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 $x = 0$:
$= \frac{-\sin 0}{2\cos 0 - 0} = \frac{0}{2(1) - 0} = \frac{0}{2} = 0$