Monday, January 9, 2017

Circular logic in evaluation of elementary limits



Our calculus book states elementary limits like $\lim_{x\to0} \frac{\sin x}{x}=1$, or $\lim_{x\to0} \frac{\ln (1+x)}{x}=1$, $\lim_{x\to0} \frac{e^x-1}{x}=1$ 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 $\sin x$, one must use the $\lim_{x\to0} \frac{\sin x}{x}=1$.




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



I found that $\lim_{x\to0} \frac{e^x-1}{x}=1$ 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 $A_1$ be the area of triangle $ABC$, $A_2$ be the area of arc $ABC$, and $A_3$ be the area of ABD. Then we have:



$$A_1

Try and find expressions for $A_1,A_2,$ and $A_3$ and fill them into the inequality and finally use the squeeze theorem.


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