Evaluating a limit by rationalizing the numerator
Evaluate the limit
Hint
Direct substitution gives . Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate to simplify the numerator using the difference of squares.
Step-by-step solution
Direct substitution gives , an indeterminate form, so we cannot substitute directly. Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate : The numerator simplifies to .
This leaves after canceling the common factor of (valid since as ). Now substituting directly gives , which is the value of the limit.
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