Table of contents
- 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
1. Limits and Continuity
Finding Limits Algebraically
Problem 2.57
Textbook Question
Evaluate each limit.
lim x→0 cos x−1 / sin^2x
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1
Step 1: Recognize that the limit involves an indeterminate form 0/0 as x approaches 0, which suggests the use of L'Hôpital's Rule. L'Hôpital's Rule states that if the limit of f(x)/g(x) as x approaches a value results in an indeterminate form, the limit can be evaluated as the limit of f'(x)/g'(x).
Step 2: Differentiate the numerator and the denominator separately. The derivative of the numerator, cos(x) - 1, is -sin(x). The derivative of the denominator, sin^2(x), is 2sin(x)cos(x) using the chain rule.
Step 3: Apply L'Hôpital's Rule by taking the limit of the new fraction formed by the derivatives: lim x→0 [-sin(x)] / [2sin(x)cos(x)].
Step 4: Simplify the expression. Notice that the sin(x) terms in the numerator and denominator can be canceled out, resulting in the limit of -1 / [2cos(x)] as x approaches 0.
Step 5: Evaluate the simplified limit by substituting x = 0 into the expression -1 / [2cos(x)]. Since cos(0) = 1, the expression simplifies further.
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