Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Circular logic in evaluation of elementary limits



Our calculus book states elementary limits like limx0sinxx=1, or limx0ln(1+x)x=1, limx0ex1x=1 without proof.



At the end of the chapter of limits, it shows that these limits can be evaluated by using series expansion (which is not in our high school calculus course).




However, series expansion of a function can only be evaluated by repeatedly differentiating it.



And, to calculate derivative of sinx, one must use the limx0sinxx=1.



So this seems to end up in a circular logic. It is also same for such other limits.



I found that limx0ex1x=1 can be proved using binomial theorem.



How to evaluate other elementary limits without series expansion or L'Hôpital Rule?




This answer does not explain how that limit can be evaluated.


Answer



Hint to prove it yourself:



enter image description here



Let A1 be the area of triangle ABC, A2 be the area of arc ABC, and A3 be the area of ABD. Then we have:



$$A_1


Try and find expressions for A1,A2, and A3 and fill them into the inequality and finally use the squeeze theorem.


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