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bnosam

New member
$$\displaystyle \lim_{x \to a} \frac{ x^2 - a^2}{\sqrt(x) - \sqrt(a)}$$

I've tried to solve this standard, but I either end up with 0 in the denominator, or I end up with 0/0.

Any hints on what to do with this next?

Thanks

chisigma

Well-known member
$$\displaystyle \lim_{x \to a} \frac{ x^2 - a^2}{\sqrt(x) - \sqrt(a)}$$

I've tried to solve this standard, but I either end up with 0 in the denominator, or I end up with 0/0.

Any hints on what to do with this next?

Thanks
Why don't multiply numerator and denominator by $\displaystyle \sqrt{x} + \sqrt{a}$?...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

bnosam

New member
Why don't multiply numerator and denominator by $\displaystyle \sqrt{x} + \sqrt{a}$?...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
I tried that, however I end up with x - a, at the bottom, which leads to 0 in the denominator.

$$\displaystyle \frac{x^2\sqrt(x) + x^2 \sqrt(a) - a^2\sqrt(x) - a^2\sqrt(a)}{x-a}$$

ZaidAlyafey

Well-known member
MHB Math Helper
I suggest factorizing

$$\displaystyle (x^2-a^2)=(x-a)(x+a)=(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{a})(\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{a})(x+a)$$

chisigma

Well-known member
I tried that, however I end up with x - a, at the bottom, which leads to 0 in the denominator.

$$\displaystyle \frac{x^2\sqrt(x) + x^2 \sqrt(a) - a^2\sqrt(x) - a^2\sqrt(a)}{x-a}$$
$\displaystyle \frac{x^{2} - a^{2}}{\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{a}}\ \frac{\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{a}} = \frac{x^{2}-a^{2}}{x-a}\ (\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{a})= (x+a)\ (\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{a})$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

bnosam

New member
$\displaystyle \frac{x^{2} - a^{2}}{\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{a}}\ \frac{\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{a}} = \frac{x^{2}-a^{2}}{x-a}\ (\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{a})= (x+a)\ (\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{a})$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
Ohh ok, I should have seen that.

$$\displaystyle x\sqrt(x) + x\sqrt(a) + a\sqrt(x) + a\sqrt(a)$$

$$\displaystyle = 4a\sqrt(a)$$

That seem right?

Chris L T521

Well-known member
Staff member
Ohh ok, I should have seen that.

$$\displaystyle x\sqrt(x) + x\sqrt(a) + a\sqrt(x) + a\sqrt(a)$$

$$\displaystyle = 4a\sqrt(a)$$

That seem right?
It should technically be $\color{red}{\lim\limits_{x\to a}} x\sqrt{x}+x\sqrt{a}+a\sqrt{x}+a\sqrt{a} = 4a\sqrt{a}$
since you're supposed to include the $\displaystyle\lim_{x\to a}$ part in each line of your work leading up to the substitution of $x=a$ at the end of the problem.

Otherwise, everything looks fine to me!

MarkFL

$$\displaystyle \lim_{x \to a} \frac{ x^2 - a^2}{\sqrt(x) - \sqrt(a)}$$
Just a $\LaTeX$ tip:
Use the code \sqrt{x} instead of \sqrt(x) and the argument will be put under the radical, to get $\sqrt{x}$ instead of $\sqrt(x)$.