ISC Class 12 • 2024 • 4 Marks

Calculus: L'Hopital's Rule Indeterminate Limit

Official examination question with verified M1/A1 mark scheme and step-by-step mathematical reasoning.

Problem Statement

Evaluate the limit: $\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{1}{x} - \frac{1}{\sin x} \right)$

Verified Solution & Marking Scheme

Combine Fractions to 0/0 Form
$\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin x - x}{x \sin x}$ As $x \to 0$, numerator $\sin 0 - 0 = 0$ and denominator $0 \cdot 0 = 0$. This is in $\frac{0}{0}$ indeterminate form.
Apply L'Hopital's Rule (First Time)
Differentiate numerator and denominator with respect to $x$: $\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\cos x - 1}{\sin x + x \cos x}$ At $x = 0$: numerator is $1 - 1 = 0$, denominator is $0 + 0 = 0$. Still in $\frac{0}{0}$ form.
Apply L'Hopital's Rule (Second Time)
Differentiate again: $\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{-\sin x}{\cos x + (\cos x - x \sin x)} = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{-\sin x}{2\cos x - x \sin x}$ Substitute $x = 0$: $= \frac{-\sin 0}{2\cos 0 - 0} = \frac{0}{2(1) - 0} = \frac{0}{2} = 0$
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