Squeeze Theorem and Trigonometric Limits

Apply the squeeze theorem and evaluate special trig limits for AP Calculus AB.

The squeeze theorem and special trig limits are key tools in AP Calculus.

Squeeze Theorem

If g(x)f(x)h(x)g(x) \leq f(x) \leq h(x) near aa, and limxag(x)=limxah(x)=L\lim_{x \to a} g(x) = \lim_{x \to a} h(x) = L, then limxaf(x)=L\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = L.

Essential Trig Limits

limx0sinxx=1\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin x}{x} = 1

limx01cosxx=0\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{1 - \cos x}{x} = 0

Applications

limx0sin3xx=limx03sin3x3x=3\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin 3x}{x} = \lim_{x \to 0} 3 \cdot \frac{\sin 3x}{3x} = 3.

limx0tanxx=limx0sinxx1cosx=1\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\tan x}{x} = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin x}{x} \cdot \frac{1}{\cos x} = 1.

limx0xsin1x\lim_{x \to 0} x\sin\frac{1}{x}: squeeze between x-|x| and x|x|. Limit = 0.

Practice Problems

    1. limx0sin5x3x\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{\sin 5x}{3x}.
    1. limx0xsin2x\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{x}{\sin 2x}.
    1. Use squeeze theorem for limx0x2cos1x\lim_{x \to 0} x^2 \cos\frac{1}{x}.

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Key Takeaways

  • sinxx1\frac{\sin x}{x} \to 1 as x0x \to 0 (most important trig limit).

  • Squeeze theorem: bound the function between two that share a limit.

  • Multiply/divide to create sin(something)something\frac{\sin(\text{something})}{\text{something}}.

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