Now that several limit properties have been proven, it is possible for me to evaluate
$ \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0} \frac{1 – \cos \alpha}{\alpha} $.
To do this, I follow the steps in Reference [1]. However, I am going to constrain $\alpha$, in radians, to be greater than or equal to zero, so that I do not need to deal with the issue of negative angles and how they are used in trigonometric identities proven with right triangles and nonnegative angles. I know that the limit definition requires negative and positive numbers if $x \rightarrow 0$, but I am going to ignore the negative numbers, at least for now. This deviation from the traditional limit definition is only a slight modification; in fact, there might be a definition of a “right-handed” limit. To denote this constraint, I will write $\lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+}$ instead of $\lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0}$. So, I am actually evaluating $ \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \frac{1 – \cos \alpha}{\alpha} $.
Start with an equation derived in this post,
$ 2\sin^2 \frac{\alpha}{2} = 1-\cos \alpha $.
Using the previous equation, the numerator of the limit can be replaced:
$ \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \frac{1 – \cos \alpha}{\alpha} = \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \frac{2\sin^2 \frac{\alpha}{2}}{\alpha} $.
Rewriting,
$ = \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \sin \frac{\alpha}{2} \frac{\sin \frac{\alpha}{2}}{\frac{\alpha}{2} } $.
Using this property,
$ = \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \sin \frac{\alpha}{2} \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \frac{\sin \frac{\alpha}{2}}{\frac{\alpha}{2} } $.
By substituting $0$ for $\alpha$ in $\sin \frac{\alpha}{2}$ and by noticing that $\sin \frac{\alpha}{2}$ decreases as $\frac{\alpha}{2}$ decreases, it is clear that $\lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \sin \frac{\alpha}{2} = 0$.
The other limit, $\lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \frac{\sin \frac{\alpha}{2}}{\frac{\alpha}{2} }$, is evaluated by using the reasoning in this post . In particular, the limit was considered by noticing:
As the angle decreases, does the arc length’s value become closer to the $y$-value? Geometrically, the answer is yes, and indeed at $\theta=0$ radians the $y$-value and the arc length are the same value of zero. From this information I conclude that $\lim_{\theta \rightarrow 0} \frac{\sin \theta}{\theta} = 1$.
This conclusion was made before I realized there was an issue with negative angles, but the logic still applies. Here is a diagram.
As $\alpha$ decreases as in the limit under consideration, the value of the arc length corresponding to $\frac{\alpha}{2}$ radians becomes closer to the $y$-value corresponding to $\frac{\alpha}{2}$ radians. To conclude this, it is helpful to analyze how the shape of the arc length changes as the angle changes.
Indeed, at $\alpha = 0$ radians, the $y$-value corresponding to $\frac{\alpha}{2}= 0$ radians and the arc length corresponding to $\frac{\alpha}{2}= 0$ radians have the same value of zero. From this information, I conclude that
$\lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \frac{\sin \frac{\alpha}{2}}{\frac{\alpha}{2} } = 1$.
Therefore,
$ \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \sin \frac{\alpha}{2} \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \frac{\sin \frac{\alpha}{2}}{\frac{\alpha}{2} } = 0 * 1 = 0$.
so
$ \lim_{\alpha \rightarrow 0^+} \frac{1 – \cos \alpha}{\alpha} = 0$.
References:
[1] Morris Kline. Calculus, An Intuitive and Physical Approach. Dover Publications, 1998.
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