Limit of (x^n-1)/(x-1) as x approaches 1

The limit of (x^n-1)/(x-1) as x approaches 1 is equal to n, that is, limx→1 (xn-1)/(x-1) = n. This follows from the formula

limx→a (xn-an)/(x-a) = n⋅an-1

Put a=1, so we get that

limx→1 $\dfrac{x^n-1}{x-1}$ = n.

Let us now prove this limit formula.

What is the Limit of (x^n-1)/(x-1)

Answer: limx→1 (xn-1)/(x-1) is equal to n.

Explanation:

First, we apply the binomial formula:

xn-1 = (x-1) (xn-1+xn-2+…+x+1).

Thus, the given limit

limx→1 (xn-1)/(x-1)

= limx→1 $\dfrac{(x-1)(x^{n-1}+\cdots+x+1)}{x-1}$

= limx→1 (xn-1+xn-2+…+x+1)

= 1n-1+1n-2+…+1+1

= 1+1+…+1+1 {n times}

= n.

So the limit of (xn-1)/(x-1) is equal to n when x tends to 1.

Limit of (xn-1)/(x-1) using L’Hôpital’s Rule

The limit of (xn-1)/(x-1) when x→1 can be computed using the L’Hôpital’s rule as it is an intermediate form (0/0).

Therefore,

limx→1 (xn-1)/(x-1)

= limx→1 $\dfrac{\frac{d}{dx}(x^n-1)}{\frac{d}{dx}(x-1)}$

= limx→1 $\dfrac{nx^{n-1}}{1}$

= $n \times 1^{n-1}$

= n × 1

= n.

Hence we have shown that the limit of (xn-1)/(x-1) is n when x goes to 1, i.e., limx→1 (xn-1)/(x-1) = n.

Question-Answer

Question: Find limx→1 (x2n-1)/(x-1)

Answer:

limx→1 (x2n-1)/(x-1) = limx→1 $\dfrac{\frac{d}{dx}(x^n-1)}{\frac{d}{dx}(x-1)}$ = limx→1 $\dfrac{2nx^{2n-1}}{1}$

⇒ limx→1 (x2n-1)/(x-1) = $2n \times 1^{2n-1}$

⇒ limx→1 (x2n-1)/(x-1) = 2n.

Thus the limit of (x2n-1)/(x-1) when x tends to 1 is equal to 2n.

Have You Read These Limits?

Limit of x1/x when x→∞

Limit of xsin(1/x) when x→0

Limit of x2sin(1/x) when x→0

FAQs

Q1: What is limx→1 (xn-1)/(x-1)?

Answer: The value of the limit limx→1 (xn-1)/(x-1) is equal to n.

Spread the love
WhatsApp Group Join Now
Telegram Group Join Now