
1+sin 7x cos 7x 7 =
1+0 1 7 = 7
x0+
Therefore
cos 5x 5
x0+
cos 5x 5
1 5

In short,
lim (1 + sin 7x)cot 5x = e7/5
x0+

cos 5x ln(1 + sin 7x)

y = (1 + sin 7x)cot 5x

ln y = cot 5x ln(1 + sin 7x) =

We have
sin 5x
lim
x0+
cos 5x ln(1 + sin 7x)
sin 5x
= lim
x0+
ln(1 + sin 7x)
sin 5x
= lim
x0+
[ln(1 + sin 7x)]
(sin 5x)
= lim
1+sin 7x cos 7x 7 =
1+0 1 7 = 7
Therefore lim (1 + sin 7x)cot 5x = e7/5 .
x0+
x0+
cos 5x 5
1 5
5

15

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010

Kiryl Tsishchanka

Appendix A
THEOREM: The function f (x) = sin x is differentiable and
f (x) = cos x
Proof: We have
(sin x) = lim sin(x + h) sin x
h0
h

[We use sin( + ) = sin cos + cos sin ]

= lim
h0
sin x cos h + cos x sin h sin x
h
= lim
h0
sin x cos h sin x
h
cos x sin h
+
h
= lim
h0
sin x(cos h 1)
h
+ cos x
sin h
h
= sin x lim
h0
cos h 1
h
+ cos x lim
h0
sin h
h
= sin x 0 + cos x 1 = cos x

THEOREM: The function f (x) = loga x is differentiable and

f (x) =
x ln a

Proof: We have
d
(log x) = lim
h0

loga (x + h) loga x h

1
= lim
h0

loga

x + h
x
1
= lim
h0

loga
1 +
h
x
1
= lim
h0
x
x
h loga
1 +
h
x
1
= x lim
"
loga
1 +
h x/h #
=
1
lim
"
loga
1 +
h 1/(h/x) #
h0
x

x h0

1
= x loga
"
lim 1 +
h 1/(h/x) #
=
hlim (1 + u)
1/u
= ei =
1
loga e =
1 ln e
=
h0

1
x

u0
x
x ln a

x ln a

16

Section 3.7 Indeterminate Forms and LHospitals Rule

2010
Appendix B
1. Find lim
x0
sin x .
2x
Solution 1: We have
lim
x0

sin x
2x

0
=
0

= lim
x0
(sin x)
(2x)

Kiryl Tsishchanka

= lim
x0

cos x
=
2

cos 0
=
2

1
2

Solution 2: We have
lim
sin x
0
=

1
lim
sin x
1
1
= 1 =
x0
2x
0
2 x0
2. Find lim
x0
sin 2x . x
Solution 1: We have
lim
x0
sin 2x x

0
=
0

= lim
x0

(sin 2x)
x

= lim
x0

2 cos 2x
1

2 cos 0
=
1

= 2

Solution 2: We have
lim
x0
sin 2x x
0
=
0
= 2 lim
x0
sin 2x
2x
= 2 1 = 2
3. Find lim
x0
sin 2x .
5x
Solution 1: We have
lim
x0

sin 2x
5x

0
=
0

= lim
x0
(sin 2x)
(5x)

= lim
x0

2 cos 2x
5

2 cos 0
=
5

2
=
5

Solution 2: We have
lim
sin 2x
0
=

2
lim
sin 2x
2
2
= 1 =
x0
5x
0
5 x0
4. Find lim
sin 2x .
x0 sin 5x
Solution 1: We have
lim

2x

sin 2x

0
=

= lim

(sin 2x)

= lim

2 cos 2x

2 cos 0
2
=
=
x0 sin 5x
0
x0 (sin 5x)
x0 5 cos 5x
5 cos 0
5
Solution 2: We have
lim
sin 2x
0
=

= lim

sin 2x
2x

= lim
1 2x
2
2
= lim
=
x0 sin 5x
0
x0 sin 5x 5x
x0 1 5x
x0 5
5

17