1. ## Limits

$\lim_{x \to \infty} x^6-3x^2+1$

How do you calculate this limit?

2. Originally Posted by chengbin
$\lim_{x \to \infty} x^6-3x^2+1$

How do you calculate this limit?
If you take the limit of a polynomial expression, it will shoot off to $+\infty$ or $-\infty$, depending on the end behaviour of the function.

In this case, consider the end behaviour of $x^6-3x^2+1$ to be $x^6$. Then it follows that $\lim_{x\to\infty}x^6-3x^2+1\sim\lim_{x\to\infty}x^6$. Since $x^6>0\,\forall\,x\in\mathbb{R},\, \lim_{x\to\infty}x^6=+\infty$.

Thus, $\lim_{x \to \infty} x^6-3x^2+1=+\infty$

Does this make sense?

An easier way to explain it may be that:

$x^6$ will yield a "larger" infinity than $3x^2$.

So when that is subtracted, the value is still $+\infty$.

The $1$ on the end of the polynomial is irrelevant in this case.

Truthfully there is no such thing as a "larger" or "smaller" infinity, however this is an easier way to look at it.

4. Originally Posted by chengbin
$\lim_{x \to \infty} x^6-3x^2+1$

How do you calculate this limit?
Well basically, $\lim_{x \to \infty} x^6-3x^2+1=\lim_{x \to \infty} x^2(x^4-3)+1=(\infty)(\infty)+1=\infty$

But in general, you can use intuition on these limits. x^6 blows x^2 out of the water, no matter what the coefficient is on x^2, so -3x^2 doesn't matter as x gets huge (tends to infinity) and the plus 1 does not matter either when x is huge so in the long run, the polynomial acts exactly like x^6. and $\lim_{x \to \infty} x^6=\infty$

5. Damn, I typed the wrong question. The limit should be going to negative infinity. But I guess it would be the same thing.

6. Hello,

A more straighforward way :

$x^6-3x^2+1=x^6\left(1-\frac{3}{x^4}+\frac{1}{x^6}\right)$

$\lim_{x\to\pm\infty} \frac{3}{x^4}=0$

$\lim_{x\to\pm\infty} \frac{1}{x^6}=0$

So $\lim_{x\to\pm\infty} x^6\left(1-\frac{3}{x^4}+\frac{1}{x^6}\right)=+\infty$

(because $x^6\geq 0$)