Drexel dragonThe Math ForumDonate to the Math Forum

Ask Dr. Math - Questions and Answers from our Archives

L'Hopital's Rule

Date: 8/11/96 at 17:55:17
From: Anonymous
Subject: Limit of x^(1/x)

Hi! I have a problem with a limit that can be solved with L'Hopital's 
Rule because it is part of the first partial, but for which I don't 
see how to apply L'Hopital's Rule:

  Limit     x^(1/x)
x-> Inf

I am thankful for any help.

Date: 8/11/96 at 18:9:6
From: Doctor Paul
Subject: Re: Limit of x^(1/x)

Let's assume it is this instead:

Lt 1^(1/x)
x-> Inf

Note that as x goes to infinity, 1/x goes to zero, right?  so 1 to the 
zero power is just 1.  

I think it's pretty safe to assume that x^(1/x) also goes to 1 as x 
goes to infinity.  Let's prove it:

You have:

 Limit      x^(1/x)
x-> Inf

Let's say that's equal to sum number 'n'.  We want to solve for n...

 Limit     x^(1/x)    =  n
x-> Inf  

Take the natural log of both sides:

 Limit     (1/x)*ln(x) = ln(n)
x-> Inf

Now we have to evaluate the left side. It's a limit that evaluates to 
infinity/0.  Now we can use L'Hopital's Rule on the lefthand side.

Take the derivitive and re-evaluate the limit:

Limit    (1/x) / 1  = ln(n)
x-> Inf

Now we can see that the lefthand side evaluates to zero.

0 = ln(n)

Exponentiate both sides:

e^0 = n


n = 1

There's proof that the limit evaluates to one. 

I hope this helps.


-Doctor Paul,  The Math Forum
Associated Topics:
High School Calculus

Search the Dr. Math Library:

Find items containing (put spaces between keywords):
Click only once for faster results:


parts of words whole words

Submit your own question to Dr. Math

[Privacy Policy] [Terms of Use]


Ask Dr. MathTM
© 1994-2015 The Math Forum