Problem to solve
Compute \[ \lim_{ x \to -\infty } \frac{3x^3+2}{\sqrt{x^4-2}} \]
Solution
STEP 1
Find the following limit:
lim_(x->-∞) (3 x^3 + 2) (x^4 - 2)^(-1/2)
STEP 2
Hint: | Factor a square root out of the quotient.
For large negative values of x:
lim_(x->-∞) (3 x^3 + 2)/sqrt(x^4 - 2) = lim_(x->-∞)-sqrt((3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2)) = -lim_(x->-∞) sqrt((3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2)):
-lim_(x->-∞)(sqrt((3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2)))
STEP 3
Hint: | Using the power rule, pass the limit through the 2nd root.
lim_(x->-∞) sqrt((3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2)) = sqrt(lim_(x->-∞) (3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2)):
sqrt(lim_(x->-∞) (3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2))
STEP 4
Hint: | The degree of the numerator of (3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2) is higher than that of its denominator, so it grows asymptotically faster as x approaches -∞.
Since (3 x^3 + 2)^2 grows asymptotically faster than x^4 - 2 as x approaches -∞, lim_(x->-∞) (3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2) = ± ∞.
Additionally (3 x^3 + 2)^2>0 and x^4 - 2>0 as x approaches -∞, so lim_(x->-∞) (3 x^3 + 2)^2/(x^4 - 2) = ∞:
-sqrt(∞)
STEP 5
Hint: | Evaluate -sqrt(∞).
-sqrt(∞) = -∞:
Answer: | 
 | -∞