Circular limit

Calculus Level 3

lim x x sin ( 18 0 x ) = ? \large \lim_{x\to\infty} x\sin \left(\frac {180^\circ}x \right) = \, ?

1 Indeterminate 0 ϕ \phi Infinite π \pi

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2 solutions

L = lim x x sin ( 18 0 x ) As 18 0 = π radian = lim x x sin ( π x ) Multiply up and down by π x = lim x π sin ( π x ) π x Note that lim u 0 sin u u = 1 = π \begin{aligned} L & = \lim_{x \to \infty} x \sin \left(\frac {\color{#3D99F6}180^\circ}x \right) & \small \color{#3D99F6} \text{As } 180^\circ = \pi \text{ radian} \\ & = \lim_{x \to \infty} x \sin \left(\frac {\color{#3D99F6}\pi}x \right) & \small \color{#3D99F6} \text{Multiply up and down by }\frac \pi x \\ & = \lim_{x \to \infty} \pi \color{#3D99F6} \frac {\sin \left(\frac \pi x \right)}{\frac \pi x} & \small \color{#3D99F6} \text{Note that }\lim_{u \to 0} \frac {\sin u}u = 1 \\ & = \boxed{\pi} \end{aligned}

Akshat Joshi
Jan 8, 2017

For any x x sided regular polygon inscribed in a circle of radius r r , our objective is to calculate the perimeter of the polygon.

The figure represents the given situation. O O is the center of the circle and A B AB , B C BC are edges of a regular polygon. O L OL and O M OM are perpendiculars drawn on line segments A B AB and B C BC respectively. Since perpendiculars from center bisect the chord, thus we have,

B L = B M BL = BM

O B = O B OB = OB

O L B = O M B \angle OLB = \angle OMB

Therfore by RHS Criteration of congruency, Δ O L B Δ O M B \Delta OLB \cong \Delta OMB .

Thus by CPCT, we have

L B O = O B M \angle LBO = \angle OBM

For any regular polygon of x x sides, each angle is given by 180 ( x 2 ) x \frac{180(x-2)}{x} .

Therefore, L B M = 180 ( x 2 ) x \angle LBM = \frac{180(x-2)}{x} . Thus L B O = 180 ( x 2 ) 2 x \angle LBO = \frac{180(x-2)}{2x} .

Clearly,

B L r = c o s ( 90 ( x 2 ) x ° ) \frac{BL}{r} = cos(\frac{90(x-2)}{x}°)

B L = r c o s ( 90 ( x 2 ) x ° ) \ BL = rcos(\frac{90(x-2)}{x}°) and thus,

B C = 2 B L = 2 r c o s ( 90 ( x 2 ) x ° ) BC = 2BL = 2rcos(\frac{90(x-2)}{x}°)

Since it is a regular polygon,

Perimeter = ( x ) ( B A ) = 2 x r c o s ( 90 ( x 2 ) x ° ) (x)(BA) = 2xrcos(\frac{90(x-2)}{x}°) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ( 1 ) .........................(1)

But as x x approaches infinity the polygon tends to coincide the circle in which it is inscribed. Thus in that case the perimeter of the polygon becomes equal to the circumference of the circle in which it is inscribed.

Circumference of the circle = 2 π r 2\pi r

Thus, Comparing the perimeter of the infinite-sided polygon with the circumference of a circle we get,

lim x x c o s ( 90 ( x 2 ) x ° ) = lim x x s i n ( 180 x ° ) = π \lim_{x \to \infty} xcos(\frac{90(x-2)}{x}°)=\lim_{x \to \infty} xsin(\frac{180}{x}°) = \pi

Hence Proved.

This is a really interesting proof! I "cheated" and used calculus:

lim x x sin ( 18 0 x ) = lim x x sin ( π x ) = lim x π sin ( π x ) π x = π lim y 0 sin ( y ) y = π \displaystyle\lim_{x \to \infty} x\sin(\frac{180^{\circ}}{x}) = \lim_{x \to \infty} x\sin(\frac{\pi}{x}) = \lim_{x \to \infty} \pi\dfrac{\sin(\dfrac{\pi}{x})}{\dfrac{\pi}{x}} = \pi \lim_{y \to 0} \frac{\sin(y)}{y} = \pi ,

where y = π x 0 y = \dfrac{\pi}{x} \to 0 as x x \to \infty .

Brian Charlesworth - 4 years, 5 months ago

Very nice proof! Brilliant!

Siva Bathula - 4 years, 5 months ago

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