Chapter 5.8: L’Hôpital’s Rule

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize when to apply L’Hôpital’s rule.
  • Identify indeterminate forms produced by quotients, products, subtractions, and powers, and apply L’Hôpital’s rule in each case.
  • Describe the relative growth rates of functions.

In this section, we examine a powerful tool for evaluating limits. This tool, known as L’Hôpital’s rule, uses derivatives to calculate limits. With this rule, we will be able to evaluate many limits we have not yet been able to determine. Instead of relying on numerical evidence to conjecture that a limit exists, we will be able to show definitively that a limit exists and to determine its exact value.

Applying L’Hôpital’s Rule

L’Hôpital’s rule can be used to evaluate limits involving the quotient of two functions. Consider

\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}.

If \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)={L}_{1}\text{ and }\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)={L}_{2}\ne 0, then

\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\frac{{L}_{1}}{{L}_{2}}.

However, what happens if \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=0 and \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)=0? We call this one of the indeterminate forms, of type \frac{0}{0}. This is considered an indeterminate form because we cannot determine the exact behavior of \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} as x\to a without further analysis. We have seen examples of this earlier in the text. For example, consider

\underset{x\to 2}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}-4}{x-2}\text{ and }\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x}{x}.

For the first of these examples, we can evaluate the limit by factoring the numerator and writing

\underset{x\to 2}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}-4}{x-2}=\underset{x\to 2}{\text{lim}}\frac{(x+2)(x-2)}{x-2}=\underset{x\to 2}{\text{lim}}(x+2)=2+2=4.

For \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x}{x} we were able to show, using a geometric argument, that

\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x}{x}=1.

Here we use a different technique for evaluating limits such as these. Not only does this technique provide an easier way to evaluate these limits, but also, and more important, it provides us with a way to evaluate many other limits that we could not calculate previously.

The idea behind L’Hôpital’s rule can be explained using local linear approximations. Consider two differentiable functions f and g such that \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=0=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x) and such that {g}^{\prime }(a)\ne 0 For x near a, we can write

f(x)\approx f(a)+{f}^{\prime }(a)(x-a)

and

g(x)\approx g(a)+{g}^{\prime }(a)(x-a).

Therefore,

\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\approx \frac{f(a)+{f}^{\prime }(a)(x-a)}{g(a)+{g}^{\prime }(a)(x-a)}.
Two functions y = f(x) and y = g(x) are drawn such that they cross at a point above x = a. The linear approximations of these two functions y = f(a) + f’(a)(x – a) and y = g(a) + g’(a)(x – a) are also drawn.
Figure 1. If \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x), then the ratio f(x)\text{/}g(x) is approximately equal to the ratio of their linear approximations near a.

Since f is differentiable at a, then f is continuous at a, and therefore f(a)=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=0. Similarly, g(a)=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)=0. If we also assume that {f}^{\prime } and {g}^{\prime } are continuous at x=a, then {f}^{\prime }(a)=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}{f}^{\prime }(x) and {g}^{\prime }(a)=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}{g}^{\prime }(x). Using these ideas, we conclude that

\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{{f}^{\prime }(x)(x-a)}{{g}^{\prime }(x)(x-a)}=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{{f}^{\prime }(x)}{{g}^{\prime }(x)}.

Note that the assumption that {f}^{\prime } and {g}^{\prime } are continuous at a and {g}^{\prime }(a)\ne 0 can be loosened. We state L’Hôpital’s rule formally for the indeterminate form \frac{0}{0}. Also note that the notation \frac{0}{0} does not mean we are actually dividing zero by zero. Rather, we are using the notation \frac{0}{0} to represent a quotient of limits, each of which is zero.

L’Hôpital’s Rule (0/0 Case)

Suppose f and g are differentiable functions over an open interval containing a, except possibly at a. If \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=0 and \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)=0, then

\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{{f}^{\prime }(x)}{{g}^{\prime }(x)},

assuming the limit on the right exists or is \infty or \text{−}\infty . This result also holds if we are considering one-sided limits, or if a=\infty \text{ and }-\infty .

Proof

We provide a proof of this theorem in the special case when f,g,{f}^{\prime }, and {g}^{\prime } are all continuous over an open interval containing a. In that case, since \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=0=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x) and f and g are continuous at a, it follows that f(a)=0=g(a). Therefore,

\begin{array}{ccccc}\hfill \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}& =\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)-f(a)}{g(x)-g(a)}\hfill & & & \text{since}f(a)=0=g(a)\hfill \\ & =\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{\frac{f(x)-f(a)}{x-a}}{\frac{g(x)-g(a)}{x-a}}\hfill & & & \text{algebra}\hfill \\ & =\frac{\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)-f(a)}{x-a}}{\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{g(x)-g(a)}{x-a}}\hfill & & & \text{limit of a quotient}\hfill \\ & =\frac{{f}^{\prime }(a)}{{g}^{\prime }(a)}\hfill & & & \text{definition of the derivative}\hfill \\ & =\frac{\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}{f}^{\prime }(x)}{\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}{g}^{\prime }(x)}\hfill & & & \text{continuity of}{f}^{\prime }\text{ and }{g}^{\prime }\hfill \\ & =\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{{f}^{\prime }(x)}{{g}^{\prime }(x)}.\hfill & & & \text{limit of a quotient}\hfill \end{array}

Note that L’Hôpital’s rule states we can calculate the limit of a quotient \frac{f}{g} by considering the limit of the quotient of the derivatives \frac{{f}^{\prime }}{{g}^{\prime }}. It is important to realize that we are not calculating the derivative of the quotient \frac{f}{g}.

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Applying L’Hôpital’s Rule (0/0 Case)

Evaluate each of the following limits by applying L’Hôpital’s rule.

  1. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{1- \cos x}{x}
  2. \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin (\pi x)}{\text{ln}x}
  3. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{1\text{/}x}-1}{1\text{/}x}
  4. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x-x}{{x}^{2}}

Solution

  1. Since the numerator 1- \cos x\to 0 and the denominator x\to 0, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate this limit. We have
    \begin{array}{cc}\hfill \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{1- \cos x}{x}& =\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\frac{d}{dx}(1- \cos x)}{\frac{d}{dx}(x)}\hfill \\ & =\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x}{1}\hfill \\ & =\frac{\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}( \sin x)}{\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}(1)}\hfill \\ & =\frac{0}{1}=0.\hfill \end{array}
  2. As x\to 1, the numerator \sin (\pi x)\to 0 and the denominator \text{ln}(x)\to 0. Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. We obtain
    \begin{array}{cc}\hfill \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin (\pi x)}{\text{ln}x}& =\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{\pi \cos (\pi x)}{1\text{/}x}\hfill \\ & =\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}(\pi x) \cos (\pi x)\hfill \\ & =(\pi \cdot 1)(-1)=\text{−}\pi .\hfill \end{array}
  3. As x\to \infty , the numerator {e}^{1\text{/}x}-1\to 0 and the denominator (\frac{1}{x})\to 0. Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. We obtain
    \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{1\text{/}x}-1}{\frac{1}{x}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{1\text{/}x}(\frac{-1}{{x}^{2}})}{(\frac{-1}{{x}^{2}})}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{e}^{1\text{/}x}={e}^{0}=1\cdot \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{1\text{/}x}-1}{\text{ln}x}.
  4. As x\to 0, both the numerator and denominator approach zero. Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. We obtain
    \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x-x}{{x}^{2}}=\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \cos x-1}{2x}.

    Since the numerator and denominator of this new quotient both approach zero as x\to 0, we apply L’Hôpital’s rule again. In doing so, we see that

    \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \cos x-1}{2x}=\underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{−} \sin x}{2}=0.

    Therefore, we conclude that

    \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x-x}{{x}^{2}}=0.

Evaluate \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{x}{ \tan x}.

Solution

1

Hint

\frac{d}{dx} \tan x={ \sec }^{2}x

We can also use L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate limits of quotients \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} in which f(x)\to \pm\infty and g(x)\to \pm\infty . Limits of this form are classified as indeterminate forms of type \infty \text{/}\infty . Again, note that we are not actually dividing \infty by \infty . Since \infty is not a real number, that is impossible; rather, \infty \text{/}\infty . is used to represent a quotient of limits, each of which is \infty or \text{−}\infty .

L’Hôpital’s Rule (\infty \text{/}\infty Case)

Suppose f and g are differentiable functions over an open interval containing a, except possibly at a. Suppose \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=\infty (or \text{−}\infty ) and \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)=\infty (or \text{−}\infty ). Then,

\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{{f}^{\prime }(x)}{{g}^{\prime }(x)},

assuming the limit on the right exists or is \infty or \text{−}\infty . This result also holds if the limit is infinite, if a=\infty or \text{−}\infty , or the limit is one-sided.

Applying L’Hôpital’s Rule (\infty \text{/}\infty Case)

Evaluate each of the following limits by applying L’Hôpital’s rule.

  1. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3x+5}{2x+1}
  2. \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{ \cot x}

Solution

  1. Since 3x+5 and 2x+1 are first-degree polynomials with positive leading coefficients, \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(3x+5)=\infty and \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(2x+1)=\infty . Therefore, we apply L’Hôpital’s rule and obtain
    \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3x+5}{2x+1}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3+5\text{/}x}{2x+1}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3}{2}=\frac{3}{2}.

    Note that this limit can also be calculated without invoking L’Hôpital’s rule. Earlier in the chapter we showed how to evaluate such a limit by dividing the numerator and denominator by the highest power of x in the denominator. In doing so, we saw that

    \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3x+5}{2x+1}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{3+5\text{/}x}{2x+1}=\frac{3}{2}.

    L’Hôpital’s rule provides us with an alternative means of evaluating this type of limit.

  2. Here, \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{ln}x=\text{−}\infty and \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}} \cot x=\infty . Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule and obtain
    \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{ \cot x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{\text{−}{ \csc }^{2}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{\text{−}x{ \csc }^{2}x}.

    Now as x\to {0}^{+}, { \csc }^{2}x\to \infty . Therefore, the first term in the denominator is approaching zero and the second term is getting really large. In such a case, anything can happen with the product. Therefore, we cannot make any conclusion yet. To evaluate the limit, we use the definition of \csc x to write

    \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{\text{−}x{ \csc }^{2}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{{ \sin }^{2}x}{\text{−}x}.

    Now \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{ \sin }^{2}x=0 and \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}x=0, so we apply L’Hôpital’s rule again. We find

    \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{{ \sin }^{2}x}{\text{−}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{-1}=\frac{0}{-1}=0.

    We conclude that

    \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{ \cot x}=0.

Evaluate \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{5x}.

Solution

0

Hint

\frac{d}{dx}\text{ln}x=\frac{1}{x}

As mentioned, L’Hôpital’s rule is an extremely useful tool for evaluating limits. It is important to remember, however, that to apply L’Hôpital’s rule to a quotient \frac{f(x)}{g(x)}, it is essential that the limit of \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} be of the form \frac{0}{0} or \infty \text{/}\infty . Consider the following example.

When L’Hôpital’s Rule Does Not Apply

Consider \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+5}{3x+4}. Show that the limit cannot be evaluated by applying L’Hôpital’s rule.

Solution

Because the limits of the numerator and denominator are not both zero and are not both infinite, we cannot apply L’Hôpital’s rule. If we try to do so, we get

\frac{d}{dx}({x}^{2}+5)=2x

and

\frac{d}{dx}(3x+4)=3.

At which point we would conclude erroneously that

\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+5}{3x+4}=\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{2x}{3}=\frac{2}{3}.

However, since \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}({x}^{2}+5)=6 and \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}(3x+4)=7, we actually have

\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+5}{3x+4}=\frac{6}{7}.

We can conclude that

\underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+5}{3x+4}\ne \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{\frac{d}{dx}({x}^{2}+5)}{\frac{d}{dx}(3x+4)}.

Explain why we cannot apply L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \cos x}{x}. Evaluate \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \cos x}{x} by other means.

Solution

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}} \cos x=1. Therefore, we cannot apply L’Hôpital’s rule. The limit of the quotient is \infty

Hint

Determine the limits of the numerator and denominator separately.

Other Indeterminate Forms

L’Hôpital’s rule is very useful for evaluating limits involving the indeterminate forms \frac{0}{0} and \infty \text{/}\infty . However, we can also use L’Hôpital’s rule to help evaluate limits involving other indeterminate forms that arise when evaluating limits. The expressions 0\cdot \infty , \infty -\infty , {1}^{\infty }, {\infty }^{0}, and {0}^{0} are all considered indeterminate forms. These expressions are not real numbers. Rather, they represent forms that arise when trying to evaluate certain limits. Next we realize why these are indeterminate forms and then understand how to use L’Hôpital’s rule in these cases. The key idea is that we must rewrite the indeterminate forms in such a way that we arrive at the indeterminate form \frac{0}{0} or \infty \text{/}\infty .

Indeterminate Form of Type 0\cdot \infty

Suppose we want to evaluate \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}(f(x)\cdot g(x)), where f(x)\to 0 and g(x)\to \infty (or \text{−}\infty ) as x\to a. Since one term in the product is approaching zero but the other term is becoming arbitrarily large (in magnitude), anything can happen to the product. We use the notation 0\cdot \infty to denote the form that arises in this situation. The expression 0\cdot \infty is considered indeterminate because we cannot determine without further analysis the exact behavior of the product f(x)g(x) as x\to \infty . For example, let n be a positive integer and consider

f(x)=\frac{1}{({x}^{n}+1)}\text{ and }g(x)=3{x}^{2}.

As x\to \infty , f(x)\to 0 and g(x)\to \infty . However, the limit as x\to \infty of f(x)g(x)=\frac{3{x}^{2}}{({x}^{n}+1)} varies, depending on n. If n=2, then \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}f(x)g(x)=3. If n=1, then \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}f(x)g(x)=\infty . If n=3, then \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}f(x)g(x)=0. Here we consider another limit involving the indeterminate form 0\cdot \infty and show how to rewrite the function as a quotient to use L’Hôpital’s rule.

Indeterminate Form of Type 0\cdot \infty

Evaluate \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}x\text{ln}x.

Solution

First, rewrite the function x\text{ln}x as a quotient to apply L’Hôpital’s rule. If we write

x\text{ln}x=\frac{\text{ln}x}{1\text{/}x},

we see that \text{ln}x\to \text{−}\infty as x\to {0}^{+} and \frac{1}{x}\to \infty as x\to {0}^{+}. Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule and obtain

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{1\text{/}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\frac{d}{dx}(\text{ln}x)}{\frac{d}{dx}(1\text{/}x)}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}{x}^{2}}{-1\text{/}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\text{−}x)=0.

We conclude that

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}x\text{ln}x=0.
The function y = x ln(x) is graphed for values x ≥ 0. At x = 0, the value of the function is 0.
Figure 2. Finding the limit at x=0 of the function f(x)=x\text{ln}x.

Evaluate \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}x \cot x.

Solution

1

Hint

Write x \cot x=\frac{x \cos x}{ \sin x}

Indeterminate Form of Type \infty -\infty

Another type of indeterminate form is \infty -\infty . Consider the following example. Let n be a positive integer and let f(x)=3{x}^{n} and g(x)=3{x}^{2}+5. As x\to \infty , f(x)\to \infty and g(x)\to \infty . We are interested in \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(f(x)-g(x)). Depending on whether f(x) grows faster, g(x) grows faster, or they grow at the same rate, as we see next, anything can happen in this limit. Since f(x)\to \infty and g(x)\to \infty , we write \infty -\infty to denote the form of this limit. As with our other indeterminate forms, \infty -\infty has no meaning on its own and we must do more analysis to determine the value of the limit. For example, suppose the exponent n in the function f(x)=3{x}^{n} is n=3, then

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(f(x)-g(x))=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(3{x}^{3}-3{x}^{2}-5)=\infty .

On the other hand, if n=2, then

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(f(x)-g(x))=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(3{x}^{2}-3{x}^{2}-5)=-5.

However, if n=1, then

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(f(x)-g(x))=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(3x-3{x}^{2}-5)=\text{−}\infty .

Therefore, the limit cannot be determined by considering only \infty -\infty . Next we see how to rewrite an expression involving the indeterminate form \infty -\infty as a fraction to apply L’Hôpital’s rule.

Indeterminate Form of Type \infty -\infty

Evaluate \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\frac{1}{{x}^{2}}-\frac{1}{ \tan x}).

Solution

By combining the fractions, we can write the function as a quotient. Since the least common denominator is {x}^{2} \tan x, we have

\frac{1}{{x}^{2}}-\frac{1}{ \tan x}=\frac{( \tan x)-{x}^{2}}{{x}^{2} \tan x}.

As x\to {0}^{+}, the numerator \tan x-{x}^{2}\to 0 and the denominator {x}^{2} \tan x\to 0. Therefore, we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. Taking the derivatives of the numerator and the denominator, we have

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{( \tan x)-{x}^{2}}{{x}^{2} \tan x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{({ \sec }^{2}x)-2x}{{x}^{2}{ \sec }^{2}x+2x \tan x}.

As x\to {0}^{+}, ({ \sec }^{2}x)-2x\to 1 and {x}^{2}{ \sec }^{2}x+2x \tan x\to 0. Since the denominator is positive as x approaches zero from the right, we conclude that

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{({ \sec }^{2}x)-2x}{{x}^{2}{ \sec }^{2}x+2x \tan x}=\infty .

Therefore,

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\frac{1}{{x}^{2}}-\frac{1}{ \tan x})=\infty .

Evaluate \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\frac{1}{x}-\frac{1}{ \sin x}).

Solution

0

Hint

Rewrite the difference of fractions as a single fraction.

Another type of indeterminate form that arises when evaluating limits involves exponents. The expressions {0}^{0}, {\infty }^{0}, and {1}^{\infty } are all indeterminate forms. On their own, these expressions are meaningless because we cannot actually evaluate these expressions as we would evaluate an expression involving real numbers. Rather, these expressions represent forms that arise when finding limits. Now we examine how L’Hôpital’s rule can be used to evaluate limits involving these indeterminate forms.

Since L’Hôpital’s rule applies to quotients, we use the natural logarithm function and its properties to reduce a problem evaluating a limit involving exponents to a related problem involving a limit of a quotient. For example, suppose we want to evaluate \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f{(x)}^{g(x)} and we arrive at the indeterminate form {\infty }^{0}. (The indeterminate forms {0}^{0} and {1}^{\infty } can be handled similarly.) We proceed as follows. Let

y=f{(x)}^{g(x)}.

Then,

\text{ln}y=\text{ln}(f{(x)}^{g(x)})=g(x)\text{ln}(f(x)).

Therefore,

\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\left[\text{ln}(y)\right]=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\left[g(x)\text{ln}(f(x))\right].

Since \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=\infty , we know that \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\text{ln}(f(x))=\infty . Therefore, \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)\text{ln}(f(x)) is of the indeterminate form 0\cdot \infty , and we can use the techniques discussed earlier to rewrite the expression g(x)\text{ln}(f(x)) in a form so that we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule. Suppose \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x)\text{ln}(f(x))=L, where L may be \infty or \text{−}\infty . Then

\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\left[\text{ln}(y)\right]=L.

Since the natural logarithm function is continuous, we conclude that

\text{ln}(\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}y)=L,

which gives us

\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}y=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f{(x)}^{g(x)}={e}^{L}.

Indeterminate Form of Type {\infty }^{0}

Evaluate \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}x}.

Solution

Let y={x}^{1\text{/}x}. Then,

\text{ln}({x}^{1\text{/}x})=\frac{1}{x}\text{ln}x=\frac{\text{ln}x}{x}.

We need to evaluate \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{x}. Applying L’Hôpital’s rule, we obtain

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\text{ln}y=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{x}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{1}=0.

Therefore, \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\text{ln}y=0. Since the natural logarithm function is continuous, we conclude that

\text{ln}(\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}y)=0,

which leads to

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}y=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{x}={e}^{0}=1.

Hence,

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}x}=1.

Evaluate \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}\text{ln}(x)}.

Solution

e

Hint

Let y={x}^{1\text{/}\text{ln}(x)} and apply the natural logarithm to both sides of the equation.

Indeterminate Form of Type {0}^{0}

Evaluate \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{ \sin x}.

Solution

Let

y={x}^{ \sin x}.

Therefore,

\text{ln}y=\text{ln}({x}^{ \sin x})= \sin x\text{ln}x.

We now evaluate \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}} \sin x\text{ln}x. Since \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}} \sin x=0 and \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{ln}x=\text{−}\infty , we have the indeterminate form 0\cdot \infty . To apply L’Hôpital’s rule, we need to rewrite \sin x\text{ln}x as a fraction. We could write

\sin x\text{ln}x=\frac{ \sin x}{1\text{/}\text{ln}x}

or

\sin x\text{ln}x=\frac{\text{ln}x}{1\text{/} \sin x}=\frac{\text{ln}x}{ \csc x}.

Let’s consider the first option. In this case, applying L’Hôpital’s rule, we would obtain

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}} \sin x\text{ln}x=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x}{1\text{/}\text{ln}x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \cos x}{-1\text{/}(x{(\text{ln}x)}^{2})}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\text{−}x{(\text{ln}x)}^{2} \cos x).

Unfortunately, we not only have another expression involving the indeterminate form 0\cdot \infty , but the new limit is even more complicated to evaluate than the one with which we started. Instead, we try the second option. By writing

\sin x\text{ln}x=\frac{\text{ln}x}{1\text{/} \sin x}=\frac{\text{ln}x}{ \csc x},

and applying L’Hôpital’s rule, we obtain

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}} \sin x\text{ln}x=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{ \csc x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{\text{−} \csc x \cot x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{-1}{x \csc x \cot x}.

Using the fact that \csc x=\frac{1}{ \sin x} and \cot x=\frac{ \cos x}{ \sin x}, we can rewrite the expression on the right-hand side as

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{−}{ \sin }^{2}x}{x \cos x}=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\left[\frac{ \sin x}{x}\cdot (\text{−} \tan x)\right]=(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x}{x})\cdot (\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}(\text{−} \tan x))=1\cdot 0=0.

We conclude that \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\text{ln}y=0. Therefore, \text{ln}(\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}y)=0 and we have

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}y=\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{ \sin x}={e}^{0}=1.

Hence,

\underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{ \sin x}=1.

Evaluate \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{x}.

Solution

1

Hint

Let y={x}^{x} and take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation.

Growth Rates of Functions

Suppose the functions f and g both approach infinity as x\to \infty . Although the values of both functions become arbitrarily large as the values of x become sufficiently large, sometimes one function is growing more quickly than the other. For example, f(x)={x}^{2} and g(x)={x}^{3} both approach infinity as x\to \infty . However, as shown in the following table, the values of {x}^{3} are growing much faster than the values of {x}^{2}.

Comparing the Growth Rates of {x}^{2} and {x}^{3}
x 10 100 1000 10,000
f(x)={x}^{2} 100 10,000 1,000,000 100,000,000
g(x)={x}^{3} 1000 1,000,000 1,000,000,000 1,000,000,000,000

In fact,

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{3}}{{x}^{2}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}x=\infty .\text{or, equivalently,}\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{{x}^{3}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{x}=0.

As a result, we say {x}^{3} is growing more rapidly than {x}^{2} as x\to \infty . On the other hand, for f(x)={x}^{2} and g(x)=3{x}^{2}+4x+1, although the values of g(x) are always greater than the values of f(x) for x>0, each value of g(x) is roughly three times the corresponding value of f(x) as x\to \infty , as shown in the following table. In fact,

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{3{x}^{2}+4x+1}=\frac{1}{3}.
Comparing the Growth Rates of {x}^{2} and 3{x}^{2}+4x+1
x 10 100 1000 10,000
f(x)={x}^{2} 100 10,000 1,000,000 100,000,000
g(x)=3{x}^{2}+4x+1 341 30,401 3,004,001 300,040,001

In this case, we say that {x}^{2} and 3{x}^{2}+4x+1 are growing at the same rate as x\to \infty .

More generally, suppose f and g are two functions that approach infinity as x\to \infty . We say g grows more rapidly than f as x\to \infty if

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{g(x)}{f(x)}=\infty ;\text{or, equivalently,}\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=0.

On the other hand, if there exists a constant M\ne 0 such that

\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=M,

we say f and g grow at the same rate as x\to \infty .

Next we see how to use L’Hôpital’s rule to compare the growth rates of power, exponential, and logarithmic functions.

Comparing the Growth Rates of \text{ln}(x), {x}^{2}, and {e}^{x}

For each of the following pairs of functions, use L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}).

  1. f(x)={x}^{2}\text{ and }g(x)={e}^{x}
  2. f(x)=\text{ln}(x)\text{ and }g(x)={x}^{2}

Solution

  1. Since \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{2}=\infty and \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{e}^{x}, we can use L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\left[\frac{{x}^{2}}{{e}^{x}}\right]. We obtain
    \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{{e}^{x}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{2x}{{e}^{x}}.

    Since \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}2x=\infty and \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{e}^{x}=\infty , we can apply L’Hôpital’s rule again. Since

    \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{2x}{{e}^{x}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{2}{{e}^{x}}=0,

    we conclude that

    \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{{e}^{x}}=0.

    Therefore, {e}^{x} grows more rapidly than {x}^{2} as x\to \infty (See (Figure) and (Figure)).

    The functions g(x) = ex and f(x) = x2 are graphed. It is obvious that g(x) increases much more quickly than f(x).
    Figure 3. An exponential function grows at a faster rate than a power function.
    Growth rates of a power function and an exponential function.
    x 5 10 15 20
    {x}^{2} 25 100 225 400
    {e}^{x} 148 22,026 3,269,017 485,165,195
  2. Since \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\text{ln}x=\infty and \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{2}=\infty , we can use L’Hôpital’s rule to evaluate \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{{x}^{2}}. We obtain
    \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{{x}^{2}}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{1\text{/}x}{2x}=\underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{2{x}^{2}}=0.

    Thus, {x}^{2} grows more rapidly than \text{ln}x as x\to \infty (see (Figure) and (Figure)).

    The functions g(x) = x2 and f(x) = ln(x) are graphed. It is obvious that g(x) increases much more quickly than f(x).
    Figure 4. A power function grows at a faster rate than a logarithmic function.
    Growth rates of a power function and a logarithmic function
    x 10 100 1000 10,000
    \text{ln}(x) 2.303 4.605 6.908 9.210
    {x}^{2} 100 10,000 1,000,000 100,000,000

Compare the growth rates of {x}^{100} and {2}^{x}.

Solution

The function {2}^{x} grows faster than {x}^{100}.

Hint

Apply L’Hôpital’s rule to {x}^{100}\text{/}{2}^{x}

Using the same ideas as in (Figure)a. it is not difficult to show that {e}^{x} grows more rapidly than {x}^{p} for any p>0. In (Figure) and (Figure), we compare {e}^{x} with {x}^{3} and {x}^{4} as x\to \infty .

This figure has two figures marked a and b. In figure a, the functions y = ex and y = x3 are graphed. It is obvious that ex increases more quickly than x3. In figure b, the functions y = ex and y = x4 are graphed. It is obvious that ex increases much more quickly than x4, but the point at which that happens is further to the right than it was for x3.
Figure 5. The exponential function {e}^{x} grows faster than {x}^{p} for any p>0. (a) A comparison of {e}^{x} with {x}^{3}. (b) A comparison of {e}^{x} with {x}^{4}.
An exponential function grows at a faster rate than any power function
x 5 10 15 20
{x}^{3} 125 1000 3375 8000
{x}^{4} 625 10,000 50,625 160,000
{e}^{x} 148 22,026 3,269,017 485,165,195

Similarly, it is not difficult to show that {x}^{p} grows more rapidly than \text{ln}x for any p>0. In (Figure) and (Figure), we compare \text{ln}x with \sqrt[3]{x} and \sqrt{x}.

This figure shows y = the square root of x, y = the cube root of x, and y = ln(x). It is apparent that y = ln(x) grows more slowly than either of these functions.
Figure 6. The function y=\text{ln}(x) grows more slowly than {x}^{p} for any p>0 as x\to \infty .
A logarithmic function grows at a slower rate than any root function
x 10 100 1000 10,000
\text{ln}(x) 2.303 4.605 6.908 9.210
\sqrt[3]{x} 2.154 4.642 10 21.544
\sqrt{x} 3.162 10 31.623 100

Key Concepts

  • L’Hôpital’s rule can be used to evaluate the limit of a quotient when the indeterminate form \frac{0}{0} or \infty \text{/}\infty arises.
  • L’Hôpital’s rule can also be applied to other indeterminate forms if they can be rewritten in terms of a limit involving a quotient that has the indeterminate form \frac{0}{0} or \infty \text{/}\infty .
  • The exponential function {e}^{x} grows faster than any power function {x}^{p}, p>0.
  • The logarithmic function \text{ln}x grows more slowly than any power function {x}^{p}, p>0.

For the following exercises, evaluate the limit.

1. Evaluate the limit \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}}{x}.

2. Evaluate the limit \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}}{{x}^{k}}.

Solution

\infty

3. Evaluate the limit \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{{x}^{k}}.

4. Evaluate the limit \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-a}{{x}^{2}-{a}^{2}}.

Solution

\frac{1}{2a}

5. Evaluate the limit \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-a}{{x}^{3}-{a}^{3}}.

6. Evaluate the limit \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-a}{{x}^{n}-{a}^{n}}.

Solution

\frac{1}{n{a}^{n-1}}

For the following exercises, determine whether you can apply L’Hôpital’s rule directly. Explain why or why not. Then, indicate if there is some way you can alter the limit so you can apply L’Hôpital’s rule.

7. \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{2}\text{ln}x

8. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}x}

Solution

Cannot apply directly; use logarithms

9. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}{x}^{2\text{/}x}

10. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}}{1\text{/}x}

Solution

Cannot apply directly; rewrite as \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}{x}^{3}

11. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}}{x}

For the following exercises, evaluate the limits with either L’Hôpital’s rule or previously learned methods.

12. \underset{x\to 3}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}-9}{x-3}

Solution

6

13. \underset{x\to 3}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}-9}{x+3}

14. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{(1+x)}^{-2}-1}{x}

Solution

-2

15. \underset{x\to \pi \text{/}2}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \cos x}{{}_{2}^{\pi }-x}

16. \underset{x\to \pi }{\text{lim}}\frac{x-\pi }{ \sin x}

Solution

-1

17. \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-1}{ \sin x}

18. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{(1+x)}^{n}-1}{x}

Solution

n

19. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{(1+x)}^{n}-1-nx}{{x}^{2}}

20. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x- \tan x}{{x}^{3}}

Solution

-\frac{1}{2}

21. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\sqrt{1+x}-\sqrt{1-x}}{x}

22. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}-x-1}{{x}^{2}}

Solution

\frac{1}{2}

23. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \tan x}{\sqrt{x}}

24. \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-1}{\text{ln}x}

Solution

1

25. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}{(x+1)}^{1\text{/}x}

26. \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{\sqrt{x}-\sqrt[3]{x}}{x-1}

Solution

\frac{1}{6}

27. \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}{x}^{2x}

28. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}x \sin (\frac{1}{x})

Solution

1

29. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{ \sin x-x}{{x}^{2}}

30. \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}x\text{ln}({x}^{4})

Solution

0

31. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}(x-{e}^{x})

32. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{x}^{2}{e}^{\text{−}x}

Show Answer

0

33. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{3}^{x}-{2}^{x}}{x}

34. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{1+1\text{/}x}{1-1\text{/}x}

Solution

-1

35. \underset{x\to \pi \text{/}4}{\text{lim}}(1- \tan x) \cot x

36. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}x{e}^{1\text{/}x}

Solution

\infty

37. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/} \cos x}

38. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}{x}^{1\text{/}x}

Solution

1

39. \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}{(1-\frac{1}{x})}^{x}

40. \underset{x\to \infty }{\text{lim}}{(1-\frac{1}{x})}^{x}

Solution

\frac{1}{e}

For the following exercises, use a calculator to graph the function and estimate the value of the limit, then use L’Hôpital’s rule to find the limit directly.

41. [T] \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}-1}{x}

42. [T] \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}x \sin (\frac{1}{x})

Solution

0

43. [T] \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{x-1}{1- \cos (\pi x)}

44. [T] \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{(x-1)}-1}{x-1}

Show Answer

1

45. [T] \underset{x\to 1}{\text{lim}}\frac{{(x-1)}^{2}}{\text{ln}x}

46. [T] \underset{x\to \pi }{\text{lim}}\frac{1+ \cos x}{ \sin x}

Solution

0

47. [T] \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}( \csc x-\frac{1}{x})

48. [T] \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}} \tan ({x}^{x})

Solution

\tan (1)

49. [T] \underset{x\to {0}^{+}}{\text{lim}}\frac{\text{ln}x}{ \sin x}

50. [T] \underset{x\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{e}^{x}-{e}^{\text{−}x}}{x}

Solution

2

Glossary

indeterminate forms
when evaluating a limit, the forms \frac{0}{0}, \infty \text{/}\infty , 0\cdot \infty , \infty -\infty , {0}^{0}, {\infty }^{0}, and {1}^{\infty } are considered indeterminate because further analysis is required to determine whether the limit exists and, if so, what its value is
L’Hôpital’s rule
if f and g are differentiable functions over an interval a, except possibly at a, and \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x)=0=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x) or \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}f(x) and \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}g(x) are infinite, then \underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}=\underset{x\to a}{\text{lim}}\frac{{f}^{\prime }(x)}{{g}^{\prime }(x)}, assuming the limit on the right exists or is \infty or \text{−}\infty

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