2nd LECTURE

USE OF STANDARD THEOREMS / RESULT

THEOREM–1 (Sandwich / Squeeze play Theorem):
General: The squeeze principle is used on limit problems where the usual algebraic methods
(factorisation or algebraic manipulation etc.) are not effective. However it requires
that we will be able to “squeeze” our problem in between two other simpler
function whose limits are easily comparable and equal. Use of Squeeze principle
requires accurate analysis, indepth algebra skills and careful use of inequalities.
Statement: If f , g and h are 3 functions such that f (x)  g (x) < h (x) for all x in some
interval containing the point x =c, and if
Limit f (x) = Limit h(x) = L
x c x c

then Limit
x  c g (x) = L

From the figure note that Limit

x  0 g (x) = 1.

Note: (i) the quantity c may be a finite number, +  or – . Similarly L may be finite number,
+ or – .
Examples on Sandwich theorem :

x2 x sin x
(a) If 1 – < 2(1  cos x ) < 1 holds for all values of x closed to zero then find
6
x sin x
Lim [Ans : 1]
x 0 2(1  cos x )
2  cos x
(b) Lim [Ans. 0]
x  x 3
[Sol. – 1  cos x  1
– 1  – cos x  1
1  2 – cos x  3
1 2  cos x 3
  (x + 3 > 0 as x ) ]
x 3 x3 x 3
2
(c) Lim x 3 cos [Ans. 0]
x0 x
2
[Sol. – 1  cos  1
x
2
– x3  x3 cos  x3 for x > 0
x
2
– x3  x3 cos  – x3 for x < 0
x
in both the cases limit is zero ]
x 2 (2  sin 2 x )
(d) Lim [Ans. ]
x  x  100

x 2 (sin x  cos3 x )
(e) Lim [Ans. 0]
x  ( x 2  1)( x  3)
[Sol. – 1  sin x  1 ....(1)
– 1  cos x  1
– 1  cos3x  1 ....(2)
from (1) and (2) – 2  sin x + cos3x  2 ]
5x 2  sin 3x
(f) Lim [Ans. 5]
x  x 2  10
 n n n n 
(g) Evaluate : Limit  2  2  2  ....  2 
n   n  1 n  2 n  3 n n
n n n n
[Sol. Let f (n) = 2
 2  2  ....  2
n 1 n  2 n  3 n n
note that f(n) has n terms which are decreasing
 n n n n 
Suppose h (n) =  2
 2  2  ....  2  , n terms
 n 1 n 1 n 1 n 1

n2
h (n) = ( obviously f (n) < h (n) )
n2 1
 n n n n 
and g (n) =  2
 2  2  ....  2  , n terms
n n n n n n n n

n2
= ( obviously g (n) < f (n) )
n2  n
Hence g (n) < f (n) < h (n)
Since Limit g(n) = 1 = Limit h (n)
n  n 

Hence using Sandwich Theorem Limit

n   f (n) = 1

Now using Sandwich Theorem

Limit cosx < Limit sin x
x 0 x  0
<1
x
sin x
Obviously we have Limit
x  0
=1
x
sin y
put x = – y Limit
y 0 y =1

sin x
Hence Limit =1 ....(1)
x 0 x
sin x
Note: The Limit always approaches 1 from its left hand i.e. 0.9999....
x 0 x

 
sin x   sin x  
 Lim  0 where [ ] denotes step up function  note that Lim   1
x 0 
 x    x 0 x  
Using (1) we can deduce
1
tan x x Limit x cotx = Limit tan x = Limit x
Limit = 1 = Limit =
x 0 x x 0 tan x x  0 x 0 x x  0 tan 1 x
tan x
Note that the limit Limit approaches 1 from R.H.S.
x 0 x
 tan x 
 Lim 
x 0  x 
=1 where [ ] denotes step up function

THEOREM–2 (Limits of Trigonometric Functions)
If x is small and is measured in radians then
1 x
Limit = sin x = 1 = Limit x = Limit x cosecx = Limit sin x = Limit
x0 x x  0 sin x x  0 x  0
x x  0 sin 1 x
Proof: Consider a circle with unit radius
area of OAP < area of sector < area of OAT
T
sin x x tan x
 
2 2 2
x 1
 1  (0 < x < /2)
sin x cos x
sin x
 cos x  1
x