# Thread: Finding the limit

1. ## Finding the limit

I am to find the limit as n approaches infinity of (sqrt(n+) + sqrt(n-1) - 2sqrt(n).

I separated the last term and then grouped. I did this so I could multiply by a conjugate.

When I simplified I ended up with this:

Lim as n approaches infinity of [(sqrt(n+1) - sqrt(n))^2 - (sqrt(n-1) - sqrt(n))^2]/(sqrt(n+1) - sqrt(n-1))

I don't think I did anything algebracially wrong. But any ways when I try to take the limit, I get a 0 in the denominator.

Can you help?

2. Originally Posted by Nichelle14
I am to find the limit as n approaches infinity of (sqrt(n+) + sqrt(n-1) - 2sqrt(n).

I separated the last term and then grouped. I did this so I could multiply by a conjugate.

When I simplified I ended up with this:

Lim as n approaches infinity of [(sqrt(n+1) - sqrt(n))^2 - (sqrt(n-1) - sqrt(n))^2]/(sqrt(n+1) - sqrt(n-1))

I don't think I did anything algebracially wrong. But any ways when I try to take the limit, I get a 0 in the denominator.

Can you help?
What follows hindges on $\displaystyle \sqrt{x}>x$ when $\displaystyle x<1$, and $\displaystyle \sqrt{x}<x$ when $\displaystyle x>1$.

Now:

$\displaystyle \sqrt{n+1} + \sqrt{n-1} - 2\sqrt{n}=$$\displaystyle \sqrt{n}\ [\sqrt{1+1/n}+\sqrt{1-1/n}-2] Now as \displaystyle 1+1/n>1 when \displaystyle n>1: \displaystyle 1<\sqrt{1+1/n}<1+1/n Similarly as \displaystyle 1-1/n<1 when \displaystyle n>1: \displaystyle 1-1/n<\sqrt{1-1/n}<1 So: \displaystyle \sqrt{n}[1+1-1/n-2]<$$\displaystyle \sqrt{n}\ [\sqrt{1+1/n}+\sqrt{1-1/n}-2]<\sqrt{n}[1+1/n+1-2]$

$\displaystyle -1/\sqrt{n}<$$\displaystyle \sqrt{n}\ [\sqrt{1+1/n}+\sqrt{1-1/n}-2]<1/\sqrt{n}$

Hence:

$\displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty}}\ \sqrt{n}\ [\sqrt{1+1/n}+\sqrt{1-1/n}-2]=0$

so:

$\displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty}}\ \sqrt{n+1} + \sqrt{n-1} - 2\sqrt{n}=0$

RonL