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Viewing Version 6 of 'limit of $\displaystyle \frac{\sin x}{x}$ as $x$ approaches 0'
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Title of object: limit of $\displaystyle \frac{\sin x}{x}$ as $x$ approaches 0
Canonical Name: LimitOfDisplaystyleFracsinXxAsXApproaches0
Type: Theorem

Created on: 2007-04-24 17:53:53
Modified on: 2007-05-30 15:37:05

Creator: Wkbj79
Modifier: Wkbj79
Author: Wkbj79

Classification: msc:26A03, msc:26A06

Revision comment (for changes between this and next version):

Changes for correction #13002 ('in C').

Preamble:

\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amsfonts}

\usepackage{psfrag}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{amsthm}
\usepackage{xypic}

\newtheorem{thm*}{Theorem}
Content:

\begin{thm*}
$$\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin x}{x}=1$$
\end{thm*}

\PMlinkescapetext{Note that this entry uses the result} $x<\tan x$ for $\displaystyle 0<x<\frac{\pi}{2}$. \PMlinkescapetext{I have received word that a proof of this fact which uses no calculus will be supplied on PlanetMath. Please let me know when this is completed so that I can edit this entry accordingly.}

\begin{proof}

First, let $\displaystyle 0<x<\frac{\pi}{2}$. Then $0<\cos x<1$. Note also that

\begin{equation}
\label{tan}
x<\tan x.
\end{equation}

Multiplying both \PMlinkescapetext{sides} of this inequality by $\cos x$ yields

\begin{equation}
\label{xcos}
x\cos x<\sin x.
\end{equation}

By \PMlinkname{this theorem}{ComparisonOfSinThetaAndThetaNearTheta0},

\begin{equation}
\label{x}
\sin x<x.
\end{equation}

Combining inequalities (\ref{xcos}) and (\ref{x}) gives

\begin{equation}
\label{sin}
x\cos x<\sin x<x.
\end{equation}

Dividing by $x$ yields

\begin{equation}
\label{squeeze}
\cos x<\frac{\sin x}{x}<1.
\end{equation}

Now let $\displaystyle \frac{-\pi}{2}<x<0$. Then $\displaystyle 0<-x<\frac{\pi}{2}$. Plugging $-x$ into inequality (\ref{squeeze}) gives

\begin{equation}
\label{squeeze-}
\cos (-x)<\frac{\sin (-x)}{-x}<1.
\end{equation}

Since $\cos$ is an even function and $\sin$ is an odd function, we have

\begin{equation}
\label{-squeeze}
\cos x<\frac{-\sin x}{-x}<1.
\end{equation}

Therefore, inequality (\ref{squeeze}) holds for all real $x$ with $\displaystyle 0<|x|<\frac{\pi}{2}$.

Since $\cos$ is continuous, $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 0} \cos x=\cos 0=1$. Thus,

\begin{equation}
\label{limits}
1=\lim_{x \to 0} \cos x \le \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin x}{x} \le \lim_{x \to 0} 1=1.
\end{equation}

By the squeeze theorem, it follows that $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin x}{x}=1$.
\end{proof}