Limit at negative infinity, get negative of correct answer.











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My textbook asks me to evaluate the limit $$lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}}$$ which evaluates to $-2oversqrt{3}$. The method in the book is to factor out $x^2$ from the root in the denominator:



$$begin{align}
lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}} & = lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{x^2left(3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}right)}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over -xsqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {-2+frac{1}{x}over sqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = {-2oversqrt{3}}
end{align}$$



the second step is justified because $xto-infty$ implies $xlt0$, so $sqrt{x^2}=-x$.



For my attempt I ended up with the negative of the correct answer:



$$begin{align}
lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}} & = lim_{xto-infty} left({2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}}cdotfrac{frac{1}{x}}{frac{1}{x}}right) \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2-frac{1}{x}over sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}left(3x^2+x+1right)}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2-frac{1}{x}over sqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = {2oversqrt{3}}
end{align}$$



Where have I gone wrong? I suspect the mistake lies in my second step, but I'm unable to identify what went wrong exactly.










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  • 4




    Also, thank you very much for including a full explanation of your thoughts, enough context to know what you can use, and a clear identification of where you think your error is. This is a well-written question.
    – T. Bongers
    1 hour ago

















up vote
9
down vote

favorite












My textbook asks me to evaluate the limit $$lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}}$$ which evaluates to $-2oversqrt{3}$. The method in the book is to factor out $x^2$ from the root in the denominator:



$$begin{align}
lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}} & = lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{x^2left(3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}right)}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over -xsqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {-2+frac{1}{x}over sqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = {-2oversqrt{3}}
end{align}$$



the second step is justified because $xto-infty$ implies $xlt0$, so $sqrt{x^2}=-x$.



For my attempt I ended up with the negative of the correct answer:



$$begin{align}
lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}} & = lim_{xto-infty} left({2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}}cdotfrac{frac{1}{x}}{frac{1}{x}}right) \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2-frac{1}{x}over sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}left(3x^2+x+1right)}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2-frac{1}{x}over sqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = {2oversqrt{3}}
end{align}$$



Where have I gone wrong? I suspect the mistake lies in my second step, but I'm unable to identify what went wrong exactly.










share|cite|improve this question


















  • 4




    Also, thank you very much for including a full explanation of your thoughts, enough context to know what you can use, and a clear identification of where you think your error is. This is a well-written question.
    – T. Bongers
    1 hour ago















up vote
9
down vote

favorite









up vote
9
down vote

favorite











My textbook asks me to evaluate the limit $$lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}}$$ which evaluates to $-2oversqrt{3}$. The method in the book is to factor out $x^2$ from the root in the denominator:



$$begin{align}
lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}} & = lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{x^2left(3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}right)}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over -xsqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {-2+frac{1}{x}over sqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = {-2oversqrt{3}}
end{align}$$



the second step is justified because $xto-infty$ implies $xlt0$, so $sqrt{x^2}=-x$.



For my attempt I ended up with the negative of the correct answer:



$$begin{align}
lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}} & = lim_{xto-infty} left({2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}}cdotfrac{frac{1}{x}}{frac{1}{x}}right) \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2-frac{1}{x}over sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}left(3x^2+x+1right)}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2-frac{1}{x}over sqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = {2oversqrt{3}}
end{align}$$



Where have I gone wrong? I suspect the mistake lies in my second step, but I'm unable to identify what went wrong exactly.










share|cite|improve this question













My textbook asks me to evaluate the limit $$lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}}$$ which evaluates to $-2oversqrt{3}$. The method in the book is to factor out $x^2$ from the root in the denominator:



$$begin{align}
lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}} & = lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{x^2left(3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}right)}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over -xsqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {-2+frac{1}{x}over sqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = {-2oversqrt{3}}
end{align}$$



the second step is justified because $xto-infty$ implies $xlt0$, so $sqrt{x^2}=-x$.



For my attempt I ended up with the negative of the correct answer:



$$begin{align}
lim_{xto-infty} {2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}} & = lim_{xto-infty} left({2x-1over sqrt{3x^2+x+1}}cdotfrac{frac{1}{x}}{frac{1}{x}}right) \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2-frac{1}{x}over sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}left(3x^2+x+1right)}} \
& = lim_{xto-infty} {2-frac{1}{x}over sqrt{3+frac{1}{x}+frac{1}{x^2}}} \
& = {2oversqrt{3}}
end{align}$$



Where have I gone wrong? I suspect the mistake lies in my second step, but I'm unable to identify what went wrong exactly.







calculus algebra-precalculus limits






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  • 4




    Also, thank you very much for including a full explanation of your thoughts, enough context to know what you can use, and a clear identification of where you think your error is. This is a well-written question.
    – T. Bongers
    1 hour ago
















  • 4




    Also, thank you very much for including a full explanation of your thoughts, enough context to know what you can use, and a clear identification of where you think your error is. This is a well-written question.
    – T. Bongers
    1 hour ago










4




4




Also, thank you very much for including a full explanation of your thoughts, enough context to know what you can use, and a clear identification of where you think your error is. This is a well-written question.
– T. Bongers
1 hour ago






Also, thank you very much for including a full explanation of your thoughts, enough context to know what you can use, and a clear identification of where you think your error is. This is a well-written question.
– T. Bongers
1 hour ago












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Your mistake is in writing



$$frac 1 x = sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}}.$$



Since $x < 0$, the correct version includes a negative sign.






share|cite|improve this answer























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    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    9
    down vote



    accepted










    Your mistake is in writing



    $$frac 1 x = sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}}.$$



    Since $x < 0$, the correct version includes a negative sign.






    share|cite|improve this answer



























      up vote
      9
      down vote



      accepted










      Your mistake is in writing



      $$frac 1 x = sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}}.$$



      Since $x < 0$, the correct version includes a negative sign.






      share|cite|improve this answer

























        up vote
        9
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        9
        down vote



        accepted






        Your mistake is in writing



        $$frac 1 x = sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}}.$$



        Since $x < 0$, the correct version includes a negative sign.






        share|cite|improve this answer














        Your mistake is in writing



        $$frac 1 x = sqrt{frac{1}{x^2}}.$$



        Since $x < 0$, the correct version includes a negative sign.







        share|cite|improve this answer














        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer








        answered 1 hour ago


























        community wiki





        T. Bongers































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