How do you find the limit of #f(x)= (3x^2 - 9x - 12) / (x^2 + 2x -24)# as x approaches 4?

2 Answers
Rishi A.
Apr 21, 2015

Use l'Hospital's rule.

When both the numerator and the denominator give 0 when the limiting x-value is plugged into them, you should you l'Hospital's rule to find the answer. This is how you do it:

  1. Take the derivative of the top and bottom.
  2. The original limit is equal to the ratio of the two functions you have just obtained by taking the derivatives.
Anees
Apr 21, 2015

#2.1#

#color(blue)(Solution)#

#(3x^2-9x-12)/(x^2+2x-24)#

#=>(3x^2-12x+3x-12)/(x^2+6x-4x-24)#

#=>(3x(x-4)+3(x-4))/(x(x+6)-4(x+6))#

#=>((3x+3)(x-4))/((x+6)(x-4))#

#=>((3x+3)(cancel(x-4)))/((x+6)(cancel(x-4)))#

#=>(3(x+3))/(x+6)#

Now, applying limit as #x to4#

#=>(lim_(xto4)(3(x+3)))/(lim_(xto4)(x+6))#

#=>(3lim_(xto4)(x+3))/(lim_(xto4)(x+6))#

#=>(3(4+3))/(4+6)#

#=>(3(7))/(10)#

#=>(21)/10#

#=>2.1#

Related questions
See all questions in Determining Limits Algebraically
Impact of this question
2268 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License