Question #84e30

2 Answers
Sep 7, 2016

As presented, the limit does not exist.

Explanation:

As xrarr-3, the numerator goes to sqrt10 and the denominator goes to 0, so the absolute value of the ratio is increasing without bound.

The limit as xrarr-3^+ has the numerator approaching sqrt10 while the denominator goes to 0 through positive values. The ratio increases without bound.

That is lim_(xrarr-3^+) (sqrt(x^2-x-2)-2)/(x+3) = oo

From the other side, as xrarr-3^- has the numerator approaching sqrt10 while the denominator goes to 0 through negative values. The ratio decreases without bound.

That is lim_(xrarr-3^-) (sqrt(x^2-x-2)-2)/(x+3) = -oo.

The two-sided limit simply does not exist.

Sep 8, 2016

If the intended problem is lim_(xrarr-3^+)(sqrt(x^2+x-2)-2)/(x+3), then the limit is -5/4

Explanation:

The initial form of lim_(xrarr-3^+)(sqrt(x^2+x-2)-2)/(x+3) is the indeterminate 0/0. Try rationalizing the numerator.
(You may not be sure it will work, but you need to try something. I am sure if will work because I've done lots of limits like this.)

lim_(xrarr-3*+)(sqrt(x^2+x-2)-2)/(x+3) = lim_(xrarr-3^+)((sqrt(x^2+x-2)-2))/((x+3)) ((sqrt(x^2+x-2)+2))/((sqrt(x^2+x-2)+2))

= lim_(xrarr-3^+)(x^2+x-2-4)/((x+3) (sqrt(x^2+x-2)+2))

= lim_(xrarr-3^+)(x^2+x-6)/((x+3) (sqrt(x^2+x-2)+2))

Note that we still get 0/0, but we can factor and reduce now.

= lim_(xrarr-3^+)((x+3)(x-2))/((x+3) (sqrt(x^2+x-2)+2))

= lim_(xrarr-3^+)(x-2)/ (sqrt(x^2+x-2)+2)

= ((-3)-2)/(sqrt((-3)^2+(-3)-2)+2)

= (-5)/(sqrt4+2) = (-5)/4