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Subject: "Evaluating a limit as x -%3E infini..."     Previous Topic | Next Topic
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Dave (Guest)
guest
Mar-09-01, 00:55 AM (EST)
 
"Evaluating a limit as x -%3E infinity"
 
   I just had a test on this and this was the one problem I couldn't get:

lim as x -> infinity of (sqrt(x - 6) - sqrt(x))


I answered 0 but I wasn't really sure. I thought it may have been 6 or maybe infinity. The usual method I use is dividing everything by x raised to the highest power in the denominator then simplifying. But since the denominator is x^0 this didn't work...


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alexb
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672 posts
Mar-09-01, 01:03 AM (EST)
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1. "RE: Evaluating a limit as x -%3E infinity"
In response to message #0
 
   LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-01 AT 01:05 AM (EST)

>I just had a test on
>this and this was the
>one problem I couldn't get:
>
>lim as x -> infinity of (sqrt(x - 6) - sqrt(x))
>
>The usual method
>I use is dividing everything
>by x raised to the
>highest power in the denominator
>then simplifying.

You do not have denominator here. But honestly I am bewildered by the implication that there may be a usual method for computing limits. In the very least there is a couple dozens usual methods. You just have to learn them all. No single method will serve you in all circumstances.

>But since
>the denominator is x^0 this
>didn't work...

Right. I may give two advices:

1. Get into the habit of consulting your textbook.
2. Divide and multiply your expression by the sum (sqrt(x - 6) + sqrt(x))


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