- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals3h 25m
4. Applications of Derivatives
Differentials
Problem 4.7.42
Textbook Question
17–83. Limits Evaluate the following limits. Use l’Hôpital’s Rule when it is convenient and applicable.
lim_x→∞ (tan⁻¹ x - π/2)/(1/x)

1
Identify the form of the limit: As \( x \to \infty \), \( \tan^{-1}(x) \to \frac{\pi}{2} \). Therefore, the expression \( \tan^{-1}(x) - \frac{\pi}{2} \) approaches 0, and \( \frac{1}{x} \) also approaches 0. This is an indeterminate form \( \frac{0}{0} \), which is suitable for l'Hôpital's Rule.
Apply l'Hôpital's Rule: Differentiate the numerator and the denominator separately. The derivative of the numerator \( \tan^{-1}(x) \) is \( \frac{1}{1+x^2} \), and the derivative of \( \frac{\pi}{2} \) is 0. The derivative of the denominator \( \frac{1}{x} \) is \( -\frac{1}{x^2} \).
Rewrite the limit using the derivatives: The limit becomes \( \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{\frac{1}{1+x^2}}{-\frac{1}{x^2}} \).
Simplify the expression: This simplifies to \( \lim_{x \to \infty} -x^2 \cdot \frac{1}{1+x^2} \), which further simplifies to \( \lim_{x \to \infty} -\frac{x^2}{1+x^2} \).
Evaluate the limit: As \( x \to \infty \), the expression \( -\frac{x^2}{1+x^2} \) approaches -1, because the highest degree terms in the numerator and denominator are \( x^2 \), and their coefficients are equal.
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