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Ch. 7 - Transcendental Functions
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 7.8.9.e

9. True, or false? As x→∞,
e. e^x = o(e^(2x))

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1
Recall the definition of the little-o notation: For functions \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\), we say \(f(x) = o(g(x))\) as \(x \to \infty\) if \(\lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = 0\).
Identify the functions in the problem: \(f(x) = e^{x}\) and \(g(x) = e^{2x}\).
Set up the limit to check the little-o relationship: \(\lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{e^{x}}{e^{2x}}\).
Simplify the fraction inside the limit: \(\frac{e^{x}}{e^{2x}} = e^{x - 2x} = e^{-x}\).
Evaluate the limit: \(\lim_{x \to \infty} e^{-x}\). Since \(e^{-x} = \frac{1}{e^{x}}\) and \(e^{x} \to \infty\), the limit is \(0\), confirming that \(e^{x} = o(e^{2x})\) as \(x \to \infty\).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Big-O and Little-o Notation

Big-O and little-o notation describe the limiting behavior of functions as the input grows large. Little-o notation, f(x) = o(g(x)), means f(x) grows much slower than g(x), so the ratio f(x)/g(x) approaches zero as x approaches infinity.
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Exponential Growth Rates

Exponential functions like e^x and e^(2x) grow rapidly, but e^(2x) grows faster than e^x because its exponent is larger. Comparing their growth rates helps determine which function dominates as x approaches infinity.
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Limits at Infinity

Evaluating limits as x approaches infinity involves analyzing how functions behave for very large x. For example, the limit of the ratio e^x / e^(2x) simplifies to e^{-x}, which approaches zero, indicating relative growth rates.
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